Irish Setter versus Spanish Mastiff. Final Verdict on Which one is a Better Pet.

Quick Links: Table of Contents

Irish Setter Versus Spanish Mastiff: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Irish Setter and the Spanish Mastiff? 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 Irish Setter and the Spanish Mastiff 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 Irish Setter and the Spanish Mastiff.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Irish Setter and the Spanish Mastiff 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 Irish Setter and for the Spanish Mastiff. 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 Irish Setter and the Spanish Mastiff.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Irish Setter or the Spanish Mastiff.

Irish Setter versus Spanish Mastiff: Overview

A very important difference between the Irish Setter and the Spanish Mastiff is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Irish Setter is a large-sized dog while the Spanish Mastiff is a giant-sized dog.

Furthermore, 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.

On the other hand, the Spanish Mastiff 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.

Irish Setter versus Spanish Mastiff: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Irish Setter to the Spanish Mastiff 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 Irish Setter and the Spanish Mastiff

Factor Irish Setter Spanish Mastiff
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 2/5
Life Span 11 to 15 years 10 to 12 years
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 4/5 4/5
General Health 2/5 4/5
Height 2 feet, 1 inch to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the sho 26 to 35 inches
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 4/5
Easygoing 2/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 3/5
Easy To Train 4/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 5/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 2/5
Intelligence 5/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 1/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 5/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Weight 60 to 70 pounds 140 to 220 pounds
Average Lifespan 13.0 years 11.0 years
Average Price $1680 $1050
Price Range $1200 – $2200 $1000 – $1050
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy
  • No Data

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Irish Setter 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 Spanish Mastiff. 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 Irish Setter is 73 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Spanish Mastiff is 83 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Spanish Mastiff is a better pet than the Irish Setter. So, you should get the Spanish Mastiff!

    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 Irish Setter and the Spanish Mastiff so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Irish Setter and the Spanish Mastiff

    Below is a list of where the Irish Setter and the Spanish Mastiff are most different:

  • Irish Setters are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl. However, Spanish Mastiffs are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Irish Setters get along well with other dogs. However, Spanish Mastiffs do not get along well with other dogs.
  • Irish Setters are very friendly towards strangers. However, Spanish Mastiffs are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Irish Setters are prone to nip and chew at things. However, Spanish Mastiffs are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Irish Setters have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets. However, Spanish Mastiffs have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • Irish Setters have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects. However, Spanish Mastiffs do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
  • The Similarities Between the Irish Setter and the Spanish Mastiff

    The Irish Setter and the Spanish Mastiff are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Irish Setter and the Spanish Mastiff are most similar:

  • Both the Irish Setter and the Spanish Mastiff do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Irish Setter and the Spanish Mastiff do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Irish Setter and the Spanish Mastiff do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Irish Setter and the Spanish Mastiff are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
  • Both the Irish Setter and the Spanish Mastiff can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Irish Setter and the Spanish Mastiff shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Irish Setter and the Spanish Mastiff are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Irish Setter and the Spanish Mastiff get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Irish Setter and the Spanish Mastiff are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Irish Setter and the Spanish Mastiff are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Irish Setter versus Spanish Mastiff

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Irish Setter and the Spanish Mastiff.

    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.

    On the other hand, Spanish Mastiffs weigh 140 to 220 pounds when fully grown. Spanish Mastiffs are 26 to 35 inches when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Irish Setter versus Spanish Mastiff

    The lifespan of Irish Setters is between 11 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Irish Setters is 13.0 years.

    The lifespan of Spanish Mastiffs is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Spanish Mastiffs is 11.0 years.

    Irish Setters live longer than Spanish Mastiffs.

    Price of Irish Setter versus Price of Spanish Mastiff

    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 a Irish Setter can be as low as $500 and as high as $3200. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 105 Irish Setter puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Spanish Mastiff puppy is $1050. The price of the Spanish Mastiff typically ranges from $1000 – $1050. However, the price of the Spanish Mastiff can be as low as $1000 and as high as $1200. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 4 Spanish Mastiff puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Irish Setter is more expensive than the Spanish Mastiff.

    Irish Setter Spanish Mastiff
    Average Price $1680 $1050
    Price Range $1200 to $2200 $1000 to $1050

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Irish Setter and Spanish Mastiff. For different price points, the charts show how many Irish Setter puppies or how many Spanish Mastiff puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Irish Setters. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Irish Setters. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Spanish Mastiffs

    A breakdown of the prices of Spanish Mastiffs

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Irish Setter puppy or the Spanish Mastiff 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.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Irish Setter versus Spanish Mastiff

    Irish Setters do not like to be left alone.

    Spanish Mastiffs can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Irish Setters shed more than Spanish Mastiffs?

    Irish Setters shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Spanish Mastiffs shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Irish Setter or the Spanish Mastiff

    Irish Setters do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Spanish Mastiffs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Irish Setter or the Spanish Mastiff?

    Irish Setters are moderately easy to groom.

    Spanish Mastiffs are moderately easy to groom.

    Does the Irish Setter Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Spanish Mastiff?

    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.

    Spanish Mastiffs 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 Irish Setters Bark and Howl? What about Spanish Mastiffs?

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

    Spanish Mastiffs are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can Irish Setters Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Spanish Mastiffs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Irish Setters can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Spanish Mastiffs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Irish Setter vs. Spanish Mastiff

    Irish Setters have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Spanish Mastiffs do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Can Irish Setters Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Spanish Mastiffs Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Irish Setters can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Spanish Mastiffs can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Irish Setter or the Spanish Mastiff?

    Irish Setters get along very well with other dogs.

    Spanish Mastiffs do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Irish Setters good family dogs? What about Spanish Mastiffs?

    Irish Setters are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Spanish Mastiffs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Irish Setters and Spanish Mastiffs?

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

    Spanish Mastiffs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Irish Setter Easier to Train than the Spanish Mastiff?

    Irish Setters are very easy to train.

    Spanish Mastiffs are not easy to train.

    Is the Irish Setter Better for Apartment Owners than the Spanish Mastiff?

    Irish Setters do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Spanish Mastiffs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Irish Setter or the Spanish Mastiff?

    Irish Setters are OK for new dog owners.

    Spanish Mastiffs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    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:

  • Curly-Coated Retriever (82 percent match with Irish Setter). Here is our comparison of the Spanish Mastiff vs Curly-Coated Retriever.
  • English Setter (83 percent match with Irish Setter). Here is our comparison of the Spanish Mastiff vs English Setter.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Spanish Mastiff

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Spanish Mastiff 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 Spanish Mastiff:

  • Akbash (78 percent match with Spanish Mastiff). Here is our comparison of the Irish Setter vs Akbash.
  • Hovawart (81 percent match with Spanish Mastiff). Here is our comparison of the Irish Setter vs Hovawart.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Irish Setter and how the Spanish Mastiff compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Irish Setter and of the Spanish Mastiff to other breeds:

    Irish Setter Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Irish Setter versus Toy Fox Terrier     Irish Setter versus Affenhuahua     Irish Setter versus Gordon Setter     Irish Setter versus Dalmatian     Irish Setter versus Fila Brasileiro     Irish Setter versus Dogue de Bordeaux     Irish Setter versus Beaglier     Irish Setter versus Valley Bulldog     Irish Setter versus Chinese Crested     Irish Setter versus German Wirehaired Pointer     Irish Setter versus Japanese Chin     Irish Setter versus American Hairless Terrier     Irish Setter versus Carolina Dog     Irish Setter versus Pomsky     Irish Setter versus Pointer     Irish Setter versus Flat-Coated Retriever     Irish Setter versus American Staffordshire Terrier     Irish Setter versus Norwegian Lundehund     Irish Setter versus Mudi     Irish Setter versus Fila Brasileiro     Irish Setter versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Irish Setter versus Rottweiler     Irish Setter versus American Eskimo Dog     Irish Setter versus Bich Poo     Irish Setter versus Sloughi     

    Spanish Mastiff Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Spanish Mastiff versus Shiranian     Spanish Mastiff versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog     Spanish Mastiff versus Golden Retriever     Spanish Mastiff versus Berger Picard     Spanish Mastiff versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     Spanish Mastiff versus Dogo Argentino     Spanish Mastiff versus Giant Schnauzer     Spanish Mastiff versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     Spanish Mastiff versus Border Terrier     Spanish Mastiff versus Samoyed     Spanish Mastiff versus Finnish Spitz     Spanish Mastiff versus Basenji     Spanish Mastiff versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde     Spanish Mastiff versus Norwegian Buhund     Spanish Mastiff versus Dogue de Bordeaux     Spanish Mastiff versus Sheepadoodle     Spanish Mastiff versus Braque du Bourbonnais     Spanish Mastiff versus Puggle     Spanish Mastiff versus Finnish Spitz     Spanish Mastiff versus Saint Berdoodle     Spanish Mastiff versus Canaan Dog     Spanish Mastiff versus Weimaraner     Spanish Mastiff versus Cairn Terrier     Spanish Mastiff versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Spanish Mastiff versus Standard Schnauzer     

    Conclusion: Irish Setter versus Spanish Mastiff. 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 Irish Setter and the Spanish Mastiff better suits you and your family.