Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Dutch Shepherd Versus Irish Wolfhound: Introduction
- Dutch Shepherd versus Irish Wolfhound: Overview
- Dutch Shepherd versus Irish Wolfhound: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Dutch Shepherd and the Irish Wolfhound
- The Similarities Between the Dutch Shepherd and the Irish Wolfhound
- Size (Weight and Height) of Dutch Shepherd versus Irish Wolfhound
- Temperament of the Dutch Shepherd Versus the Irish Wolfhound
- Price of Dutch Shepherd versus Price of Irish Wolfhound
- Adopting the Dutch Shepherd versus Adopting the Irish Wolfhound
- Tolerates Being Alone: Dutch Shepherd versus Irish Wolfhound
- Which one drools more, the Dutch Shepherd or the Irish Wolfhound
- Do Dutch Shepherds Bark and Howl? What about Irish Wolfhounds?
- Wanderlust Potential: Dutch Shepherd vs. Irish Wolfhound
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Dutch Shepherd or the Irish Wolfhound?
- Does the Dutch Shepherd Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Irish Wolfhound?
- Can Dutch Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Irish Wolfhounds Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Can Dutch Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Irish Wolfhounds Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Are Dutch Shepherds good family dogs? What about Irish Wolfhounds?
- How Kid-friendly are Dutch Shepherds and Irish Wolfhounds?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Dutch Shepherd or the Irish Wolfhound?
- Do Dutch Shepherds shed more than Irish Wolfhounds?
- Is the Dutch Shepherd Easier to Train than the Irish Wolfhound?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Dutch Shepherd
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Irish Wolfhound
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Dutch Shepherd versus Irish Wolfhound. Which One is a Better Pet?
Dutch Shepherd Versus Irish Wolfhound: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Dutch Shepherd and the Irish Wolfhound? 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 Wolfhound 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 Wolfhound.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Dutch Shepherd and the Irish Wolfhound 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 Wolfhound. 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 Wolfhound.
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 Wolfhound
Dutch Shepherd versus Irish Wolfhound: Overview
A very important difference between the Dutch Shepherd and the Irish Wolfhound is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Dutch Shepherd is a medium-sized dog while the Irish Wolfhound is a giant-sized dog.
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 Wolfhound belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.
Dutch Shepherd versus Irish Wolfhound: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Dutch Shepherd to the Irish Wolfhound 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 Wolfhound |
|---|---|---|
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 6 to 8 years |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Height | 21 to 25 inches | 32 to 35 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Easygoing | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Weight | 50 to 70 pounds | 115 to 180 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 7.0 years |
| Average Price | $1590 | $1930 |
| Price Range | $900 – $2000 | $1500 – $2400 |
| Temperament Score | 96.2 percent | 90.1 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | 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 Wolfhound. 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 Wolfhound is 82 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Dutch Shepherd is a better pet than the Irish Wolfhound. 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 Wolfhound 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 Wolfhound
Below is a list of where the Dutch Shepherd and the Irish Wolfhound are most different:
The Similarities Between the Dutch Shepherd and the Irish Wolfhound
The Dutch Shepherd and the Irish Wolfhound are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Dutch Shepherd and the Irish Wolfhound are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Dutch Shepherd versus Irish Wolfhound
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Dutch Shepherd and the Irish Wolfhound.
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 Wolfhounds weigh 115 to 180 pounds when fully grown. Irish Wolfhounds are 32 to 35 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Temperament of the Dutch Shepherd Versus the Irish Wolfhound
The Dutch Shepherd has a better temperament than the Irish Wolfhound.
This is because the temperament score for the Dutch Shepherd is 96.2 percent while the temperament score for the Irish Wolfhound is 90.1 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 90.1 percent, the Irish Wolfhound has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Dutch Shepherd and the Irish Wolfhound by measuring the temperaments of 26 Dutch Shepherds and 101 Irish Wolfhounds.
Price of Dutch Shepherd versus Price of Irish Wolfhound
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 Wolfhound puppy is $1930. The price of the Irish Wolfhound typically ranges from $1500 – $2400. However, the price of a Irish Wolfhound can be as low as $720 and as high as $4000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 91 Irish Wolfhound puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Irish Wolfhound is more expensive than the Dutch Shepherd.
| Dutch Shepherd | Irish Wolfhound | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1590 | $1930 |
| Price Range | $900 to $2000 | $1500 to $2400 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Dutch Shepherd and Irish Wolfhound. For different price points, the charts show how many Dutch Shepherd puppies or how many Irish Wolfhound 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 Wolfhounds
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Dutch Shepherd puppy or the Irish Wolfhound 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.
Adopting the Dutch Shepherd versus Adopting the Irish Wolfhound
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Dutch Shepherds and many Irish Wolfhounds are currently available for adoption.
These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.
Below is an adorable Male Dutch Shepherd named Guiness – Located In North Carolina that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Dutch Shepherds like Guiness – Located In North Carolina on pefinder.com.
Also, like Dutch Shepherds, Irish Wolfhounds are also available for adoption. For example, Cash (Cp) is a Male Irish Wolfhound that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Irish Wolfhounds like Cash (Cp) that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Mercy – Located In Connecticut is the name of another Dutch Shepherd (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.
Also Tower, an adorable Male Irish Wolfhound on petfinder.com that you can adopt.
You can find more Dutch Shepherds and Irish Wolfhounds that are available for adoption on petfinder.
Tolerates Being Alone: Dutch Shepherd versus Irish Wolfhound
Dutch Shepherds do not like to be left alone.
Irish Wolfhounds do not like to be left alone.
Which one drools more, the Dutch Shepherd or the Irish Wolfhound
Dutch Shepherds do have a very low tendency to drool.
Irish Wolfhounds do have a very low tendency to drool.
Do Dutch Shepherds Bark and Howl? What about Irish Wolfhounds?
Dutch Shepherds are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Irish Wolfhounds are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Wanderlust Potential: Dutch Shepherd vs. Irish Wolfhound
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 Wolfhounds 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 Wolfhound?
Dutch Shepherds adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Irish Wolfhounds do not adapt well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Dutch Shepherd or the Irish Wolfhound?
Dutch Shepherds are OK for new dog owners.
Irish Wolfhounds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Dutch Shepherd or the Irish Wolfhound?
Dutch Shepherds are moderately easy to groom.
Irish Wolfhounds are moderately easy to groom.
Does the Dutch Shepherd Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Irish Wolfhound?
Dutch Shepherds have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Irish Wolfhounds 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.
Can Dutch Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Irish Wolfhounds Tolerate Cold Weather?
Dutch Shepherds can very well tolerate cold weather.
Irish Wolfhounds can very well tolerate cold weather.
Can Dutch Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Irish Wolfhounds Tolerate Hot Weather?
Dutch Shepherds can tolerate hot weather.
Irish Wolfhounds cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Are Dutch Shepherds good family dogs? What about Irish Wolfhounds?
Dutch Shepherds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Irish Wolfhounds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Dutch Shepherds and Irish Wolfhounds?
Dutch Shepherds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Irish Wolfhounds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Dutch Shepherd or the Irish Wolfhound?
Dutch Shepherds get along very well with other dogs.
Irish Wolfhounds get along very well with other dogs.
Do Dutch Shepherds shed more than Irish Wolfhounds?
Dutch Shepherds shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Irish Wolfhounds shed moderately.
Is the Dutch Shepherd Easier to Train than the Irish Wolfhound?
Dutch Shepherds are very easy to train.
Irish Wolfhounds are fairly 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 Wolfhound
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Irish Wolfhound 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 Wolfhound:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Dutch Shepherd and how the Irish Wolfhound compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Dutch Shepherd and of the Irish Wolfhound to other breeds:
Dutch Shepherd Versus Other Dog Breeds
Dutch Shepherd versus Japanese Spitz Dutch Shepherd versus Bluetick Coonhound Dutch Shepherd versus Miniature Schnauzer Dutch Shepherd versus Goldador Dutch Shepherd versus Hovawart Dutch Shepherd versus Puli Dutch Shepherd versus Karelian Bear Dog Dutch Shepherd versus Miniature Schnauzer Dutch Shepherd versus Braque du Bourbonnais Dutch Shepherd versus Lagotto Romagnolo
Irish Wolfhound Versus Other Dog Breeds
Irish Wolfhound versus Puli Irish Wolfhound versus Alaskan Malamute Irish Wolfhound versus Swedish Vallhund Irish Wolfhound versus American Foxhound Irish Wolfhound versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Irish Wolfhound versus Welsh Springer Spaniel Irish Wolfhound versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Irish Wolfhound versus Pomeranian Irish Wolfhound versus Redbone Coonhound Irish Wolfhound versus Shiloh Shepherd
Conclusion: Dutch Shepherd versus Irish Wolfhound. 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 Wolfhound better suits you and your family.