Quick Links: Table of Contents
- German Pinscher Versus Irish Terrier: Introduction
- German Pinscher versus Irish Terrier: Overview
- German Pinscher versus Irish Terrier: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the German Pinscher and the Irish Terrier
- The Similarities Between the German Pinscher and the Irish Terrier
- Size (Weight and Height) of German Pinscher versus Irish Terrier
- Lifespan of German Pinscher versus Irish Terrier
- Temperament of the German Pinscher Versus the Irish Terrier
- Price of German Pinscher versus Price of Irish Terrier
- The Popularity of German Pinscher versus Popularity of Irish Terrier
- Tolerates Being Alone: German Pinscher versus Irish Terrier
- Do German Pinschers shed more than Irish Terriers?
- Which one drools more, the German Pinscher or the Irish Terrier
- Which is Easier to Groom, the German Pinscher or the Irish Terrier?
- Does the German Pinscher Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Irish Terrier?
- Do German Pinschers Bark and Howl? What about Irish Terriers?
- Can German Pinschers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Irish Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: German Pinscher vs. Irish Terrier
- Can German Pinschers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Irish Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the German Pinscher or the Irish Terrier?
- Are German Pinschers good family dogs? What about Irish Terriers?
- How Kid-friendly are German Pinschers and Irish Terriers?
- Is the German Pinscher Easier to Train than the Irish Terrier?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the German Pinscher
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Irish Terrier
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: German Pinscher versus Irish Terrier. Which One is a Better Pet?
German Pinscher Versus Irish Terrier: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the German Pinscher and the Irish Terrier? 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 Pinscher 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 German Pinscher and the Irish Terrier.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the German Pinscher 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 German Pinscher 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 with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the German Pinscher 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 German Pinscher or the Irish Terrier.
German Pinscher versus Irish Terrier: Overview
Both the German Pinscher and the Irish Terrier are similar in size. The German Pinscher and the Irish Terrier are both medium-sized dogs.
Furthermore, the German Pinscher 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 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.
German Pinscher versus Irish Terrier: Comparison Table
The table below compares the German Pinscher 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.
Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the German Pinscher and the Irish Terrier
| Factor | German Pinscher | Irish Terrier |
|---|---|---|
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 14 years | 12 to 16 years |
| Height | 17 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder | 18 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Dog Friendly | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Weight | 25 to 45 pounds | 25 to 27 pounds |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 13.0 years | 14.0 years |
| Average Price | $2040 | $1280 |
| Price Range | $1150 – $2688 | $1000 – $1500 |
| Temperament Score | 91.9 percent | 80.0 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
No Data |
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 135 | 118 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the German Pinscher 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 the German Pinscher is 78 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Irish Terrier is 78 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Irish Terrier is not better or worse than the German Pinscher. So, you can get the Irish Terrier or the German Pinscher!
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 Pinscher 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 German Pinscher and the Irish Terrier
Below is a list of where the German Pinscher and the Irish Terrier are most different:
The Similarities Between the German Pinscher and the Irish Terrier
The German Pinscher and the Irish Terrier are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the German Pinscher and the Irish Terrier are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of German Pinscher versus Irish Terrier
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the German Pinscher and the Irish Terrier.
German Pinschers weigh 25 to 45 pounds when fully grown. German Pinschers are 17 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder 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.
Lifespan of German Pinscher versus Irish Terrier
The lifespan of German Pinschers is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of German Pinschers is 13.0 years.
The lifespan of Irish Terriers is between 12 to 16 years. The average lifespan of Irish Terriers is 14.0 years.
Irish Terriers live longer than German Pinschers.
Temperament of the German Pinscher Versus the Irish Terrier
The German Pinscher has a better temperament than the Irish Terrier.
This is because the temperament score for the German Pinscher is 91.9 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 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 91.9 percent, the German Pinscher 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 German Pinscher and the Irish Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 37 German Pinschers and 10 Irish Terriers.
Price of German Pinscher versus Price of Irish Terrier
The average price of the German Pinscher puppy is $2040. The price of the German Pinscher typically ranges from $1150 – $2688. However, the price of a German Pinscher can be as low as $500 and as high as $3000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 10 German Pinscher 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 the 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 German Pinscher is more expensive than the Irish Terrier.
| German Pinscher | Irish Terrier | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $2040 | $1280 |
| Price Range | $1150 to $2688 | $1000 to $1500 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the German Pinscher and Irish Terrier. For different price points, the charts show how many German Pinscher puppies or how many Irish Terrier puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of German Pinschers. 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 German Pinscher 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 to buy 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 a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.
You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.
The Popularity of German Pinscher 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 German Pinscher and the Irish Terrier over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Irish Terrier is more popular with dog owners than the German Pinscher. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Irish Terrier is 118 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the German Pinscher is 135 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of German Pinscher
Popularity of Irish Terrier
| Year | German Pinscher Popularity Rank | Irish Terrier Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 130 | 123 |
| 2014 | 141 | 125 |
| 2015 | 138 | 113 |
| 2016 | 146 | 115 |
| 2017 | 136 | 114 |
| 2018 | 134 | 116 |
| 2019 | 123 | 119 |
| 2020 | 139 | 120 |
Tolerates Being Alone: German Pinscher versus Irish Terrier
German Pinschers can be left alone only for a short time.
Irish Terriers do not like to be left alone.
Do German Pinschers shed more than Irish Terriers?
German Pinschers shed moderately.
Irish Terriers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Which one drools more, the German Pinscher or the Irish Terrier
German Pinschers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Irish Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the German Pinscher or the Irish Terrier?
German Pinschers are very easy to groom.
Irish Terriers require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Does the German Pinscher Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Irish Terrier?
German Pinschers 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.
Do German Pinschers Bark and Howl? What about Irish Terriers?
German Pinschers bark and howl, but not very much.
Irish Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can German Pinschers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Irish Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
German Pinschers can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Irish Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: German Pinscher vs. Irish Terrier
German Pinschers 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.
Can German Pinschers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Irish Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
German Pinschers can tolerate hot weather.
Irish Terriers can tolerate hot weather.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the German Pinscher or the Irish Terrier?
German Pinschers do not get along well with other dogs.
Irish Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.
Are German Pinschers good family dogs? What about Irish Terriers?
German Pinschers 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 German Pinschers and Irish Terriers?
German Pinschers get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.
Irish Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the German Pinscher Easier to Train than the Irish Terrier?
German Pinschers are very easy to train.
Irish Terriers are not easy to train.
Is the German Pinscher Better for Apartment Owners than the Irish Terrier?
German Pinschers adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Irish Terriers adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the German Pinscher or the Irish Terrier?
German Pinschers are OK for new dog owners.
Irish Terriers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the German Pinscher
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the German Pinscher 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 Pinscher:
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 German Pinscher and how the Irish Terrier compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the German Pinscher and of the Irish Terrier to other breeds:
German Pinscher Versus Other Dog Breeds
German Pinscher versus Samoyed German Pinscher versus Japanese Chin German Pinscher versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog German Pinscher versus Goldador German Pinscher versus Cane Corso German Pinscher versus German Wirehaired Pointer German Pinscher versus Chorkie German Pinscher versus Bolognese German Pinscher versus Field Spaniel German Pinscher versus Shih Tzu German Pinscher versus Lancashire Heeler German Pinscher versus Bearded Collie German Pinscher versus Pekingese German Pinscher versus Cesky Terrier German Pinscher versus Akita Chow German Pinscher versus English Cocker Spaniel German Pinscher versus Aussiedoodle German Pinscher versus Siberian Husky German Pinscher versus Pomchi German Pinscher versus Berger Picard German Pinscher versus German Wirehaired Pointer German Pinscher versus Basenji German Pinscher versus American Bulldog German Pinscher versus Dachshund German Pinscher versus Chow Chow
Irish Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds
Irish Terrier versus Shiranian Irish Terrier versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever Irish Terrier versus Papipoo Irish Terrier versus Shihpoo Irish Terrier versus Bracco Italiano Irish Terrier versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde Irish Terrier versus American Pit Bull Terrier Irish Terrier versus Collie Irish Terrier versus Belgian Malinois Irish Terrier versus Whoodle Irish Terrier versus Bearded Collie Irish Terrier versus Bordoodle Irish Terrier versus Canaan Dog Irish Terrier versus Barbet Irish Terrier versus Finnish Lapphund Irish Terrier versus Sealyham Terrier Irish Terrier versus Border Collie Irish Terrier versus Chinese Shar-Pei Irish Terrier versus Boxer Irish Terrier versus Scottish Deerhound Irish Terrier versus Azawakh Irish Terrier versus Yorkshire Terrier Irish Terrier versus Giant Schnauzer Irish Terrier versus Kooikerhondje
Conclusion: German Pinscher 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 German Pinscher and the Irish Terrier better suits you and your family.