Which is Better between the Irish Terrier and the Scottish Deerhound? A Very Detailed Review.

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Irish Terrier Versus Scottish Deerhound: Introduction

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

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

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 Scottish Deerhound.

Irish Terrier versus Scottish Deerhound: Overview

A very important difference between the Irish Terrier and the Scottish Deerhound is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Irish Terrier is a medium-sized dog while the Scottish Deerhound 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 Scottish Deerhound belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.

Irish Terrier versus Scottish Deerhound: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Irish Terrier to the Scottish Deerhound 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 Scottish Deerhound

Factor Irish Terrier Scottish Deerhound
Dog Friendly 1/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Easy To Train 1/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 5/5 2/5
Life Span 12 to 16 years 8 to 11 years
Height 18 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder 28 to 32 inches tall at the shoulder
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 1/5
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 2/5
Low Prey Drive 4/5 1/5
Weight 25 to 27 pounds 75 to 110 pounds
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 3/5 1/5
Easygoing 3/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 1/5
Intelligence 4/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 5/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 1/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 4/5
General Health 5/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Average Lifespan 14.0 years 9.5 years
Average Price $1280 $980
Price Range $1000 – $1500 $975 – $975
Temperament Score 80.0 percent 85.3 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • FACTOR VII Deficiency DNA test
  • Serum Bile Acid Test
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 118 158
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) 53 47

    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 Scottish Deerhound. 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 Scottish Deerhound is 67 out of 125.

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

    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 Scottish Deerhound 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 Scottish Deerhound

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

  • Irish Terriers are not prone to nip and chew at things. However, Scottish Deerhounds are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Irish Terriers have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets. However, Scottish Deerhounds have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Irish Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl. However, Scottish Deerhounds are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • The Similarities Between the Irish Terrier and the Scottish Deerhound

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

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

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

    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, Scottish Deerhounds weigh 75 to 110 pounds when fully grown. Scottish Deerhounds are 28 to 32 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Irish Terrier versus Scottish Deerhound

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

    The lifespan of Scottish Deerhounds is between 8 to 11 years. The average lifespan of Scottish Deerhounds is 9.5 years.

    Irish Terriers live longer than Scottish Deerhounds.

    Temperament of the Irish Terrier Versus the Scottish Deerhound

    The Scottish Deerhound has a better temperament than the Irish Terrier.

    This is because the temperament score for the Scottish Deerhound is 85.3 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 85.3 percent, the Scottish Deerhound has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Irish Terrier and the Scottish Deerhound by measuring the temperaments of 10 Irish Terriers and 34 Scottish Deerhounds.

    Price of Irish Terrier versus Price of Scottish Deerhound

    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 Scottish Deerhound puppy is $980. The price of the Scottish Deerhound typically ranges from $975 – $975. However, the price of the Scottish Deerhound can be as low as $975 and as high as $975. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 1 Scottish Deerhound puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Irish Terrier is more expensive than the Scottish Deerhound.

    Irish Terrier Scottish Deerhound
    Average Price $1280 $980
    Price Range $1000 to $1500 $975 to $975

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Scottish Deerhounds

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

    Irish Terrier Scottish Deerhound
    Intelligence Rank 53 out of 130 dog breeds 47 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 Repetitions Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 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:

  • Instinctive Intelligence: This is the natural intelligence a dog has because of what the dog was bred for. This type of intelligence comes from instinct. For example, dog breeds that were bred for guarding will have high `guarding` instinctive intelligence, while dog breeds that were bred for hunting will what high `hunting` instinctive intelligence. However, you cannot compare the intelligence of dog breeds based on instinctive intelligence because such a comparison will not make sense.
  • Adaptive Intelligence (learning and problem-solving ability): This indicates what a dog can learn to do for himself or herself. It includes learning and benefiting from experience with his environment, solving new problems, and so forth. Adaptive intelligence is specific to each dog, and not breed specific. Thus, two dogs can have remarkably different levels of adaptive intelligence even if they are of the same breed.
  • Working/Obedience Intelligence: This intelligence is the closest to what we might call school-learning ability and it is based upon what the dog can learn to do when instructed by humans. Importantly, different dog breeds have different learning abilities. Also, science has shown that some dog breeds can learn faster than some other breeds. This means certain dog breeds tend to have higher working/obedience intelligence than some other breeds. Dogs with high Working/Obedience Intelligence are smart and easy to train.
  • 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 Scottish Deerhound has an obedience intelligence rank of 47 out of 130 dog breeds. The Scottish Deerhound belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Scottish Deerhounds tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 repetitions.

    The Scottish Deerhound 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 Scottish Deerhound

    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 Scottish Deerhound over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Irish Terrier is more popular with dog owners than the Scottish Deerhound. 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 Scottish Deerhound is 158 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Irish Terrier

    Popularity of Irish Terrier

    Popularity of Scottish Deerhound

    Popularity of Scottish Deerhound

    Year Irish Terrier Popularity Rank Scottish Deerhound Popularity Rank
    2013 123 165
    2014 125 157
    2015 113 152
    2016 115 154
    2017 114 168
    2018 116 158
    2019 119 149
    2020 120 166

    Tolerates Being Alone: Irish Terrier versus Scottish Deerhound

    Irish Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Scottish Deerhounds do not like to be left alone.

    Do Irish Terriers shed more than Scottish Deerhounds?

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

    Scottish Deerhounds shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Irish Terrier or the Scottish Deerhound

    Irish Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Scottish Deerhounds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Irish Terrier or the Scottish Deerhound?

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

    Scottish Deerhounds require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Does the Irish Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Scottish Deerhound?

    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.

    Scottish Deerhounds 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 Scottish Deerhounds?

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

    Scottish Deerhounds are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can Irish Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Scottish Deerhounds Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Irish Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Scottish Deerhounds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Irish Terrier vs. Scottish Deerhound

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

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

    Can Irish Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Scottish Deerhounds Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Irish Terriers can tolerate hot weather.

    Scottish Deerhounds can tolerate hot weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Irish Terrier or the Scottish Deerhound?

    Irish Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Scottish Deerhounds do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Irish Terriers good family dogs? What about Scottish Deerhounds?

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

    Scottish Deerhounds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Irish Terriers and Scottish Deerhounds?

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

    Scottish Deerhounds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Irish Terrier Easier to Train than the Scottish Deerhound?

    Irish Terriers are not easy to train.

    Scottish Deerhounds are not easy to train.

    Is the Irish Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Scottish Deerhound?

    Irish Terriers adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Scottish Deerhounds do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

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

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

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

  • Alaskan Malamute (70 percent match with Scottish Deerhound). Here is our comparison of the Irish Terrier vs Alaskan Malamute.
  • Icelandic Sheepdog (75 percent match with Scottish Deerhound). Here is our comparison of the Irish Terrier vs Icelandic Sheepdog.
  • Rhodesian Ridgeback (73 percent match with Scottish Deerhound). Here is our comparison of the Irish Terrier vs Rhodesian Ridgeback.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Irish Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Irish Terrier versus Japanese Chin     Irish Terrier versus Akbash     Irish Terrier versus Bich Poo     Irish Terrier versus Boxer     Irish Terrier versus Manchester Terrier     Irish Terrier versus Chinese Crested     Irish Terrier versus Rottweiler     Irish Terrier versus Finnish Lapphund     Irish Terrier versus Bulldog     Irish Terrier versus Bernese Mountain Dog     Irish Terrier versus Lhasapoo     Irish Terrier versus Australian Kelpie     Irish Terrier versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog     Irish Terrier versus Stabyhoun     Irish Terrier versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Irish Terrier versus Kai Ken     Irish Terrier versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     Irish Terrier versus Kuvasz     Irish Terrier versus Great Dane     Irish Terrier versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel     Irish Terrier versus Pug     Irish Terrier versus Lancashire Heeler     Irish Terrier versus Chi-Poo     Irish Terrier versus Azawakh     Irish Terrier versus Chi-Poo     

    Scottish Deerhound Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Scottish Deerhound versus Bull Terrier     Scottish Deerhound versus Japanese Chin     Scottish Deerhound versus Cane Corso     Scottish Deerhound versus German Longhaired Pointer     Scottish Deerhound versus Kooikerhondje     Scottish Deerhound versus Newfoundland     Scottish Deerhound versus Italian Greyhound     Scottish Deerhound versus Valley Bulldog     Scottish Deerhound versus Siberian Husky     Scottish Deerhound versus Standard Poodle     Scottish Deerhound versus Miniature Poodle     Scottish Deerhound versus Maltipoo     Scottish Deerhound versus Bordoodle     Scottish Deerhound versus Cavachon     Scottish Deerhound versus Alaskan Klee Kai     Scottish Deerhound versus German Shepherd Dog     Scottish Deerhound versus Valley Bulldog     Scottish Deerhound versus German Shorthaired Pointer     Scottish Deerhound versus English Setter     Scottish Deerhound versus Bearded Collie     Scottish Deerhound versus Karelian Bear Dog     Scottish Deerhound versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier     Scottish Deerhound versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen     Scottish Deerhound versus Estrela Mountain Dog     Scottish Deerhound versus King Shepherd     

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