Differences and Similarities between the Irish Terrier and the Spinone Italiano.

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Irish Terrier Versus Spinone Italiano: Introduction

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

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

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 Spinone Italiano.

Irish Terrier versus Spinone Italiano: Overview

A very important difference between the Irish Terrier and the Spinone Italiano is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Irish Terrier is a medium-sized dog while the Spinone Italiano is a large-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 Spinone Italiano belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.

Irish Terrier versus Spinone Italiano: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Irish Terrier to the Spinone Italiano 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 Spinone Italiano

Factor Irish Terrier Spinone Italiano
Dog Friendly 1/5 5/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 2/5
Easy To Train 1/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 5/5 4/5
Life Span 12 to 16 years 10 to 14 years
Height 18 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder 22 to 28 inches
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 4/5
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 2/5
Low Prey Drive 4/5 2/5
Weight 25 to 27 pounds 61 to 86 pounds
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 3/5 4/5
Easygoing 3/5 1/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 4/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 3/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
General Health 5/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Average Lifespan 14.0 years 12.0 years
Average Price $1280 $1180
Price Range $1000 – $1500 $1000 – $1000
Temperament Score 80.0 percent 50.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- Recommend annual exams beginning at 1 year of age
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 118 112

    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 Spinone Italiano. 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 Spinone Italiano is 86 out of 125.

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

    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 Spinone Italiano 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 Spinone Italiano

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

  • Irish Terriers do not get along well with other dogs. However, Spinone Italianos get along well with other dogs.
  • Irish Terriers do not have the tendency to drool. However, Spinone Italianos have a very high tendency to drool.
  • Irish Terriers are not easy to train. However, Spinone Italianos are very easy to train.
  • The Similarities Between the Irish Terrier and the Spinone Italiano

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

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

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

    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, Spinone Italianos weigh 61 to 86 pounds when fully grown. Spinone Italianos are 22 to 28 inches when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Irish Terrier versus Spinone Italiano

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

    The lifespan of Spinone Italianos is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Spinone Italianos is 12.0 years.

    Irish Terriers live longer than Spinone Italianos.

    Temperament of the Spinone Italiano Versus the Irish Terrier

    The Irish Terrier has a better temperament than the Spinone Italiano.

    This is because the temperament score for the Irish Terrier is 80.0 percent while the temperament score for the Spinone Italiano is 50.0 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 50.0 percent, the Spinone Italiano has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Irish Terrier and the Spinone Italiano by measuring the temperaments of 10 Irish Terriers and 6 Spinone Italianos.

    Price of Irish Terrier versus Price of Spinone Italiano

    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 Spinone Italiano puppy is $1180. The price of the Spinone Italiano typically ranges from $1000 – $1000. However, the price of the Spinone Italiano can be as low as $1000 and as high as $3000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 30 Spinone Italiano puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Irish Terrier is more expensive than the Spinone Italiano.

    Irish Terrier Spinone Italiano
    Average Price $1280 $1180
    Price Range $1000 to $1500 $1000 to $1000

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Spinone Italianos

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Irish Terrier puppy or the Spinone Italiano puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.

    Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    The Popularity of Irish Terrier versus Popularity of Spinone Italiano

    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 Spinone Italiano over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Spinone Italiano is more popular with dog owners than the Irish Terrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Spinone Italiano is 112 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 Spinone Italiano

    Popularity of Spinone Italiano

    Year Irish Terrier Popularity Rank Spinone Italiano Popularity Rank
    2013 123 117
    2014 125 118
    2015 113 112
    2016 115 105
    2017 114 111
    2018 116 109
    2019 119 116
    2020 120 110

    Tolerates Being Alone: Irish Terrier versus Spinone Italiano

    Irish Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Spinone Italianos do not like to be left alone.

    Do Irish Terriers shed more than Spinone Italianos?

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

    Spinone Italianos shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Irish Terrier or the Spinone Italiano

    Irish Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Spinone Italianos have a very high tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Irish Terrier or the Spinone Italiano?

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

    Spinone Italianos require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Does the Irish Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Spinone Italiano?

    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.

    Spinone Italianos 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 Spinone Italianos?

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

    Spinone Italianos are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can Irish Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Spinone Italianos Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Irish Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Spinone Italianos can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Irish Terrier vs. Spinone Italiano

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

    Spinone Italianos 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 Spinone Italianos Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Irish Terriers can tolerate hot weather.

    Spinone Italianos 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 Spinone Italiano?

    Irish Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Spinone Italianos get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Irish Terriers good family dogs? What about Spinone Italianos?

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

    Spinone Italianos are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Irish Terriers and Spinone Italianos?

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

    Spinone Italianos get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Irish Terrier Easier to Train than the Spinone Italiano?

    Irish Terriers are not easy to train.

    Spinone Italianos are very easy to train.

    Is the Irish Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Spinone Italiano?

    Irish Terriers adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Spinone Italianos adapt very well to apartment living.

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

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

    Spinone Italianos are very good for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Irish Terrier

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Irish Terrier that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Irish Terrier:

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

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

  • Collie (75 percent match with Spinone Italiano). Here is our comparison of the Irish Terrier vs Collie.
  • French Spaniel (78 percent match with Spinone Italiano). Here is our comparison of the Irish Terrier vs French Spaniel.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Irish Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Irish Terrier versus Sheepadoodle     Irish Terrier versus Frenchton     Irish Terrier versus Glen of Imaal Terrier     Irish Terrier versus Patterdale Terrier     Irish Terrier versus Sussex Spaniel     Irish Terrier versus Giant Schnauzer     Irish Terrier versus Maremma Sheepdog     Irish Terrier versus Pyrenean Mastiff     Irish Terrier versus Biewer Terrier     Irish Terrier versus Chihuahua     Irish Terrier versus Chinese Shar-Pei     Irish Terrier versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     Irish Terrier versus Shiba Inu     Irish Terrier versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog     Irish Terrier versus Shih Tzu     Irish Terrier versus Scottish Terrier     Irish Terrier versus Catahoula Leopard Dog     Irish Terrier versus Japanese Spitz     Irish Terrier versus Cockalier     Irish Terrier versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     Irish Terrier versus Goldador     Irish Terrier versus Chow Chow     Irish Terrier versus Bouvier des Flandres     Irish Terrier versus Korean Jindo Dog     Irish Terrier versus Braque du Bourbonnais     

    Spinone Italiano Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Spinone Italiano versus Komondor     Spinone Italiano versus Basenji     Spinone Italiano versus Irish Wolfhound     Spinone Italiano versus Berger Picard     Spinone Italiano versus Australian Kelpie     Spinone Italiano versus American Water Spaniel     Spinone Italiano versus Havanese     Spinone Italiano versus Skye Terrier     Spinone Italiano versus Pekingese     Spinone Italiano versus Mountain Cur     Spinone Italiano versus Cocker Spaniel     Spinone Italiano versus Siberian Husky     Spinone Italiano versus Italian Greyhound     Spinone Italiano versus Redbone Coonhound     Spinone Italiano versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog     Spinone Italiano versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     Spinone Italiano versus Dutch Shepherd     Spinone Italiano versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen     Spinone Italiano versus Schipperke     Spinone Italiano versus Goldendoodle     Spinone Italiano versus Bluetick Coonhound     Spinone Italiano versus Dogo Argentino     Spinone Italiano versus Affenhuahua     Spinone Italiano versus Lancashire Heeler     Spinone Italiano versus Spanish Mastiff     

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