Fila Brasileiro versus Irish Wolfhound. Final Verdict on Which is a Better Pet.

Fila Brasileiro versus Irish Wolfhound

Quick Links: Table of Contents

Fila Brasileiro Versus Irish Wolfhound: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Fila Brasileiro 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 Fila Brasileiro 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 Fila Brasileiro and the Irish Wolfhound.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Fila Brasileiro 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 Fila Brasileiro 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 Fila Brasileiro 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 Fila Brasileiro or the Irish Wolfhound

Fila Brasileiro versus Irish Wolfhound: Overview

Both the Fila Brasileiro and the Irish Wolfhound are similar in size. The Fila Brasileiro and the Irish Wolfhound are both giant-sized dogs.

Furthermore, the Fila Brasileiro belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

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.

Fila Brasileiro versus Irish Wolfhound: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Fila Brasileiro 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 Fila Brasileiro Irish Wolfhound
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 1/5
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 1/5 5/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 2/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 2/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 4/5 3/5
Easy To Train 2/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 2/5 4/5
Height 24 to 30 inches 32 to 35 inches tall at the shoulder
Easygoing 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 3/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 3/5 5/5
Does NOT Drool 3/5 5/5
General Health 3/5 1/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 5/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 3/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 2/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 1/5
Life Span 9 to 12 years 6 to 8 years
Weight 90 to 180 pounds 115 to 180 pounds
Average Lifespan 10.5 years 7.0 years
Average Price $1270 $1930
Price Range $1000 – $1400 $1500 – $2400
Temperament Score 78.6 percent 90.1 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Serum Bile Acid Test
  • *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 Fila Brasileiro 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 Fila Brasileiro is 62 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Irish Wolfhound is 82 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Irish Wolfhound is a better pet than the Fila Brasileiro. So, you should get the Irish Wolfhound!

    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 Fila Brasileiro 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 Fila Brasileiro and the Irish Wolfhound

    Below is a list of where the Fila Brasileiro and the Irish Wolfhound are most different:

  • Fila Brasileiros are not very friendly towards strangers. However, Irish Wolfhounds are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Fila Brasileiros do not get along well with other dogs. However, Irish Wolfhounds get along well with other dogs.
  • The Similarities Between the Fila Brasileiro and the Irish Wolfhound

    The Fila Brasileiro and the Irish Wolfhound are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Fila Brasileiro and the Irish Wolfhound are most similar:

  • Both the Fila Brasileiro and the Irish Wolfhound do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Fila Brasileiro and the Irish Wolfhound are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Fila Brasileiro and the Irish Wolfhound do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Fila Brasileiro and the Irish Wolfhound are not easy to train.
  • Both the Fila Brasileiro and the Irish Wolfhound are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Fila Brasileiro and the Irish Wolfhound gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Fila Brasileiro and the Irish Wolfhound are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Fila Brasileiro and the Irish Wolfhound require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Fila Brasileiro and the Irish Wolfhound have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Fila Brasileiro versus Irish Wolfhound

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Fila Brasileiro and the Irish Wolfhound.

    Fila Brasileiros weigh 90 to 180 pounds when fully grown. Fila Brasileiros are 24 to 30 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 Irish Wolfhound Versus the Fila Brasileiro

    The Irish Wolfhound has a better temperament than the Fila Brasileiro.

    This is because the temperament score for the Irish Wolfhound is 90.1 percent while the temperament score for the Fila Brasileiro is 78.6 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 78.6 percent, the Fila Brasileiro has a below-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 Fila Brasileiro and the Irish Wolfhound by measuring the temperaments of 14 Fila Brasileiros and 101 Irish Wolfhounds.

    Price of Fila Brasileiro versus Price of Irish Wolfhound

    The average price of the Fila Brasileiro puppy is $1270. The price of the Fila Brasileiro typically ranges from $1000 – $1400. However, the price of a Fila Brasileiro can be as low as $1000 and as high as $1800. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 3 Fila Brasileiro 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 Fila Brasileiro.

    Fila Brasileiro Irish Wolfhound
    Average Price $1270 $1930
    Price Range $1000 to $1400 $1500 to $2400

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Fila Brasileiro and Irish Wolfhound. For different price points, the charts show how many Fila Brasileiro puppies or how many Irish Wolfhound puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Fila Brasileiros. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Fila Brasileiros. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Irish Wolfhounds

    A breakdown of the prices of Irish Wolfhounds

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Fila Brasileiro 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 Fila Brasileiro versus Adopting the Irish Wolfhound

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Fila Brasileiros 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 Fila Brasileiro named Maverick that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Fila Brasileiros like Maverick on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Fila Brasileiros, Irish Wolfhounds are also available for adoption. For example, Tower is a Male Irish Wolfhound that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Irish Wolfhounds like Tower that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Fila Brasileiro and the Irish Wolfhound can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    You can find more Fila Brasileiros and Irish Wolfhounds that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    Is the Fila Brasileiro Better for Apartment Owners than the Irish Wolfhound?

    Fila Brasileiros do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Irish Wolfhounds do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Fila Brasileiro or the Irish Wolfhound?

    Fila Brasileiros are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Irish Wolfhounds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Can Fila Brasileiros Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Irish Wolfhounds Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Fila Brasileiros cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Irish Wolfhounds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Fila Brasileiro or the Irish Wolfhound?

    Fila Brasileiros do not get along well with other dogs.

    Irish Wolfhounds get along very well with other dogs.

    Do Fila Brasileiros shed more than Irish Wolfhounds?

    Fila Brasileiros do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Irish Wolfhounds shed moderately.

    Is the Fila Brasileiro Easier to Train than the Irish Wolfhound?

    Fila Brasileiros are not easy to train.

    Irish Wolfhounds are fairly easy to train.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Fila Brasileiro versus Irish Wolfhound

    Fila Brasileiros can be left alone only for a short time.

    Irish Wolfhounds do not like to be left alone.

    Can Fila Brasileiros Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Irish Wolfhounds Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Fila Brasileiros can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Irish Wolfhounds cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Are Fila Brasileiros good family dogs? What about Irish Wolfhounds?

    Fila Brasileiros are good family dogs. They are affectionate with family.

    Irish Wolfhounds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Fila Brasileiros and Irish Wolfhounds?

    Fila Brasileiros get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

    Irish Wolfhounds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Which one drools more, the Fila Brasileiro or the Irish Wolfhound

    Fila Brasileiros drool moderately.

    Irish Wolfhounds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Do Fila Brasileiros Bark and Howl? What about Irish Wolfhounds?

    Fila Brasileiros bark and howl, but not very much.

    Irish Wolfhounds are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Wanderlust Potential: Fila Brasileiro vs. Irish Wolfhound

    Fila Brasileiros have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Irish Wolfhounds have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Fila Brasileiro or the Irish Wolfhound?

    Fila Brasileiros are very easy to groom.

    Irish Wolfhounds are moderately easy to groom.

    Does the Fila Brasileiro Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Irish Wolfhound?

    Fila Brasileiros 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 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.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Fila Brasileiro

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Fila Brasileiro 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 Fila Brasileiro:

  • Afador (75 percent match with Fila Brasileiro). Here is our comparison of the Irish Wolfhound vs Afador.
  • Cane Corso (76 percent match with Fila Brasileiro). Here is our comparison of the Irish Wolfhound vs Cane Corso.
  • Dogo Argentino (80 percent match with Fila Brasileiro). Here is our comparison of the Irish Wolfhound vs Dogo Argentino.
  • Boerboel (78 percent match with Fila Brasileiro). Here is our comparison of the Irish Wolfhound vs Boerboel.
  • 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:

  • Bracco Italiano (74 percent match with Irish Wolfhound). Here is our comparison of the Fila Brasileiro vs Bracco Italiano.
  • Cavapoo (72 percent match with Irish Wolfhound). Here is our comparison of the Fila Brasileiro vs Cavapoo.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Fila Brasileiro and how the Irish Wolfhound compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Fila Brasileiro and of the Irish Wolfhound to other breeds:

    Fila Brasileiro Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Fila Brasileiro versus Patterdale Terrier     Fila Brasileiro versus West Highland White Terrier     Fila Brasileiro versus Irish Setter     Fila Brasileiro versus Shih Tzu     Fila Brasileiro versus Bullmastiff     Fila Brasileiro versus American Hairless Terrier     Fila Brasileiro versus Doberman Pinscher     Fila Brasileiro versus Portuguese Pointer     Fila Brasileiro versus Standard Poodle     Fila Brasileiro versus Curly-Coated Retriever     

    Irish Wolfhound Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Irish Wolfhound versus American Eskimo Dog     Irish Wolfhound versus Barbet     Irish Wolfhound versus Clumber Spaniel     Irish Wolfhound versus Hovawart     Irish Wolfhound versus Belgian Tervuren     Irish Wolfhound versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog     Irish Wolfhound versus Cesky Terrier     Irish Wolfhound versus Cairn Terrier     Irish Wolfhound versus Finnish Lapphund     Irish Wolfhound versus Shih Tzu     

    Conclusion: Fila Brasileiro 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 Fila Brasileiro and the Irish Wolfhound better suits you and your family.