Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Dalmatian Versus Irish Setter: Introduction
- Dalmatian versus Irish Setter: Overview
- Dalmatian versus Irish Setter: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Dalmatian and the Irish Setter
- The Similarities Between the Dalmatian and the Irish Setter
- Size (Weight and Height) of Dalmatian versus Irish Setter
- Temperament of the Irish Setter Versus the Dalmatian
- Price of Dalmatian versus Price of Irish Setter
- The Intelligence of the Dalmatian versus the Intelligence of the Irish Setter
- The Popularity of Dalmatian versus Popularity of Irish Setter
- Health Problems of Dalmatian versus Health Problems of Irish Setter
- Which one drools more, the Dalmatian or the Irish Setter
- Does the Dalmatian Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Irish Setter?
- Do Dalmatians Bark and Howl? What about Irish Setters?
- Tolerates Being Alone: Dalmatian versus Irish Setter
- Can Dalmatians Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Irish Setters Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Can Dalmatians Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Irish Setters Tolerate Hot Weather?
- How Kid-friendly are Dalmatians and Irish Setters?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Dalmatian or the Irish Setter?
- Is the Dalmatian Easier to Train than the Irish Setter?
- Wanderlust Potential: Dalmatian vs. Irish Setter
- Are Dalmatians good family dogs? What about Irish Setters?
- Do Dalmatians shed more than Irish Setters?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Dalmatian or the Irish Setter?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Dalmatian
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Irish Setter
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Dalmatian versus Irish Setter. Which One is a Better Pet?
Dalmatian Versus Irish Setter: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Dalmatian and the Irish Setter? 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 Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian and the Irish Setter.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian 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 more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian or the Irish Setter
Dalmatian versus Irish Setter: Overview
A very important difference between the Dalmatian and the Irish Setter is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Dalmatian is a medium-sized dog while the Irish Setter is a large-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Dalmatian 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 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.
Dalmatian versus Irish Setter: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Dalmatian 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.
Factor | Dalmatian | Irish Setter |
---|---|---|
Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 4/5 |
Life Span | 13 to 16 years | 11 to 15 years |
Height | 19 to 24 inches tall at the shoulder | 2 feet, 1 inch to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the sho |
Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 2/5 | 1/5 |
Does NOT chew on things | 4/5 | 1/5 |
Low Prey Drive | 4/5 | 1/5 |
Does NOT Bark or Howl | 4/5 | 2/5 |
Good For Novice Owners | 3/5 | 3/5 |
Tolerates Being Alone | 3/5 | 2/5 |
Tolerates Cold Weather | 3/5 | 4/5 |
Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 5/5 |
Easygoing | 2/5 | 2/5 |
Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 3/5 |
Kid-Friendly | 4/5 | 5/5 |
Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 5/5 |
General Health | 4/5 | 2/5 |
Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 3/5 |
Easy To Train | 4/5 | 4/5 |
Intelligence | 4/5 | 5/5 |
Tendency NOT to Wander | 2/5 | 1/5 |
Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 3/5 |
Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 5/5 |
Weight | 48 to 55 pounds | 60 to 70 pounds |
Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
Does NOT Shed | 1/5 | 2/5 |
Easy To Groom | 5/5 | 3/5 |
NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 1/5 |
Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 1/5 |
Average Lifespan | 14.5 years | 13.0 years |
Average Price | $1410 | $1680 |
Price Range | $1000 – $1800 | $1200 – $2200 |
Temperament Score | 83.3 percent | 90.9 percent |
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 60 | 74 |
Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 39 | 35 |
*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 Dalmatian 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 a Dalmatian is 80 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Irish Setter is 73 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Dalmatian is a better pet than the Irish Setter. So, you should get the Dalmatian!
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 Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian and the Irish Setter
Below is a list of where the Dalmatian and the Irish Setter are most different:
The Similarities Between the Dalmatian and the Irish Setter
The Dalmatian and the Irish Setter are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Dalmatian and the Irish Setter are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Dalmatian versus Irish Setter
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Dalmatian and the Irish Setter.
Dalmatians weigh 48 to 55 pounds when fully grown. Dalmatians are 19 to 24 inches tall 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.
Temperament of the Irish Setter Versus the Dalmatian
The Irish Setter has a better temperament than the Dalmatian.
This is because the temperament score for the Irish Setter is 90.9 percent while the temperament score for the Dalmatian is 83.3 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 they 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 83.3 percent, the Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian and the Irish Setter by measuring the temperaments of 359 Dalmatians and 154 Irish Setters.
Price of Dalmatian versus Price of Irish Setter
The average price of the Dalmatian puppy is $1410. The price of the Dalmatian typically ranges from $1000 – $1800. However, the price of a Dalmatian can be as low as $250 and as high as $2600. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 233 Dalmatian 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 a 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 Dalmatian.
Dalmatian | Irish Setter | |
---|---|---|
Average Price | $1410 | $1680 |
Price Range | $1000 to $1800 | $1200 to $2200 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Dalmatian and Irish Setter. For different price points, the charts show how many Dalmatian puppies or how many Irish Setter puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Dalmatians. 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 Dalmatian 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 from 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 one of those puppy mills that 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 Dalmatian versus the Intelligence of the Irish Setter
Dalmatian | Irish Setter | |
---|---|---|
Intelligence Rank | 39 out of 130 dog breeds | 35 out of 130 dog breeds |
Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 15 To 25 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 Dalmatian has an obedience intelligence rank of 39 out of 130 dog breeds. The Dalmatian belongs to the `Above Average Working Dogs` category. This means that Dalmatians tend to learn new commands after 15 to 25 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 Irish Setter is more intelligent than the Dalmatian.
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 Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian and the Irish Setter over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Dalmatian is more popular with dog owners than the Irish Setter. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Dalmatian is 60 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Irish Setter is 74 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Dalmatian
Popularity of Irish Setter
Year | Dalmatian Popularity Rank | Irish Setter Popularity Rank |
---|---|---|
2013 | 64 | 72 |
2014 | 66 | 73 |
2015 | 62 | 72 |
2016 | 62 | 76 |
2017 | 63 | 72 |
2018 | 56 | 77 |
2019 | 59 | 79 |
2020 | 51 | 75 |
Health Problems of Dalmatian versus Health Problems of Irish Setter
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 Dalmatian 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 Irish Setter is prone to more genetic health problems than the Dalmatian.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Irish Setter than for the Dalmatian.
2 health tests are recommended for Dalmatian while 3 tests are recommended for the Irish Setter.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Dalmatians and in Irish Setters.
Dalmatian Health Problems
Dalmatians are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Dalmatian 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 Dalmatians for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Dalmatians 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 Dalmatians 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 Dalmatian Breed is Baer Hearing Test problems.
This is because the Dalmatian ranks 1 out of 21 dog breeds for Baer Hearing Test problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 8730 Dalmatians, 1003 of them had Baer Hearing Test problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Dalmatians, and how common these diseases are in Dalmatians 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 Dalmatian and in Irish Setter and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Dalmatian and the Irish Setter:
Disease | Dalmatian Rank | Irish Setter Rank |
---|---|---|
Baer Hearing Test problems | 1 out of 21 dog breeds | Not Common |
Hyperuricosuria problems | 1 out of 11 dog breeds | Not Common |
Thyroid problems | 6 out of 115 dog breeds | 13 out of 115 dog breeds |
Advanced Cardiac problems | 9 out of 71 dog breeds | Not Common |
Congenital Cardiac problems | 10 out of 159 dog breeds | Not Common |
Dentition Database problems | 11 out of 49 dog breeds | Not Common |
Degenerative Myelopathy problems | 51 out of 70 dog breeds | 35 out of 70 dog breeds |
Elbow problems | 132 out of 144 dog breeds | 92 out of 144 dog breeds |
Eyes problems | 161 out of 182 dog breeds | 67 out of 182 dog breeds |
Hips problems | 170 out of 198 dog breeds | 99 out of 198 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.
Which one drools more, the Dalmatian or the Irish Setter
Dalmatians do have a very low tendency to drool.
Irish Setters do have a very low tendency to drool.
Is the Dalmatian Better for Apartment Owners than the Irish Setter?
Dalmatians do not adapt well to apartment living.
Irish Setters do not adapt well to apartment living.
Does the Dalmatian Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Irish Setter?
Dalmatians 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 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 Dalmatians Bark and Howl? What about Irish Setters?
Dalmatians are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Irish Setters are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Dalmatian or the Irish Setter?
Dalmatians are OK for new dog owners.
Irish Setters are OK for new dog owners.
Tolerates Being Alone: Dalmatian versus Irish Setter
Dalmatians can be left alone only for a short time.
Irish Setters do not like to be left alone.
Can Dalmatians Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Irish Setters Tolerate Cold Weather?
Dalmatians can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Irish Setters can very well tolerate cold weather.
Can Dalmatians Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Irish Setters Tolerate Hot Weather?
Dalmatians can tolerate hot weather.
Irish Setters can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
How Kid-friendly are Dalmatians and Irish Setters?
Dalmatians get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Irish Setters get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Dalmatian or the Irish Setter?
Dalmatians get along very well with other dogs.
Irish Setters get along very well with other dogs.
Is the Dalmatian Easier to Train than the Irish Setter?
Dalmatians are very easy to train.
Irish Setters are very easy to train.
Wanderlust Potential: Dalmatian vs. Irish Setter
Dalmatians have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Irish Setters have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Are Dalmatians good family dogs? What about Irish Setters?
Dalmatians are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Irish Setters are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Do Dalmatians shed more than Irish Setters?
Dalmatians shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Irish Setters shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Dalmatian or the Irish Setter?
Dalmatians are very easy to groom.
Irish Setters are moderately easy to groom.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Dalmatian
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian:
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 Dalmatian and how the Irish Setter compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Dalmatian and of the Irish Setter to other breeds:
Dalmatian Versus Other Dog Breeds
Dalmatian versus Black Mouth Cur Dalmatian versus Azawakh Dalmatian versus Peek A Poo Dalmatian versus Akbash Dalmatian versus Shichon Dalmatian versus Mal Shi Dalmatian versus Siberian Husky Dalmatian versus Miniature Schnauzer Dalmatian versus Pug Dalmatian versus Boston Terrier
Irish Setter Versus Other Dog Breeds
Irish Setter versus Toy Fox Terrier Irish Setter versus Chihuahua Irish Setter versus German Pinscher Irish Setter versus Toy Fox Terrier Irish Setter versus American Water Spaniel Irish Setter versus Bull Terrier Irish Setter versus Mudi Irish Setter versus Lhasa Apso Irish Setter versus Newfoundland Irish Setter versus Finnish Spitz
Conclusion: Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian and the Irish Setter better suits you and your family.