Which is Better between the Irish Terrier and the Siberian Husky? A Very Detailed Review.

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Irish Terrier Versus Siberian Husky: Introduction

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

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

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 Siberian Husky.

Irish Terrier versus Siberian Husky

Irish Terrier versus Siberian Husky: Overview

Both the Irish Terrier and the Siberian Husky are similar in size. The Irish Terrier and the Siberian Husky 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 Siberian Husky 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 Siberian Husky: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Irish Terrier to the Siberian Husky 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 Siberian Husky

Factor Irish Terrier Siberian Husky
Dog Friendly 1/5 5/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 3/5
Easy To Train 1/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 5/5 2/5
Life Span 12 to 16 years 12 to 15 years
Height 18 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder 20 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 1/5
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 1/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 2/5
Low Prey Drive 4/5 3/5
Weight 25 to 27 pounds 35 to 60 pounds
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 3/5 2/5
Easygoing 3/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 5/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 2/5
Intelligence 4/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 1/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
General Health 5/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Average Lifespan 14.0 years 13.5 years
Average Price $1280 $1080
Price Range $1000 – $1500 $700 – $1250
Temperament Score 80.0 percent 86.8 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Eye Examination- min age 12 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 118 13
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) 53 45

    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 Siberian Husky. 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 Siberian Husky is 71 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Irish Terrier is a better pet than the Siberian Husky. 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 Siberian Husky so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    Irish Terrier versus Siberian Husky

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Irish Terrier and the Siberian Husky

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

  • Irish Terriers do not get along well with other dogs. However, Siberian Huskys get along well with other dogs.
  • Irish Terriers are not prone to nip and chew at things. However, Siberian Huskys are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • The Similarities Between the Irish Terrier and the Siberian Husky

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

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

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

    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, Siberian Huskys weigh 35 to 60 pounds when fully grown. Siberian Huskys are 20 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Irish Terrier versus Siberian Husky

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

    The lifespan of Siberian Huskys is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Siberian Huskys is 13.5 years.

    Irish Terriers live longer than Siberian Huskys.

    Irish Terrier versus Siberian Husky

    Temperament of the Siberian Husky Versus the Irish Terrier

    The Siberian Husky has a better temperament than the Irish Terrier.

    This is because the temperament score for the Siberian Husky is 86.8 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 86.8 percent, the Siberian Husky has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Irish Terrier and the Siberian Husky by measuring the temperaments of 10 Irish Terriers and 310 Siberian Huskys.

    Price of Irish Terrier versus Price of Siberian Husky

    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 Siberian Husky puppy is $1080. The price of the Siberian Husky typically ranges from $700 – $1250. However, the price of the Siberian Husky can be as low as $100 and as high as $5000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 1036 Siberian Husky puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Irish Terrier is more expensive than the Siberian Husky.

    Irish Terrier Siberian Husky
    Average Price $1280 $1080
    Price Range $1000 to $1500 $700 to $1250

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Siberian Huskys

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

    Irish Terrier versus Siberian Husky

    The Intelligence of the Irish Terrier versus the Intelligence of the Siberian Husky

    Irish Terrier Siberian Husky
    Intelligence Rank 53 out of 130 dog breeds 45 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 Siberian Husky has an obedience intelligence rank of 45 out of 130 dog breeds. The Siberian Husky belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Siberian Huskys tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 repetitions.

    The Siberian Husky 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 Siberian Husky

    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 Siberian Husky over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Siberian Husky is more popular with dog owners than the Irish Terrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Siberian Husky is 13 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 Siberian Husky

    Popularity of Siberian Husky

    Year Irish Terrier Popularity Rank Siberian Husky Popularity Rank
    2013 123 14
    2014 125 13
    2015 113 12
    2016 115 12
    2017 114 12
    2018 116 14
    2019 119 15
    2020 120 16

    Tolerates Being Alone: Irish Terrier versus Siberian Husky

    Irish Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Siberian Huskys do not like to be left alone.

    Do Irish Terriers shed more than Siberian Huskys?

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

    Siberian Huskys shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Irish Terrier or the Siberian Husky

    Irish Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Siberian Huskys drool moderately.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Irish Terrier or the Siberian Husky?

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

    Siberian Huskys require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Does the Irish Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Siberian Husky?

    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.

    Siberian Huskys have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Do Irish Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Siberian Huskys?

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

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

    Can Irish Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Siberian Huskys Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Irish Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Siberian Huskys can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Irish Terrier vs. Siberian Husky

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

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

    Can Irish Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Siberian Huskys Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Irish Terriers can tolerate hot weather.

    Siberian Huskys 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 Siberian Husky?

    Irish Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Siberian Huskys get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Irish Terriers good family dogs? What about Siberian Huskys?

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

    Siberian Huskys are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Irish Terriers and Siberian Huskys?

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

    Siberian Huskys get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Irish Terrier Easier to Train than the Siberian Husky?

    Irish Terriers are not easy to train.

    Siberian Huskys are not easy to train.

    Is the Irish Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Siberian Husky?

    Irish Terriers adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Siberian Huskys do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

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

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

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

  • Samoyed (75 percent match with Siberian Husky). Here is our comparison of the Irish Terrier vs Samoyed.
  • Bloodhound (75 percent match with Siberian Husky). Here is our comparison of the Irish Terrier vs Bloodhound.
  • Finnish Spitz (78 percent match with Siberian Husky). Here is our comparison of the Irish Terrier vs Finnish Spitz.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Irish Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Irish Terrier versus Keeshond     Irish Terrier versus King Shepherd     Irish Terrier versus Saint Berdoodle     Irish Terrier versus Clumber Spaniel     Irish Terrier versus Bichon Frise     Irish Terrier versus Irish Setter     Irish Terrier versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     Irish Terrier versus Jack Russell Terrier     Irish Terrier versus Alaskan Klee Kai     Irish Terrier versus Westiepoo     Irish Terrier versus English Toy Spaniel     Irish Terrier versus Flat-Coated Retriever     Irish Terrier versus Keeshond     Irish Terrier versus Border Collie     Irish Terrier versus Kai Ken     Irish Terrier versus Shiba Inu     Irish Terrier versus Bordoodle     Irish Terrier versus Basenji     Irish Terrier versus Xoloitzcuintli     Irish Terrier versus Beaglier     Irish Terrier versus Bullmastiff     Irish Terrier versus Samoyed     Irish Terrier versus Finnish Spitz     Irish Terrier versus Scottish Terrier     Irish Terrier versus Whoodle     

    Siberian Husky Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Siberian Husky versus Braque du Bourbonnais     Siberian Husky versus Bracco Italiano     Siberian Husky versus Lhasa Apso     Siberian Husky versus Akita Chow     Siberian Husky versus Italian Greyhound     Siberian Husky versus Norwegian Buhund     Siberian Husky versus Chorkie     Siberian Husky versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Siberian Husky versus Chinese Shar-Pei     Siberian Husky versus Vizsla     Siberian Husky versus Icelandic Sheepdog     Siberian Husky versus Affenhuahua     Siberian Husky versus Labradoodle     Siberian Husky versus Bergamasco Sheepdog     Siberian Husky versus Collie     Siberian Husky versus Miniature Pinscher     Siberian Husky versus German Longhaired Pointer     Siberian Husky versus Bulldog     Siberian Husky versus Akita     Siberian Husky versus Icelandic Sheepdog     Siberian Husky versus American Hairless Terrier     Siberian Husky versus Curly-Coated Retriever     Siberian Husky versus Giant Schnauzer     Siberian Husky versus Border Terrier     Siberian Husky versus Great Pyrenees     

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