Quick Links: Table of Contents
- English Cocker Spaniel Versus Irish Terrier: Introduction
- English Cocker Spaniel versus Irish Terrier: Overview
- English Cocker Spaniel versus Irish Terrier: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the English Cocker Spaniel and the Irish Terrier
- The Similarities Between the English Cocker Spaniel and the Irish Terrier
- Size (Weight and Height) of English Cocker Spaniel versus Irish Terrier
- Temperament of the English Cocker Spaniel Versus the Irish Terrier
- Price of English Cocker Spaniel versus Price of Irish Terrier
- The Intelligence of the English Cocker Spaniel versus the Intelligence of the Irish Terrier
- The Popularity of English Cocker Spaniel versus Popularity of Irish Terrier
- Tolerates Being Alone: English Cocker Spaniel versus Irish Terrier
- Which one drools more, the English Cocker Spaniel or the Irish Terrier
- Can English Cocker Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Irish Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Do English Cocker Spaniels shed more than Irish Terriers?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the English Cocker Spaniel or the Irish Terrier?
- Can English Cocker Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Irish Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Is the English Cocker Spaniel Easier to Train than the Irish Terrier?
- Do English Cocker Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Irish Terriers?
- Wanderlust Potential: English Cocker Spaniel vs. Irish Terrier
- Are English Cocker Spaniels good family dogs? What about Irish Terriers?
- How Kid-friendly are English Cocker Spaniels and Irish Terriers?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the English Cocker Spaniel or the Irish Terrier?
- Does the English Cocker Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Irish Terrier?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the English Cocker Spaniel
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Irish Terrier
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: English Cocker Spaniel versus Irish Terrier. Which One is a Better Pet?
English Cocker Spaniel Versus Irish Terrier: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the English Cocker Spaniel 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 English Cocker Spaniel 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 English Cocker Spaniel and the Irish Terrier.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the English Cocker Spaniel 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 English Cocker Spaniel 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 English Cocker Spaniel 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 English Cocker Spaniel or the Irish Terrier
English Cocker Spaniel versus Irish Terrier: Overview
A very important difference between the English Cocker Spaniel and the Irish Terrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The English Cocker Spaniel is a small-sized dog while the Irish Terrier is a medium-sized dog.
Furthermore, the English Cocker Spaniel 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.
English Cocker Spaniel versus Irish Terrier: Comparison Table
The table below compares the English Cocker Spaniel 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 | English Cocker Spaniel | Irish Terrier |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Height | 1 foot, 3 inches to 1 foot, 5 inches tall at the s | 18 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Life Span | 12 to 14 years | 12 to 16 years |
| Weight | 26 to 34 pounds | 25 to 27 pounds |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 1/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 13.0 years | 14.0 years |
| Average Price | $1500 | $1280 |
| Price Range | $1200 – $1800 | $1000 – $1500 |
| Temperament Score | 93.3 percent | 80.0 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
No Data |
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 55 | 118 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 18 | 53 |
*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 English Cocker Spaniel 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 English Cocker Spaniel is 82 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Irish Terrier is 78 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the English Cocker Spaniel is a better pet than the Irish Terrier. So, you should get the English Cocker 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 English Cocker Spaniel 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 English Cocker Spaniel and the Irish Terrier
Below is a list of where the English Cocker Spaniel and the Irish Terrier are most different:
The Similarities Between the English Cocker Spaniel and the Irish Terrier
The English Cocker Spaniel and the Irish Terrier are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the English Cocker Spaniel and the Irish Terrier are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of English Cocker Spaniel versus Irish Terrier
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the English Cocker Spaniel and the Irish Terrier.
English Cocker Spaniels weigh 26 to 34 pounds when fully grown. English Cocker Spaniels are 1 foot, 3 inches to 1 foot, 5 inches tall at the s 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 English Cocker Spaniel Versus the Irish Terrier
The English Cocker Spaniel has a better temperament than the Irish Terrier.
This is because the temperament score for the English Cocker Spaniel is 93.3 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 93.3 percent, the English Cocker Spaniel 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 English Cocker Spaniel and the Irish Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 75 English Cocker Spaniels and 10 Irish Terriers.
Price of English Cocker Spaniel versus Price of Irish Terrier
The average price of the English Cocker Spaniel puppy is $1500. The price of the English Cocker Spaniel typically ranges from $1200 – $1800. However, the price of a English Cocker Spaniel can be as low as $650 and as high as $3000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 90 English Cocker Spaniel 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 English Cocker Spaniel is more expensive than the Irish Terrier.
| English Cocker Spaniel | Irish Terrier | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1500 | $1280 |
| Price Range | $1200 to $1800 | $1000 to $1500 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the English Cocker Spaniel and Irish Terrier. For different price points, the charts show how many English Cocker Spaniel puppies or how many Irish Terrier puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of English Cocker Spaniels. 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 English Cocker Spaniel 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.
The Intelligence of the English Cocker Spaniel versus the Intelligence of the Irish Terrier
| English Cocker Spaniel | Irish Terrier | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 18 out of 130 dog breeds | 53 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 5 To 15 Repetitions | Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 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 English Cocker Spaniel has an obedience intelligence rank of 18 out of 130 dog breeds. The English Cocker Spaniel belongs to the `Excellent Working Dogs` category. This means that English Cocker Spaniels tend to learn new commands after 5 to 15 repetitions.
The Irish Terrier has an obedience intelligence rank of 53 out of 130 dog breeds. The Irish Terrier belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Irish Terriers tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 repetitions.
The English Cocker Spaniel is more intelligent than the Irish Terrier.
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 English Cocker Spaniel 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 English Cocker Spaniel and the Irish Terrier over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the English Cocker Spaniel is more popular with dog owners than the Irish Terrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the English Cocker Spaniel is 55 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Irish Terrier is 118 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of English Cocker Spaniel
Popularity of Irish Terrier
| Year | English Cocker Spaniel Popularity Rank | Irish Terrier Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 62 | 123 |
| 2014 | 62 | 125 |
| 2015 | 60 | 113 |
| 2016 | 56 | 115 |
| 2017 | 52 | 114 |
| 2018 | 52 | 116 |
| 2019 | 50 | 119 |
| 2020 | 47 | 120 |
Tolerates Being Alone: English Cocker Spaniel versus Irish Terrier
English Cocker Spaniels do not like to be left alone.
Irish Terriers do not like to be left alone.
Which one drools more, the English Cocker Spaniel or the Irish Terrier
English Cocker Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.
Irish Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Can English Cocker Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Irish Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
English Cocker Spaniels can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Irish Terriers can tolerate hot weather.
Do English Cocker Spaniels shed more than Irish Terriers?
English Cocker Spaniels shed moderately.
Irish Terriers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Which is Easier to Groom, the English Cocker Spaniel or the Irish Terrier?
English Cocker Spaniels are moderately easy to groom.
Irish Terriers require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the English Cocker Spaniel or the Irish Terrier?
English Cocker Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.
Irish Terriers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Can English Cocker Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Irish Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
English Cocker Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.
Irish Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.
Is the English Cocker Spaniel Easier to Train than the Irish Terrier?
English Cocker Spaniels are very easy to train.
Irish Terriers are not easy to train.
Do English Cocker Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Irish Terriers?
English Cocker Spaniels are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Irish Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Wanderlust Potential: English Cocker Spaniel vs. Irish Terrier
English Cocker Spaniels 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.
Is the English Cocker Spaniel Better for Apartment Owners than the Irish Terrier?
English Cocker Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.
Irish Terriers adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Are English Cocker Spaniels good family dogs? What about Irish Terriers?
English Cocker Spaniels 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 English Cocker Spaniels and Irish Terriers?
English Cocker Spaniels 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 English Cocker Spaniel or the Irish Terrier?
English Cocker Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.
Irish Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.
Does the English Cocker Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Irish Terrier?
English Cocker 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.
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 English Cocker Spaniel
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the English Cocker 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 English Cocker Spaniel:
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 English Cocker Spaniel and how the Irish Terrier compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the English Cocker Spaniel and of the Irish Terrier to other breeds:
English Cocker Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds
English Cocker Spaniel versus Lancashire Heeler English Cocker Spaniel versus Affenpinscher English Cocker Spaniel versus Neapolitan Mastiff English Cocker Spaniel versus Goldendoodle English Cocker Spaniel versus Hovawart English Cocker Spaniel versus Australian Terrier English Cocker Spaniel versus Finnish Lapphund English Cocker Spaniel versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne English Cocker Spaniel versus Shiloh Shepherd English Cocker Spaniel versus Saluki
Irish Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds
Irish Terrier versus Bich Poo Irish Terrier versus Mountain Cur Irish Terrier versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle Irish Terrier versus Belgian Tervuren Irish Terrier versus Miniature Poodle Irish Terrier versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle Irish Terrier versus Korean Jindo Dog Irish Terrier versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog Irish Terrier versus Flat-Coated Retriever Irish Terrier versus Kai Ken
Conclusion: English Cocker Spaniel 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 English Cocker Spaniel and the Irish Terrier better suits you and your family.