Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Dogo Argentino Versus Irish Water Spaniel: Introduction
- Dogo Argentino versus Irish Water Spaniel: Overview
- Dogo Argentino versus Irish Water Spaniel: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Dogo Argentino and the Irish Water Spaniel
- The Similarities Between the Dogo Argentino and the Irish Water Spaniel
- Size (Weight and Height) of Dogo Argentino versus Irish Water Spaniel
- Temperament of the Dogo Argentino Versus the Irish Water Spaniel
- The Popularity of Dogo Argentino versus Popularity of Irish Water Spaniel
- Health Problems of Dogo Argentino versus Health Problems of Irish Water Spaniel
- Do Dogo Argentinos shed more than Irish Water Spaniels?
- Tolerates Being Alone: Dogo Argentino versus Irish Water Spaniel
- Can Dogo Argentinos Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Irish Water Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?
- How Kid-friendly are Dogo Argentinos and Irish Water Spaniels?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Dogo Argentino or the Irish Water Spaniel?
- Is the Dogo Argentino Easier to Train than the Irish Water Spaniel?
- Do Dogo Argentinos Bark and Howl? What about Irish Water Spaniels?
- Which one drools more, the Dogo Argentino or the Irish Water Spaniel
- Can Dogo Argentinos Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Irish Water Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Are Dogo Argentinos good family dogs? What about Irish Water Spaniels?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Dogo Argentino or the Irish Water Spaniel?
- Wanderlust Potential: Dogo Argentino vs. Irish Water Spaniel
- Does the Dogo Argentino Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Irish Water Spaniel?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Dogo Argentino
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Irish Water Spaniel
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Dogo Argentino versus Irish Water Spaniel. Which One is a Better Pet?
Dogo Argentino Versus Irish Water Spaniel: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Dogo Argentino 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 Dogo Argentino 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 Dogo Argentino and the Irish Water Spaniel.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Dogo Argentino 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 Dogo Argentino 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 Dogo Argentino 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 Dogo Argentino or the Irish Water Spaniel
Dogo Argentino versus Irish Water Spaniel: Overview
A very important difference between the Dogo Argentino and the Irish Water Spaniel is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Dogo Argentino is a large-sized dog while the Irish Water Spaniel is a medium-sized dog.
Furthermore, both the Dogo Argentino and the Irish Water Spaniel are Sporting Dogs. This means both the Dogo Argentino and the Irish Water Spaniel 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.
Dogo Argentino versus Irish Water Spaniel: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Dogo Argentino 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 | Dogo Argentino | Irish Water Spaniel |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Height | 23 to 27 inches | 1 foot, 9 inches to 2 feet tall at the shoulder |
| Easygoing | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Intelligence | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Weight | 80 to 100 pounds | 45 to 65 pounds |
| Life Span | 9 to 15 years | 10 to 12 years |
| Average Lifespan | 12.0 years | 11.0 years |
| Average Price | $2510 | No Data |
| Price Range | $1500 – $2500 | No Data |
| Temperament Score | 89.5 percent | 90.0 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 93 | 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 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 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 Dogo Argentino is 67 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 Irish Water Spaniel is a better pet than the Dogo Argentino. So, you should get the Irish Water Spaniel!
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 Water Spaniel so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Dogo Argentino and the Irish Water Spaniel
Below is a list of where the Dogo Argentino and the Irish Water Spaniel are most different:
The Similarities Between the Dogo Argentino and the Irish Water Spaniel
The Dogo Argentino and the Irish Water Spaniel are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Dogo Argentino and the Irish Water Spaniel are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Dogo Argentino versus Irish Water Spaniel
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Dogo Argentino and the Irish Water Spaniel.
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 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.
Temperament of the Dogo Argentino Versus the Irish Water Spaniel
The Irish Water Spaniel has a better temperament than the Dogo Argentino.
This is because the temperament score for the Irish Water Spaniel is 90.0 percent while the temperament score for the Dogo Argentino is 89.5 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 90.0 percent, the Irish Water Spaniel has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Dogo Argentino and the Irish Water Spaniel by measuring the temperaments of 19 Dogo Argentinos and 30 Irish Water Spaniels.
The Popularity of Dogo Argentino 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 Dogo Argentino and the Irish Water Spaniel over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Dogo Argentino is more popular with dog owners than the Irish Water Spaniel. 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 Water Spaniel is 156 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Dogo Argentino
Popularity of Irish Water Spaniel
| Year | Dogo Argentino Popularity Rank | Irish Water Spaniel Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 93.0 | 174 |
| 2013 | no data | 141 |
| 2014 | no data | 152 |
| 2015 | no data | 144 |
| 2016 | no data | 150 |
| 2017 | no data | 164 |
| 2018 | no data | 159 |
| 2019 | no data | 170 |
Health Problems of Dogo Argentino 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 Dogo Argentino 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 Dogo Argentino.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Irish Water Spaniel than for the Dogo Argentino.
3 health tests are recommended for Dogo Argentino while 5 tests are recommended for the Irish Water Spaniel.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Dogo Argentinos and in Irish Water Spaniels.
Dogo Argentino Health Problems
Dogo Argentinos are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Dogo Argentino 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 Dogo Argentino puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Dogo Argentino 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 Dogo Argentinos for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Dogo Argentinos 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 Dogo Argentinos 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 Dogo Argentino Breed is Baer Hearing Test problems.
This is because the Dogo Argentino ranks 3 out of 21 dog breeds for Baer Hearing Test problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 105 Dogo Argentinos, 3 of them had Baer Hearing Test problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Dogo Argentinos, and how common these diseases are in Dogo Argentinos 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 Dogo Argentino and in Irish Water Spaniel and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Dogo Argentino and the Irish Water Spaniel:
| Disease | Dogo Argentino Rank | Irish Water Spaniel Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Baer Hearing Test problems | 3 out of 21 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Hips problems | 16 out of 198 dog breeds | 104 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Elbow problems | 85 out of 144 dog breeds | 31 out of 144 dog breeds |
| Advanced Cardiac problems | Not Common | 5 out of 71 dog breeds |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | Not Common | 9 out of 159 dog breeds |
| Shoulder problems | Not Common | 18 out of 22 dog breeds |
| Thyroid problems | Not Common | 105 out of 115 dog breeds |
| Eyes problems | Not Common | 150 out of 182 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.
Is the Dogo Argentino Better for Apartment Owners than the Irish Water Spaniel?
Dogo Argentinos do not adapt well to apartment living.
Irish Water Spaniels adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Dogo Argentino or the Irish Water Spaniel?
Dogo Argentinos are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Irish Water Spaniels are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Do Dogo Argentinos shed more than Irish Water Spaniels?
Dogo Argentinos 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.
Tolerates Being Alone: Dogo Argentino versus Irish Water Spaniel
Dogo Argentinos do not like to be left alone.
Irish Water Spaniels can be left alone only for a short time.
Can Dogo Argentinos Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Irish Water Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?
Dogo Argentinos cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Irish Water Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.
How Kid-friendly are Dogo Argentinos and Irish Water Spaniels?
Dogo Argentinos do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.
Irish Water Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Dogo Argentino or the Irish Water Spaniel?
Dogo Argentinos do not get along well with other dogs.
Irish Water Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.
Is the Dogo Argentino Easier to Train than the Irish Water Spaniel?
Dogo Argentinos are not easy to train.
Irish Water Spaniels are very easy to train.
Do Dogo Argentinos Bark and Howl? What about Irish Water Spaniels?
Dogo Argentinos 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.
Which one drools more, the Dogo Argentino or the Irish Water Spaniel
Dogo Argentinos drool moderately.
Irish Water Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.
Can Dogo Argentinos Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Irish Water Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?
Dogo Argentinos can tolerate hot weather.
Irish Water Spaniels can tolerate hot weather.
Are Dogo Argentinos good family dogs? What about Irish Water Spaniels?
Dogo Argentinos are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Irish Water Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Dogo Argentino or the Irish Water Spaniel?
Dogo Argentinos are very easy to groom.
Irish Water Spaniels are moderately easy to groom.
Wanderlust Potential: Dogo Argentino vs. Irish Water Spaniel
Dogo Argentinos have a high tendency to wander. They are easily 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.
Does the Dogo Argentino Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Irish Water Spaniel?
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 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.
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:
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 Dogo Argentino and how the Irish Water Spaniel compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Dogo Argentino and of the Irish Water Spaniel to other breeds:
Dogo Argentino Versus Other Dog Breeds
Dogo Argentino versus Kooikerhondje Dogo Argentino versus Afghan Hound Dogo Argentino versus Norwegian Lundehund Dogo Argentino versus Bullmastiff Dogo Argentino versus Australian Shepherd Dogo Argentino versus Berger Picard Dogo Argentino versus Australian Cattle Dog Dogo Argentino versus Schnoodle Dogo Argentino versus Silky Terrier Dogo Argentino versus Azawakh
Irish Water Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds
Irish Water Spaniel versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Irish Water Spaniel versus Whippet Irish Water Spaniel versus Pomapoo Irish Water Spaniel versus Lagotto Romagnolo Irish Water Spaniel versus Puggle Irish Water Spaniel versus Finnish Lapphund Irish Water Spaniel versus Lhasapoo Irish Water Spaniel versus Catahoula Bulldog Irish Water Spaniel versus Rottweiler Irish Water Spaniel versus Dogo Argentino
Conclusion: Dogo Argentino 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 Dogo Argentino and the Irish Water Spaniel better suits you and your family.