Differences and Similarities between the Irish Terrier and the Lagotto Romagnolo.

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Irish Terrier Versus Lagotto Romagnolo: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Irish Terrier and the Lagotto Romagnolo? 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 Lagotto Romagnolo 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 Lagotto Romagnolo.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Irish Terrier and the Lagotto Romagnolo 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 Lagotto Romagnolo. 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 Lagotto Romagnolo.

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 Lagotto Romagnolo.

Irish Terrier versus Lagotto Romagnolo: Overview

A very important difference between the Irish Terrier and the Lagotto Romagnolo is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Irish Terrier is a medium-sized dog while the Lagotto Romagnolo is a small-sized dog.

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 Lagotto Romagnolo 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 Lagotto Romagnolo: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Irish Terrier to the Lagotto Romagnolo 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 Lagotto Romagnolo

Factor Irish Terrier Lagotto Romagnolo
Dog Friendly 1/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 4/5
Easy To Train 1/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 5/5 4/5
Life Span 12 to 16 years 14 to 17 years
Height 18 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder 14 to 19 inches
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 4/5
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 1/5
Low Prey Drive 4/5 2/5
Weight 25 to 27 pounds 24 to 35 pounds
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 3/5 2/5
Easygoing 3/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 3/5
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 3/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 5/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 3/5
General Health 5/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Average Lifespan 14.0 years 15.5 years
Average Price $1280 $5210
Price Range $1000 – $1500 $4994 – $5819
Temperament Score 80.0 percent 75.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Benign Familial Juvenile Epilepsy
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye examination each year, results registered with the OFA.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Lagotto Storage Disease
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 118 101

    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 Lagotto Romagnolo. 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 Lagotto Romagnolo is 80 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Lagotto Romagnolo is a better pet than the Irish Terrier. So, you should get the Lagotto Romagnolo!

    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 Lagotto Romagnolo 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 Lagotto Romagnolo

    Below is a list of where the Irish Terrier and the Lagotto Romagnolo are most different:

  • Irish Terriers are not easy to train. However, Lagotto Romagnolos are very easy to train.
  • Irish Terriers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies. However, Lagotto Romagnolos do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • The Similarities Between the Irish Terrier and the Lagotto Romagnolo

    The Irish Terrier and the Lagotto Romagnolo are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Irish Terrier and the Lagotto Romagnolo are most similar:

  • Both the Irish Terrier and the Lagotto Romagnolo do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Irish Terrier and the Lagotto Romagnolo are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Irish Terrier and the Lagotto Romagnolo do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Irish Terrier and the Lagotto Romagnolo require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Irish Terrier and the Lagotto Romagnolo can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Irish Terrier and the Lagotto Romagnolo can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Irish Terrier and the Lagotto Romagnolo are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Irish Terrier and the Lagotto Romagnolo are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Irish Terrier and the Lagotto Romagnolo require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Irish Terrier and the Lagotto Romagnolo are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Irish Terrier and the Lagotto Romagnolo have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Irish Terrier and the Lagotto Romagnolo are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Irish Terrier versus Lagotto Romagnolo

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Irish Terrier and the Lagotto Romagnolo.

    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, Lagotto Romagnolos weigh 24 to 35 pounds when fully grown. Lagotto Romagnolos are 14 to 19 inches when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Irish Terrier versus Lagotto Romagnolo

    The lifespan of Irish Terriers is between 12 to 16 years. The average lifespan of Irish Terriers is 14.0 years.

    The lifespan of Lagotto Romagnolos is between 14 to 17 years. The average lifespan of Lagotto Romagnolos is 15.5 years.

    Lagotto Romagnolos live longer than Irish Terriers.

    Temperament of the Irish Terrier Versus the Lagotto Romagnolo

    The Irish Terrier has a better temperament than the Lagotto Romagnolo.

    This is because the temperament score for the Irish Terrier is 80.0 percent while the temperament score for the Lagotto Romagnolo is 75.0 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 75.0 percent, the Lagotto Romagnolo has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Irish Terrier and the Lagotto Romagnolo by measuring the temperaments of 10 Irish Terriers and 4 Lagotto Romagnolos.

    Price of Irish Terrier versus Price of Lagotto Romagnolo

    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 a Irish Terrier can be as low as $450 and as high as $2800. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 26 Irish Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Lagotto Romagnolo puppy is $5210. The price of the Lagotto Romagnolo typically ranges from $4994 – $5819. However, the price of the Lagotto Romagnolo can be as low as $3850 and as high as $6100. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 12 Lagotto Romagnolo puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Lagotto Romagnolo is more expensive than the Irish Terrier.

    Irish Terrier Lagotto Romagnolo
    Average Price $1280 $5210
    Price Range $1000 to $1500 $4994 to $5819

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

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

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Lagotto Romagnolos

    A breakdown of the prices of Lagotto Romagnolos

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Irish Terrier puppy or the Lagotto Romagnolo 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 Popularity of Irish Terrier versus Popularity of Lagotto Romagnolo

    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 Lagotto Romagnolo over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Lagotto Romagnolo is more popular with dog owners than the Irish Terrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Lagotto Romagnolo is 101 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Irish Terrier is 118 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Irish Terrier

    Popularity of Irish Terrier

    Popularity of Lagotto Romagnolo

    Popularity of Lagotto Romagnolo

    Year Irish Terrier Popularity Rank Lagotto Romagnolo Popularity Rank
    2013 123 no data
    2014 125 no data
    2015 113 no data
    2016 115 114.0
    2017 114 117.0
    2018 116 99.0
    2019 119 90.0
    2020 120 88.0

    Tolerates Being Alone: Irish Terrier versus Lagotto Romagnolo

    Irish Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Lagotto Romagnolos can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Irish Terriers shed more than Lagotto Romagnolos?

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

    Lagotto Romagnolos do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Irish Terrier or the Lagotto Romagnolo

    Irish Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Lagotto Romagnolos do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Irish Terrier or the Lagotto Romagnolo?

    Irish Terriers require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Lagotto Romagnolos require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Does the Irish Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Lagotto Romagnolo?

    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.

    Lagotto Romagnolos 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 Lagotto Romagnolos?

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

    Lagotto Romagnolos bark and howl, but not very much.

    Can Irish Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Lagotto Romagnolos Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Irish Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Lagotto Romagnolos can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Irish Terrier vs. Lagotto Romagnolo

    Irish Terriers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Lagotto Romagnolos 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 Lagotto Romagnolos Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Irish Terriers can tolerate hot weather.

    Lagotto Romagnolos can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Irish Terrier or the Lagotto Romagnolo?

    Irish Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Lagotto Romagnolos get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are Irish Terriers good family dogs? What about Lagotto Romagnolos?

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

    Lagotto Romagnolos are good family dogs. They are affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Irish Terriers and Lagotto Romagnolos?

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

    Lagotto Romagnolos get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

    Is the Irish Terrier Easier to Train than the Lagotto Romagnolo?

    Irish Terriers are not easy to train.

    Lagotto Romagnolos are very easy to train.

    Is the Irish Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Lagotto Romagnolo?

    Irish Terriers adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Lagotto Romagnolos do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Irish Terrier or the Lagotto Romagnolo?

    Irish Terriers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Lagotto Romagnolos are very good 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:

  • Hovawart (75 percent match with Irish Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Lagotto Romagnolo vs Hovawart.
  • Lakeland Terrier (79 percent match with Irish Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Lagotto Romagnolo vs Lakeland Terrier.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Lagotto Romagnolo

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Lagotto Romagnolo 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 Lagotto Romagnolo:

  • Boxerdoodle (77 percent match with Lagotto Romagnolo). Here is our comparison of the Irish Terrier vs Boxerdoodle.
  • Polish Lowland Sheepdog (77 percent match with Lagotto Romagnolo). Here is our comparison of the Irish Terrier vs Polish Lowland Sheepdog.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Irish Terrier and how the Lagotto Romagnolo compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Irish Terrier and of the Lagotto Romagnolo to other breeds:

    Irish Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Irish Terrier versus Siberian Husky     Irish Terrier versus Airedale Terrier     Irish Terrier versus Collie     Irish Terrier versus Boerboel     Irish Terrier versus Field Spaniel     Irish Terrier versus Pug     Irish Terrier versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     Irish Terrier versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog     Irish Terrier versus Toy Poodle     Irish Terrier versus Bedlington Terrier     Irish Terrier versus Goldador     Irish Terrier versus Shiba Inu     Irish Terrier versus Bolognese     Irish Terrier versus Lhasa Apso     Irish Terrier versus Manchester Terrier     Irish Terrier versus Dachshund     Irish Terrier versus Cavachon     Irish Terrier versus Bluetick Coonhound     Irish Terrier versus Clumber Spaniel     Irish Terrier versus Sheepadoodle     Irish Terrier versus Australian Cattle Dog     Irish Terrier versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     Irish Terrier versus Australian Kelpie     Irish Terrier versus Lancashire Heeler     Irish Terrier versus Affenpinscher     

    Lagotto Romagnolo Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Lagotto Romagnolo versus Dachshund     Lagotto Romagnolo versus Bullmastiff     Lagotto Romagnolo versus Neapolitan Mastiff     Lagotto Romagnolo versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde     Lagotto Romagnolo versus Dachshund     Lagotto Romagnolo versus Kerry Blue Terrier     Lagotto Romagnolo versus Bouvier des Flandres     Lagotto Romagnolo versus Kuvasz     Lagotto Romagnolo versus Papillon     Lagotto Romagnolo versus Australian Shepherd     Lagotto Romagnolo versus Shiloh Shepherd     Lagotto Romagnolo versus Bluetick Coonhound     Lagotto Romagnolo versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog     Lagotto Romagnolo versus Boerboel     Lagotto Romagnolo versus Italian Greyhound     Lagotto Romagnolo versus Briard     Lagotto Romagnolo versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier     Lagotto Romagnolo versus Toy Fox Terrier     Lagotto Romagnolo versus Australian Shepherd     Lagotto Romagnolo versus English Springer Spaniel     Lagotto Romagnolo versus Redbone Coonhound     Lagotto Romagnolo versus Tibetan Mastiff     Lagotto Romagnolo versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi     Lagotto Romagnolo versus Brittany     

    Conclusion: Irish Terrier versus Lagotto Romagnolo. 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 Lagotto Romagnolo better suits you and your family.