Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Dutch Shepherd Versus Irish Terrier: Introduction
- Dutch Shepherd versus Irish Terrier: Overview
- Dutch Shepherd versus Irish Terrier: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Dutch Shepherd and the Irish Terrier
- The Similarities Between the Dutch Shepherd and the Irish Terrier
- Size (Weight and Height) of Dutch Shepherd versus Irish Terrier
- Temperament of the Dutch Shepherd Versus the Irish Terrier
- Price of Dutch Shepherd versus Price of Irish Terrier
- Tolerates Being Alone: Dutch Shepherd versus Irish Terrier
- Which one drools more, the Dutch Shepherd or the Irish Terrier
- Do Dutch Shepherds Bark and Howl? What about Irish Terriers?
- Wanderlust Potential: Dutch Shepherd vs. Irish Terrier
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Dutch Shepherd or the Irish Terrier?
- Does the Dutch Shepherd Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Irish Terrier?
- Can Dutch Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Irish Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Can Dutch Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Irish Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Are Dutch Shepherds good family dogs? What about Irish Terriers?
- How Kid-friendly are Dutch Shepherds and Irish Terriers?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Dutch Shepherd or the Irish Terrier?
- Do Dutch Shepherds shed more than Irish Terriers?
- Is the Dutch Shepherd Easier to Train than the Irish Terrier?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Dutch Shepherd
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Irish Terrier
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Dutch Shepherd versus Irish Terrier. Which One is a Better Pet?
Dutch Shepherd Versus Irish Terrier: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Dutch Shepherd 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 Dutch Shepherd 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 Dutch Shepherd and the Irish Terrier.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Dutch Shepherd 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 Dutch Shepherd 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 Dutch Shepherd 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 Dutch Shepherd or the Irish Terrier
Dutch Shepherd versus Irish Terrier: Overview
Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Irish Terrier are similar in size. The Dutch Shepherd and the Irish Terrier are both medium-sized dogs.
Furthermore, the Dutch Shepherd 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 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.
Dutch Shepherd versus Irish Terrier: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Dutch Shepherd 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 | Dutch Shepherd | Irish Terrier |
|---|---|---|
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 12 to 16 years |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Height | 21 to 25 inches | 18 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Easygoing | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 1/5 |
| Weight | 50 to 70 pounds | 25 to 27 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 14.0 years |
| Average Price | $1590 | $1280 |
| Price Range | $900 – $2000 | $1000 – $1500 |
| Temperament Score | 96.2 percent | 80.0 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | No Data | No Data |
*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 Dutch Shepherd 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 Dutch Shepherd is 85 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Irish Terrier is 78 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Dutch Shepherd is a better pet than the Irish Terrier. So, you should get the Dutch Shepherd!
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 Dutch Shepherd and the Irish Terrier so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Dutch Shepherd and the Irish Terrier
Below is a list of where the Dutch Shepherd and the Irish Terrier are most different:
The Similarities Between the Dutch Shepherd and the Irish Terrier
The Dutch Shepherd and the Irish Terrier are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Dutch Shepherd and the Irish Terrier are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Dutch Shepherd versus Irish Terrier
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Dutch Shepherd and the Irish Terrier.
Dutch Shepherds weigh 50 to 70 pounds when fully grown. Dutch Shepherds are 21 to 25 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 Dutch Shepherd Versus the Irish Terrier
The Dutch Shepherd has a better temperament than the Irish Terrier.
This is because the temperament score for the Dutch Shepherd is 96.2 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 96.2 percent, the Dutch Shepherd 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 Dutch Shepherd and the Irish Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 26 Dutch Shepherds and 10 Irish Terriers.
Price of Dutch Shepherd versus Price of Irish Terrier
The average price of the Dutch Shepherd puppy is $1590. The price of the Dutch Shepherd typically ranges from $900 – $2000. However, the price of a Dutch Shepherd can be as low as $100 and as high as $5000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 116 Dutch Shepherd 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 Dutch Shepherd is more expensive than the Irish Terrier.
| Dutch Shepherd | Irish Terrier | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1590 | $1280 |
| Price Range | $900 to $2000 | $1000 to $1500 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Dutch Shepherd and Irish Terrier. For different price points, the charts show how many Dutch Shepherd puppies or how many Irish Terrier puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Dutch Shepherds. The typical price range is shaded Green.
A breakdown of the prices of Irish Terriers
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Dutch Shepherd 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.
Tolerates Being Alone: Dutch Shepherd versus Irish Terrier
Dutch Shepherds do not like to be left alone.
Irish Terriers do not like to be left alone.
Which one drools more, the Dutch Shepherd or the Irish Terrier
Dutch Shepherds do have a very low tendency to drool.
Irish Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Do Dutch Shepherds Bark and Howl? What about Irish Terriers?
Dutch Shepherds 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.
Wanderlust Potential: Dutch Shepherd vs. Irish Terrier
Dutch Shepherds do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Irish Terriers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Is the Dutch Shepherd Better for Apartment Owners than the Irish Terrier?
Dutch Shepherds adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Irish Terriers adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Dutch Shepherd or the Irish Terrier?
Dutch Shepherds are OK for new dog owners.
Irish Terriers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Dutch Shepherd or the Irish Terrier?
Dutch Shepherds are moderately easy to groom.
Irish Terriers require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Does the Dutch Shepherd Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Irish Terrier?
Dutch Shepherds have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and 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.
Can Dutch Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Irish Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
Dutch Shepherds can very well tolerate cold weather.
Irish Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.
Can Dutch Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Irish Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
Dutch Shepherds can tolerate hot weather.
Irish Terriers can tolerate hot weather.
Are Dutch Shepherds good family dogs? What about Irish Terriers?
Dutch Shepherds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Irish Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Dutch Shepherds and Irish Terriers?
Dutch Shepherds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Irish Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Dutch Shepherd or the Irish Terrier?
Dutch Shepherds get along very well with other dogs.
Irish Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.
Do Dutch Shepherds shed more than Irish Terriers?
Dutch Shepherds shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Irish Terriers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Is the Dutch Shepherd Easier to Train than the Irish Terrier?
Dutch Shepherds are very easy to train.
Irish Terriers are not easy to train.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Dutch Shepherd
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Dutch Shepherd 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 Dutch Shepherd:
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:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Dutch Shepherd and how the Irish Terrier compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Dutch Shepherd and of the Irish Terrier to other breeds:
Dutch Shepherd Versus Other Dog Breeds
Dutch Shepherd versus Labradoodle Dutch Shepherd versus Patterdale Terrier Dutch Shepherd versus Black Russian Terrier Dutch Shepherd versus English Setter Dutch Shepherd versus Kishu Ken Dutch Shepherd versus Australian Terrier Dutch Shepherd versus Korean Jindo Dog Dutch Shepherd versus Doberman Pinscher Dutch Shepherd versus English Toy Spaniel Dutch Shepherd versus Lancashire Heeler
Irish Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds
Irish Terrier versus Cairn Terrier Irish Terrier versus Pekingese Irish Terrier versus Black and Tan Coonhound Irish Terrier versus Catahoula Bulldog Irish Terrier versus Akbash Irish Terrier versus Irish Wolfhound Irish Terrier versus Bluetick Coonhound Irish Terrier versus Mal Shi Irish Terrier versus Bolognese Irish Terrier versus Miniature Poodle
Conclusion: Dutch Shepherd 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 Dutch Shepherd and the Irish Terrier better suits you and your family.