Which is Better between the English Setter and the Glen of Imaal Terrier? A Very Detailed Review.

English Setter versus Glen of Imaal Terrier

Quick Links: Table of Contents

English Setter Versus Glen of Imaal Terrier: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the English Setter and the Glen of Imaal 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 Setter and the Glen of Imaal 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 Setter and the Glen of Imaal Terrier.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the English Setter and the Glen of Imaal 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 Setter and for the Glen of Imaal 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 Setter and the Glen of Imaal 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 Setter or the Glen of Imaal Terrier

English Setter versus Glen of Imaal Terrier: Overview

A very important difference between the English Setter and the Glen of Imaal Terrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The English Setter is a medium-sized dog while the Glen of Imaal Terrier is a tiny-sized dog.

Furthermore, the English Setter 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 Glen of Imaal 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 Setter versus Glen of Imaal Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the English Setter to the Glen of Imaal 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 Setter Glen of Imaal Terrier
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 4/5
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 3/5
Height 1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the 12 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder
Life Span 11 to 15 years 12 to 15 years
Does NOT Drool 4/5 5/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 1/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 5/5
General Health 3/5 5/5
Easy To Train 3/5 4/5
Easygoing 2/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 2/5
Weight 45 to 80 pounds Up to 35 pounds
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 2/5
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 1/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Average Lifespan 13.0 years 13.5 years
Average Price $1020 No Data
Price Range $800 – $1200 No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • CONE ROD DYSTROPHY
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- Must have an eye examination performed by an AVCO opthalmologist (or equivalent in foreign countries) beginning at 2 years of age and repeated every 2 years until age 8
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 95 168

    *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 Setter 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 Glen of Imaal 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 Setter is 74 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Glen of Imaal Terrier is 83 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Glen of Imaal Terrier is a better pet than the English Setter. So, you should get the Glen of Imaal 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 English Setter and the Glen of Imaal Terrier so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the English Setter and the Glen of Imaal Terrier

    Below is a list of where the English Setter and the Glen of Imaal Terrier are most different:

  • English Setters do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Glen of Imaal Terriers adapt well to apartment living.
  • English Setters do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful. However, Glen of Imaal Terriers do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • English Setters get along well with other dogs. However, Glen of Imaal Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.
  • The Similarities Between the English Setter and the Glen of Imaal Terrier

    The English Setter and the Glen of Imaal Terrier are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the English Setter and the Glen of Imaal Terrier are most similar:

  • Both the English Setter and the Glen of Imaal Terrier do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the English Setter and the Glen of Imaal Terrier are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
  • Both the English Setter and the Glen of Imaal Terrier can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the English Setter and the Glen of Imaal Terrier are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the English Setter and the Glen of Imaal Terrier are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the English Setter and the Glen of Imaal Terrier have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the English Setter and the Glen of Imaal Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the English Setter and the Glen of Imaal Terrier get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the English Setter and the Glen of Imaal Terrier are highly intelligent.
  • Both the English Setter and the Glen of Imaal Terrier have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the English Setter and the Glen of Imaal Terrier require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the English Setter and the Glen of Imaal Terrier are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of English Setter versus Glen of Imaal Terrier

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the English Setter and the Glen of Imaal Terrier.

    English Setters weigh 45 to 80 pounds when fully grown. English Setters are 1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Glen of Imaal Terriers weigh Up to 35 pounds when fully grown. Glen of Imaal Terriers are 12 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    The Popularity of English Setter versus Popularity of Glen of Imaal 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 Setter and the Glen of Imaal Terrier over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the English Setter is more popular with dog owners than the Glen of Imaal Terrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the English Setter is 95 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Glen of Imaal Terrier is 168 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of English Setter

    Popularity of English Setter

    Popularity of Glen of Imaal Terrier

    Popularity of Glen of Imaal Terrier

    Year English Setter Popularity Rank Glen of Imaal Terrier Popularity Rank
    2013 91 167
    2014 89 162
    2015 96 168
    2016 102 180
    2017 95 158
    2018 94 174
    2019 98 168
    2020 101 169

    Health Problems of English Setter versus Health Problems of Glen of Imaal Terrier

    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 English Setter and the Glen of Imaal Terrier 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 Glen of Imaal Terrier is prone to the same number of genetic health problems as the English Setter.

    4 health tests are recommended for English Setter while 4 tests are recommended for the Glen of Imaal Terrier.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in English Setters and in Glen of Imaal Terriers.

    English Setter Health Problems

    English Setters are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing English Setter 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 English Setter puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your English Setter 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 English Setters for:

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for English Setters here.

    Glen of Imaal Terrier Health Problems

    Glen of Imaal Terriers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Glen of Imaal Terrier 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 Glen of Imaal Terrier puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Glen of Imaal Terrier 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 Glen of Imaal Terriers for:

  • CONE ROD DYSTROPHY
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- Must have an eye examination performed by an AVCO opthalmologist (or equivalent in foreign countries) beginning at 2 years of age and repeated every 2 years until age 8
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Glen of Imaal Terriers here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in English Setters and Glen of Imaal Terriers

    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 English Setter Breed is Baer Hearing (Es) problems.

    This is because the English Setter ranks 1 out of 1 dog breeds for Baer Hearing (Es) problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 4303 English Setters, 4 of them had Baer Hearing (Es) problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in English Setters, and how common these diseases are in English Setters relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Baer Hearing (Es) problems: Rank 1 out of 1 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 1 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Baer Hearing Test problems: Rank 4 out of 21 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 28 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 70 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • 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 Glen of Imaal Terrier Breed is Cone Rod Dystrophy problems.

    This is because the Glen of Imaal Terrier ranks 1 out of 2 dog breeds for Cone Rod Dystrophy problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 356 Glen of Imaal Terriers, 7 of them had Cone Rod Dystrophy problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Glen of Imaal Terriers, and how common these diseases are in Glen of Imaal Terriers relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Cone Rod Dystrophy problems: Rank 1 out of 2 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 25 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 37 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 45 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in English Setter and in Glen of Imaal Terrier and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the English Setter and the Glen of Imaal Terrier:

    Disease English Setter Rank Glen of Imaal Terrier Rank
    Baer Hearing (Es) problems 1 out of 1 dog breeds Not Common
    Thyroid problems 1 out of 115 dog breeds Not Common
    Baer Hearing Test problems 4 out of 21 dog breeds Not Common
    Elbow problems 28 out of 144 dog breeds 37 out of 144 dog breeds
    Hips problems 70 out of 198 dog breeds 25 out of 198 dog breeds
    Cone Rod Dystrophy problems Not Common 1 out of 2 dog breeds
    Eyes problems Not Common 45 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 English Setter Better for Apartment Owners than the Glen of Imaal Terrier?

    English Setters do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Glen of Imaal Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Tolerates Being Alone: English Setter versus Glen of Imaal Terrier

    English Setters do not like to be left alone.

    Glen of Imaal Terriers can be left alone only for a short time.

    Which one drools more, the English Setter or the Glen of Imaal Terrier

    English Setters do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Glen of Imaal Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the English Setter or the Glen of Imaal Terrier?

    English Setters are OK for new dog owners.

    Glen of Imaal Terriers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Can English Setters Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Glen of Imaal Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    English Setters can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Glen of Imaal Terriers can tolerate hot weather.

    Do English Setters shed more than Glen of Imaal Terriers?

    English Setters shed moderately.

    Glen of Imaal Terriers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the English Setter or the Glen of Imaal Terrier?

    English Setters are moderately easy to groom.

    Glen of Imaal Terriers are very easy to groom.

    Is the English Setter Easier to Train than the Glen of Imaal Terrier?

    English Setters are fairly easy to train.

    Glen of Imaal Terriers are very easy to train.

    Can English Setters Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Glen of Imaal Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    English Setters can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Glen of Imaal Terriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Do English Setters Bark and Howl? What about Glen of Imaal Terriers?

    English Setters are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Glen of Imaal Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Are English Setters good family dogs? What about Glen of Imaal Terriers?

    English Setters are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Glen of Imaal Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are English Setters and Glen of Imaal Terriers?

    English Setters get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Glen of Imaal Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the English Setter or the Glen of Imaal Terrier?

    English Setters get along very well with other dogs.

    Glen of Imaal Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Does the English Setter Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Glen of Imaal Terrier?

    English Setters 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.

    Glen of Imaal Terriers 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.

    Wanderlust Potential: English Setter vs. Glen of Imaal Terrier

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

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

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the English Setter

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the English Setter 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 Setter:

  • Irish Setter (83 percent match with English Setter). Here is our comparison of the Glen of Imaal Terrier vs Irish Setter.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Glen of Imaal Terrier

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Glen of Imaal 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 Glen of Imaal Terrier:

  • Australian Terrier (79 percent match with Glen of Imaal Terrier). Here is our comparison of the English Setter vs Australian Terrier.
  • Silky Terrier (79 percent match with Glen of Imaal Terrier). Here is our comparison of the English Setter vs Silky Terrier.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the English Setter and how the Glen of Imaal Terrier compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the English Setter and of the Glen of Imaal Terrier to other breeds:

    English Setter Versus Other Dog Breeds

    English Setter versus Canaan Dog     English Setter versus Bluetick Coonhound     English Setter versus Boxer     English Setter versus French Bulldog     English Setter versus Bouvier des Flandres     English Setter versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen     English Setter versus Tibetan Spaniel     English Setter versus Estrela Mountain Dog     English Setter versus Schipperke     English Setter versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     

    Glen of Imaal Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Glen of Imaal Terrier versus Swedish Vallhund     Glen of Imaal Terrier versus Peek A Poo     Glen of Imaal Terrier versus Bernedoodle     Glen of Imaal Terrier versus Papipoo     Glen of Imaal Terrier versus Silky Terrier     Glen of Imaal Terrier versus Irish Wolfhound     Glen of Imaal Terrier versus Cockapoo     Glen of Imaal Terrier versus Boxer     Glen of Imaal Terrier versus Maltese     Glen of Imaal Terrier versus Coton de Tulear     

    Conclusion: English Setter versus Glen of Imaal 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 Setter and the Glen of Imaal Terrier better suits you and your family.