Differences and Similarities between the Irish Terrier and the Lowchen.

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Irish Terrier Versus Lowchen: Introduction

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

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

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 Lowchen.

Irish Terrier versus Lowchen

Irish Terrier versus Lowchen: Overview

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

Irish Terrier versus Lowchen: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Irish Terrier to the Lowchen 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 Lowchen

Factor Irish Terrier Lowchen
Dog Friendly 1/5 4/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Easy To Train 1/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 5/5 3/5
Life Span 12 to 16 years 13 to 15 years
Height 18 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder 12 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 4/5
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 1/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 4/5 2/5
Weight 25 to 27 pounds 9 to 18 pounds
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 3/5 5/5
Easygoing 3/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 3/5
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 2/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
General Health 5/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Average Lifespan 14.0 years 14.0 years
Average Price $1280 $2870
Price Range $1000 – $1500 $1642 – $4500
Temperament Score 80.0 percent 75.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Eye Examination- after the age of 12 months, with repeat evaluations recommended every two years.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 118 163

    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 Lowchen. 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 Lowchen is 85 out of 125.

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

    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 Lowchen 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 Lowchen

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

  • Irish Terriers do not get along well with other dogs. However, Lowchens get along well with other dogs.
  • Irish Terriers are not easy to train. However, Lowchens are very easy to train.
  • The Similarities Between the Irish Terrier and the Lowchen

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

  • Both the Irish Terrier and the Lowchen do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Irish Terrier and the Lowchen do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Irish Terrier and the Lowchen require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Irish Terrier and the Lowchen can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Irish Terrier and the Lowchen can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Irish Terrier and the Lowchen shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Irish Terrier and the Lowchen are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Irish Terrier and the Lowchen are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Irish Terrier and the Lowchen do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Irish Terrier and the Lowchen require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Irish Terrier and the Lowchen are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Irish Terrier and the Lowchen get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Irish Terrier and the Lowchen are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Irish Terrier and the Lowchen have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Irish Terrier and the Lowchen are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Irish Terrier versus Lowchen

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

    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, Lowchens weigh 9 to 18 pounds when fully grown. Lowchens are 12 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Irish Terrier versus Lowchen

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

    The lifespan of Lowchens is between 13 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Lowchens is 14.0 years.

    Temperament of the Irish Terrier Versus the Lowchen

    The Irish Terrier has a better temperament than the Lowchen.

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

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Irish Terrier and the Lowchen by measuring the temperaments of 10 Irish Terriers and 12 Lowchens.

    Price of Irish Terrier versus Price of Lowchen

    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 Lowchen puppy is $2870. The price of the Lowchen typically ranges from $1642 – $4500. However, the price of the Lowchen can be as low as $300 and as high as $4500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 7 Lowchen puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Lowchen is more expensive than the Irish Terrier.

    Irish Terrier Lowchen
    Average Price $1280 $2870
    Price Range $1000 to $1500 $1642 to $4500

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Irish Terrier and Lowchen. For different price points, the charts show how many Irish Terrier puppies or how many Lowchen 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 Lowchens

    A breakdown of the prices of Lowchens

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

    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 Lowchen over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Irish Terrier is more popular with dog owners than the Lowchen. 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 Lowchen is 163 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Irish Terrier

    Popularity of Irish Terrier

    Popularity of Lowchen

    Popularity of Lowchen

    Year Irish Terrier Popularity Rank Lowchen Popularity Rank
    2013 123 154
    2014 125 165
    2015 113 161
    2016 115 171
    2017 114 169
    2018 116 168
    2019 119 158
    2020 120 161

    Tolerates Being Alone: Irish Terrier versus Lowchen

    Irish Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Lowchens do not like to be left alone.

    Do Irish Terriers shed more than Lowchens?

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

    Lowchens shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Irish Terrier or the Lowchen

    Irish Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Lowchens do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Irish Terrier or the Lowchen?

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

    Lowchens are moderately easy to groom.

    Does the Irish Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Lowchen?

    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.

    Lowchens 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 Lowchens?

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

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

    Can Irish Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Lowchens Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Irish Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Lowchens can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Irish Terrier vs. Lowchen

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

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

    Can Irish Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Lowchens Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Irish Terriers can tolerate hot weather.

    Lowchens 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 Lowchen?

    Irish Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Lowchens get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Irish Terriers good family dogs? What about Lowchens?

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

    Lowchens are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Irish Terriers and Lowchens?

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

    Lowchens get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Irish Terrier Easier to Train than the Lowchen?

    Irish Terriers are not easy to train.

    Lowchens are very easy to train.

    Is the Irish Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Lowchen?

    Irish Terriers adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Lowchens adapt very well to apartment living.

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

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

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

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

  • English Cocker Spaniel (79 percent match with Lowchen). Here is our comparison of the Irish Terrier vs English Cocker Spaniel.
  • Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier (80 percent match with Lowchen). Here is our comparison of the Irish Terrier vs Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Irish Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Irish Terrier versus Siberian Husky     Irish Terrier versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon     Irish Terrier versus Newfoundland     Irish Terrier versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Irish Terrier versus Pyrenean Mastiff     Irish Terrier versus Vizsla     Irish Terrier versus Border Collie     Irish Terrier versus Weimaraner     Irish Terrier versus Chow Chow     Irish Terrier versus Bearded Collie     Irish Terrier versus Akita     Irish Terrier versus Australian Shepherd     Irish Terrier versus Mal Shi     Irish Terrier versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     Irish Terrier versus Pomsky     Irish Terrier versus Akbash     Irish Terrier versus Kai Ken     Irish Terrier versus Kuvasz     Irish Terrier versus Schnoodle     Irish Terrier versus Samoyed     Irish Terrier versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     Irish Terrier versus Great Dane     Irish Terrier versus Boerboel     Irish Terrier versus Shiba Inu     Irish Terrier versus Cairn Terrier     

    Lowchen Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Lowchen versus Chinook     Lowchen versus Sheepadoodle     Lowchen versus Bedlington Terrier     Lowchen versus Australian Terrier     Lowchen versus Japanese Chin     Lowchen versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Lowchen versus German Shorthaired Pointer     Lowchen versus Borzoi     Lowchen versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Lowchen versus Boxer     Lowchen versus Spinone Italiano     Lowchen versus Xoloitzcuintli     Lowchen versus Morkie     Lowchen versus Black and Tan Coonhound     Lowchen versus American Water Spaniel     Lowchen versus Black and Tan Coonhound     Lowchen versus Golden Retriever     Lowchen versus Schnoodle     Lowchen versus Miniature Pinscher     Lowchen versus Vizsla     Lowchen versus Silky Terrier     Lowchen versus Afghan Hound     Lowchen versus Cocker Spaniel     Lowchen versus Bichon Frise     Lowchen versus Irish Water Spaniel     

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