Differences and Similarities between the Irish Terrier and the Welsh Springer Spaniel.

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Irish Terrier Versus Welsh Springer Spaniel: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Irish Terrier and the Welsh Springer Spaniel 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 Welsh Springer Spaniel. 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 Welsh Springer Spaniel.

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 Welsh Springer Spaniel.

Irish Terrier versus Welsh Springer Spaniel

Irish Terrier versus Welsh Springer Spaniel: Overview

Both the Irish Terrier and the Welsh Springer Spaniel are similar in size. The Irish Terrier and the Welsh Springer Spaniel 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 Welsh Springer Spaniel 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 Welsh Springer Spaniel: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Irish Terrier to the Welsh Springer Spaniel 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 Welsh Springer Spaniel

Factor Irish Terrier Welsh Springer Spaniel
Dog Friendly 1/5 4/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Easy To Train 1/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 5/5 3/5
Life Span 12 to 16 years 10 to 15 years
Height 18 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder 17 to 19 inches tall at the shoulder
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 4/5
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 35 to 55 pounds
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 3/5 4/5
Easygoing 3/5 1/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 3/5
Intelligence 4/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 2/5
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 4/5
Average Lifespan 14.0 years 12.5 years
Average Price $1280 No Data
Price Range $1000 – $1500 No Data
Temperament Score 80.0 percent 100.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination by the age of 2, then at ages 5 and 7
  • Hip Dysplasia
    		•
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 118 128
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) 53 31

    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 Welsh Springer Spaniel. 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 Welsh Springer Spaniel is 79 out of 125.

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

    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 Welsh Springer Spaniel 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 Welsh Springer Spaniel

    Below is a list of where the Irish Terrier and the Welsh Springer Spaniel are most different:

  • Irish Terriers do not get along well with other dogs. However, Welsh Springer Spaniels get along well with other dogs.
  • Irish Terriers are not easy to train. However, Welsh Springer Spaniels are very easy to train.

    • The Similarities Between the Irish Terrier and the Welsh Springer Spaniel

    The Irish Terrier and the Welsh Springer Spaniel are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Irish Terrier and the Welsh Springer Spaniel are most similar:

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

    • Size (Weight and Height) of Irish Terrier versus Welsh Springer Spaniel

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Irish Terrier and the Welsh Springer Spaniel.

    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, Welsh Springer Spaniels weigh 35 to 55 pounds when fully grown. Welsh Springer Spaniels are 17 to 19 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Irish Terrier versus Welsh Springer Spaniel

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

    The lifespan of Welsh Springer Spaniels is between 10 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Welsh Springer Spaniels is 12.5 years.

    Irish Terriers live longer than Welsh Springer Spaniels.

    Temperament of the Irish Terrier Versus the Welsh Springer Spaniel

    The Welsh Springer Spaniel has a better temperament than the Irish Terrier.

    This is because the temperament score for the Welsh Springer Spaniel is 100.0 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 100.0 percent, the Welsh Springer Spaniel has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Irish Terrier and the Welsh Springer Spaniel by measuring the temperaments of 10 Irish Terriers and 6 Welsh Springer Spaniels.

    The Intelligence of the Irish Terrier versus the Intelligence of the Welsh Springer Spaniel

    Irish Terrier Welsh Springer Spaniel
    Intelligence Rank 53 out of 130 dog breeds 31 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 Repetitions Tend To Learn New Commands After 15 To 25 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 Welsh Springer Spaniel has an obedience intelligence rank of 31 out of 130 dog breeds. The Welsh Springer Spaniel belongs to the `Above Average Working Dogs` category. This means that Welsh Springer Spaniels tend to learn new commands after 15 to 25 repetitions.

    The Welsh Springer Spaniel 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 Welsh Springer Spaniel

    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 Welsh Springer Spaniel over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Irish Terrier is more popular with dog owners than the Welsh Springer Spaniel. 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 Welsh Springer Spaniel is 128 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Irish Terrier

    Popularity of Irish Terrier

    Popularity of Welsh Springer Spaniel

    Popularity of Welsh Springer Spaniel

    Year Irish Terrier Popularity Rank Welsh Springer Spaniel Popularity Rank
    2013 123 124
    2014 125 133
    2015 113 128
    2016 115 123
    2017 114 133
    2018 116 128
    2019 119 130
    2020 120 128

    Tolerates Being Alone: Irish Terrier versus Welsh Springer Spaniel

    Irish Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Welsh Springer Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

    Do Irish Terriers shed more than Welsh Springer Spaniels?

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

    Welsh Springer Spaniels shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Irish Terrier or the Welsh Springer Spaniel

    Irish Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Welsh Springer Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Irish Terrier or the Welsh Springer Spaniel?

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

    Welsh Springer Spaniels are very easy to groom.

    Does the Irish Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Welsh Springer Spaniel?

    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.

    Welsh Springer Spaniels have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Do Irish Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Welsh Springer Spaniels?

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

    Welsh Springer Spaniels are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can Irish Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Welsh Springer Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Irish Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Welsh Springer Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Irish Terrier vs. Welsh Springer Spaniel

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

    Welsh Springer Spaniels have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Irish Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Welsh Springer Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Irish Terriers can tolerate hot weather.

    Welsh Springer Spaniels can tolerate hot weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Irish Terrier or the Welsh Springer Spaniel?

    Irish Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Welsh Springer Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Irish Terriers good family dogs? What about Welsh Springer Spaniels?

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

    Welsh Springer Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Irish Terriers and Welsh Springer Spaniels?

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

    Welsh Springer Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Irish Terrier Easier to Train than the Welsh Springer Spaniel?

    Irish Terriers are not easy to train.

    Welsh Springer Spaniels are very easy to train.

    Is the Irish Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Welsh Springer Spaniel?

    Irish Terriers adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Welsh Springer Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Irish Terrier or the Welsh Springer Spaniel?

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

    Welsh Springer Spaniels 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 Welsh Springer Spaniel vs Hovawart.
  • Lakeland Terrier (79 percent match with Irish Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Welsh Springer Spaniel vs Lakeland Terrier.

    • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Welsh Springer Spaniel

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Welsh Springer Spaniel 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 Welsh Springer Spaniel:

  • English Cocker Spaniel (78 percent match with Welsh Springer Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Irish Terrier vs English Cocker Spaniel.
  • Finnish Lapphund (78 percent match with Welsh Springer Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Irish Terrier vs Finnish Lapphund.

    • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Irish Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Irish Terrier versus Cavachon     Irish Terrier versus Bernedoodle     Irish Terrier versus Borzoi     Irish Terrier versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     Irish Terrier versus Samoyed     Irish Terrier versus Schipperke     Irish Terrier versus Greyhound     Irish Terrier versus Valley Bulldog     Irish Terrier versus Dalmatian     Irish Terrier versus Tibetan Spaniel     Irish Terrier versus Fila Brasileiro     Irish Terrier versus Leonberger     Irish Terrier versus Curly-Coated Retriever     Irish Terrier versus Akita     Irish Terrier versus Affenpinscher     Irish Terrier versus Dutch Shepherd     Irish Terrier versus Aussiedoodle     Irish Terrier versus Standard Schnauzer     Irish Terrier versus Border Collie     Irish Terrier versus Hovawart     Irish Terrier versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     Irish Terrier versus Xoloitzcuintli     Irish Terrier versus Irish Wolfhound     Irish Terrier versus Bluetick Coonhound     Irish Terrier versus English Setter     

    Welsh Springer Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Lhasa Apso     Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Sussex Spaniel     Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Kerry Blue Terrier     Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog     Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Lancashire Heeler     Welsh Springer Spaniel versus American Bulldog     Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Kerry Blue Terrier     Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Mal Shi     Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Chinese Crested     Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Glen of Imaal Terrier     Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Doberman Pinscher     Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Great Pyrenees     Welsh Springer Spaniel versus German Shorthaired Pointer     Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Shichon     Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Miniature Schnauzer     Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Jack Russell Terrier     Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel     Welsh Springer Spaniel versus English Cocker Spaniel     Welsh Springer Spaniel versus French Spaniel     Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Plott     Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Pyrenean Mastiff     Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Plott     Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Welsh Springer Spaniel versus English Toy Spaniel     

    Conclusion: Irish Terrier versus Welsh Springer Spaniel. 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 Welsh Springer Spaniel better suits you and your family.