Which is Better between the Dogo Argentino and the Irish Terrier? A Very Detailed Review.

Dogo Argentino versus Irish Terrier

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Dogo Argentino Versus Irish Terrier: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Dogo Argentino and the Irish Terrier? 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 Dogo Argentino and the Irish Terrier 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 Dogo Argentino and the Irish Terrier.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Dogo Argentino and the Irish Terrier 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 Dogo Argentino and for the Irish Terrier. 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 Dogo Argentino and the Irish Terrier.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Dogo Argentino or the Irish Terrier

Dogo Argentino versus Irish Terrier

Dogo Argentino versus Irish Terrier: Overview

A very important difference between the Dogo Argentino and the Irish Terrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Dogo Argentino is a large-sized dog while the Irish Terrier is a medium-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Dogo Argentino 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.

On the other hand, the Irish Terrier belongs to the Terrier Dogs group. Terrier Dogs were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.

Dogo Argentino versus Irish Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Dogo Argentino to the Irish Terrier 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 Dogo Argentino Irish Terrier
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 3/5
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 5/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 2/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 2/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 2/5 1/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 4/5 3/5
Easy To Train 2/5 1/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 2/5
Height 23 to 27 inches 18 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder
Easygoing 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 3/5 5/5
General Health 3/5 5/5
Intelligence 3/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 3/5 5/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 2/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 4/5
Weight 80 to 100 pounds 25 to 27 pounds
Life Span 9 to 15 years 12 to 16 years
Average Lifespan 12.0 years 14.0 years
Average Price $2510 $1280
Price Range $1500 – $2500 $1000 – $1500
Temperament Score 89.5 percent 80.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • No Data
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 93 118

    *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 Dogo Argentino 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 Terrier. 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 Dogo Argentino is 67 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Irish Terrier is 78 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Irish Terrier is a better pet than the Dogo Argentino. So, you should get the Irish Terrier!

    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 Dogo Argentino and the Irish Terrier so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    Dogo Argentino versus Irish Terrier

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Dogo Argentino and the Irish Terrier

    Below is a list of where the Dogo Argentino and the Irish Terrier are most different:

  • Dogo Argentinos do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies. However, Irish Terriers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Dogo Argentinos do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly. However, Irish Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Dogo Argentinos have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets. However, Irish Terriers have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • The Similarities Between the Dogo Argentino and the Irish Terrier

    The Dogo Argentino and the Irish Terrier are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Dogo Argentino and the Irish Terrier are most similar:

  • Both the Dogo Argentino and the Irish Terrier are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Dogo Argentino and the Irish Terrier do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Dogo Argentino and the Irish Terrier do not get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Dogo Argentino and the Irish Terrier are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Dogo Argentino and the Irish Terrier are not prone to gaining weight easily.
  • Both the Dogo Argentino and the Irish Terrier are not easy to train.
  • Both the Dogo Argentino and the Irish Terrier are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Dogo Argentino and the Irish Terrier can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Dogo Argentino and the Irish Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Dogo Argentino and the Irish Terrier have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Dogo Argentino and the Irish Terrier have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Dogo Argentino and the Irish Terrier do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Dogo Argentino and the Irish Terrier require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Dogo Argentino versus Irish Terrier

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Dogo Argentino and the Irish Terrier.

    Dogo Argentinos weigh 80 to 100 pounds when fully grown. Dogo Argentinos are 23 to 27 inches when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Irish Terriers weigh 25 to 27 pounds when fully grown. Irish Terriers are 18 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Temperament of the Dogo Argentino Versus the Irish Terrier

    The Dogo Argentino has a better temperament than the Irish Terrier.

    This is because the temperament score for the Dogo Argentino is 89.5 percent while the temperament score for the Irish Terrier is 80.0 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 89.5 percent, the Dogo Argentino has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 80.0 percent, the Irish Terrier has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Dogo Argentino and the Irish Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 19 Dogo Argentinos and 10 Irish Terriers.

    Price of Dogo Argentino versus Price of Irish Terrier

    The average price of the Dogo Argentino puppy is $2510. The price of the Dogo Argentino typically ranges from $1500 – $2500. However, the price of a Dogo Argentino can be as low as $400 and as high as $6800. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 114 Dogo Argentino puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Irish Terrier puppy is $1280. The price of the Irish Terrier typically ranges from $1000 – $1500. However, the price of a Irish Terrier can be as low as $450 and as high as $2800. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 26 Irish Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Dogo Argentino is more expensive than the Irish Terrier.

    Dogo Argentino Irish Terrier
    Average Price $2510 $1280
    Price Range $1500 to $2500 $1000 to $1500

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Dogo Argentino and Irish Terrier. For different price points, the charts show how many Dogo Argentino puppies or how many Irish Terrier puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Dogo Argentinos. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Dogo Argentinos. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Irish Terriers

    A breakdown of the prices of Irish Terriers

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Dogo Argentino puppy or the Irish Terrier 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.

    Dogo Argentino versus Irish Terrier
    Dogo Argentino versus Irish Terrier

    The Popularity of Dogo Argentino versus Popularity of Irish Terrier

    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 Dogo Argentino and the Irish Terrier over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Dogo Argentino is more popular with dog owners than the Irish Terrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Dogo Argentino is 93 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Irish Terrier is 118 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Dogo Argentino

    Popularity of Dogo Argentino

    Popularity of Irish Terrier

    Popularity of Irish Terrier

    Year Dogo Argentino Popularity Rank Irish Terrier Popularity Rank
    2020 93.0 120
    2013 no data 123
    2014 no data 125
    2015 no data 113
    2016 no data 115
    2017 no data 114
    2018 no data 116
    2019 no data 119

    Is the Dogo Argentino Better for Apartment Owners than the Irish Terrier?

    Dogo Argentinos do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Irish Terriers adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Dogo Argentino or the Irish Terrier?

    Dogo Argentinos are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Irish Terriers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Do Dogo Argentinos shed more than Irish Terriers?

    Dogo Argentinos do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Irish Terriers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Dogo Argentino versus Irish Terrier

    Dogo Argentinos do not like to be left alone.

    Irish Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Can Dogo Argentinos Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Irish Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Dogo Argentinos cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Irish Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    How Kid-friendly are Dogo Argentinos and Irish Terriers?

    Dogo Argentinos do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

    Irish Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Dogo Argentino or the Irish Terrier?

    Dogo Argentinos do not get along well with other dogs.

    Irish Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Is the Dogo Argentino Easier to Train than the Irish Terrier?

    Dogo Argentinos are not easy to train.

    Irish Terriers are not easy to train.

    Do Dogo Argentinos Bark and Howl? What about Irish Terriers?

    Dogo Argentinos are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Irish Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Which one drools more, the Dogo Argentino or the Irish Terrier

    Dogo Argentinos drool moderately.

    Irish Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Can Dogo Argentinos Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Irish Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Dogo Argentinos can tolerate hot weather.

    Irish Terriers can tolerate hot weather.

    Are Dogo Argentinos good family dogs? What about Irish Terriers?

    Dogo Argentinos are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Irish Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Dogo Argentino or the Irish Terrier?

    Dogo Argentinos are very easy to groom.

    Irish Terriers require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Wanderlust Potential: Dogo Argentino vs. Irish Terrier

    Dogo Argentinos have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Irish Terriers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Does the Dogo Argentino Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Irish Terrier?

    Dogo Argentinos 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 Terriers 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.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Dogo Argentino

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Dogo Argentino 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 Dogo Argentino:

  • American Bulldog (78 percent match with Dogo Argentino). Here is our comparison of the Irish Terrier vs American Bulldog.
  • Fila Brasileiro (80 percent match with Dogo Argentino). Here is our comparison of the Irish Terrier vs Fila Brasileiro.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Irish Terrier

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Irish Terrier 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 Terrier:

  • Hovawart (75 percent match with Irish Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Dogo Argentino vs Hovawart.
  • Lakeland Terrier (79 percent match with Irish Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Dogo Argentino vs Lakeland Terrier.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Dogo Argentino and how the Irish Terrier compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Dogo Argentino and of the Irish Terrier to other breeds:

    Dogo Argentino Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Dogo Argentino versus Shetland Sheepdog     Dogo Argentino versus Dachshund     Dogo Argentino versus Mudi     Dogo Argentino versus Morkie     Dogo Argentino versus Akita Chow     Dogo Argentino versus Shichon     Dogo Argentino versus Redbone Coonhound     Dogo Argentino versus Cane Corso     Dogo Argentino versus American Staffordshire Terrier     Dogo Argentino versus Valley Bulldog     

    Irish Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Irish Terrier versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde     Irish Terrier versus Bordoodle     Irish Terrier versus Shihpoo     Irish Terrier versus Cavachon     Irish Terrier versus Aussiedoodle     Irish Terrier versus Xoloitzcuintli     Irish Terrier versus Goldador     Irish Terrier versus Gordon Setter     Irish Terrier versus Kerry Blue Terrier     Irish Terrier versus Akita     

    Conclusion: Dogo Argentino versus Irish Terrier. 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 Dogo Argentino and the Irish Terrier better suits you and your family.