Irish Terrier versus Tibetan Mastiff. Final Verdict on Which one is a Better Pet.

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Irish Terrier Versus Tibetan Mastiff: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Irish Terrier and the Tibetan Mastiff 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 Tibetan Mastiff. 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 Tibetan Mastiff.

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 Tibetan Mastiff.

Irish Terrier versus Tibetan Mastiff

Irish Terrier versus Tibetan Mastiff: Overview

A very important difference between the Irish Terrier and the Tibetan Mastiff is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Irish Terrier is a medium-sized dog while the Tibetan Mastiff 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 Tibetan Mastiff 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 Tibetan Mastiff: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Irish Terrier to the Tibetan Mastiff 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 Tibetan Mastiff

Factor Irish Terrier Tibetan Mastiff
Dog Friendly 1/5 5/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 4/5
Easy To Train 1/5 1/5
Does NOT chew on things 5/5 1/5
Life Span 12 to 16 years 10 to 14 years
Height 18 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder 2 feet to 2 feet, 2 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 4/5
Low Prey Drive 4/5 3/5
Weight 25 to 27 pounds 75 to 160 pounds
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 3/5 1/5
Easygoing 3/5 1/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 5/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 4/5
Intelligence 4/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 4/5
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 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Average Lifespan 14.0 years 12.0 years
Average Price $1280 $3190
Price Range $1000 – $1500 $1500 – $3000
Temperament Score 80.0 percent 52.9 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 118 135

    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 Tibetan Mastiff. 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 Tibetan Mastiff is 77 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Irish Terrier is a better pet than the Tibetan Mastiff. 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 Tibetan Mastiff 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 Tibetan Mastiff

    Below is a list of where the Irish Terrier and the Tibetan Mastiff are most different:

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

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

  • Both the Irish Terrier and the Tibetan Mastiff do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Irish Terrier and the Tibetan Mastiff are not easy to train.
  • Both the Irish Terrier and the Tibetan Mastiff are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Irish Terrier and the Tibetan Mastiff do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Irish Terrier and the Tibetan Mastiff have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Irish Terrier and the Tibetan Mastiff can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Irish Terrier and the Tibetan Mastiff are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Irish Terrier and the Tibetan Mastiff are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Irish Terrier and the Tibetan Mastiff get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Irish Terrier and the Tibetan Mastiff have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Irish Terrier and the Tibetan Mastiff are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Irish Terrier versus Tibetan Mastiff

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Irish Terrier and the Tibetan Mastiff.

    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, Tibetan Mastiffs weigh 75 to 160 pounds when fully grown. Tibetan Mastiffs are 2 feet to 2 feet, 2 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Irish Terrier versus Tibetan Mastiff

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

    The lifespan of Tibetan Mastiffs is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Tibetan Mastiffs is 12.0 years.

    Irish Terriers live longer than Tibetan Mastiffs.

    Temperament of the Tibetan Mastiff Versus the Irish Terrier

    The Irish Terrier has a better temperament than the Tibetan Mastiff.

    This is because the temperament score for the Irish Terrier is 80.0 percent while the temperament score for the Tibetan Mastiff is 52.9 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 52.9 percent, the Tibetan Mastiff has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Irish Terrier and the Tibetan Mastiff by measuring the temperaments of 10 Irish Terriers and 17 Tibetan Mastiffs.

    Price of Irish Terrier versus Price of Tibetan Mastiff

    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 Tibetan Mastiff puppy is $3190. The price of the Tibetan Mastiff typically ranges from $1500 – $3000. However, the price of the Tibetan Mastiff can be as low as $1000 and as high as $8000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 18 Tibetan Mastiff puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Tibetan Mastiff is more expensive than the Irish Terrier.

    Irish Terrier Tibetan Mastiff
    Average Price $1280 $3190
    Price Range $1000 to $1500 $1500 to $3000

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Irish Terrier and Tibetan Mastiff. For different price points, the charts show how many Irish Terrier puppies or how many Tibetan Mastiff 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 Tibetan Mastiffs

    A breakdown of the prices of Tibetan Mastiffs

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

    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 Tibetan Mastiff over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Irish Terrier is more popular with dog owners than the Tibetan Mastiff. 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 Tibetan Mastiff is 135 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Irish Terrier

    Popularity of Irish Terrier

    Popularity of Tibetan Mastiff

    Popularity of Tibetan Mastiff

    Year Irish Terrier Popularity Rank Tibetan Mastiff Popularity Rank
    2013 123 132
    2014 125 135
    2015 113 133
    2016 115 135
    2017 114 153
    2018 116 131
    2019 119 128
    2020 120 140

    Tolerates Being Alone: Irish Terrier versus Tibetan Mastiff

    Irish Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Tibetan Mastiffs do not like to be left alone.

    Do Irish Terriers shed more than Tibetan Mastiffs?

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

    Tibetan Mastiffs do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Irish Terrier or the Tibetan Mastiff

    Irish Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Tibetan Mastiffs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Irish Terrier or the Tibetan Mastiff?

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

    Tibetan Mastiffs are very easy to groom.

    Does the Irish Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Tibetan Mastiff?

    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.

    Tibetan Mastiffs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Do Irish Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Tibetan Mastiffs?

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

    Tibetan Mastiffs are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can Irish Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Tibetan Mastiffs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Irish Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Tibetan Mastiffs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Irish Terrier vs. Tibetan Mastiff

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

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

    Can Irish Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Tibetan Mastiffs Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Irish Terriers can tolerate hot weather.

    Tibetan Mastiffs cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Irish Terrier or the Tibetan Mastiff?

    Irish Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Tibetan Mastiffs get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Irish Terriers good family dogs? What about Tibetan Mastiffs?

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

    Tibetan Mastiffs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Irish Terriers and Tibetan Mastiffs?

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

    Tibetan Mastiffs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Irish Terrier Easier to Train than the Tibetan Mastiff?

    Irish Terriers are not easy to train.

    Tibetan Mastiffs are not easy to train.

    Is the Irish Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Tibetan Mastiff?

    Irish Terriers adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Tibetan Mastiffs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Irish Terrier or the Tibetan Mastiff?

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

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

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Tibetan Mastiff 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 Tibetan Mastiff:

  • Bernedoodle (71 percent match with Tibetan Mastiff). Here is our comparison of the Irish Terrier vs Bernedoodle.
  • Greater Swiss Mountain Dog (70 percent match with Tibetan Mastiff). Here is our comparison of the Irish Terrier vs Greater Swiss Mountain Dog.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Irish Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Irish Terrier versus Beagle     Irish Terrier versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     Irish Terrier versus Samoyed     Irish Terrier versus Gordon Setter     Irish Terrier versus Estrela Mountain Dog     Irish Terrier versus Dogue de Bordeaux     Irish Terrier versus Shichon     Irish Terrier versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog     Irish Terrier versus Havanese     Irish Terrier versus Cavapoo     Irish Terrier versus Tibetan Spaniel     Irish Terrier versus Pomsky     Irish Terrier versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     Irish Terrier versus King Shepherd     Irish Terrier versus Akbash     Irish Terrier versus Cavapoo     Irish Terrier versus Plott     Irish Terrier versus Scottish Terrier     Irish Terrier versus Berger Picard     Irish Terrier versus English Setter     Irish Terrier versus Manchester Terrier     Irish Terrier versus Harrier     Irish Terrier versus Cairn Terrier     Irish Terrier versus Shiloh Shepherd     Irish Terrier versus Maltese     

    Tibetan Mastiff Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Tibetan Mastiff versus Pug     Tibetan Mastiff versus Standard Poodle     Tibetan Mastiff versus Scottish Deerhound     Tibetan Mastiff versus Dutch Shepherd     Tibetan Mastiff versus Bernedoodle     Tibetan Mastiff versus Stabyhoun     Tibetan Mastiff versus Gordon Setter     Tibetan Mastiff versus Manchester Terrier     Tibetan Mastiff versus Berger Picard     Tibetan Mastiff versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     Tibetan Mastiff versus Aussiedoodle     Tibetan Mastiff versus Finnish Lapphund     Tibetan Mastiff versus Komondor     Tibetan Mastiff versus Affenpinscher     Tibetan Mastiff versus Bordoodle     Tibetan Mastiff versus Portuguese Water Dog     Tibetan Mastiff versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     Tibetan Mastiff versus Welsh Terrier     Tibetan Mastiff versus Bergamasco Sheepdog     Tibetan Mastiff versus Puli     Tibetan Mastiff versus Shihpoo     Tibetan Mastiff versus Japanese Spitz     Tibetan Mastiff versus Belgian Tervuren     Tibetan Mastiff versus Miniature Poodle     Tibetan Mastiff versus Bedlington Terrier     

    Conclusion: Irish Terrier versus Tibetan Mastiff. 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 Tibetan Mastiff better suits you and your family.