Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Field Spaniel Versus Irish Water Spaniel: Introduction
- Field Spaniel versus Irish Water Spaniel: Overview
- Field Spaniel versus Irish Water Spaniel: Comparison Table
- The Similarities Between the Field Spaniel and the Irish Water Spaniel
- Size (Weight and Height) of Field Spaniel versus Irish Water Spaniel
- Temperament of the Irish Water Spaniel Versus the Field Spaniel
- The Intelligence of the Field Spaniel versus the Intelligence of the Irish Water Spaniel
- The Popularity of Field Spaniel versus Popularity of Irish Water Spaniel
- Health Problems of Field Spaniel versus Health Problems of Irish Water Spaniel
- Tolerates Being Alone: Field Spaniel versus Irish Water Spaniel
- Which one drools more, the Field Spaniel or the Irish Water Spaniel
- Do Field Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Irish Water Spaniels?
- Can Field Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Irish Water Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Do Field Spaniels shed more than Irish Water Spaniels?
- Can Field Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Irish Water Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Field Spaniel or the Irish Water Spaniel?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Field Spaniel or the Irish Water Spaniel?
- Does the Field Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Irish Water Spaniel?
- Are Field Spaniels good family dogs? What about Irish Water Spaniels?
- How Kid-friendly are Field Spaniels and Irish Water Spaniels?
- Is the Field Spaniel Easier to Train than the Irish Water Spaniel?
- Wanderlust Potential: Field Spaniel vs. Irish Water Spaniel
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Field Spaniel
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Irish Water Spaniel
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Field Spaniel versus Irish Water Spaniel. Which One is a Better Pet?
Field Spaniel Versus Irish Water Spaniel: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Field Spaniel 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 Field Spaniel 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 Field Spaniel and the Irish Water Spaniel.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Field Spaniel 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 Field Spaniel 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 Field Spaniel 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 Field Spaniel or the Irish Water Spaniel
Field Spaniel versus Irish Water Spaniel: Overview
A very important difference between the Field Spaniel and the Irish Water Spaniel is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Field Spaniel is a small-sized dog while the Irish Water Spaniel is a medium-sized dog.
Furthermore, both the Field Spaniel and the Irish Water Spaniel are Sporting Dogs. This means both the Field Spaniel 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.
Field Spaniel versus Irish Water Spaniel: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Field Spaniel 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 | Field Spaniel | Irish Water Spaniel |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Height | 1 foot, 4 inches to 1 foot, 7 inches tall at the s | 1 foot, 9 inches to 2 feet tall at the shoulder |
| Life Span | 10 to 12 years | 10 to 12 years |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Weight | 37 to 45 pounds | 45 to 65 pounds |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 11.0 years | 11.0 years |
| Average Price | $4640 | No Data |
| Price Range | $2900 – $5000 | No Data |
| Temperament Score | 85.7 percent | 90.0 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 147 | 156 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 34 | 24 |
*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 Field 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 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 Field Spaniel is 79 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 Field Spaniel. 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 Field Spaniel and the Irish Water Spaniel so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Similarities Between the Field Spaniel and the Irish Water Spaniel
The Field Spaniel and the Irish Water Spaniel are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Field Spaniel and the Irish Water Spaniel are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Field Spaniel versus Irish Water Spaniel
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Field Spaniel and the Irish Water Spaniel.
Field Spaniels weigh 37 to 45 pounds when fully grown. Field Spaniels are 1 foot, 4 inches to 1 foot, 7 inches tall at the s 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 Irish Water Spaniel Versus the Field Spaniel
The Irish Water Spaniel has a better temperament than the Field Spaniel.
This is because the temperament score for the Irish Water Spaniel is 90.0 percent while the temperament score for the Field Spaniel is 85.7 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 85.7 percent, the Field Spaniel 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 Field Spaniel and the Irish Water Spaniel by measuring the temperaments of 14 Field Spaniels and 30 Irish Water Spaniels.
The Intelligence of the Field Spaniel versus the Intelligence of the Irish Water Spaniel
| Field Spaniel | Irish Water Spaniel | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 34 out of 130 dog breeds | 24 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 15 To 25 Repetitions | Tend To Learn New Commands After 5 To 15 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 Field Spaniel has an obedience intelligence rank of 34 out of 130 dog breeds. The Field Spaniel belongs to the `Above Average Working Dogs` category. This means that Field Spaniels tend to learn new commands after 15 to 25 repetitions.
The Irish Water Spaniel has an obedience intelligence rank of 24 out of 130 dog breeds. The Irish Water Spaniel belongs to the `Excellent Working Dogs` category. This means that Irish Water Spaniels tend to learn new commands after 5 to 15 repetitions.
The Irish Water Spaniel is more intelligent than the Field Spaniel.
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 Field Spaniel 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 Field Spaniel and the Irish Water Spaniel over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Field Spaniel is more popular with dog owners than the Irish Water Spaniel. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Field Spaniel is 147 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 Field Spaniel
Popularity of Irish Water Spaniel
| Year | Field Spaniel Popularity Rank | Irish Water Spaniel Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 140 | 141 |
| 2014 | 137 | 152 |
| 2015 | 145 | 144 |
| 2016 | 147 | 150 |
| 2017 | 145 | 164 |
| 2018 | 149 | 159 |
| 2019 | 153 | 170 |
| 2020 | 160 | 174 |
Health Problems of Field Spaniel 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 Field Spaniel 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 Field Spaniel is prone to more genetic health problems than the Irish Water Spaniel.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Field Spaniel than for the Irish Water Spaniel.
6 health tests are recommended for Field Spaniel while 5 tests are recommended for the Irish Water Spaniel.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Field Spaniels and in Irish Water Spaniels.
Field Spaniel Health Problems
Field Spaniels are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Field 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 Field Spaniel puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Field 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 Field Spaniels for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Field Spaniels 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 Field Spaniels 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 Field Spaniel Breed is Eyes problems.
This is because the Field Spaniel ranks 52 out of 182 dog breeds for Eyes problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 479 Field Spaniels, 10 of them had Eyes problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Field Spaniels, and how common these diseases are in Field Spaniels 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 Field Spaniel and in Irish Water Spaniel and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Field Spaniel and the Irish Water Spaniel:
| Disease | Field Spaniel Rank | Irish Water Spaniel Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Eyes problems | 52 out of 182 dog breeds | 150 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | 57 out of 159 dog breeds | 9 out of 159 dog breeds |
| Hips problems | 58 out of 198 dog breeds | 104 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Thyroid problems | 74 out of 115 dog breeds | 105 out of 115 dog breeds |
| Patella problems | 113 out of 145 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Elbow problems | 138 out of 144 dog breeds | 31 out of 144 dog breeds |
| Advanced Cardiac problems | Not Common | 5 out of 71 dog breeds |
| Shoulder problems | Not Common | 18 out of 22 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 Field Spaniel Better for Apartment Owners than the Irish Water Spaniel?
Field Spaniels do not adapt well to apartment living.
Irish Water Spaniels adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Tolerates Being Alone: Field Spaniel versus Irish Water Spaniel
Field Spaniels do not like to be left alone.
Irish Water Spaniels can be left alone only for a short time.
Which one drools more, the Field Spaniel or the Irish Water Spaniel
Field Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.
Irish Water Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.
Do Field Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Irish Water Spaniels?
Field Spaniels 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 is Better for New Dog Owners, the Field Spaniel or the Irish Water Spaniel?
Field Spaniels are OK for new dog owners.
Irish Water Spaniels are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Can Field Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Irish Water Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?
Field Spaniels can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Irish Water Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.
Do Field Spaniels shed more than Irish Water Spaniels?
Field Spaniels shed moderately.
Irish Water Spaniels do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Can Field Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Irish Water Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?
Field Spaniels can tolerate hot weather.
Irish Water Spaniels can tolerate hot weather.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Field Spaniel or the Irish Water Spaniel?
Field Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.
Irish Water Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Field Spaniel or the Irish Water Spaniel?
Field Spaniels are very easy to groom.
Irish Water Spaniels are moderately easy to groom.
Does the Field Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Irish Water Spaniel?
Field 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 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.
Are Field Spaniels good family dogs? What about Irish Water Spaniels?
Field Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Irish Water Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Field Spaniels and Irish Water Spaniels?
Field Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Irish Water Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Field Spaniel Easier to Train than the Irish Water Spaniel?
Field Spaniels are very easy to train.
Irish Water Spaniels are very easy to train.
Wanderlust Potential: Field Spaniel vs. Irish Water Spaniel
Field Spaniels 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.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Field Spaniel
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Field 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 Field Spaniel:
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 Field Spaniel and how the Irish Water Spaniel compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Field Spaniel and of the Irish Water Spaniel to other breeds:
Field Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds
Field Spaniel versus Canaan Dog Field Spaniel versus Cockalier Field Spaniel versus Aussiedoodle Field Spaniel versus Akita Field Spaniel versus Saint Bernard Field Spaniel versus Maremma Sheepdog Field Spaniel versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog Field Spaniel versus Brittany Field Spaniel versus Rhodesian Ridgeback Field Spaniel versus Xoloitzcuintli
Irish Water Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds
Irish Water Spaniel versus Gordon Setter Irish Water Spaniel versus Basenji Irish Water Spaniel versus Papipoo Irish Water Spaniel versus Bedlington Terrier Irish Water Spaniel versus Chorkie Irish Water Spaniel versus Pomsky Irish Water Spaniel versus German Pinscher Irish Water Spaniel versus Cavachon Irish Water Spaniel versus Goldendoodle Irish Water Spaniel versus Sloughi
Conclusion: Field Spaniel 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 Field Spaniel and the Irish Water Spaniel better suits you and your family.