Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Irish Water Spaniel Versus Lowchen: Introduction
- Irish Water Spaniel versus Lowchen: Overview
- Irish Water Spaniel versus Lowchen: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Irish Water Spaniel and the Lowchen
- The Similarities Between the Irish Water Spaniel and the Lowchen
- Size (Weight and Height) of Irish Water Spaniel versus Lowchen
- Lifespan of Irish Water Spaniel versus Lowchen
- Temperament of the Lowchen Versus the Irish Water Spaniel
- The Popularity of Irish Water Spaniel versus Popularity of Lowchen
- Health Problems of Irish Water Spaniel versus Health Problems of Lowchen
- Tolerates Being Alone: Irish Water Spaniel versus Lowchen
- Do Irish Water Spaniels shed more than Lowchens?
- Which one drools more, the Irish Water Spaniel or the Lowchen
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Irish Water Spaniel or the Lowchen?
- Does the Irish Water Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Lowchen?
- Do Irish Water Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Lowchens?
- Can Irish Water Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Lowchens Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Irish Water Spaniel vs. Lowchen
- Can Irish Water Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Lowchens Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Irish Water Spaniel or the Lowchen?
- Are Irish Water Spaniels good family dogs? What about Lowchens?
- How Kid-friendly are Irish Water Spaniels and Lowchens?
- Is the Irish Water Spaniel Easier to Train than the Lowchen?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Irish Water Spaniel
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Lowchen
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Irish Water Spaniel versus Lowchen. Which One is a Better Pet?
Irish Water Spaniel Versus Lowchen: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Irish Water Spaniel and the Lowchen? 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 Lowchen 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 Lowchen.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Irish Water Spaniel and the Lowchen 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 Lowchen. 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 Lowchen.
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 Lowchen.
Irish Water Spaniel versus Lowchen: Overview
A very important difference between the Irish Water Spaniel and the Lowchen is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Irish Water Spaniel is a medium-sized dog while the Lowchen is a tiny-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 Lowchen belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.
Irish Water Spaniel versus Lowchen: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Irish Water Spaniel to the Lowchen 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 Lowchen
| Factor | Irish Water Spaniel | Lowchen |
|---|---|---|
| Does NOT Shed | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Height | 1 foot, 9 inches to 2 feet tall at the shoulder | 12 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Life Span | 10 to 12 years | 13 to 15 years |
| Good For Novice Owners | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Weight | 45 to 65 pounds | 9 to 18 pounds |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 11.0 years | 14.0 years |
| Price Range | No Data | $1642 – $4500 |
| Average Price | No Data | $2870 |
| Temperament Score | 90.0 percent | 75.0 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 156 | 163 |
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 Lowchen. 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 Lowchen is 85 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Lowchen is a better pet than the Irish Water Spaniel. So, you should get the Lowchen!
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 Lowchen 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 Lowchen
Below is a list of where the Irish Water Spaniel and the Lowchen are most different:
The Similarities Between the Irish Water Spaniel and the Lowchen
The Irish Water Spaniel and the Lowchen are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Irish Water Spaniel and the Lowchen are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Irish Water Spaniel versus Lowchen
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Irish Water Spaniel and the Lowchen.
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, Lowchens weigh 9 to 18 pounds when fully grown. Lowchens are 12 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Lifespan of Irish Water Spaniel versus Lowchen
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 Lowchens is between 13 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Lowchens is 14.0 years.
Lowchens live longer than Irish Water Spaniels.
Temperament of the Lowchen Versus the Irish Water Spaniel
The Irish Water Spaniel has a better temperament than the Lowchen.
This is because the temperament score for the Irish Water Spaniel is 90.0 percent while the temperament score for the Lowchen is 75.0 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 75.0 percent, the Lowchen has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Irish Water Spaniel and the Lowchen by measuring the temperaments of 30 Irish Water Spaniels and 12 Lowchens.
The Popularity of Irish Water Spaniel versus Popularity of Lowchen
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 Water Spaniel and the Lowchen over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Irish Water Spaniel is more popular with dog owners than the Lowchen. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Irish Water Spaniel is 156 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Lowchen is 163 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Irish Water Spaniel
Popularity of Lowchen
| Year | Irish Water Spaniel Popularity Rank | Lowchen Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 141 | 154 |
| 2014 | 152 | 165 |
| 2015 | 144 | 161 |
| 2016 | 150 | 171 |
| 2017 | 164 | 169 |
| 2018 | 159 | 168 |
| 2019 | 170 | 158 |
| 2020 | 174 | 161 |
Health Problems of Irish Water Spaniel versus Health Problems of Lowchen
Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.
Both the Irish Water Spaniel and the Lowchen are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.
The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.
Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Irish Water Spaniel is prone to more genetic health problems than the Lowchen.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Irish Water Spaniel than for the Lowchen.
5 health tests are recommended for Irish Water Spaniel while 3 tests are recommended for the Lowchen.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Irish Water Spaniels and in Lowchens.
Irish Water Spaniel Health Problems
Irish Water Spaniels are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Irish Water Spaniel puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Irish Water Spaniel puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Irish Water Spaniel breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Irish Water Spaniels for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Irish Water Spaniels here.
Lowchen Health Problems
Lowchens are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Lowchen puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Lowchen puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Lowchen breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Lowchens for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Lowchens here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Irish Water Spaniels and Lowchens
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Irish Water Spaniel Breed is Advanced Cardiac problems.
This is because the Irish Water Spaniel ranks 5 out of 71 dog breeds for Advanced Cardiac problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 111 Irish Water Spaniels, 7 of them had Advanced Cardiac problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Irish Water Spaniels, and how common these diseases are in Irish Water Spaniels relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Lowchen Breed is Patella problems.
This is because the Lowchen ranks 19 out of 145 dog breeds for Patella problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 149 Lowchens, 9 of them had Patella problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Lowchens, and how common these diseases are in Lowchens relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Irish Water Spaniel and in Lowchen and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Irish Water Spaniel and the Lowchen:
| Disease | Irish Water Spaniel Rank | Lowchen Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Cardiac problems | 5 out of 71 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | 9 out of 159 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Shoulder problems | 18 out of 22 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Elbow problems | 31 out of 144 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Hips problems | 104 out of 198 dog breeds | 163 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Thyroid problems | 105 out of 115 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Eyes problems | 150 out of 182 dog breeds | 42 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Patella problems | Not Common | 19 out of 145 dog breeds |
*To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.
Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.
Tolerates Being Alone: Irish Water Spaniel versus Lowchen
Irish Water Spaniels can be left alone only for a short time.
Lowchens do not like to be left alone.
Do Irish Water Spaniels shed more than Lowchens?
Irish Water Spaniels do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Lowchens shed moderately.
Which one drools more, the Irish Water Spaniel or the Lowchen
Irish Water Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.
Lowchens do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Irish Water Spaniel or the Lowchen?
Irish Water Spaniels are moderately easy to groom.
Lowchens are moderately easy to groom.
Does the Irish Water Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Lowchen?
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.
Lowchens 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 Water Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Lowchens?
Irish Water Spaniels are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Lowchens are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Irish Water Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Lowchens Tolerate Cold Weather?
Irish Water Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.
Lowchens can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Irish Water Spaniel vs. Lowchen
Irish Water Spaniels have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Lowchens have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Irish Water Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Lowchens Tolerate Hot Weather?
Irish Water Spaniels can tolerate hot weather.
Lowchens can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Irish Water Spaniel or the Lowchen?
Irish Water Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.
Lowchens get along very well with other dogs.
Are Irish Water Spaniels good family dogs? What about Lowchens?
Irish Water Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Lowchens are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Irish Water Spaniels and Lowchens?
Irish Water Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Lowchens get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Irish Water Spaniel Easier to Train than the Lowchen?
Irish Water Spaniels are very easy to train.
Lowchens are very easy to train.
Is the Irish Water Spaniel Better for Apartment Owners than the Lowchen?
Irish Water Spaniels adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Lowchens adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Irish Water Spaniel or the Lowchen?
Irish Water Spaniels are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Lowchens are very good 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 Lowchen
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Lowchen 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 Lowchen:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Irish Water Spaniel and how the Lowchen compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Irish Water Spaniel and of the Lowchen to other breeds:
Irish Water Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds
Irish Water Spaniel versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier Irish Water Spaniel versus Norfolk Terrier Irish Water Spaniel versus Scottish Terrier Irish Water Spaniel versus Belgian Tervuren Irish Water Spaniel versus Briard Irish Water Spaniel versus Siberian Husky Irish Water Spaniel versus Black Russian Terrier Irish Water Spaniel versus Mudi Irish Water Spaniel versus Belgian Malinois Irish Water Spaniel versus Peek A Poo Irish Water Spaniel versus Leonberger Irish Water Spaniel versus Sealyham Terrier Irish Water Spaniel versus Dutch Shepherd Irish Water Spaniel versus Australian Terrier Irish Water Spaniel versus Catahoula Bulldog Irish Water Spaniel versus Pharaoh Hound Irish Water Spaniel versus Standard Schnauzer Irish Water Spaniel versus Bordoodle Irish Water Spaniel versus Komondor Irish Water Spaniel versus Sheepadoodle Irish Water Spaniel versus Bedlington Terrier Irish Water Spaniel versus Scottish Deerhound Irish Water Spaniel versus French Spaniel Irish Water Spaniel versus Lhasa Apso Irish Water Spaniel versus Welsh Terrier
Lowchen Versus Other Dog Breeds
Lowchen versus English Springer Spaniel Lowchen versus Black Mouth Cur Lowchen versus Bich Poo Lowchen versus Shih Tzu Lowchen versus Australian Cattle Dog Lowchen versus Labrador Retriever Lowchen versus Chihuahua Lowchen versus Norwich Terrier Lowchen versus Stabyhoun Lowchen versus Hovawart Lowchen versus Giant Schnauzer Lowchen versus Bernese Mountain Dog Lowchen versus Saint Bernard Lowchen versus Weimaraner Lowchen versus Karelian Bear Dog Lowchen versus American Foxhound Lowchen versus Korean Jindo Dog Lowchen versus Mastiff Lowchen versus Bolognese Lowchen versus Kuvasz Lowchen versus Bracco Italiano Lowchen versus Karelian Bear Dog Lowchen versus Pug Lowchen versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle Lowchen versus Portuguese Water Dog
Conclusion: Irish Water Spaniel versus Lowchen. 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 Lowchen better suits you and your family.