Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Coton de Tulear Versus Irish Water Spaniel: Introduction
- Coton de Tulear versus Irish Water Spaniel: Overview
- Coton de Tulear versus Irish Water Spaniel: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Coton de Tulear and the Irish Water Spaniel
- The Similarities Between the Coton de Tulear and the Irish Water Spaniel
- Size (Weight and Height) of Coton de Tulear versus Irish Water Spaniel
- The Popularity of Coton de Tulear versus Popularity of Irish Water Spaniel
- Health Problems of Coton de Tulear versus Health Problems of Irish Water Spaniel
- Tolerates Being Alone: Coton de Tulear versus Irish Water Spaniel
- Do Coton de Tulears shed more than Irish Water Spaniels?
- Which one drools more, the Coton de Tulear or the Irish Water Spaniel
- Does the Coton de Tulear Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Irish Water Spaniel?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Coton de Tulear or the Irish Water Spaniel?
- Do Coton de Tulears Bark and Howl? What about Irish Water Spaniels?
- Can Coton de Tulears Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Irish Water Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Can Coton de Tulears Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Irish Water Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Is the Coton de Tulear Easier to Train than the Irish Water Spaniel?
- Wanderlust Potential: Coton de Tulear vs. Irish Water Spaniel
- Are Coton de Tulears good family dogs? What about Irish Water Spaniels?
- How Kid-friendly are Coton de Tulears and Irish Water Spaniels?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Coton de Tulear or the Irish Water Spaniel?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Coton de Tulear
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Irish Water Spaniel
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Coton de Tulear versus Irish Water Spaniel. Which One is a Better Pet?
Coton de Tulear Versus Irish Water Spaniel: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Coton de Tulear and the Irish Water Spaniel? Well, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will provide you a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Coton de Tulear and the Irish Water Spaniel 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 Coton de Tulear and the Irish Water Spaniel.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Coton de Tulear and the Irish Water Spaniel 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 Coton de Tulear and for the Irish Water Spaniel. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Coton de Tulear and the Irish Water Spaniel.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Coton de Tulear or the Irish Water Spaniel
Coton de Tulear versus Irish Water Spaniel: Overview
A very important difference between the Coton de Tulear and the Irish Water Spaniel is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Coton de Tulear is a tiny-sized dog while the Irish Water Spaniel is a medium-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Coton de Tulear belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.
On the other hand, the Irish Water Spaniel 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.
Coton de Tulear versus Irish Water Spaniel: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Coton de Tulear to the Irish Water Spaniel 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.
| Factor | Coton de Tulear | Irish Water Spaniel |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 5/5 | 1/5 |
| Life Span | 14 to 16 years | 10 to 12 years |
| Easy To Groom | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Height | 8 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder | 1 foot, 9 inches to 2 feet tall at the shoulder |
| Weight | 8 to 13 pounds | 45 to 65 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 15.0 years | 11.0 years |
| Average Price | $2060 | No Data |
| Price Range | $1745 – $2500 | No Data |
| Temperament Score | 90.0 percent | |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 74 | 156 |
*Data from dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (the American Temperament Test Society)
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Coton de Tulear 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 Water Spaniel. 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 a Coton de Tulear is 94 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Irish Water Spaniel is 81 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Coton de Tulear is a better pet than the Irish Water Spaniel. So, you should get the Coton de Tulear!
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 Coton de Tulear and the Irish Water Spaniel so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Coton de Tulear and the Irish Water Spaniel
Below is a list of where the Coton de Tulear and the Irish Water Spaniel are most different:
The Similarities Between the Coton de Tulear and the Irish Water Spaniel
The Coton de Tulear and the Irish Water Spaniel are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Coton de Tulear and the Irish Water Spaniel are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Coton de Tulear versus Irish Water Spaniel
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Coton de Tulear and the Irish Water Spaniel.
Coton de Tulears weigh 8 to 13 pounds when fully grown. Coton de Tulears are 8 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
On the other hand, Irish Water Spaniels weigh 45 to 65 pounds when fully grown. Irish Water Spaniels are 1 foot, 9 inches to 2 feet tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
The Popularity of Coton de Tulear versus Popularity of Irish Water Spaniel
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 Coton de Tulear and the Irish Water Spaniel over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Coton de Tulear is more popular with dog owners than the Irish Water Spaniel. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Coton de Tulear is 74 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Irish Water Spaniel is 156 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Coton de Tulear
Popularity of Irish Water Spaniel
| Year | Coton de Tulear Popularity Rank | Irish Water Spaniel Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 31.0 | 152 |
| 2015 | 85.0 | 144 |
| 2016 | 80.0 | 150 |
| 2017 | 81.0 | 164 |
| 2018 | 81.0 | 159 |
| 2019 | 81.0 | 170 |
| 2020 | 80.0 | 174 |
| 2013 | no data | 141 |
Health Problems of Coton de Tulear versus Health Problems of Irish Water Spaniel
Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. Therefore, there is nothing like a perfect puppy.
Both the Coton de Tulear and the Irish Water Spaniel 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 Irish Water Spaniel is prone to more genetic health problems than the Coton de Tulear.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Irish Water Spaniel than for the Coton de Tulear.
3 health tests are recommended for Coton de Tulear while 5 tests are recommended for the Irish Water Spaniel.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Coton de Tulears and in Irish Water Spaniels.
Coton de Tulear Health Problems
Coton de Tulears are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Coton de Tulear 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 Coton de Tulear puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Coton de Tulear 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 Coton de Tulears for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Coton de Tulears here.
Irish Water Spaniel Health Problems
Irish Water Spaniels are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Irish Water Spaniel 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 Water Spaniel puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Irish Water Spaniel 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 Water Spaniels for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Irish Water Spaniels here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Coton de Tulears and Irish Water Spaniels
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 Coton de Tulear Breed is Chondrodysplasia (Cdpa) problems.
This is because the Coton de Tulear ranks 1 out of 2 dog breeds for Chondrodysplasia (Cdpa) problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 51 Coton de Tulears, 47 of them had Chondrodysplasia (Cdpa) problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Coton de Tulears, and how common these diseases are in Coton de Tulears 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 Water Spaniel Breed is Advanced Cardiac problems.
This is because the Irish Water Spaniel ranks 5 out of 71 dog breeds for Advanced Cardiac problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 111 Irish Water Spaniels, 7 of them had Advanced Cardiac problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Irish Water Spaniels, and how common these diseases are in Irish Water Spaniels relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Coton de Tulear and in Irish Water Spaniel and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Coton de Tulear and the Irish Water Spaniel:
| Disease | Coton de Tulear Rank | Irish Water Spaniel Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Chondrodysplasia (Cdpa) problems | 1 out of 2 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Chondrodystrophy (Cddy) problems | 2 out of 5 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Patella problems | 36 out of 145 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Thyroid problems | 61 out of 115 dog breeds | 105 out of 115 dog breeds |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | 71 out of 159 dog breeds | 9 out of 159 dog breeds |
| Elbow problems | 103 out of 144 dog breeds | 31 out of 144 dog breeds |
| Hips problems | 121 out of 198 dog breeds | 104 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Eyes problems | 168 out of 182 dog breeds | 150 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Advanced Cardiac problems | Not Common | 5 out of 71 dog breeds |
| Shoulder problems | Not Common | 18 out of 22 dog breeds |
*To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.
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: Coton de Tulear versus Irish Water Spaniel
Coton de Tulears do not like to be left alone.
Irish Water Spaniels can be left alone only for a short time.
Do Coton de Tulears shed more than Irish Water Spaniels?
Coton de Tulears do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Irish Water Spaniels do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Which one drools more, the Coton de Tulear or the Irish Water Spaniel
Coton de Tulears do have a very low tendency to drool.
Irish Water Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.
Does the Coton de Tulear Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Irish Water Spaniel?
Coton de Tulears have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.
Irish Water Spaniels 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.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Coton de Tulear or the Irish Water Spaniel?
Coton de Tulears require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Irish Water Spaniels are moderately easy to groom.
Do Coton de Tulears Bark and Howl? What about Irish Water Spaniels?
Coton de Tulears are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Irish Water Spaniels are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Coton de Tulears Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Irish Water Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?
Coton de Tulears can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Irish Water Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.
Can Coton de Tulears Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Irish Water Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?
Coton de Tulears can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Irish Water Spaniels can tolerate hot weather.
Is the Coton de Tulear Easier to Train than the Irish Water Spaniel?
Coton de Tulears are fairly easy to train.
Irish Water Spaniels are very easy to train.
Wanderlust Potential: Coton de Tulear vs. Irish Water Spaniel
Coton de Tulears have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Irish Water Spaniels have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Coton de Tulear or the Irish Water Spaniel?
Coton de Tulears are very good for new dog owners.
Irish Water Spaniels are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Is the Coton de Tulear Better for Apartment Owners than the Irish Water Spaniel?
Coton de Tulears adapt very well to apartment living.
Irish Water Spaniels adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Are Coton de Tulears good family dogs? What about Irish Water Spaniels?
Coton de Tulears are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Irish Water Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Coton de Tulears and Irish Water Spaniels?
Coton de Tulears get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Irish Water Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Coton de Tulear or the Irish Water Spaniel?
Coton de Tulears get along very well with other dogs.
Irish Water Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Coton de Tulear
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Coton de Tulear 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 Coton de Tulear:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Irish Water Spaniel
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Irish Water Spaniel 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 Water Spaniel:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Coton de Tulear and how the Irish Water Spaniel compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Coton de Tulear and of the Irish Water Spaniel to other breeds:
Coton de Tulear Versus Other Dog Breeds
Coton de Tulear versus Australian Shepherd Coton de Tulear versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier Coton de Tulear versus Giant Schnauzer Coton de Tulear versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Coton de Tulear versus Shiranian Coton de Tulear versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog Coton de Tulear versus Xoloitzcuintli Coton de Tulear versus Swedish Vallhund Coton de Tulear versus Pomchi Coton de Tulear versus Bedlington Terrier
Irish Water Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds
Irish Water Spaniel versus Biewer Terrier Irish Water Spaniel versus American Staffordshire Terrier Irish Water Spaniel versus Miniature Pinscher Irish Water Spaniel versus Shih Tzu Irish Water Spaniel versus Cavapoo Irish Water Spaniel versus Golden Cocker Retriever Irish Water Spaniel versus Bullmastiff Irish Water Spaniel versus American Staffordshire Terrier Irish Water Spaniel versus Belgian Sheepdog Irish Water Spaniel versus Catahoula Bulldog
Conclusion: Coton de Tulear versus Irish Water Spaniel. 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 Coton de Tulear and the Irish Water Spaniel better suits you and your family.