A Detailed Comparison of the Irish Terrier and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog.

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Irish Terrier Versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Irish Terrier and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog. 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog.

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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog.

Irish Terrier versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog: Overview

Both the Irish Terrier and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog are similar in size. The Irish Terrier and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.

Irish Terrier versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Irish Terrier to the Polish Lowland Sheepdog 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog

Factor Irish Terrier Polish Lowland Sheepdog
Dog Friendly 1/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Easy To Train 1/5 4/5
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 17 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 1/5
Low Prey Drive 4/5 3/5
Weight 25 to 27 pounds 35 to 55 pounds
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 3/5 4/5
Easygoing 3/5 2/5
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 4/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 5/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 4/5
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 4/5
General Health 5/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Average Lifespan 14.0 years 11.0 years
Average Price $1280 No Data
Price Range $1000 – $1500 No Data
Temperament Score 80.0 percent 54.5 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 118 169

    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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog. 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog is 84 out of 125.

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

    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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog

    Below is a list of where the Irish Terrier and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog are most different:

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

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

  • Both the Irish Terrier and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Irish Terrier and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Irish Terrier and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Irish Terrier and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Irish Terrier and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Irish Terrier and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Irish Terrier and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Irish Terrier and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Irish Terrier and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Irish Terrier and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Irish Terrier and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Irish Terrier and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Irish Terrier and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Irish Terrier and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Irish Terrier and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Irish Terrier versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Irish Terrier and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog.

    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, Polish Lowland Sheepdogs weigh 35 to 55 pounds when fully grown. Polish Lowland Sheepdogs are 17 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Irish Terrier versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog

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

    The lifespan of Polish Lowland Sheepdogs is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Polish Lowland Sheepdogs is 11.0 years.

    Irish Terriers live longer than Polish Lowland Sheepdogs.

    Temperament of the Polish Lowland Sheepdog Versus the Irish Terrier

    The Irish Terrier has a better temperament than the Polish Lowland Sheepdog.

    This is because the temperament score for the Irish Terrier is 80.0 percent while the temperament score for the Polish Lowland Sheepdog is 54.5 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 54.5 percent, the Polish Lowland Sheepdog has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Irish Terrier and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog by measuring the temperaments of 10 Irish Terriers and 11 Polish Lowland Sheepdogs.

    The Popularity of Irish Terrier versus Popularity of Polish Lowland Sheepdog

    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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Irish Terrier is more popular with dog owners than the Polish Lowland Sheepdog. 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog is 169 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Irish Terrier

    Popularity of Irish Terrier

    Popularity of Polish Lowland Sheepdog

    Popularity of Polish Lowland Sheepdog

    Year Irish Terrier Popularity Rank Polish Lowland Sheepdog Popularity Rank
    2013 123 157
    2014 125 170
    2015 113 164
    2016 115 169
    2017 114 176
    2018 116 170
    2019 119 173
    2020 120 175

    Tolerates Being Alone: Irish Terrier versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog

    Irish Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Irish Terriers shed more than Polish Lowland Sheepdogs?

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

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Irish Terrier or the Polish Lowland Sheepdog

    Irish Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Irish Terrier or the Polish Lowland Sheepdog?

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

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Does the Irish Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Polish Lowland Sheepdog?

    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.

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Do Irish Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Polish Lowland Sheepdogs?

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

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can Irish Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Polish Lowland Sheepdogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Irish Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Irish Terrier vs. Polish Lowland Sheepdog

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

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Irish Terriers can tolerate hot weather.

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs can tolerate hot weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Irish Terrier or the Polish Lowland Sheepdog?

    Irish Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are Irish Terriers good family dogs? What about Polish Lowland Sheepdogs?

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

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Irish Terriers and Polish Lowland Sheepdogs?

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

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Irish Terrier Easier to Train than the Polish Lowland Sheepdog?

    Irish Terriers are not easy to train.

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs are very easy to train.

    Is the Irish Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Polish Lowland Sheepdog?

    Irish Terriers adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Irish Terrier or the Polish Lowland Sheepdog?

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

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs 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:

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

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Polish Lowland Sheepdog 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog:

  • Barbet (83 percent match with Polish Lowland Sheepdog). Here is our comparison of the Irish Terrier vs Barbet.
  • Bernedoodle (79 percent match with Polish Lowland Sheepdog). Here is our comparison of the Irish Terrier vs Bernedoodle.
  • Miniature Schnauzer (79 percent match with Polish Lowland Sheepdog). Here is our comparison of the Irish Terrier vs Miniature Schnauzer.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Irish Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Irish Terrier versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     Irish Terrier versus Ibizan Hound     Irish Terrier versus Bedlington Terrier     Irish Terrier versus Coton de Tulear     Irish Terrier versus Yorkipoo     Irish Terrier versus Standard Schnauzer     Irish Terrier versus Gordon Setter     Irish Terrier versus Korean Jindo Dog     Irish Terrier versus Redbone Coonhound     Irish Terrier versus Boxerdoodle     Irish Terrier versus Catahoula Bulldog     Irish Terrier versus Miniature Schnauzer     Irish Terrier versus Redbone Coonhound     Irish Terrier versus Sussex Spaniel     Irish Terrier versus Akita     Irish Terrier versus American Hairless Terrier     Irish Terrier versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde     Irish Terrier versus Black Russian Terrier     Irish Terrier versus Basset Hound     Irish Terrier versus Tibetan Terrier     Irish Terrier versus Karelian Bear Dog     Irish Terrier versus Pharaoh Hound     Irish Terrier versus Leonberger     Irish Terrier versus Sloughi     Irish Terrier versus Lancashire Heeler     

    Polish Lowland Sheepdog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Portuguese Water Dog     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Sheepadoodle     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Portuguese Water Dog     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Great Dane     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Goldendoodle     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Maremma Sheepdog     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus German Shorthaired Pointer     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Portuguese Pointer     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Bolognese     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Labrador Retriever     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Belgian Malinois     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Airedale Terrier     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Bracco Italiano     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Pug     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Ibizan Hound     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Xoloitzcuintli     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Cairn Terrier     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Bullmastiff     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Vizsla     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Boxerdoodle     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Miniature Schnauzer     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Bolognese     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Biewer Terrier     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Harrier     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Sloughi     

    Conclusion: Irish Terrier versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog. 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog better suits you and your family.