Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Irish Water Spaniel Versus King Shepherd: Introduction
- Irish Water Spaniel versus King Shepherd: Overview
- Irish Water Spaniel versus King Shepherd: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Irish Water Spaniel and the King Shepherd
- The Similarities Between the Irish Water Spaniel and the King Shepherd
- Size (Weight and Height) of Irish Water Spaniel versus King Shepherd
- Lifespan of Irish Water Spaniel versus King Shepherd
- Temperament of the King Shepherd Versus the Irish Water Spaniel
- Tolerates Being Alone: Irish Water Spaniel versus King Shepherd
- Do Irish Water Spaniels shed more than King Shepherds?
- Which one drools more, the Irish Water Spaniel or the King Shepherd
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Irish Water Spaniel or the King Shepherd?
- Does the Irish Water Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the King Shepherd?
- Do Irish Water Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about King Shepherds?
- Can Irish Water Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can King Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Irish Water Spaniel vs. King Shepherd
- Can Irish Water Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can King Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Irish Water Spaniel or the King Shepherd?
- Are Irish Water Spaniels good family dogs? What about King Shepherds?
- How Kid-friendly are Irish Water Spaniels and King Shepherds?
- Is the Irish Water Spaniel Easier to Train than the King Shepherd?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Irish Water Spaniel
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the King Shepherd
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Irish Water Spaniel versus King Shepherd. Which One is a Better Pet?
Irish Water Spaniel Versus King Shepherd: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Irish Water Spaniel and the King Shepherd? 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 Water Spaniel and the King Shepherd 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 Water Spaniel and the King Shepherd.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Irish Water Spaniel and the King Shepherd 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 Water Spaniel and for the King Shepherd. 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 Water Spaniel and the King Shepherd.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Irish Water Spaniel or the King Shepherd.
Irish Water Spaniel versus King Shepherd: Overview
A very important difference between the Irish Water Spaniel and the King Shepherd is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Irish Water Spaniel is a medium-sized dog while the King Shepherd is a giant-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Irish Water 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.
On the other hand, the King Shepherd belongs to the Hybrid Dogs group. Hybrid Dogs are the offspring of 2 or more known, but different, dog breeds.
Irish Water Spaniel versus King Shepherd: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Irish Water Spaniel to the King Shepherd 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 Water Spaniel and the King Shepherd
| Factor | Irish Water Spaniel | King Shepherd |
|---|---|---|
| Does NOT Shed | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Height | 1 foot, 9 inches to 2 feet tall at the shoulder | 25 to 31 inches |
| Life Span | 10 to 12 years | 10 to 11 years |
| Good For Novice Owners | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| General Health | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Weight | 45 to 65 pounds | 75 to 150 pounds |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 11.0 years | 10.5 years |
| Price Range | No Data | $700 – $2500 |
| Average Price | No Data | $1560 |
| Temperament Score | 90.0 percent | 100.0 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
No Data |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Irish Water Spaniel 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 King Shepherd. 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 Water Spaniel is 81 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the King Shepherd is 84 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the King Shepherd is a better pet than the Irish Water Spaniel. So, you should get the King Shepherd!
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 Water Spaniel and the King Shepherd so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Irish Water Spaniel and the King Shepherd
Below is a list of where the Irish Water Spaniel and the King Shepherd are most different:
The Similarities Between the Irish Water Spaniel and the King Shepherd
The Irish Water Spaniel and the King Shepherd are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Irish Water Spaniel and the King Shepherd are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Irish Water Spaniel versus King Shepherd
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Irish Water Spaniel and the King Shepherd.
Irish Water Spaniels weigh 45 to 65 pounds when fully grown. Irish Water Spaniels are 1 foot, 9 inches to 2 feet tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
On the other hand, King Shepherds weigh 75 to 150 pounds when fully grown. King Shepherds are 25 to 31 inches when fully grown.
Lifespan of Irish Water Spaniel versus King Shepherd
The lifespan of Irish Water Spaniels is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Irish Water Spaniels is 11.0 years.
The lifespan of King Shepherds is between 10 to 11 years . The average lifespan of King Shepherds is 10.5 years.
Irish Water Spaniels live longer than King Shepherds.
Temperament of the King Shepherd Versus the Irish Water Spaniel
The King Shepherd has a better temperament than the Irish Water Spaniel.
This is because the temperament score for the King Shepherd is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Irish Water Spaniel is 90.0 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 90.0 percent, the Irish Water Spaniel has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
With its temperament score of 100.0 percent, the King Shepherd has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Irish Water Spaniel and the King Shepherd by measuring the temperaments of 30 Irish Water Spaniels and 1 King Shepherds.
Tolerates Being Alone: Irish Water Spaniel versus King Shepherd
Irish Water Spaniels can be left alone only for a short time.
King Shepherds do not like to be left alone.
Do Irish Water Spaniels shed more than King Shepherds?
Irish Water Spaniels do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
King Shepherds shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Which one drools more, the Irish Water Spaniel or the King Shepherd
Irish Water Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.
King Shepherds have a very high tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Irish Water Spaniel or the King Shepherd?
Irish Water Spaniels are moderately easy to groom.
King Shepherds are very easy to groom.
Does the Irish Water Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the King Shepherd?
Irish Water Spaniels 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.
King Shepherds 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.
Do Irish Water Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about King Shepherds?
Irish Water Spaniels are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
King Shepherds are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Can Irish Water Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can King Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather?
Irish Water Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.
King Shepherds can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Irish Water Spaniel vs. King Shepherd
Irish Water Spaniels have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
King Shepherds have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Irish Water Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can King Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather?
Irish Water Spaniels can tolerate hot weather.
King Shepherds can tolerate hot weather.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Irish Water Spaniel or the King Shepherd?
Irish Water Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.
King Shepherds get along very well with other dogs.
Are Irish Water Spaniels good family dogs? What about King Shepherds?
Irish Water Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
King Shepherds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Irish Water Spaniels and King Shepherds?
Irish Water Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
King Shepherds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Irish Water Spaniel Easier to Train than the King Shepherd?
Irish Water Spaniels are very easy to train.
King Shepherds are very easy to train.
Is the Irish Water Spaniel Better for Apartment Owners than the King Shepherd?
Irish Water Spaniels adapt moderately well to apartment living.
King Shepherds adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Irish Water Spaniel or the King Shepherd?
Irish Water Spaniels are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
King Shepherds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Irish Water Spaniel
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Irish Water 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 Irish Water Spaniel:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the King Shepherd
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the King Shepherd 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 King Shepherd:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Irish Water Spaniel and how the King Shepherd compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Irish Water Spaniel and of the King Shepherd to other breeds:
Irish Water Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds
Irish Water Spaniel versus French Bulldog Irish Water Spaniel versus Braque du Bourbonnais Irish Water Spaniel versus Portuguese Pointer Irish Water Spaniel versus Kooikerhondje Irish Water Spaniel versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne Irish Water Spaniel versus Yorkshire Terrier Irish Water Spaniel versus Mal Shi Irish Water Spaniel versus American Foxhound Irish Water Spaniel versus Coton de Tulear Irish Water Spaniel versus Azawakh Irish Water Spaniel versus Dutch Shepherd Irish Water Spaniel versus Plott Irish Water Spaniel versus Yorkshire Terrier Irish Water Spaniel versus Samoyed Irish Water Spaniel versus Bearded Collie Irish Water Spaniel versus Beaglier Irish Water Spaniel versus American Staffordshire Terrier Irish Water Spaniel versus Bernese Mountain Dog Irish Water Spaniel versus Clumber Spaniel Irish Water Spaniel versus King Shepherd Irish Water Spaniel versus Cavachon Irish Water Spaniel versus Newfoundland Irish Water Spaniel versus Australian Shepherd Irish Water Spaniel versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Irish Water Spaniel versus Basset Hound
King Shepherd Versus Other Dog Breeds
King Shepherd versus Shih Tzu King Shepherd versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel King Shepherd versus Shiloh Shepherd King Shepherd versus Maltipoo King Shepherd versus Cockapoo King Shepherd versus Toy Fox Terrier King Shepherd versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen King Shepherd versus Chow Chow King Shepherd versus Bouvier des Flandres King Shepherd versus Skye Terrier King Shepherd versus Newfoundland King Shepherd versus Maremma Sheepdog King Shepherd versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle King Shepherd versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever King Shepherd versus Maltese King Shepherd versus Sealyham Terrier King Shepherd versus Schnoodle King Shepherd versus Bloodhound King Shepherd versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi King Shepherd versus Leonberger King Shepherd versus Portuguese Water Dog King Shepherd versus Portuguese Water Dog King Shepherd versus Black Russian Terrier King Shepherd versus Bichon Frise King Shepherd versus Welsh Springer Spaniel
Conclusion: Irish Water Spaniel versus King Shepherd. 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 Water Spaniel and the King Shepherd better suits you and your family.