Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Irish Terrier Versus Saint Bernard: Introduction
- Irish Terrier versus Saint Bernard: Overview
- Irish Terrier versus Saint Bernard: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Irish Terrier and the Saint Bernard
- The Similarities Between the Irish Terrier and the Saint Bernard
- Size (Weight and Height) of Irish Terrier versus Saint Bernard
- Lifespan of Irish Terrier versus Saint Bernard
- Temperament of the Saint Bernard Versus the Irish Terrier
- Price of Irish Terrier versus Price of Saint Bernard
- The Intelligence of the Irish Terrier versus the Intelligence of the Saint Bernard
- The Popularity of Irish Terrier versus Popularity of Saint Bernard
- Tolerates Being Alone: Irish Terrier versus Saint Bernard
- Do Irish Terriers shed more than Saint Bernards?
- Which one drools more, the Irish Terrier or the Saint Bernard
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Irish Terrier or the Saint Bernard?
- Does the Irish Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Saint Bernard?
- Do Irish Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Saint Bernards?
- Can Irish Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Saint Bernards Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Irish Terrier vs. Saint Bernard
- Can Irish Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Saint Bernards Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Irish Terrier or the Saint Bernard?
- Are Irish Terriers good family dogs? What about Saint Bernards?
- How Kid-friendly are Irish Terriers and Saint Bernards?
- Is the Irish Terrier Easier to Train than the Saint Bernard?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Irish Terrier
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Saint Bernard
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Irish Terrier versus Saint Bernard. Which One is a Better Pet?
Irish Terrier Versus Saint Bernard: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Irish Terrier and the Saint Bernard? 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 Saint Bernard 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 Saint Bernard.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Irish Terrier and the Saint Bernard 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 Saint Bernard. 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 Saint Bernard.
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 Saint Bernard.
Irish Terrier versus Saint Bernard: Overview
A very important difference between the Irish Terrier and the Saint Bernard is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Irish Terrier is a medium-sized dog while the Saint Bernard is a giant-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 Saint Bernard 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 Terrier versus Saint Bernard: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Irish Terrier to the Saint Bernard 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 Saint Bernard
| Factor | Irish Terrier | Saint Bernard |
|---|---|---|
| Dog Friendly | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 1/5 |
| Easy To Train | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 16 years | 8 to 10 years |
| Height | 18 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder | 2 feet, 2 inches to 2 feet, 6 inches tall at the s |
| Good For Novice Owners | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Weight | 25 to 27 pounds | 120 to 180 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 | 2/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 14.0 years | 9.0 years |
| Average Price | $1280 | $1320 |
| Price Range | $1000 – $1500 | $875 – $1525 |
| Temperament Score | 80.0 percent | 84.9 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | No Data |
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 118 | 49 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 53 | 65 |
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 Saint Bernard. 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 Saint Bernard is 81 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Saint Bernard is a better pet than the Irish Terrier. So, you should get the Saint Bernard!
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 Saint Bernard 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 Saint Bernard
Below is a list of where the Irish Terrier and the Saint Bernard are most different:
The Similarities Between the Irish Terrier and the Saint Bernard
The Irish Terrier and the Saint Bernard are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Irish Terrier and the Saint Bernard are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Irish Terrier versus Saint Bernard
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Irish Terrier and the Saint Bernard.
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, Saint Bernards weigh 120 to 180 pounds when fully grown. Saint Bernards are 2 feet, 2 inches to 2 feet, 6 inches tall at the s when fully grown.
Lifespan of Irish Terrier versus Saint Bernard
The lifespan of Irish Terriers is between 12 to 16 years. The average lifespan of Irish Terriers is 14.0 years.
The lifespan of Saint Bernards is between 8 to 10 years. The average lifespan of Saint Bernards is 9.0 years.
Irish Terriers live longer than Saint Bernards.
Temperament of the Saint Bernard Versus the Irish Terrier
The Saint Bernard has a better temperament than the Irish Terrier.
This is because the temperament score for the Saint Bernard is 84.9 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 84.9 percent, the Saint Bernard has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Irish Terrier and the Saint Bernard by measuring the temperaments of 10 Irish Terriers and 53 Saint Bernards.
Price of Irish Terrier versus Price of Saint Bernard
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 Saint Bernard puppy is $1320. The price of the Saint Bernard typically ranges from $875 – $1525. However, the price of the Saint Bernard can be as low as $200 and as high as $3550. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 163 Saint Bernard puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Saint Bernard is more expensive than the Irish Terrier.
| Irish Terrier | Saint Bernard | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1280 | $1320 |
| Price Range | $1000 to $1500 | $875 to $1525 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Irish Terrier and Saint Bernard. For different price points, the charts show how many Irish Terrier puppies or how many Saint Bernard 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 Saint Bernards
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Irish Terrier puppy or the Saint Bernard 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 Intelligence of the Irish Terrier versus the Intelligence of the Saint Bernard
| Irish Terrier | Saint Bernard | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 53 out of 130 dog breeds | 65 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 Repetitions | Tend To Learn New Commands After 40 To 80 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 Saint Bernard has an obedience intelligence rank of 65 out of 130 dog breeds. The Saint Bernard belongs to the `Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Saint Bernards tend to learn new commands after 40 to 80 repetitions!.
The Irish Terrier is more intelligent than the Saint Bernard.
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 Saint Bernard
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 Saint Bernard over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Saint Bernard is more popular with dog owners than the Irish Terrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Saint Bernard is 49 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 Saint Bernard
| Year | Irish Terrier Popularity Rank | Saint Bernard Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 123 | 47 |
| 2014 | 125 | 51 |
| 2015 | 113 | 50 |
| 2016 | 115 | 49 |
| 2017 | 114 | 48 |
| 2018 | 116 | 48 |
| 2019 | 119 | 48 |
| 2020 | 120 | 52 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Irish Terrier versus Saint Bernard
Irish Terriers do not like to be left alone.
Saint Bernards do not like to be left alone.
Do Irish Terriers shed more than Saint Bernards?
Irish Terriers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Saint Bernards shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Which one drools more, the Irish Terrier or the Saint Bernard
Irish Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Saint Bernards have a very high tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Irish Terrier or the Saint Bernard?
Irish Terriers require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Saint Bernards require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Does the Irish Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Saint Bernard?
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.
Saint Bernards 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 Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Saint Bernards?
Irish Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Saint Bernards are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Can Irish Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Saint Bernards Tolerate Cold Weather?
Irish Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.
Saint Bernards can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Irish Terrier vs. Saint Bernard
Irish Terriers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Saint Bernards do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Can Irish Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Saint Bernards Tolerate Hot Weather?
Irish Terriers can tolerate hot weather.
Saint Bernards cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Irish Terrier or the Saint Bernard?
Irish Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.
Saint Bernards get along very well with other dogs.
Are Irish Terriers good family dogs? What about Saint Bernards?
Irish Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Saint Bernards are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Irish Terriers and Saint Bernards?
Irish Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Saint Bernards get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Irish Terrier Easier to Train than the Saint Bernard?
Irish Terriers are not easy to train.
Saint Bernards are not easy to train.
Is the Irish Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Saint Bernard?
Irish Terriers adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Saint Bernards adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Irish Terrier or the Saint Bernard?
Irish Terriers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Saint Bernards 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 Saint Bernard
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Saint Bernard 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 Saint Bernard:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Irish Terrier and how the Saint Bernard compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Irish Terrier and of the Saint Bernard to other breeds:
Irish Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds
Irish Terrier versus Cesky Terrier Irish Terrier versus Mastiff Irish Terrier versus Braque du Bourbonnais Irish Terrier versus Pomsky Irish Terrier versus Affenpinscher Irish Terrier versus English Cocker Spaniel Irish Terrier versus Briard Irish Terrier versus Korean Jindo Dog Irish Terrier versus English Springer Spaniel Irish Terrier versus Bull Terrier Irish Terrier versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle Irish Terrier versus Plott Irish Terrier versus French Bulldog Irish Terrier versus Biewer Terrier Irish Terrier versus Lhasapoo Irish Terrier versus Lagotto Romagnolo Irish Terrier versus Chinese Shar-Pei Irish Terrier versus Clumber Spaniel Irish Terrier versus Lhasa Apso Irish Terrier versus English Toy Spaniel Irish Terrier versus Cockalier Irish Terrier versus Morkie Irish Terrier versus Kerry Blue Terrier Irish Terrier versus Silky Terrier Irish Terrier versus Patterdale Terrier
Saint Bernard Versus Other Dog Breeds
Saint Bernard versus Cavapoo Saint Bernard versus Border Terrier Saint Bernard versus Hovawart Saint Bernard versus Airedale Terrier Saint Bernard versus Skye Terrier Saint Bernard versus Labrador Retriever Saint Bernard versus Catahoula Leopard Dog Saint Bernard versus Sloughi Saint Bernard versus Boxerdoodle Saint Bernard versus French Bulldog Saint Bernard versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog Saint Bernard versus Black and Tan Coonhound Saint Bernard versus Field Spaniel Saint Bernard versus English Toy Spaniel Saint Bernard versus Saluki Saint Bernard versus Kai Ken Saint Bernard versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne Saint Bernard versus Alaskan Klee Kai Saint Bernard versus Icelandic Sheepdog Saint Bernard versus Komondor Saint Bernard versus Papipoo Saint Bernard versus Canaan Dog Saint Bernard versus King Shepherd Saint Bernard versus Mastiff Saint Bernard versus Alaskan Malamute
Conclusion: Irish Terrier versus Saint Bernard. 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 Saint Bernard better suits you and your family.