Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Great Pyrenees Versus Irish Terrier: Introduction
- Great Pyrenees versus Irish Terrier: Overview
- Great Pyrenees versus Irish Terrier: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Great Pyrenees and the Irish Terrier
- The Similarities Between the Great Pyrenees and the Irish Terrier
- Size (Weight and Height) of Great Pyrenees versus Irish Terrier
- Lifespan of Great Pyrenees versus Irish Terrier
- Temperament of the Great Pyrenees Versus the Irish Terrier
- Price of Great Pyrenees versus Price of Irish Terrier
- The Intelligence of the Great Pyrenees versus the Intelligence of the Irish Terrier
- The Popularity of Great Pyrenees versus Popularity of Irish Terrier
- Tolerates Being Alone: Great Pyrenees versus Irish Terrier
- Do Great Pyreneess shed more than Irish Terriers?
- Which one drools more, the Great Pyrenees or the Irish Terrier
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Great Pyrenees or the Irish Terrier?
- Does the Great Pyrenees Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Irish Terrier?
- Do Great Pyreneess Bark and Howl? What about Irish Terriers?
- Can Great Pyreneess Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Irish Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Great Pyrenees vs. Irish Terrier
- Can Great Pyreneess Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Irish Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Great Pyrenees or the Irish Terrier?
- Are Great Pyreneess good family dogs? What about Irish Terriers?
- How Kid-friendly are Great Pyreneess and Irish Terriers?
- Is the Great Pyrenees Easier to Train than the Irish Terrier?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Great Pyrenees
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Irish Terrier
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Great Pyrenees versus Irish Terrier. Which One is a Better Pet?
Great Pyrenees Versus Irish Terrier: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Great Pyrenees 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 Great Pyrenees 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 Great Pyrenees and the Irish Terrier.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Great Pyrenees 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 Great Pyrenees 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 Great Pyrenees 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 Great Pyrenees or the Irish Terrier.
Great Pyrenees versus Irish Terrier: Overview
A very important difference between the Great Pyrenees and the Irish Terrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Great Pyrenees is a giant-sized dog while the Irish Terrier is a medium-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Great Pyrenees 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.
Great Pyrenees versus Irish Terrier: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Great Pyrenees 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 Great Pyrenees and the Irish Terrier
| Factor | Great Pyrenees | Irish Terrier |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Train | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 12 years | 12 to 16 years |
| Does NOT Drool | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Height | 25 to 32 inches tall at the shoulder | 18 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Weight | 85 to 160 pounds | 25 to 27 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 11.0 years | 14.0 years |
| Average Price | $830 | $1280 |
| Price Range | $500 – $1000 | $1000 – $1500 |
| Temperament Score | 84.9 percent | 80.0 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
No Data |
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 68 | 118 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 64 | 53 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Great Pyrenees 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 Great Pyrenees is 63 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 Great Pyrenees. 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 Great Pyrenees 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 Great Pyrenees and the Irish Terrier
Below is a list of where the Great Pyrenees and the Irish Terrier are most different:
The Similarities Between the Great Pyrenees and the Irish Terrier
The Great Pyrenees and the Irish Terrier are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Great Pyrenees and the Irish Terrier are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Great Pyrenees versus Irish Terrier
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Great Pyrenees and the Irish Terrier.
Great Pyreneess weigh 85 to 160 pounds when fully grown. Great Pyreneess are 25 to 32 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 Great Pyrenees versus Irish Terrier
The lifespan of Great Pyreneess is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Great Pyreneess 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 Great Pyreneess.
Temperament of the Great Pyrenees Versus the Irish Terrier
The Great Pyrenees has a better temperament than the Irish Terrier.
This is because the temperament score for the Great Pyrenees is 84.9 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 84.9 percent, the Great Pyrenees 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 Great Pyrenees and the Irish Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 152 Great Pyreneess and 10 Irish Terriers.
Price of Great Pyrenees versus Price of Irish Terrier
The average price of the Great Pyrenees puppy is $830. The price of the Great Pyrenees typically ranges from $500 – $1000. However, the price of a Great Pyrenees can be as low as $195 and as high as $2825. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 352 Great Pyrenees 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 Irish Terrier is more expensive than the Great Pyrenees.
| Great Pyrenees | Irish Terrier | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $830 | $1280 |
| Price Range | $500 to $1000 | $1000 to $1500 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Great Pyrenees and Irish Terrier. For different price points, the charts show how many Great Pyrenees puppies or how many Irish Terrier puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Great Pyreneess. 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 Great Pyrenees 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 Great Pyrenees versus the Intelligence of the Irish Terrier
| Great Pyrenees | Irish Terrier | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 64 out of 130 dog breeds | 53 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 40 To 80 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 Great Pyrenees has an obedience intelligence rank of 64 out of 130 dog breeds. The Great Pyrenees belongs to the `Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Great Pyreneess tend to learn new commands after 40 to 80 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 Irish Terrier is more intelligent than the Great Pyrenees.
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 Great Pyrenees 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 Great Pyrenees and the Irish Terrier over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Great Pyrenees is more popular with dog owners than the Irish Terrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Great Pyrenees is 68 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Irish Terrier is 118 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Great Pyrenees
Popularity of Irish Terrier
| Year | Great Pyrenees Popularity Rank | Irish Terrier Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 69 | 123 |
| 2014 | 75 | 125 |
| 2015 | 67 | 113 |
| 2016 | 67 | 115 |
| 2017 | 66 | 114 |
| 2018 | 66 | 116 |
| 2019 | 69 | 119 |
| 2020 | 70 | 120 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Great Pyrenees versus Irish Terrier
Great Pyreneess can be left alone only for a short time.
Irish Terriers do not like to be left alone.
Do Great Pyreneess shed more than Irish Terriers?
Great Pyreneess 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 Great Pyrenees or the Irish Terrier
Great Pyreneess do have a very low tendency to drool.
Irish Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Great Pyrenees or the Irish Terrier?
Great Pyreneess are very easy to groom.
Irish Terriers require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Does the Great Pyrenees Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Irish Terrier?
Great Pyreneess 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 Great Pyreneess Bark and Howl? What about Irish Terriers?
Great Pyreneess are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Irish Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Great Pyreneess Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Irish Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
Great Pyreneess can very well tolerate cold weather.
Irish Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Great Pyrenees vs. Irish Terrier
Great Pyreneess 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 Great Pyreneess Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Irish Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
Great Pyreneess 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 Great Pyrenees or the Irish Terrier?
Great Pyreneess get along very well with other dogs.
Irish Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.
Are Great Pyreneess good family dogs? What about Irish Terriers?
Great Pyreneess 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 Great Pyreneess and Irish Terriers?
Great Pyreneess get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Irish Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Great Pyrenees Easier to Train than the Irish Terrier?
Great Pyreneess are not easy to train.
Irish Terriers are not easy to train.
Is the Great Pyrenees Better for Apartment Owners than the Irish Terrier?
Great Pyreneess do not adapt well to apartment living.
Irish Terriers adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Great Pyrenees or the Irish Terrier?
Great Pyreneess are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Irish Terriers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Great Pyrenees
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Great Pyrenees 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 Great Pyrenees:
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 Great Pyrenees and how the Irish Terrier compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Great Pyrenees and of the Irish Terrier to other breeds:
Great Pyrenees Versus Other Dog Breeds
Great Pyrenees versus Berger Picard Great Pyrenees versus Skye Terrier Great Pyrenees versus Estrela Mountain Dog Great Pyrenees versus Cockapoo Great Pyrenees versus Papillon Great Pyrenees versus Glen of Imaal Terrier Great Pyrenees versus Boxerdoodle Great Pyrenees versus Jack Russell Terrier Great Pyrenees versus Norfolk Terrier Great Pyrenees versus Chinook Great Pyrenees versus Giant Schnauzer Great Pyrenees versus Black and Tan Coonhound Great Pyrenees versus Dutch Shepherd Great Pyrenees versus Pomsky Great Pyrenees versus Skye Terrier Great Pyrenees versus Bearded Collie Great Pyrenees versus Catahoula Leopard Dog Great Pyrenees versus Braque du Bourbonnais Great Pyrenees versus Schipperke Great Pyrenees versus Toy Poodle Great Pyrenees versus English Cocker Spaniel Great Pyrenees versus Patterdale Terrier Great Pyrenees versus Miniature Pinscher Great Pyrenees versus Basenji Great Pyrenees versus Shih Tzu
Irish Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds
Irish Terrier versus Welsh Terrier Irish Terrier versus Samoyed Irish Terrier versus American Pit Bull Terrier Irish Terrier versus Chinese Shar-Pei Irish Terrier versus Clumber Spaniel Irish Terrier versus Miniature Poodle Irish Terrier versus Peek A Poo Irish Terrier versus Norwegian Buhund Irish Terrier versus Pomapoo Irish Terrier versus Sealyham Terrier Irish Terrier versus Bernese Mountain Dog Irish Terrier versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever Irish Terrier versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog Irish Terrier versus Manchester Terrier Irish Terrier versus Giant Schnauzer Irish Terrier versus Estrela Mountain Dog Irish Terrier versus Icelandic Sheepdog Irish Terrier versus Shiba Inu Irish Terrier versus Mal Shi Irish Terrier versus Basset Hound Irish Terrier versus Chinook Irish Terrier versus Norfolk Terrier Irish Terrier versus Estrela Mountain Dog Irish Terrier versus Karelian Bear Dog Irish Terrier versus Akita Chow
Conclusion: Great Pyrenees 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 Great Pyrenees and the Irish Terrier better suits you and your family.