Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Irish Water Spaniel Versus Pekingese: Introduction
- Irish Water Spaniel versus Pekingese: Overview
- Irish Water Spaniel versus Pekingese: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Irish Water Spaniel and the Pekingese
- The Similarities Between the Irish Water Spaniel and the Pekingese
- Size (Weight and Height) of Irish Water Spaniel versus Pekingese
- Lifespan of Irish Water Spaniel versus Pekingese
- Temperament of the Irish Water Spaniel Versus the Pekingese
- The Intelligence of the Irish Water Spaniel versus the Intelligence of the Pekingese
- The Popularity of Irish Water Spaniel versus Popularity of Pekingese
- Tolerates Being Alone: Irish Water Spaniel versus Pekingese
- Do Irish Water Spaniels shed more than Pekingeses?
- Which one drools more, the Irish Water Spaniel or the Pekingese
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Irish Water Spaniel or the Pekingese?
- Does the Irish Water Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Pekingese?
- Do Irish Water Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Pekingeses?
- Can Irish Water Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Pekingeses Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Irish Water Spaniel vs. Pekingese
- Can Irish Water Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Pekingeses Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Irish Water Spaniel or the Pekingese?
- Are Irish Water Spaniels good family dogs? What about Pekingeses?
- How Kid-friendly are Irish Water Spaniels and Pekingeses?
- Is the Irish Water Spaniel Easier to Train than the Pekingese?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Irish Water Spaniel
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Pekingese
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Irish Water Spaniel versus Pekingese. Which One is a Better Pet?
Irish Water Spaniel Versus Pekingese: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Irish Water Spaniel and the Pekingese? 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 Pekingese 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 Pekingese.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Irish Water Spaniel and the Pekingese 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 Pekingese. 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 Pekingese.
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 Pekingese.
Irish Water Spaniel versus Pekingese: Overview
A very important difference between the Irish Water Spaniel and the Pekingese is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Irish Water Spaniel is a medium-sized dog while the Pekingese 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 Pekingese 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 Pekingese: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Irish Water Spaniel to the Pekingese 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 Pekingese
| Factor | Irish Water Spaniel | Pekingese |
|---|---|---|
| Does NOT Shed | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Height | 1 foot, 9 inches to 2 feet tall at the shoulder | 6 to 9 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Life Span | 10 to 12 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Good For Novice Owners | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| 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 | 1/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Weight | 45 to 65 pounds | 7 to 14 pounds |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 11.0 years | 13.5 years |
| Price Range | No Data | $1288 – $2500 |
| Average Price | No Data | $1930 |
| Temperament Score | 90.0 percent | 93.3 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
No Data |
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 156 | 86 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 24 | 73 |
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 Pekingese. 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 Pekingese is 77 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Irish Water Spaniel is a better pet than the Pekingese. 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 Pekingese 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 Pekingese
Below is a list of where the Irish Water Spaniel and the Pekingese are most different:
The Similarities Between the Irish Water Spaniel and the Pekingese
The Irish Water Spaniel and the Pekingese are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Irish Water Spaniel and the Pekingese are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Irish Water Spaniel versus Pekingese
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Irish Water Spaniel and the Pekingese.
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, Pekingeses weigh 7 to 14 pounds when fully grown. Pekingeses are 6 to 9 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Lifespan of Irish Water Spaniel versus Pekingese
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 Pekingeses is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Pekingeses is 13.5 years.
Pekingeses live longer than Irish Water Spaniels.
Temperament of the Irish Water Spaniel Versus the Pekingese
The Pekingese has a better temperament than the Irish Water Spaniel.
This is because the temperament score for the Pekingese is 93.3 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 93.3 percent, the Pekingese has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Irish Water Spaniel and the Pekingese by measuring the temperaments of 30 Irish Water Spaniels and 15 Pekingeses.
The Intelligence of the Irish Water Spaniel versus the Intelligence of the Pekingese
| Irish Water Spaniel | Pekingese | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 24 out of 130 dog breeds | 73 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 5 To 15 Repetitions | Tend To Learn New Commands After 80 To 100 Repetitions Or More! |
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 Water Spaniel has an obedience intelligence rank of 24 out of 130 dog breeds. The Irish Water Spaniel belongs to the `Excellent Working Dogs` category. This means that Irish Water Spaniels tend to learn new commands after 5 to 15 repetitions.
The Pekingese has an obedience intelligence rank of 73 out of 130 dog breeds. The Pekingese belongs to the `Lowest Degree of Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Pekingeses tend to learn new commands after 80 to 100 repetitions or more!.
The Irish Water Spaniel is more intelligent than the Pekingese.
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 Water Spaniel versus Popularity of Pekingese
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 Pekingese over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Pekingese is more popular with dog owners than the Irish Water Spaniel. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Pekingese is 86 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Irish Water Spaniel is 156 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Irish Water Spaniel
Popularity of Pekingese
| Year | Irish Water Spaniel Popularity Rank | Pekingese Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 141 | 77 |
| 2014 | 152 | 82 |
| 2015 | 144 | 80 |
| 2016 | 150 | 93 |
| 2017 | 164 | 88 |
| 2018 | 159 | 92 |
| 2019 | 170 | 83 |
| 2020 | 174 | 95 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Irish Water Spaniel versus Pekingese
Irish Water Spaniels can be left alone only for a short time.
Pekingeses can be left alone only for a short time.
Do Irish Water Spaniels shed more than Pekingeses?
Irish Water Spaniels do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Pekingeses shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Which one drools more, the Irish Water Spaniel or the Pekingese
Irish Water Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.
Pekingeses do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Irish Water Spaniel or the Pekingese?
Irish Water Spaniels are moderately easy to groom.
Pekingeses 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 Pekingese?
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.
Pekingeses 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 Pekingeses?
Irish Water Spaniels are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Pekingeses are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Irish Water Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Pekingeses Tolerate Cold Weather?
Irish Water Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.
Pekingeses can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Irish Water Spaniel vs. Pekingese
Irish Water Spaniels have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Pekingeses 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 Pekingeses Tolerate Hot Weather?
Irish Water Spaniels can tolerate hot weather.
Pekingeses cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Irish Water Spaniel or the Pekingese?
Irish Water Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.
Pekingeses do not get along well with other dogs.
Are Irish Water Spaniels good family dogs? What about Pekingeses?
Irish Water Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Pekingeses are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Irish Water Spaniels and Pekingeses?
Irish Water Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Pekingeses do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.
Is the Irish Water Spaniel Easier to Train than the Pekingese?
Irish Water Spaniels are very easy to train.
Pekingeses are fairly easy to train.
Is the Irish Water Spaniel Better for Apartment Owners than the Pekingese?
Irish Water Spaniels adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Pekingeses adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Irish Water Spaniel or the Pekingese?
Irish Water Spaniels are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Pekingeses 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 Pekingese
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Pekingese 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 Pekingese:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Irish Water Spaniel and how the Pekingese compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Irish Water Spaniel and of the Pekingese to other breeds:
Irish Water Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds
Irish Water Spaniel versus Aussiedoodle Irish Water Spaniel versus Akita Irish Water Spaniel versus Scottish Terrier Irish Water Spaniel versus Rottweiler Irish Water Spaniel versus Berger Picard Irish Water Spaniel versus American Hairless Terrier Irish Water Spaniel versus Great Dane Irish Water Spaniel versus Boston Terrier Irish Water Spaniel versus Boerboel Irish Water Spaniel versus Bernese Mountain Dog Irish Water Spaniel versus Patterdale Terrier Irish Water Spaniel versus Collie Irish Water Spaniel versus Schnoodle Irish Water Spaniel versus Greyhound Irish Water Spaniel versus Hovawart Irish Water Spaniel versus Pyrenean Shepherd Irish Water Spaniel versus Cane Corso Irish Water Spaniel versus American Water Spaniel Irish Water Spaniel versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever Irish Water Spaniel versus Yorkipoo Irish Water Spaniel versus Kai Ken Irish Water Spaniel versus Whoodle Irish Water Spaniel versus Harrier Irish Water Spaniel versus Tibetan Mastiff Irish Water Spaniel versus Spanish Mastiff
Pekingese Versus Other Dog Breeds
Pekingese versus Lhasapoo Pekingese versus Basenji Pekingese versus Cavapoo Pekingese versus Irish Setter Pekingese versus Belgian Sheepdog Pekingese versus Belgian Malinois Pekingese versus Great Dane Pekingese versus Shihpoo Pekingese versus Tibetan Mastiff Pekingese versus American Foxhound Pekingese versus Briard Pekingese versus Maremma Sheepdog Pekingese versus Goldendoodle Pekingese versus Silky Terrier Pekingese versus Spinone Italiano Pekingese versus Beaglier Pekingese versus Kai Ken Pekingese versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle Pekingese versus Skye Terrier Pekingese versus Lhasapoo Pekingese versus Airedale Terrier Pekingese versus Cesky Terrier Pekingese versus Australian Kelpie Pekingese versus Carolina Dog Pekingese versus Whippet
Conclusion: Irish Water Spaniel versus Pekingese. 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 Pekingese better suits you and your family.