Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Collie Versus Irish Setter: Introduction
- Collie versus Irish Setter: Overview
- Collie versus Irish Setter: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Collie and the Irish Setter
- The Similarities Between the Collie and the Irish Setter
- Size (Weight and Height) of Collie versus Irish Setter
- Lifespan of Collie versus Irish Setter
- Temperament of the Collie Versus the Irish Setter
- Price of Collie versus Price of Irish Setter
- The Intelligence of the Collie versus the Intelligence of the Irish Setter
- The Popularity of Collie versus Popularity of Irish Setter
- Health Problems of Collie versus Health Problems of Irish Setter
- Tolerates Being Alone: Collie versus Irish Setter
- Do Collies shed more than Irish Setters?
- Which one drools more, the Collie or the Irish Setter
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Collie or the Irish Setter?
- Does the Collie Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Irish Setter?
- Do Collies Bark and Howl? What about Irish Setters?
- Can Collies Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Irish Setters Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Collie vs. Irish Setter
- Can Collies Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Irish Setters Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Collie or the Irish Setter?
- Are Collies good family dogs? What about Irish Setters?
- How Kid-friendly are Collies and Irish Setters?
- Is the Collie Easier to Train than the Irish Setter?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Collie
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Irish Setter
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Collie versus Irish Setter. Which One is a Better Pet?
Collie Versus Irish Setter: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Collie and the Irish Setter? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Collie and the Irish Setter better suits you.We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Collie and the Irish Setter.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Collie and the Irish Setter is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.
Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Collie and for the Irish Setter. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Collie and the Irish Setter.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Collie or the Irish Setter.
Collie versus Irish Setter: Overview
A very important difference between the Collie and the Irish Setter is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Collie is a medium-sized dog while the Irish Setter is a large-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Collie belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.
On the other hand, the Irish Setter belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.
Collie versus Irish Setter: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Collie to the Irish Setter based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.
When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets
Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.
However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.
Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Collie and the Irish Setter
| Factor | Collie | Irish Setter |
|---|---|---|
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 5/5 | 1/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 14 years | 11 to 15 years |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Height | 22 to 26 inches all at the shoulder | 2 feet, 1 inch to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the sho |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Weight | 50 to 70 pounds | 60 to 70 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 12.0 years | 13.0 years |
| Average Price | $1480 | $1680 |
| Price Range | $1000 – $1800 | $1200 – $2200 |
| Temperament Score | 80.8 percent | 90.9 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | ||
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 37 | 74 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 16 | 35 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Collie in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Irish Setter. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.
The Better-Pet score for the Collie is 83 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Irish Setter is 73 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Collie is a better pet than the Irish Setter. So, you should get the Collie!
Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Collie and the Irish Setter so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Collie and the Irish Setter
Below is a list of where the Collie and the Irish Setter are most different:
The Similarities Between the Collie and the Irish Setter
The Collie and the Irish Setter are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Collie and the Irish Setter are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Collie versus Irish Setter
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Collie and the Irish Setter.
Collies weigh 50 to 70 pounds when fully grown. Collies are 22 to 26 inches all at the shoulder when fully grown.
On the other hand, Irish Setters weigh 60 to 70 pounds when fully grown. Irish Setters are 2 feet, 1 inch to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the sho when fully grown.
Lifespan of Collie versus Irish Setter
The lifespan of Collies is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Collies is 12.0 years.
The lifespan of Irish Setters is between 11 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Irish Setters is 13.0 years.
Irish Setters live longer than Collies.
Temperament of the Collie Versus the Irish Setter
The Irish Setter has a better temperament than the Collie.
This is because the temperament score for the Irish Setter is 90.9 percent while the temperament score for the Collie is 80.8 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).
The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.
Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.
The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.
With its temperament score of 80.8 percent, the Collie has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
With its temperament score of 90.9 percent, the Irish Setter has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Collie and the Irish Setter by measuring the temperaments of 896 Collies and 154 Irish Setters.
Price of Collie versus Price of Irish Setter
The average price of the Collie puppy is $1480. The price of the Collie typically ranges from $1000 – $1800. However, the price of a Collie can be as low as $300 and as high as $15000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 356 Collie puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The average price of the Irish Setter puppy is $1680. The price of the Irish Setter typically ranges from $1200 – $2200. However, the price of the Irish Setter can be as low as $500 and as high as $3200. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 105 Irish Setter puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Irish Setter is more expensive than the Collie.
`| Collie | Irish Setter | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1480 | $1680 |
| Price Range | $1000 to $1800 | $1200 to $2200 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Collie and Irish Setter. For different price points, the charts show how many Collie puppies or how many Irish Setter puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Collies. The typical price range is shaded Green.
A breakdown of the prices of Irish Setters
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Collie puppy or the Irish Setter puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.
Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.
You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.
The Intelligence of the Collie versus the Intelligence of the Irish Setter
`| Collie | Irish Setter | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 16 out of 130 dog breeds | 35 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 5 To 15 Repetitions | Tend To Learn New Commands After 15 To 25 Repetitions |
Professor Stanley Coren, the famous psychology/neuropsychological professor and, dog lover/trainer measured and ranked the intelligence of about 130 different dog breeds.
According to Prof. Stanley Coren, the total intelligence that a dog demonstrates is the addition of three types of intelligence. These intelligence types are:Prof. Coren showed that the Working/Obedience Intelligence of different dog breeds can be measured reliably. Thus, he was able to rank different dog breeds based on their Working/Obedience Intelligence.
This is important because according to Prof. Coren, 51 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from its genes while 49 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from the dog`s environmental circumstances.
To rank the intelligence of dog breeds, Prof. Coren employed the help of 208 dog obedience judges in North America to fill out a detailed survey on dog obedience. This number represented more than half of all of these judges in North America at the time. He also employed 63 veterinarians and 14 guard dog experts to collect data on the personality of different dog breeds.Prof. Coren found that the Collie has an obedience intelligence rank of 16 out of 130 dog breeds. The Collie belongs to the `Excellent Working Dogs` category. This means that Collies tend to learn new commands after 5 to 15 repetitions.
The Irish Setter has an obedience intelligence rank of 35 out of 130 dog breeds. The Irish Setter belongs to the `Above Average Working Dogs` category. This means that Irish Setters tend to learn new commands after 15 to 25 repetitions.
The Collie is more intelligent than the Irish Setter.
However, Prof. Coren noted that a dog should not be judged based on its intelligence alone, that other factors such as sociability, adorability, and compatibility with the owner are other very important factors that new dog owners need to consider when deciding on a new dog.
The Popularity of Collie versus Popularity of Irish Setter
Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).
The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Collie and the Irish Setter over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Collie is more popular with dog owners than the Irish Setter. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Collie is 37 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Irish Setter is 74 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Collie
Popularity of Irish Setter
| Year | Collie Popularity Rank | Irish Setter Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 35 | 72 |
| 2014 | 36 | 73 |
| 2015 | 36 | 72 |
| 2016 | 37 | 76 |
| 2017 | 40 | 72 |
| 2018 | 38 | 77 |
| 2019 | 38 | 79 |
| 2020 | 40 | 75 |
Health Problems of Collie versus Health Problems of Irish Setter
Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.
Both the Collie and the Irish Setter are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.
The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.
Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Collie is prone to more genetic health problems than the Irish Setter.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Collie than for the Irish Setter.
4 health tests are recommended for Collie while 3 tests are recommended for the Irish Setter.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Collies and in Irish Setters.
Collie Health Problems
Collies are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Collie puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Collie puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Collie breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Collies for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Collies here.
Irish Setter Health Problems
Irish Setters are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Irish Setter puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Irish Setter puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Irish Setter breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Irish Setters for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Irish Setters here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Collies and Irish Setters
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Collie Breed is Collie Eye Anomaly problems.
This is because the Collie ranks 1 out of 7 dog breeds for Collie Eye Anomaly problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 114 Collies, 16 of them had Collie Eye Anomaly problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Collies, and how common these diseases are in Collies relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Irish Setter Breed is Thyroid problems.
This is because the Irish Setter ranks 13 out of 115 dog breeds for Thyroid problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 1455 Irish Setters, 139 of them had Thyroid problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Irish Setters, and how common these diseases are in Irish Setters relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Collie and in Irish Setter and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Collie and the Irish Setter:
`| Disease | Collie Rank | Irish Setter Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Collie Eye Anomaly problems | 1 out of 7 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Eyes problems | 1 out of 182 dog breeds | 67 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Multiple Drug Resistance (Mdr1) problems | 1 out of 7 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Dentition Database problems | 13 out of 49 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Degenerative Myelopathy problems | 16 out of 70 dog breeds | 35 out of 70 dog breeds |
| Thyroid problems | 65 out of 115 dog breeds | 13 out of 115 dog breeds |
| Elbow problems | 107 out of 144 dog breeds | 92 out of 144 dog breeds |
| Hips problems | 182 out of 198 dog breeds | 99 out of 198 dog breeds |
Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.
Tolerates Being Alone: Collie versus Irish Setter
Collies do not like to be left alone.
Irish Setters do not like to be left alone.
Do Collies shed more than Irish Setters?
Collies shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Irish Setters shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Which one drools more, the Collie or the Irish Setter
Collies do have a very low tendency to drool.
Irish Setters do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Collie or the Irish Setter?
Collies require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Irish Setters are moderately easy to groom.
Does the Collie Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Irish Setter?
Collies have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.
Irish Setters have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.
Do Collies Bark and Howl? What about Irish Setters?
Collies are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Irish Setters are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Collies Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Irish Setters Tolerate Cold Weather?
Collies can very well tolerate cold weather.
Irish Setters can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Collie vs. Irish Setter
Collies do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Irish Setters have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Collies Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Irish Setters Tolerate Hot Weather?
Collies can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Irish Setters can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Collie or the Irish Setter?
Collies get along very well with other dogs.
Irish Setters get along very well with other dogs.
Are Collies good family dogs? What about Irish Setters?
Collies are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Irish Setters are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Collies and Irish Setters?
Collies get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Irish Setters get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Collie Easier to Train than the Irish Setter?
Collies are very easy to train.
Irish Setters are very easy to train.
Is the Collie Better for Apartment Owners than the Irish Setter?
Collies adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Irish Setters do not adapt well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Collie or the Irish Setter?
Collies are very good for new dog owners.
Irish Setters are OK for new dog owners.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Collie
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Collie that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.
We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Collie:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Irish Setter
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Irish Setter that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.
We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Irish Setter:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Collie and how the Irish Setter compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Collie and of the Irish Setter to other breeds:
Collie Versus Other Dog Breeds
Collie versus Goldendoodle Collie versus Lhasapoo Collie versus Jack Russell Terrier Collie versus Border Terrier Collie versus Manchester Terrier Collie versus Labrador Retriever Collie versus Norwich Terrier Collie versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle Collie versus Bulldog Collie versus Lakeland Terrier Collie versus Chow Chow Collie versus English Toy Spaniel Collie versus Boerboel Collie versus Whippet Collie versus Labrador Retriever Collie versus Norwich Terrier Collie versus Bull Terrier Collie versus Berger Picard Collie versus Manchester Terrier Collie versus English Cocker Spaniel Collie versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi Collie versus Icelandic Sheepdog Collie versus Swedish Vallhund Collie versus Stabyhoun Collie versus PuggleIrish Setter Versus Other Dog Breeds
Irish Setter versus Valley Bulldog Irish Setter versus Komondor Irish Setter versus Boxerdoodle Irish Setter versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog Irish Setter versus Pyrenean Mastiff Irish Setter versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen Irish Setter versus Bull Terrier Irish Setter versus Plott Irish Setter versus King Shepherd Irish Setter versus Finnish Lapphund Irish Setter versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi Irish Setter versus Australian Cattle Dog Irish Setter versus Papillon Irish Setter versus Standard Schnauzer Irish Setter versus Siberian Husky Irish Setter versus Vizsla Irish Setter versus Whippet Irish Setter versus Shichon Irish Setter versus English Toy Spaniel Irish Setter versus Glen of Imaal Terrier Irish Setter versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Irish Setter versus Yorkipoo Irish Setter versus Boerboel Irish Setter versus KuvaszConclusion: Collie versus Irish Setter. Which One is a Better Pet?
In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Collie and the Irish Setter better suits you and your family.