Is the Irish Water Spaniel Better than the Pomsky as a Pet? Answer…

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Irish Water Spaniel Versus Pomsky: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Irish Water Spaniel and the Pomsky? 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 Pomsky 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 Pomsky.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Irish Water Spaniel and the Pomsky 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 Pomsky. 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 Pomsky.

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 Pomsky.

Irish Water Spaniel versus Pomsky: Overview

A very important difference between the Irish Water Spaniel and the Pomsky is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Irish Water Spaniel is a medium-sized dog while the Pomsky is a small-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 Pomsky belongs to the Mixed Breed Dogs group. Mixed Breed Dogs are not purebred dogs.

Irish Water Spaniel versus Pomsky: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Irish Water Spaniel to the Pomsky 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 Pomsky

Factor Irish Water Spaniel Pomsky
Does NOT Shed 5/5 2/5
Height 1 foot, 9 inches to 2 feet tall at the shoulder 10 to 15 inches
Life Span 10 to 12 years 12 to 15 years
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 4/5 5/5
General Health 2/5 3/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 3/5 5/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 1/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 4/5
Easygoing 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 5/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 3/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 4/5
Weight 45 to 65 pounds 7 to 38 pounds
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 3/5
Easy To Train 5/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 3/5
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 13.5 years
Price Range No Data $1500 – $2995
Average Price No Data $2270
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- after the age of 24 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • 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 Pomsky. 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 Pomsky is 76 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Irish Water Spaniel is a better pet than the Pomsky. 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 Pomsky 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 Pomsky

    Below is a list of where the Irish Water Spaniel and the Pomsky are most different:

  • Irish Water Spaniels do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies. However, Pomskys shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Irish Water Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly. However, Pomskys do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.
  • The Similarities Between the Irish Water Spaniel and the Pomsky

    The Irish Water Spaniel and the Pomsky are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Irish Water Spaniel and the Pomsky are most similar:

  • Both the Irish Water Spaniel and the Pomsky are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Irish Water Spaniel and the Pomsky do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Irish Water Spaniel and the Pomsky have the tendency to develop certain health problems.
  • Both the Irish Water Spaniel and the Pomsky are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
  • Both the Irish Water Spaniel and the Pomsky can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Irish Water Spaniel and the Pomsky can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Irish Water Spaniel and the Pomsky get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Irish Water Spaniel and the Pomsky are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Irish Water Spaniel and the Pomsky are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Irish Water Spaniel and the Pomsky are very playful.
  • Both the Irish Water Spaniel and the Pomsky are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Irish Water Spaniel and the Pomsky have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Irish Water Spaniel and the Pomsky have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Irish Water Spaniel versus Pomsky

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Irish Water Spaniel and the Pomsky.

    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, Pomskys weigh 7 to 38 pounds when fully grown. Pomskys are 10 to 15 inches when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Irish Water Spaniel versus Pomsky

    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 Pomskys is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Pomskys is 13.5 years.

    Pomskys live longer than Irish Water Spaniels.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Irish Water Spaniel versus Pomsky

    Irish Water Spaniels can be left alone only for a short time.

    Pomskys do not like to be left alone.

    Do Irish Water Spaniels shed more than Pomskys?

    Irish Water Spaniels do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Pomskys shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Irish Water Spaniel or the Pomsky

    Irish Water Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Pomskys do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Irish Water Spaniel or the Pomsky?

    Irish Water Spaniels are moderately easy to groom.

    Pomskys 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 Pomsky?

    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.

    Pomskys 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 Pomskys?

    Irish Water Spaniels are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Pomskys are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can Irish Water Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Pomskys Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Irish Water Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Pomskys can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Irish Water Spaniel vs. Pomsky

    Irish Water Spaniels have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Pomskys 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 Pomskys Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Irish Water Spaniels can tolerate hot weather.

    Pomskys 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 Pomsky?

    Irish Water Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Pomskys get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are Irish Water Spaniels good family dogs? What about Pomskys?

    Irish Water Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Pomskys are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Irish Water Spaniels and Pomskys?

    Irish Water Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Pomskys do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

    Is the Irish Water Spaniel Easier to Train than the Pomsky?

    Irish Water Spaniels are very easy to train.

    Pomskys are fairly easy to train.

    Is the Irish Water Spaniel Better for Apartment Owners than the Pomsky?

    Irish Water Spaniels adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Pomskys adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Irish Water Spaniel or the Pomsky?

    Irish Water Spaniels are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Pomskys 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:

  • Kerry Blue Terrier (78 percent match with Irish Water Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Pomsky vs Kerry Blue Terrier.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Pomsky

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Pomsky 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 Pomsky:

  • Pomeranian (78 percent match with Pomsky). Here is our comparison of the Irish Water Spaniel vs Pomeranian.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Irish Water Spaniel and how the Pomsky compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Irish Water Spaniel and of the Pomsky to other breeds:

    Irish Water Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Irish Water Spaniel versus Finnish Lapphund     Irish Water Spaniel versus Icelandic Sheepdog     Irish Water Spaniel versus Dutch Shepherd     Irish Water Spaniel versus Papillon     Irish Water Spaniel versus Belgian Malinois     Irish Water Spaniel versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     Irish Water Spaniel versus Manchester Terrier     Irish Water Spaniel versus Japanese Chin     Irish Water Spaniel versus Bulldog     Irish Water Spaniel versus Cocker Spaniel     Irish Water Spaniel versus Plott     Irish Water Spaniel versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     Irish Water Spaniel versus Komondor     Irish Water Spaniel versus Pointer     Irish Water Spaniel versus Pomapoo     Irish Water Spaniel versus Neapolitan Mastiff     Irish Water Spaniel versus Bulldog     Irish Water Spaniel versus Bullmastiff     Irish Water Spaniel versus Beagle     Irish Water Spaniel versus Stabyhoun     Irish Water Spaniel versus Bluetick Coonhound     Irish Water Spaniel versus Goldador     Irish Water Spaniel versus Australian Cattle Dog     Irish Water Spaniel versus Fila Brasileiro     Irish Water Spaniel versus Beagle     

    Pomsky Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Pomsky versus Toy Fox Terrier     Pomsky versus Bluetick Coonhound     Pomsky versus Mastiff     Pomsky versus Bichon Frise     Pomsky versus Norwegian Lundehund     Pomsky versus Valley Bulldog     Pomsky versus Alaskan Malamute     Pomsky versus Portuguese Water Dog     Pomsky versus Lowchen     Pomsky versus Finnish Spitz     Pomsky versus Whippet     Pomsky versus Ibizan Hound     Pomsky versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     Pomsky versus Irish Water Spaniel     Pomsky versus German Pinscher     Pomsky versus Airedale Terrier     Pomsky versus Valley Bulldog     Pomsky versus Boxerdoodle     Pomsky versus Bulldog     Pomsky versus Icelandic Sheepdog     Pomsky versus Dachshund     Pomsky versus Papipoo     Pomsky versus Canaan Dog     Pomsky versus Stabyhoun     Pomsky versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi     

    Conclusion: Irish Water Spaniel versus Pomsky. 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 Pomsky better suits you and your family.