Breed Comparison: German Longhaired Pointer Versus Irish Water Spaniel

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German Longhaired Pointer Versus Irish Water Spaniel: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the German Longhaired Pointer and the Irish Water Spaniel? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the German Longhaired Pointer 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 German Longhaired Pointer and the Irish Water Spaniel.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the German Longhaired Pointer 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 German Longhaired Pointer 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 with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the German Longhaired Pointer 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 German Longhaired Pointer or the Irish Water Spaniel.

German Longhaired Pointer versus Irish Water Spaniel: Overview

A very important difference between the German Longhaired Pointer and the Irish Water Spaniel is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The German Longhaired Pointer is a large-sized dog while the Irish Water Spaniel is a medium-sized dog.

Furthermore, both the German Longhaired Pointer and the Irish Water Spaniel are Sporting Dogs. This means both the German Longhaired Pointer 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.

German Longhaired Pointer versus Irish Water Spaniel: Comparison Table

The table below compares the German Longhaired Pointer 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.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the German Longhaired Pointer and the Irish Water Spaniel

Factor German Longhaired Pointer Irish Water Spaniel
Life Span 11 to 14 years 10 to 12 years
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 3/5
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 4/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 3/5
Height 23 to 28 inches 1 foot, 9 inches to 2 feet tall at the shoulder
Easygoing 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Drool 3/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 1/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 3/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 5/5
General Health 4/5 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 3/5
Easy To Train 4/5 5/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 1/5
Weight 60 to 71 pounds 45 to 65 pounds
Average Lifespan 12.5 years 11.0 years
Price Range No Data No Data
Average Price No Data No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- after the age of 24 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
    		•

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the German Longhaired Pointer 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 the German Longhaired Pointer is 78 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Irish Water Spaniel is 81 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Irish Water Spaniel is a better pet than the German Longhaired Pointer. 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 German Longhaired Pointer and the Irish Water Spaniel so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Similarities Between the German Longhaired Pointer and the Irish Water Spaniel

    The German Longhaired Pointer and the Irish Water Spaniel are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the German Longhaired Pointer and the Irish Water Spaniel are most similar:

  • Both the German Longhaired Pointer and the Irish Water Spaniel do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the German Longhaired Pointer and the Irish Water Spaniel are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the German Longhaired Pointer and the Irish Water Spaniel do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the German Longhaired Pointer and the Irish Water Spaniel are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the German Longhaired Pointer and the Irish Water Spaniel get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the German Longhaired Pointer and the Irish Water Spaniel get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the German Longhaired Pointer and the Irish Water Spaniel are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the German Longhaired Pointer and the Irish Water Spaniel gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the German Longhaired Pointer and the Irish Water Spaniel are very easy to train.
  • Both the German Longhaired Pointer and the Irish Water Spaniel are highly intelligent.
  • Both the German Longhaired Pointer and the Irish Water Spaniel have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the German Longhaired Pointer and the Irish Water Spaniel are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the German Longhaired Pointer and the Irish Water Spaniel have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the German Longhaired Pointer and the Irish Water Spaniel require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.

    • Size (Weight and Height) of German Longhaired Pointer versus Irish Water Spaniel

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the German Longhaired Pointer and the Irish Water Spaniel.

    German Longhaired Pointers weigh 60 to 71 pounds when fully grown. German Longhaired Pointers are 23 to 28 inches 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.

    Lifespan of German Longhaired Pointer versus Irish Water Spaniel

    The lifespan of German Longhaired Pointers is between 11 to 14 years. The average lifespan of German Longhaired Pointers is 12.5 years.

    The lifespan of Irish Water Spaniels is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Irish Water Spaniels is 11.0 years.

    German Longhaired Pointers live longer than Irish Water Spaniels.

    Tolerates Being Alone: German Longhaired Pointer versus Irish Water Spaniel

    German Longhaired Pointers can be left alone only for a short time.

    Irish Water Spaniels can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do German Longhaired Pointers shed more than Irish Water Spaniels?

    German Longhaired Pointers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Irish Water Spaniels do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the German Longhaired Pointer or the Irish Water Spaniel

    German Longhaired Pointers drool moderately.

    Irish Water Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the German Longhaired Pointer or the Irish Water Spaniel?

    German Longhaired Pointers are very easy to groom.

    Irish Water Spaniels are moderately easy to groom.

    Does the German Longhaired Pointer Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Irish Water Spaniel?

    German Longhaired Pointers have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and 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.

    Do German Longhaired Pointers Bark and Howl? What about Irish Water Spaniels?

    German Longhaired Pointers bark and howl, but not very much.

    Irish Water Spaniels are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can German Longhaired Pointers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Irish Water Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?

    German Longhaired Pointers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Irish Water Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: German Longhaired Pointer vs. Irish Water Spaniel

    German Longhaired Pointers 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.

    Can German Longhaired Pointers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Irish Water Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?

    German Longhaired Pointers cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Irish Water Spaniels can tolerate hot weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the German Longhaired Pointer or the Irish Water Spaniel?

    German Longhaired Pointers get along very well with other dogs.

    Irish Water Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Are German Longhaired Pointers good family dogs? What about Irish Water Spaniels?

    German Longhaired Pointers 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 German Longhaired Pointers and Irish Water Spaniels?

    German Longhaired Pointers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the German Longhaired Pointer Easier to Train than the Irish Water Spaniel?

    German Longhaired Pointers are very easy to train.

    Irish Water Spaniels are very easy to train.

    Is the German Longhaired Pointer Better for Apartment Owners than the Irish Water Spaniel?

    German Longhaired Pointers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Irish Water Spaniels adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the German Longhaired Pointer or the Irish Water Spaniel?

    German Longhaired Pointers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Irish Water Spaniels are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the German Longhaired Pointer

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the German Longhaired Pointer 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 German Longhaired Pointer:

  • Aussiedoodle (78 percent match with German Longhaired Pointer). Here is our comparison of the Irish Water Spaniel vs Aussiedoodle.
  • Black Mouth Cur (77 percent match with German Longhaired Pointer). Here is our comparison of the Irish Water Spaniel vs Black Mouth Cur.
  • Boxerdoodle (77 percent match with German Longhaired Pointer). Here is our comparison of the Irish Water Spaniel vs Boxerdoodle.

    • 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:

  • Kerry Blue Terrier (78 percent match with Irish Water Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the German Longhaired Pointer vs Kerry Blue Terrier.

    • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the German Longhaired Pointer and how the Irish Water Spaniel compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the German Longhaired Pointer and of the Irish Water Spaniel to other breeds:

    German Longhaired Pointer Versus Other Dog Breeds

    German Longhaired Pointer versus Boston Terrier     German Longhaired Pointer versus Mal Shi     German Longhaired Pointer versus Akbash     German Longhaired Pointer versus Basenji     German Longhaired Pointer versus Shihpoo     German Longhaired Pointer versus Irish Wolfhound     German Longhaired Pointer versus Toy Fox Terrier     German Longhaired Pointer versus Golden Cocker Retriever     German Longhaired Pointer versus Xoloitzcuintli     German Longhaired Pointer versus Bouvier des Flandres     German Longhaired Pointer versus Gordon Setter     German Longhaired Pointer versus English Cocker Spaniel     German Longhaired Pointer versus Rottweiler     German Longhaired Pointer versus American Pit Bull Terrier     German Longhaired Pointer versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog     German Longhaired Pointer versus Samoyed     German Longhaired Pointer versus Great Dane     German Longhaired Pointer versus Aussiedoodle     German Longhaired Pointer versus Lakeland Terrier     German Longhaired Pointer versus Mal Shi     German Longhaired Pointer versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     German Longhaired Pointer versus Bracco Italiano     German Longhaired Pointer versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne     German Longhaired Pointer versus Hovawart     

    Irish Water Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Irish Water Spaniel versus Belgian Tervuren     Irish Water Spaniel versus Chinese Crested     Irish Water Spaniel versus Carolina Dog     Irish Water Spaniel versus Tibetan Terrier     Irish Water Spaniel versus Leonberger     Irish Water Spaniel versus English Springer Spaniel     Irish Water Spaniel versus Kai Ken     Irish Water Spaniel versus Pomapoo     Irish Water Spaniel versus Pekingese     Irish Water Spaniel versus Kooikerhondje     Irish Water Spaniel versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi     Irish Water Spaniel versus Chinese Crested     Irish Water Spaniel versus Pomapoo     Irish Water Spaniel versus Airedale Terrier     Irish Water Spaniel versus Coton de Tulear     Irish Water Spaniel versus Dachshund     Irish Water Spaniel versus Alaskan Malamute     Irish Water Spaniel versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog     Irish Water Spaniel versus Belgian Tervuren     Irish Water Spaniel versus Papipoo     Irish Water Spaniel versus Cockalier     Irish Water Spaniel versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     Irish Water Spaniel versus Lowchen     Irish Water Spaniel versus Boxerdoodle     Irish Water Spaniel versus Pyrenean Shepherd     

    Conclusion: German Longhaired Pointer 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 German Longhaired Pointer and the Irish Water Spaniel better suits you and your family.