Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Havanese Versus Irish Setter: Introduction
- Havanese versus Irish Setter: Overview
- Havanese versus Irish Setter: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Havanese and the Irish Setter
- The Similarities Between the Havanese and the Irish Setter
- Size (Weight and Height) of Havanese versus Irish Setter
- Lifespan of Havanese versus Irish Setter
- Temperament of the Havanese Versus the Irish Setter
- Price of Havanese versus Price of Irish Setter
- Adopting the Havanese versus Adopting the Irish Setter
- The Popularity of Havanese versus Popularity of Irish Setter
- Health Problems of Havanese versus Health Problems of Irish Setter
- Tolerates Being Alone: Havanese versus Irish Setter
- Do Havaneses shed more than Irish Setters?
- Which one drools more, the Havanese or the Irish Setter
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Havanese or the Irish Setter?
- Does the Havanese Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Irish Setter?
- Do Havaneses Bark and Howl? What about Irish Setters?
- Can Havaneses Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Irish Setters Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Havanese vs. Irish Setter
- Can Havaneses Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Irish Setters Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Havanese or the Irish Setter?
- Are Havaneses good family dogs? What about Irish Setters?
- How Kid-friendly are Havaneses and Irish Setters?
- Is the Havanese Easier to Train than the Irish Setter?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Havanese
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Irish Setter
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Havanese versus Irish Setter. Which One is a Better Pet?
Havanese Versus Irish Setter: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Havanese and the Irish Setter? 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 Havanese and the Irish Setter 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 Havanese and the Irish Setter.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Havanese and the Irish Setter 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 Havanese and for the Irish Setter. 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 Havanese and the Irish Setter.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Havanese or the Irish Setter.
Havanese versus Irish Setter: Overview
A very important difference between the Havanese and the Irish Setter is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Havanese is a small-sized dog while the Irish Setter is a large-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Havanese belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.
On the other hand, the Irish Setter 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.
Havanese versus Irish Setter: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Havanese to the Irish Setter 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 Havanese and the Irish Setter
| Factor | Havanese | Irish Setter |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 11 to 15 years |
| Does NOT Shed | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 5/5 | 1/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Weight | 7 to 13 pounds | 60 to 70 pounds |
| Height | 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder | 2 feet, 1 inch to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the sho |
| Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 13.0 years |
| Average Price | $2180 | $1680 |
| Price Range | $1700 – $2750 | $1200 – $2200 |
| Temperament Score | 81.8 percent | 90.9 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 23 | 74 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Havanese 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 Setter. 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 Havanese is 91 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Irish Setter is 73 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Havanese is a better pet than the Irish Setter. So, you should get the Havanese!
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 Havanese and the Irish Setter so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Havanese and the Irish Setter
Below is a list of where the Havanese and the Irish Setter are most different:
The Similarities Between the Havanese and the Irish Setter
The Havanese and the Irish Setter are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Havanese and the Irish Setter are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Havanese versus Irish Setter
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Havanese and the Irish Setter.
Havaneses weigh 7 to 13 pounds when fully grown. Havaneses are 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
On the other hand, Irish Setters weigh 60 to 70 pounds when fully grown. Irish Setters are 2 feet, 1 inch to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the sho when fully grown.
Lifespan of Havanese versus Irish Setter
The lifespan of Havaneses is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Havaneses is 13.5 years.
The lifespan of Irish Setters is between 11 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Irish Setters is 13.0 years.
Havaneses live longer than Irish Setters.
Temperament of the Havanese Versus the Irish Setter
The Irish Setter has a better temperament than the Havanese.
This is because the temperament score for the Irish Setter is 90.9 percent while the temperament score for the Havanese is 81.8 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 81.8 percent, the Havanese has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
With its temperament score of 90.9 percent, the Irish Setter has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Havanese and the Irish Setter by measuring the temperaments of 11 Havaneses and 154 Irish Setters.
Price of Havanese versus Price of Irish Setter
The average price of the Havanese puppy is $2180. The price of the Havanese typically ranges from $1700 – $2750. However, the price of a Havanese can be as low as $600 and as high as $4550. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 647 Havanese puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The average price of the Irish Setter puppy is $1680. The price of the Irish Setter typically ranges from $1200 – $2200. However, the price of the Irish Setter can be as low as $500 and as high as $3200. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 105 Irish Setter puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Havanese is more expensive than the Irish Setter.
| Havanese | Irish Setter | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $2180 | $1680 |
| Price Range | $1700 to $2750 | $1200 to $2200 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Havanese and Irish Setter. For different price points, the charts show how many Havanese puppies or how many Irish Setter puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Havaneses. The typical price range is shaded Green.
A breakdown of the prices of Irish Setters?
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Havanese puppy or the Irish Setter 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.
Adopting the Havanese versus Adopting the Irish Setter
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Havaneses and many Irish Setters 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 Havanese named Cody that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Havaneses like Cody on pefinder.com.
Also, like Havaneses, Irish Setters are also available for adoption. For example, Conan is a Male Irish Setter that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Irish Setters like Conan that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Brooklyn is the name of another Havanese (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.
Also, Gordon – 831 is an adorable Male Irish Setter on petfinder.com that you can adopt.
You can find more Havaneses and Irish Setters that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Popularity of Havanese versus Popularity of Irish Setter
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 Havanese and the Irish Setter over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Havanese is more popular with dog owners than the Irish Setter. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Havanese is 23 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Irish Setter is 74 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Havanese
Popularity of Irish Setter
| Year | Havanese Popularity Rank | Irish Setter Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 25 | 72 |
| 2014 | 25 | 73 |
| 2015 | 24 | 72 |
| 2016 | 23 | 76 |
| 2017 | 23 | 72 |
| 2018 | 24 | 77 |
| 2019 | 22 | 79 |
| 2020 | 24 | 75 |
Health Problems of Havanese versus Health Problems of Irish Setter
Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.
Both the Havanese and the Irish Setter are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.
The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.
Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Havanese is prone to more genetic health problems than the Irish Setter.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Havanese than for the Irish Setter.
4 health tests are recommended for Havanese while 3 tests are recommended for the Irish Setter.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Havaneses and in Irish Setters.
Havanese Health Problems
Havaneses are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Havanese puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Havanese puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Havanese breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Havaneses for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Havaneses here.
Irish Setter Health Problems
Irish Setters are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Irish Setter puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Irish Setter puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Irish Setter breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Irish Setters for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Irish Setters here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Havaneses and Irish Setters
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Havanese Breed is Dentition Database problems.
This is because the Havanese ranks 3 out of 49 dog breeds for Dentition Database problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 371 Havaneses, 106 of them had Dentition Database problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Havaneses, and how common these diseases are in Havaneses relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Irish Setter Breed is Thyroid problems.
This is because the Irish Setter ranks 13 out of 115 dog breeds for Thyroid problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 1455 Irish Setters, 139 of them had Thyroid problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Irish Setters, and how common these diseases are in Irish Setters relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Havanese and in Irish Setter and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Havanese and the Irish Setter:
| Disease | Havanese Rank | Irish Setter Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Dentition Database problems | 3 out of 49 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Baer Hearing Test problems | 18 out of 21 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Thyroid problems | 20 out of 115 dog breeds | 13 out of 115 dog breeds |
| Advanced Cardiac problems | 38 out of 71 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Elbow problems | 55 out of 144 dog breeds | 92 out of 144 dog breeds |
| Patella problems | 59 out of 145 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | 70 out of 159 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Eyes problems | 111 out of 182 dog breeds | 67 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Hips problems | 123 out of 198 dog breeds | 99 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Degenerative Myelopathy problems | Not Common | 35 out of 70 dog breeds |
*To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.
Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.
Tolerates Being Alone: Havanese versus Irish Setter
Havaneses do not like to be left alone.
Irish Setters do not like to be left alone.
Do Havaneses shed more than Irish Setters?
Havaneses do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Irish Setters shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Which one drools more, the Havanese or the Irish Setter
Havaneses do have a very low tendency to drool.
Irish Setters do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Havanese or the Irish Setter?
Havaneses require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Irish Setters are moderately easy to groom.
Does the Havanese Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Irish Setter?
Havaneses 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 Setters 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 Havaneses Bark and Howl? What about Irish Setters?
Havaneses are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Irish Setters are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Havaneses Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Irish Setters Tolerate Cold Weather?
Havaneses can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Irish Setters can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Havanese vs. Irish Setter
Havaneses do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Irish Setters have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Havaneses Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Irish Setters Tolerate Hot Weather?
Havaneses can tolerate hot weather.
Irish Setters can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Havanese or the Irish Setter?
Havaneses get along very well with other dogs.
Irish Setters get along very well with other dogs.
Are Havaneses good family dogs? What about Irish Setters?
Havaneses are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Irish Setters are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Havaneses and Irish Setters?
Havaneses get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Irish Setters get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Havanese Easier to Train than the Irish Setter?
Havaneses are very easy to train.
Irish Setters are very easy to train.
Is the Havanese Better for Apartment Owners than the Irish Setter?
Havaneses adapt very well to apartment living.
Irish Setters do not adapt well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Havanese or the Irish Setter?
Havaneses are very good for new dog owners.
Irish Setters are OK for new dog owners.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Havanese
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Havanese 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 Havanese:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Irish Setter
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Irish Setter 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 Setter:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Havanese and how the Irish Setter compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Havanese and of the Irish Setter to other breeds:
Havanese Versus Other Dog Breeds
Havanese versus Bull Terrier Havanese versus Kai Ken Havanese versus Cockapoo Havanese versus Lowchen Havanese versus Shiranian Havanese versus Afador Havanese versus Basenji Havanese versus Siberian Husky Havanese versus Belgian Tervuren Havanese versus Portuguese Water Dog Havanese versus Mudi Havanese versus Brussels Griffon Havanese versus Pyrenean Mastiff Havanese versus Sloughi Havanese versus Ibizan Hound Havanese versus Sussex Spaniel Havanese versus American Foxhound Havanese versus Spinone Italiano Havanese versus Pomsky Havanese versus Black Mouth Cur Havanese versus Belgian Malinois Havanese versus French Bulldog Havanese versus Labrador Retriever Havanese versus Boxerdoodle Havanese versus English Springer Spaniel
Irish Setter Versus Other Dog Breeds
Irish Setter versus Toy Fox Terrier Irish Setter versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne Irish Setter versus Great Dane Irish Setter versus Curly-Coated Retriever Irish Setter versus Bouvier des Flandres Irish Setter versus Australian Cattle Dog Irish Setter versus Bordoodle Irish Setter versus Maltipoo Irish Setter versus Dachshund Irish Setter versus Bedlington Terrier Irish Setter versus Xoloitzcuintli Irish Setter versus Karelian Bear Dog Irish Setter versus Standard Schnauzer Irish Setter versus German Pinscher Irish Setter versus German Shepherd Dog Irish Setter versus Briard Irish Setter versus Australian Terrier Irish Setter versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog Irish Setter versus Pomchi Irish Setter versus Standard Poodle Irish Setter versus Chorkie Irish Setter versus Briard Irish Setter versus Afghan Hound Irish Setter versus Afghan Hound Irish Setter versus Basenji
Conclusion: Havanese versus Irish Setter. 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 Havanese and the Irish Setter better suits you and your family.