Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Irish Terrier Versus West Highland White Terrier: Introduction
- Irish Terrier versus West Highland White Terrier: Overview
- Irish Terrier versus West Highland White Terrier: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Irish Terrier and the West Highland White Terrier
- The Similarities Between the Irish Terrier and the West Highland White Terrier
- Size (Weight and Height) of Irish Terrier versus West Highland White Terrier
- Lifespan of Irish Terrier versus West Highland White Terrier
- Temperament of the West Highland White Terrier Versus the Irish Terrier
- Price of Irish Terrier versus Price of West Highland White Terrier
- The Intelligence of the Irish Terrier versus the Intelligence of the West Highland White Terrier
- The Popularity of Irish Terrier versus Popularity of West Highland White Terrier
- Tolerates Being Alone: Irish Terrier versus West Highland White Terrier
- Do Irish Terriers shed more than West Highland White Terriers?
- Which one drools more, the Irish Terrier or the West Highland White Terrier
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Irish Terrier or the West Highland White Terrier?
- Does the Irish Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the West Highland White Terrier?
- Do Irish Terriers Bark and Howl? What about West Highland White Terriers?
- Can Irish Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can West Highland White Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Irish Terrier vs. West Highland White Terrier
- Can Irish Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can West Highland White Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Irish Terrier or the West Highland White Terrier?
- Are Irish Terriers good family dogs? What about West Highland White Terriers?
- How Kid-friendly are Irish Terriers and West Highland White Terriers?
- Is the Irish Terrier Easier to Train than the West Highland White Terrier?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Irish Terrier
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the West Highland White Terrier
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Irish Terrier versus West Highland White Terrier. Which One is a Better Pet?
Irish Terrier Versus West Highland White Terrier: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Irish Terrier and the West Highland White Terrier? 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 West Highland White Terrier 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 West Highland White Terrier.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Irish Terrier and the West Highland White Terrier 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 West Highland White Terrier. 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 West Highland White Terrier.
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 West Highland White Terrier.
Irish Terrier versus West Highland White Terrier: Overview
A very important difference between the Irish Terrier and the West Highland White Terrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Irish Terrier is a medium-sized dog while the West Highland White Terrier is a small-sized dog.
Furthermore, both the Irish Terrier and the West Highland White Terrier are Terrier Dogs. This means both the Irish Terrier and the West Highland White Terrier 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.
Irish Terrier versus West Highland White Terrier: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Irish Terrier to the West Highland White Terrier 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 West Highland White Terrier
| Factor | Irish Terrier | West Highland White Terrier |
|---|---|---|
| Dog Friendly | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Train | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 16 years | 12 to 16 years |
| Height | 18 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder | 10 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Good For Novice Owners | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Weight | 25 to 27 pounds | 13 to 22 pounds |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Easygoing | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| General Health | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 14.0 years | 14.0 years |
| Average Price | $1280 | $2220 |
| Price Range | $1000 – $1500 | $1600 – $2700 |
| Temperament Score | 80.0 percent | 89.7 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | No Data |
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 118 | 41 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 53 | 47 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Irish Terrier in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the West Highland White Terrier. 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 West Highland White Terrier is 80 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the West Highland White Terrier is a better pet than the Irish Terrier. So, you should get the West Highland White 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 West Highland White Terrier 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 West Highland White Terrier
Below is a list of where the Irish Terrier and the West Highland White Terrier are most different:
The Similarities Between the Irish Terrier and the West Highland White Terrier
The Irish Terrier and the West Highland White Terrier are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Irish Terrier and the West Highland White Terrier are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Irish Terrier versus West Highland White Terrier
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Irish Terrier and the West Highland White Terrier.
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, West Highland White Terriers weigh 13 to 22 pounds when fully grown. West Highland White Terriers are 10 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Lifespan of Irish Terrier versus West Highland White Terrier
The lifespan of Irish Terriers is between 12 to 16 years. The average lifespan of Irish Terriers is 14.0 years.
The lifespan of West Highland White Terriers is between 12 to 16 years. The average lifespan of West Highland White Terriers is 14.0 years.
Temperament of the West Highland White Terrier Versus the Irish Terrier
The West Highland White Terrier has a better temperament than the Irish Terrier.
This is because the temperament score for the West Highland White Terrier is 89.7 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 89.7 percent, the West Highland White Terrier has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Irish Terrier and the West Highland White Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 10 Irish Terriers and 68 West Highland White Terriers.
Price of Irish Terrier versus Price of West Highland White Terrier
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 West Highland White Terrier puppy is $2220. The price of the West Highland White Terrier typically ranges from $1600 – $2700. However, the price of the West Highland White Terrier can be as low as $600 and as high as $3999. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 103 West Highland White Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The West Highland White Terrier is more expensive than the Irish Terrier.
| Irish Terrier | West Highland White Terrier | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1280 | $2220 |
| Price Range | $1000 to $1500 | $1600 to $2700 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Irish Terrier and West Highland White Terrier. For different price points, the charts show how many Irish Terrier puppies or how many West Highland White Terrier 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 West Highland White Terriers
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Irish Terrier puppy or the West Highland White Terrier puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.
Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.
You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.
The Intelligence of the Irish Terrier versus the Intelligence of the West Highland White Terrier
| Irish Terrier | West Highland White Terrier | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 53 out of 130 dog breeds | 47 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 Repetitions | Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 Repetitions |
Professor Stanley Coren, the famous psychology/neuropsychological professor and, dog lover/trainer measured and ranked the intelligence of about 130 different dog breeds.
According to Prof. Stanley Coren, the total intelligence that a dog demonstrates is the addition of three types of intelligence. These intelligence types are:
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 West Highland White Terrier has an obedience intelligence rank of 47 out of 130 dog breeds. The West Highland White Terrier belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that West Highland White Terriers tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 repetitions.
The West Highland White Terrier 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 West Highland White Terrier
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 West Highland White Terrier over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the West Highland White Terrier is more popular with dog owners than the Irish Terrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the West Highland White Terrier is 41 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 West Highland White Terrier
| Year | Irish Terrier Popularity Rank | West Highland White Terrier Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 123 | 36 |
| 2014 | 125 | 38 |
| 2015 | 113 | 41 |
| 2016 | 115 | 41 |
| 2017 | 114 | 42 |
| 2018 | 116 | 42 |
| 2019 | 119 | 44 |
| 2020 | 120 | 44 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Irish Terrier versus West Highland White Terrier
Irish Terriers do not like to be left alone.
West Highland White Terriers do not like to be left alone.
Do Irish Terriers shed more than West Highland White Terriers?
Irish Terriers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
West Highland White Terriers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Which one drools more, the Irish Terrier or the West Highland White Terrier
Irish Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.
West Highland White Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Irish Terrier or the West Highland White Terrier?
Irish Terriers require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
West Highland White Terriers are moderately easy to groom.
Does the Irish Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the West Highland White Terrier?
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.
West Highland White Terriers 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 West Highland White Terriers?
Irish Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
West Highland White Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Irish Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can West Highland White Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
Irish Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.
West Highland White Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Irish Terrier vs. West Highland White Terrier
Irish Terriers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
West Highland White Terriers 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 West Highland White Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
Irish Terriers can tolerate hot weather.
West Highland White Terriers 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 West Highland White Terrier?
Irish Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.
West Highland White Terriers get along very well with other dogs.
Are Irish Terriers good family dogs? What about West Highland White Terriers?
Irish Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
West Highland White Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Irish Terriers and West Highland White Terriers?
Irish Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
West Highland White Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Irish Terrier Easier to Train than the West Highland White Terrier?
Irish Terriers are not easy to train.
West Highland White Terriers are very easy to train.
Is the Irish Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the West Highland White Terrier?
Irish Terriers adapt moderately well to apartment living.
West Highland White Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Irish Terrier or the West Highland White Terrier?
Irish Terriers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
West Highland White Terriers 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:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the West Highland White Terrier
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the West Highland White 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 West Highland White Terrier:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Irish Terrier and how the West Highland White Terrier compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Irish Terrier and of the West Highland White Terrier to other breeds:
Irish Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds
Irish Terrier versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier Irish Terrier versus Bullmastiff Irish Terrier versus Miniature Schnauzer Irish Terrier versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier Irish Terrier versus Norfolk Terrier Irish Terrier versus Affenhuahua Irish Terrier versus Collie Irish Terrier versus Afador Irish Terrier versus Bouvier des Flandres Irish Terrier versus Scottish Terrier Irish Terrier versus Chinese Crested Irish Terrier versus West Highland White Terrier Irish Terrier versus Pomapoo Irish Terrier versus Miniature Schnauzer Irish Terrier versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Irish Terrier versus Biewer Terrier Irish Terrier versus Schnoodle Irish Terrier versus Italian Greyhound Irish Terrier versus Kai Ken Irish Terrier versus Bichon Frise Irish Terrier versus Puggle Irish Terrier versus Glen of Imaal Terrier Irish Terrier versus Chorkie Irish Terrier versus Clumber Spaniel Irish Terrier versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
West Highland White Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds
West Highland White Terrier versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog West Highland White Terrier versus Pomchi West Highland White Terrier versus Berger Picard West Highland White Terrier versus American Hairless Terrier West Highland White Terrier versus Pointer West Highland White Terrier versus Norwich Terrier West Highland White Terrier versus American Foxhound West Highland White Terrier versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi West Highland White Terrier versus German Longhaired Pointer West Highland White Terrier versus Leonberger West Highland White Terrier versus German Pinscher West Highland White Terrier versus Mudi West Highland White Terrier versus Akita West Highland White Terrier versus Chow Chow West Highland White Terrier versus Cesky Terrier West Highland White Terrier versus Australian Shepherd West Highland White Terrier versus Bearded Collie West Highland White Terrier versus Cairn Terrier West Highland White Terrier versus Bulldog West Highland White Terrier versus Bordoodle West Highland White Terrier versus King Shepherd West Highland White Terrier versus Carolina Dog West Highland White Terrier versus Barbet West Highland White Terrier versus Papipoo West Highland White Terrier versus Dalmatian
Conclusion: Irish Terrier versus West Highland White Terrier. 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 West Highland White Terrier better suits you and your family.