Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Golden Retriever Versus Irish Terrier: Introduction
- Golden Retriever versus Irish Terrier: Overview
- Golden Retriever versus Irish Terrier: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Golden Retriever and the Irish Terrier
- The Similarities Between the Golden Retriever and the Irish Terrier
- Size (Weight and Height) of Golden Retriever versus Irish Terrier
- Lifespan of Golden Retriever versus Irish Terrier
- Temperament of the Irish Terrier Versus the Golden Retriever
- Price of Golden Retriever versus Price of Irish Terrier
- The Intelligence of the Golden Retriever versus the Intelligence of the Irish Terrier
- The Popularity of Golden Retriever versus Popularity of Irish Terrier
- Tolerates Being Alone: Golden Retriever versus Irish Terrier
- Do Golden Retrievers shed more than Irish Terriers?
- Which one drools more, the Golden Retriever or the Irish Terrier
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Golden Retriever or the Irish Terrier?
- Does the Golden Retriever Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Irish Terrier?
- Do Golden Retrievers Bark and Howl? What about Irish Terriers?
- Can Golden Retrievers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Irish Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Golden Retriever vs. Irish Terrier
- Can Golden Retrievers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Irish Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Golden Retriever or the Irish Terrier?
- Are Golden Retrievers good family dogs? What about Irish Terriers?
- How Kid-friendly are Golden Retrievers and Irish Terriers?
- Is the Golden Retriever Easier to Train than the Irish Terrier?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Golden Retriever
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Irish Terrier
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Golden Retriever versus Irish Terrier. Which One is a Better Pet?
Golden Retriever Versus Irish Terrier: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Golden Retriever 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 Golden Retriever 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 Golden Retriever and the Irish Terrier.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Golden Retriever 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 Golden Retriever 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 Golden Retriever 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 Golden Retriever or the Irish Terrier.
Golden Retriever versus Irish Terrier: Overview
Both the Golden Retriever and the Irish Terrier are similar in size. The Golden Retriever and the Irish Terrier are both medium-sized dogs.
Furthermore, the Golden Retriever 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 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.
Golden Retriever versus Irish Terrier: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Golden Retriever 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 Golden Retriever and the Irish Terrier
| Factor | Golden Retriever | Irish Terrier |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 12 years | 12 to 16 years |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| General Health | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Height | 21 to 24 inches tall at the shoulder | 18 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Good For Novice Owners | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 1/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 1/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Weight | 55 to 75 pounds | 25 to 27 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 11.0 years | 14.0 years |
| Average Price | $1870 | $1280 |
| Price Range | $1500 – $2200 | $1000 – $1500 |
| Temperament Score | 85.6 percent | 80.0 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
No Data |
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 3 | 118 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 4 | 53 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Golden Retriever 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 Golden Retriever is 73 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 a better pet than the Golden Retriever. So, you should get the Irish 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 Golden Retriever 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 Golden Retriever and the Irish Terrier
Below is a list of where the Golden Retriever and the Irish Terrier are most different:
The Similarities Between the Golden Retriever and the Irish Terrier
The Golden Retriever and the Irish Terrier are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Golden Retriever and the Irish Terrier are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Golden Retriever versus Irish Terrier
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Golden Retriever and the Irish Terrier.
Golden Retrievers weigh 55 to 75 pounds when fully grown. Golden Retrievers are 21 to 24 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 Golden Retriever versus Irish Terrier
The lifespan of Golden Retrievers is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Golden Retrievers is 11.0 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 Golden Retrievers.
Temperament of the Irish Terrier Versus the Golden Retriever
The Golden Retriever has a better temperament than the Irish Terrier.
This is because the temperament score for the Golden Retriever is 85.6 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 85.6 percent, the Golden Retriever 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 Golden Retriever and the Irish Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 813 Golden Retrievers and 10 Irish Terriers.
Price of Golden Retriever versus Price of Irish Terrier
The average price of the Golden Retriever puppy is $1870. The price of the Golden Retriever typically ranges from $1500 – $2200. However, the price of a Golden Retriever can be as low as $100 and as high as $6500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 2668 Golden Retriever 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 Golden Retriever is more expensive than the Irish Terrier.
| Golden Retriever | Irish Terrier | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1870 | $1280 |
| Price Range | $1500 to $2200 | $1000 to $1500 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Golden Retriever and Irish Terrier. For different price points, the charts show how many Golden Retriever puppies or how many Irish Terrier puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Golden Retrievers. 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 Golden Retriever 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 Intelligence of the Golden Retriever versus the Intelligence of the Irish Terrier
| Golden Retriever | Irish Terrier | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 4 out of 130 dog breeds | 53 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After Fewer Than 5 Repetitions | Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 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 Golden Retriever has an obedience intelligence rank of 4 out of 130 dog breeds. The Golden Retriever belongs to the `Brightest Dogs` category. This means that Golden Retrievers tend to learn new commands after fewer than 5 repetitions.
The Irish Terrier has an obedience intelligence rank of 53 out of 130 dog breeds. The Irish Terrier belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Irish Terriers tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 repetitions.
The Golden Retriever is more intelligent than the Irish Terrier.
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 Golden Retriever 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 Golden Retriever and the Irish Terrier over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Golden Retriever is more popular with dog owners than the Irish Terrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Golden Retriever is 3 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Irish Terrier is 118 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Golden Retriever
Popularity of Irish Terrier
| Year | Golden Retriever Popularity Rank | Irish Terrier Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 3 | 123 |
| 2014 | 3 | 125 |
| 2015 | 3 | 113 |
| 2016 | 3 | 115 |
| 2017 | 3 | 114 |
| 2018 | 3 | 116 |
| 2019 | 3 | 119 |
| 2020 | 4 | 120 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Golden Retriever versus Irish Terrier
Golden Retrievers do not like to be left alone.
Irish Terriers do not like to be left alone.
Do Golden Retrievers shed more than Irish Terriers?
Golden Retrievers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Irish Terriers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Which one drools more, the Golden Retriever or the Irish Terrier
Golden Retrievers have a very high tendency to drool.
Irish Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Golden Retriever or the Irish Terrier?
Golden Retrievers require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Irish Terriers require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Does the Golden Retriever Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Irish Terrier?
Golden Retrievers have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and 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 Golden Retrievers Bark and Howl? What about Irish Terriers?
Golden Retrievers bark and howl, but not very much.
Irish Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Golden Retrievers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Irish Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
Golden Retrievers can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Irish Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Golden Retriever vs. Irish Terrier
Golden Retrievers do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Irish Terriers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Golden Retrievers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Irish Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
Golden Retrievers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Irish Terriers can tolerate hot weather.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Golden Retriever or the Irish Terrier?
Golden Retrievers get along very well with other dogs.
Irish Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.
Are Golden Retrievers good family dogs? What about Irish Terriers?
Golden Retrievers 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 Golden Retrievers and Irish Terriers?
Golden Retrievers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Irish Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Golden Retriever Easier to Train than the Irish Terrier?
Golden Retrievers are very easy to train.
Irish Terriers are not easy to train.
Is the Golden Retriever Better for Apartment Owners than the Irish Terrier?
Golden Retrievers do not adapt well to apartment living.
Irish Terriers adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Golden Retriever or the Irish Terrier?
Golden Retrievers 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 Golden Retriever
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Golden Retriever 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 Golden Retriever:
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 Golden Retriever and how the Irish Terrier compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Golden Retriever and of the Irish Terrier to other breeds:
Golden Retriever Versus Other Dog Breeds
Golden Retriever versus Biewer Terrier Golden Retriever versus Black Mouth Cur Golden Retriever versus Boxerdoodle Golden Retriever versus Patterdale Terrier Golden Retriever versus Pomchi Golden Retriever versus Scottish Deerhound Golden Retriever versus American Eskimo Dog Golden Retriever versus Treeing Walker Coonhound Golden Retriever versus Cavachon Golden Retriever versus Fila Brasileiro Golden Retriever versus Lhasapoo Golden Retriever versus Bluetick Coonhound Golden Retriever versus Belgian Sheepdog Golden Retriever versus Maltipoo Golden Retriever versus Sloughi Golden Retriever versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog Golden Retriever versus Braque du Bourbonnais Golden Retriever versus Belgian Malinois Golden Retriever versus Chinook Golden Retriever versus Schipperke Golden Retriever versus Mastiff Golden Retriever versus Ibizan Hound Golden Retriever versus Pomeranian Golden Retriever versus Flat-Coated Retriever Golden Retriever versus Lowchen
Irish Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds
Irish Terrier versus Valley Bulldog Irish Terrier versus Pomapoo Irish Terrier versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Irish Terrier versus Pomapoo Irish Terrier versus Pomchi Irish Terrier versus Boxerdoodle Irish Terrier versus Bernedoodle Irish Terrier versus Belgian Tervuren Irish Terrier versus Airedale Terrier Irish Terrier versus Harrier Irish Terrier versus Sussex Spaniel Irish Terrier versus Belgian Malinois Irish Terrier versus French Bulldog Irish Terrier versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever Irish Terrier versus Airedale Terrier Irish Terrier versus French Bulldog Irish Terrier versus Norfolk Terrier Irish Terrier versus Australian Kelpie Irish Terrier versus Australian Terrier Irish Terrier versus Briard Irish Terrier versus Coton de Tulear Irish Terrier versus Neapolitan Mastiff Irish Terrier versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Irish Terrier versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi
Conclusion: Golden Retriever 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 Golden Retriever and the Irish Terrier better suits you and your family.