Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Irish Water Spaniel Versus Mal Shi: Introduction
- Irish Water Spaniel versus Mal Shi: Overview
- Irish Water Spaniel versus Mal Shi: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Irish Water Spaniel and the Mal Shi
- The Similarities Between the Irish Water Spaniel and the Mal Shi
- Size (Weight and Height) of Irish Water Spaniel versus Mal Shi
- Lifespan of Irish Water Spaniel versus Mal Shi
- Tolerates Being Alone: Irish Water Spaniel versus Mal Shi
- Do Irish Water Spaniels shed more than Mal Shis?
- Which one drools more, the Irish Water Spaniel or the Mal Shi
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Irish Water Spaniel or the Mal Shi?
- Does the Irish Water Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Mal Shi?
- Do Irish Water Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Mal Shis?
- Can Irish Water Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Mal Shis Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Irish Water Spaniel vs. Mal Shi
- Can Irish Water Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Mal Shis Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Irish Water Spaniel or the Mal Shi?
- Are Irish Water Spaniels good family dogs? What about Mal Shis?
- How Kid-friendly are Irish Water Spaniels and Mal Shis?
- Is the Irish Water Spaniel Easier to Train than the Mal Shi?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Irish Water Spaniel
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Mal Shi
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Irish Water Spaniel versus Mal Shi. Which One is a Better Pet?
Irish Water Spaniel Versus Mal Shi: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Irish Water Spaniel and the Mal Shi? 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 Mal Shi 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 Mal Shi.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Irish Water Spaniel and the Mal Shi 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 Mal Shi. 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 Mal Shi.
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 Mal Shi.
Irish Water Spaniel versus Mal Shi: Overview
A very important difference between the Irish Water Spaniel and the Mal Shi is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Irish Water Spaniel is a medium-sized dog while the Mal Shi 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 Mal Shi belongs to the Hybrid Dogs group. Hybrid Dogs are the offspring of 2 or more known, but different, dog breeds.
Irish Water Spaniel versus Mal Shi: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Irish Water Spaniel to the Mal Shi 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 Mal Shi
| Factor | Irish Water Spaniel | Mal Shi |
|---|---|---|
| Does NOT Shed | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Height | 1 foot, 9 inches to 2 feet tall at the shoulder | From 10 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Life Span | 10 to 12 years | 12 to 14 years |
| Good For Novice Owners | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Weight | 45 to 65 pounds | 6 to 12 pounds |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 11.0 years | 13.0 years |
| Price Range | No Data | $1300 – $2000 |
| Average Price | No Data | $1730 |
| 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 Mal Shi. 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 Mal Shi is 80 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Irish Water Spaniel is a better pet than the Mal Shi. So, you should get the Irish Water 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 Water Spaniel and the Mal Shi 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 Mal Shi
Below is a list of where the Irish Water Spaniel and the Mal Shi are most different:
The Similarities Between the Irish Water Spaniel and the Mal Shi
The Irish Water Spaniel and the Mal Shi are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Irish Water Spaniel and the Mal Shi are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Irish Water Spaniel versus Mal Shi
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Irish Water Spaniel and the Mal Shi.
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, Mal Shis weigh 6 to 12 pounds when fully grown. Mal Shis are From 10 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Lifespan of Irish Water Spaniel versus Mal Shi
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 Mal Shis is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Mal Shis is 13.0 years.
Mal Shis live longer than Irish Water Spaniels.
Tolerates Being Alone: Irish Water Spaniel versus Mal Shi
Irish Water Spaniels can be left alone only for a short time.
Mal Shis can be left alone only for a short time.
Do Irish Water Spaniels shed more than Mal Shis?
Irish Water Spaniels do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Mal Shis do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Which one drools more, the Irish Water Spaniel or the Mal Shi
Irish Water Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.
Mal Shis do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Irish Water Spaniel or the Mal Shi?
Irish Water Spaniels are moderately easy to groom.
Mal Shis require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Does the Irish Water Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Mal Shi?
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.
Mal Shis 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 Mal Shis?
Irish Water Spaniels are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Mal Shis are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Irish Water Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Mal Shis Tolerate Cold Weather?
Irish Water Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.
Mal Shis cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Wanderlust Potential: Irish Water Spaniel vs. Mal Shi
Irish Water Spaniels have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Mal Shis do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Can Irish Water Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Mal Shis Tolerate Hot Weather?
Irish Water Spaniels can tolerate hot weather.
Mal Shis cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Irish Water Spaniel or the Mal Shi?
Irish Water Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.
Mal Shis get along fairly well with other dogs.
Are Irish Water Spaniels good family dogs? What about Mal Shis?
Irish Water Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Mal Shis are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Irish Water Spaniels and Mal Shis?
Irish Water Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Mal Shis get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.
Is the Irish Water Spaniel Easier to Train than the Mal Shi?
Irish Water Spaniels are very easy to train.
Mal Shis are very easy to train.
Is the Irish Water Spaniel Better for Apartment Owners than the Mal Shi?
Irish Water Spaniels adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Mal Shis adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Irish Water Spaniel or the Mal Shi?
Irish Water Spaniels are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Mal Shis 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 Mal Shi
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Mal Shi 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 Mal Shi:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Irish Water Spaniel and how the Mal Shi compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Irish Water Spaniel and of the Mal Shi to other breeds:
Irish Water Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds
Irish Water Spaniel versus Treeing Walker Coonhound Irish Water Spaniel versus Dogo Argentino Irish Water Spaniel versus American Eskimo Dog Irish Water Spaniel versus Kooikerhondje Irish Water Spaniel versus Labrador Retriever Irish Water Spaniel versus Chihuahua Irish Water Spaniel versus Bergamasco Sheepdog Irish Water Spaniel versus Curly-Coated Retriever Irish Water Spaniel versus Bernese Mountain Dog Irish Water Spaniel versus Silky Terrier Irish Water Spaniel versus Rottweiler Irish Water Spaniel versus Mal Shi Irish Water Spaniel versus Border Terrier Irish Water Spaniel versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog Irish Water Spaniel versus Afghan Hound Irish Water Spaniel versus Morkie Irish Water Spaniel versus American Water Spaniel Irish Water Spaniel versus Goldador Irish Water Spaniel versus Kai Ken Irish Water Spaniel versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Irish Water Spaniel versus Pointer Irish Water Spaniel versus Saint Berdoodle Irish Water Spaniel versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi Irish Water Spaniel versus Maltipoo Irish Water Spaniel versus Bedlington Terrier
Mal Shi Versus Other Dog Breeds
Mal Shi versus Brittany Mal Shi versus King Shepherd Mal Shi versus German Shepherd Dog Mal Shi versus Siberian Husky Mal Shi versus Pharaoh Hound Mal Shi versus Tibetan Mastiff Mal Shi versus Dachshund Mal Shi versus Boston Terrier Mal Shi versus Australian Shepherd Mal Shi versus Maltese Mal Shi versus Saluki Mal Shi versus Miniature Poodle Mal Shi versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi Mal Shi versus Bergamasco Sheepdog Mal Shi versus Whoodle Mal Shi versus German Pinscher Mal Shi versus Irish Water Spaniel Mal Shi versus Jack Russell Terrier Mal Shi versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog Mal Shi versus Chow Chow Mal Shi versus Great Dane Mal Shi versus Pharaoh Hound Mal Shi versus Border Collie Mal Shi versus Collie Mal Shi versus Border Collie
Conclusion: Irish Water Spaniel versus Mal Shi. 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 Mal Shi better suits you and your family.