Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Irish Terrier Versus Irish Water Spaniel: Introduction
- Irish Terrier versus Irish Water Spaniel: Overview
- Irish Terrier versus Irish Water Spaniel: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Irish Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel
- The Similarities Between the Irish Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel
- Size (Weight and Height) of Irish Terrier versus Irish Water Spaniel
- Lifespan of Irish Terrier versus Irish Water Spaniel
- Temperament of the Irish Terrier Versus the Irish Water Spaniel
- The Intelligence of the Irish Terrier versus the Intelligence of the Irish Water Spaniel
- The Popularity of Irish Terrier versus Popularity of Irish Water Spaniel
- Tolerates Being Alone: Irish Terrier versus Irish Water Spaniel
- Do Irish Terriers shed more than Irish Water Spaniels?
- Which one drools more, the Irish Terrier or the Irish Water Spaniel
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Irish Terrier or the Irish Water Spaniel?
- Does the Irish Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Irish Water Spaniel?
- Do Irish Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Irish Water Spaniels?
- Can Irish Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Irish Water Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Irish Terrier vs. Irish Water Spaniel
- Can Irish Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Irish Water Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Irish Terrier or the Irish Water Spaniel?
- Are Irish Terriers good family dogs? What about Irish Water Spaniels?
- How Kid-friendly are Irish Terriers and Irish Water Spaniels?
- Is the Irish Terrier Easier to Train than the Irish Water Spaniel?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Irish Terrier
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Irish Water Spaniel
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Irish Terrier versus Irish Water Spaniel. Which One is a Better Pet?
Irish Terrier Versus Irish Water Spaniel: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Irish Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel? 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 Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel 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 Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Irish Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel 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 Terrier and for the Irish Water Spaniel. 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 Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Irish Terrier or the Irish Water Spaniel.
Irish Terrier versus Irish Water Spaniel: Overview
Both the Irish Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel are similar in size. The Irish Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel are both medium-sized dogs.
Furthermore, 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.
On the other hand, the Irish Water Spaniel 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.
Irish Terrier versus Irish Water Spaniel: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Irish Terrier to the Irish Water Spaniel 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 Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel
| Factor | Irish Terrier | Irish Water Spaniel |
|---|---|---|
| Dog Friendly | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Train | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 16 years | 10 to 12 years |
| Height | 18 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder | 1 foot, 9 inches to 2 feet tall at the shoulder |
| Good For Novice Owners | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Weight | 25 to 27 pounds | 45 to 65 pounds |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Easygoing | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 14.0 years | 11.0 years |
| Average Price | $1280 | No Data |
| Price Range | $1000 – $1500 | No Data |
| Temperament Score | 80.0 percent | 90.0 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | No Data |
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 118 | 156 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 53 | 24 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Irish Terrier 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 Water Spaniel. 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 Terrier is 78 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Irish Water Spaniel is 81 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Irish Water Spaniel is a better pet than the Irish Terrier. So, you should get the Irish Water Spaniel!
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 Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Irish Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel
Below is a list of where the Irish Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel are most different:
The Similarities Between the Irish Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel
The Irish Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Irish Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Irish Terrier versus Irish Water Spaniel
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Irish Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel.
Irish Terriers weigh 25 to 27 pounds when fully grown. Irish Terriers are 18 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
On the other hand, Irish Water Spaniels weigh 45 to 65 pounds when fully grown. Irish Water Spaniels are 1 foot, 9 inches to 2 feet tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Lifespan of Irish Terrier versus Irish Water Spaniel
The lifespan of Irish Terriers is between 12 to 16 years. The average lifespan of Irish Terriers is 14.0 years.
The lifespan of Irish Water Spaniels is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Irish Water Spaniels is 11.0 years.
Irish Terriers live longer than Irish Water Spaniels.
Temperament of the Irish Terrier Versus the Irish Water Spaniel
The Irish Water Spaniel has a better temperament than the Irish Terrier.
This is because the temperament score for the Irish Water Spaniel is 90.0 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 80.0 percent, the Irish Terrier has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
With its temperament score of 90.0 percent, the Irish Water Spaniel has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Irish Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel by measuring the temperaments of 10 Irish Terriers and 30 Irish Water Spaniels.
The Intelligence of the Irish Terrier versus the Intelligence of the Irish Water Spaniel
| Irish Terrier | Irish Water Spaniel | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 53 out of 130 dog breeds | 24 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 Repetitions | Tend To Learn New Commands After 5 To 15 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 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 Water Spaniel has an obedience intelligence rank of 24 out of 130 dog breeds. The Irish Water Spaniel belongs to the `Excellent Working Dogs` category. This means that Irish Water Spaniels tend to learn new commands after 5 to 15 repetitions.
The Irish Water Spaniel 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 Irish Terrier versus Popularity of Irish Water Spaniel
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 Irish Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Irish Terrier is more popular with dog owners than the Irish Water Spaniel. 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 Irish Water Spaniel is 156 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Irish Terrier
Popularity of Irish Water Spaniel
| Year | Irish Terrier Popularity Rank | Irish Water Spaniel Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 123 | 141 |
| 2014 | 125 | 152 |
| 2015 | 113 | 144 |
| 2016 | 115 | 150 |
| 2017 | 114 | 164 |
| 2018 | 116 | 159 |
| 2019 | 119 | 170 |
| 2020 | 120 | 174 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Irish Terrier versus Irish Water Spaniel
Irish Terriers do not like to be left alone.
Irish Water Spaniels can be left alone only for a short time.
Do Irish Terriers shed more than Irish Water Spaniels?
Irish Terriers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Irish Water Spaniels do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Which one drools more, the Irish Terrier or the Irish Water Spaniel
Irish Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Irish Water Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Irish Terrier or the Irish Water Spaniel?
Irish Terriers require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Irish Water Spaniels are moderately easy to groom.
Does the Irish Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Irish Water Spaniel?
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.
Irish Water Spaniels 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 Irish Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Irish Water Spaniels?
Irish Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Irish Water Spaniels are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Irish Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Irish Water Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?
Irish Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.
Irish Water Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Irish Terrier vs. Irish Water Spaniel
Irish Terriers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Irish Water Spaniels have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Irish Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Irish Water Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?
Irish Terriers can tolerate hot weather.
Irish Water Spaniels can tolerate hot weather.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Irish Terrier or the Irish Water Spaniel?
Irish Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.
Irish Water Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.
Are Irish Terriers good family dogs? What about Irish Water Spaniels?
Irish Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Irish Water Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Irish Terriers and Irish Water Spaniels?
Irish Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Irish Water Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Irish Terrier Easier to Train than the Irish Water Spaniel?
Irish Terriers are not easy to train.
Irish Water Spaniels are very easy to train.
Is the Irish Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Irish Water Spaniel?
Irish Terriers adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Irish Water Spaniels adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Irish Terrier or the Irish Water Spaniel?
Irish Terriers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Irish Water Spaniels are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
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 Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Irish Water Spaniel
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Irish Water Spaniel 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 Water Spaniel:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Irish Terrier and how the Irish Water Spaniel compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Irish Terrier and of the Irish Water Spaniel to other breeds:
Irish Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds
Irish Terrier versus Chi-Poo Irish Terrier versus Lhasa Apso Irish Terrier versus Yorkshire Terrier Irish Terrier versus Yorkipoo Irish Terrier versus Chinese Shar-Pei Irish Terrier versus Mastiff Irish Terrier versus Kishu Ken Irish Terrier versus American Pit Bull Terrier Irish Terrier versus Chow Chow Irish Terrier versus Brittany Irish Terrier versus Tibetan Terrier Irish Terrier versus Belgian Sheepdog Irish Terrier versus Goldador Irish Terrier versus Neapolitan Mastiff Irish Terrier versus Basenji Irish Terrier versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Irish Terrier versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Irish Terrier versus Afador Irish Terrier versus Dachshund Irish Terrier versus Kai Ken Irish Terrier versus Australian Shepherd Irish Terrier versus Shichon Irish Terrier versus Havanese Irish Terrier versus Boxer Irish Terrier versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Irish Water Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds
Irish Water Spaniel versus Mountain Cur Irish Water Spaniel versus Newfoundland Irish Water Spaniel versus Norwich Terrier Irish Water Spaniel versus Doberman Pinscher Irish Water Spaniel versus Boxerdoodle Irish Water Spaniel versus Belgian Tervuren Irish Water Spaniel versus Bluetick Coonhound Irish Water Spaniel versus Golden Cocker Retriever Irish Water Spaniel versus Catahoula Leopard Dog Irish Water Spaniel versus Korean Jindo Dog Irish Water Spaniel versus Irish Wolfhound Irish Water Spaniel versus Golden Retriever Irish Water Spaniel versus Spanish Mastiff Irish Water Spaniel versus Irish Setter Irish Water Spaniel versus Irish Wolfhound Irish Water Spaniel versus Papipoo Irish Water Spaniel versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Irish Water Spaniel versus Skye Terrier Irish Water Spaniel versus Tibetan Terrier Irish Water Spaniel versus Doberman Pinscher Irish Water Spaniel versus Saint Berdoodle Irish Water Spaniel versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog Irish Water Spaniel versus Lowchen Irish Water Spaniel versus Pyrenean Mastiff Irish Water Spaniel versus French Spaniel
Conclusion: Irish Terrier versus Irish Water Spaniel. 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 Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel better suits you and your family.