Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Irish Water Spaniel Versus Plott: Introduction
- Irish Water Spaniel versus Plott: Overview
- Irish Water Spaniel versus Plott: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Irish Water Spaniel and the Plott
- The Similarities Between the Irish Water Spaniel and the Plott
- Size (Weight and Height) of Irish Water Spaniel versus Plott
- Lifespan of Irish Water Spaniel versus Plott
- The Popularity of Irish Water Spaniel versus Popularity of Plott
- Tolerates Being Alone: Irish Water Spaniel versus Plott
- Do Irish Water Spaniels shed more than Plotts?
- Which one drools more, the Irish Water Spaniel or the Plott
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Irish Water Spaniel or the Plott?
- Does the Irish Water Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Plott?
- Do Irish Water Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Plotts?
- Can Irish Water Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Plotts Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Irish Water Spaniel vs. Plott
- Can Irish Water Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Plotts Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Irish Water Spaniel or the Plott?
- Are Irish Water Spaniels good family dogs? What about Plotts?
- How Kid-friendly are Irish Water Spaniels and Plotts?
- Is the Irish Water Spaniel Easier to Train than the Plott?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Irish Water Spaniel
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Plott
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Irish Water Spaniel versus Plott. Which One is a Better Pet?
Irish Water Spaniel Versus Plott: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Irish Water Spaniel and the Plott? 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 Plott 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 Plott.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Irish Water Spaniel and the Plott 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 Plott. 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 Plott.
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 Plott.
Irish Water Spaniel versus Plott: Overview
Both the Irish Water Spaniel and the Plott are similar in size. The Irish Water Spaniel and the Plott are both medium-sized dogs.
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 Plott belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.
Irish Water Spaniel versus Plott: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Irish Water Spaniel to the Plott 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 Plott
| Factor | Irish Water Spaniel | Plott |
|---|---|---|
| Does NOT Shed | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Height | 1 foot, 9 inches to 2 feet tall at the shoulder | 20 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Life Span | 10 to 12 years | 12 to 14 years |
| Good For Novice Owners | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| 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 | 2/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Weight | 45 to 65 pounds | 40 to 75 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 | 2/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 11.0 years | 13.0 years |
| Price Range | No Data | $480 – $700 |
| Average Price | No Data | $600 |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
No Data |
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 156 | 161 |
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 Plott. 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 Plott is 74 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Irish Water Spaniel is a better pet than the Plott. 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 Plott 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 Plott
Below is a list of where the Irish Water Spaniel and the Plott are most different:
The Similarities Between the Irish Water Spaniel and the Plott
The Irish Water Spaniel and the Plott are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Irish Water Spaniel and the Plott are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Irish Water Spaniel versus Plott
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Irish Water Spaniel and the Plott.
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, Plotts weigh 40 to 75 pounds when fully grown. Plotts are 20 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Lifespan of Irish Water Spaniel versus Plott
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 Plotts is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Plotts is 13.0 years.
Plotts live longer than Irish Water Spaniels.
The Popularity of Irish Water Spaniel versus Popularity of Plott
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 Plott over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Irish Water Spaniel is more popular with dog owners than the Plott. 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 Plott is 161 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Irish Water Spaniel
Popularity of Plott
| Year | Irish Water Spaniel Popularity Rank | Plott Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 141 | 149 |
| 2014 | 152 | 154 |
| 2015 | 144 | 149 |
| 2016 | 150 | 158 |
| 2017 | 164 | 166 |
| 2018 | 159 | 171 |
| 2019 | 170 | 177 |
| 2020 | 174 | 167 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Irish Water Spaniel versus Plott
Irish Water Spaniels can be left alone only for a short time.
Plotts do not like to be left alone.
Do Irish Water Spaniels shed more than Plotts?
Irish Water Spaniels do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Plotts do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Which one drools more, the Irish Water Spaniel or the Plott
Irish Water Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.
Plotts do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Irish Water Spaniel or the Plott?
Irish Water Spaniels are moderately easy to groom.
Plotts are very easy to groom.
Does the Irish Water Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Plott?
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.
Plotts 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 Plotts?
Irish Water Spaniels are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Plotts are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Can Irish Water Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Plotts Tolerate Cold Weather?
Irish Water Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.
Plotts cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Wanderlust Potential: Irish Water Spaniel vs. Plott
Irish Water Spaniels have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Plotts have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Irish Water Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Plotts Tolerate Hot Weather?
Irish Water Spaniels can tolerate hot weather.
Plotts can tolerate hot weather.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Irish Water Spaniel or the Plott?
Irish Water Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.
Plotts get along very well with other dogs.
Are Irish Water Spaniels good family dogs? What about Plotts?
Irish Water Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Plotts are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Irish Water Spaniels and Plotts?
Irish Water Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Plotts get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.
Is the Irish Water Spaniel Easier to Train than the Plott?
Irish Water Spaniels are very easy to train.
Plotts are very easy to train.
Is the Irish Water Spaniel Better for Apartment Owners than the Plott?
Irish Water Spaniels adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Plotts do not adapt well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Irish Water Spaniel or the Plott?
Irish Water Spaniels are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Plotts 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 Plott
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Plott 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 Plott:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Irish Water Spaniel and how the Plott compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Irish Water Spaniel and of the Plott to other breeds:
Irish Water Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds
Irish Water Spaniel versus Neapolitan Mastiff Irish Water Spaniel versus French Spaniel Irish Water Spaniel versus Peek A Poo Irish Water Spaniel versus Kai Ken Irish Water Spaniel versus Skye Terrier Irish Water Spaniel versus Black and Tan Coonhound Irish Water Spaniel versus Afghan Hound Irish Water Spaniel versus Ibizan Hound Irish Water Spaniel versus German Wirehaired Pointer Irish Water Spaniel versus Stabyhoun Irish Water Spaniel versus Afghan Hound Irish Water Spaniel versus Boxerdoodle Irish Water Spaniel versus Bolognese Irish Water Spaniel versus Doberman Pinscher Irish Water Spaniel versus Chi-Poo Irish Water Spaniel versus Keeshond Irish Water Spaniel versus Saint Berdoodle Irish Water Spaniel versus American Pit Bull Terrier Irish Water Spaniel versus Black and Tan Coonhound Irish Water Spaniel versus Weimaraner Irish Water Spaniel versus Portuguese Water Dog Irish Water Spaniel versus Toy Poodle Irish Water Spaniel versus Shichon Irish Water Spaniel versus Bordoodle Irish Water Spaniel versus Norwegian Buhund
Plott Versus Other Dog Breeds
Plott versus Mountain Cur Plott versus Basenji Plott versus Lancashire Heeler Plott versus Patterdale Terrier Plott versus Welsh Springer Spaniel Plott versus Goldador Plott versus Bichon Frise Plott versus Havanese Plott versus Lakeland Terrier Plott versus Barbet Plott versus Akita Chow Plott versus Chi-Poo Plott versus Bracco Italiano Plott versus Norwich Terrier Plott versus Whippet Plott versus Black Russian Terrier Plott versus Papillon Plott versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog Plott versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog Plott versus Braque du Bourbonnais Plott versus Puli Plott versus Kerry Blue Terrier Plott versus French Bulldog Plott versus Neapolitan Mastiff Plott versus Irish Wolfhound
Conclusion: Irish Water Spaniel versus Plott. 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 Plott better suits you and your family.