Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Irish Water Spaniel Versus Portuguese Water Dog: Introduction
- Irish Water Spaniel versus Portuguese Water Dog: Overview
- Irish Water Spaniel versus Portuguese Water Dog: Comparison Table
- The Similarities Between the Irish Water Spaniel and the Portuguese Water Dog
- Size (Weight and Height) of Irish Water Spaniel versus Portuguese Water Dog
- Lifespan of Irish Water Spaniel versus Portuguese Water Dog
- Temperament of the Portuguese Water Dog Versus the Irish Water Spaniel
- The Popularity of Irish Water Spaniel versus Popularity of Portuguese Water Dog
- Health Problems of Irish Water Spaniel versus Health Problems of Portuguese Water Dog
- Tolerates Being Alone: Irish Water Spaniel versus Portuguese Water Dog
- Do Irish Water Spaniels shed more than Portuguese Water Dogs?
- Which one drools more, the Irish Water Spaniel or the Portuguese Water Dog
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Irish Water Spaniel or the Portuguese Water Dog?
- Does the Irish Water Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Portuguese Water Dog?
- Do Irish Water Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Portuguese Water Dogs?
- Can Irish Water Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Portuguese Water Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Irish Water Spaniel vs. Portuguese Water Dog
- Can Irish Water Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Portuguese Water Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Irish Water Spaniel or the Portuguese Water Dog?
- Are Irish Water Spaniels good family dogs? What about Portuguese Water Dogs?
- How Kid-friendly are Irish Water Spaniels and Portuguese Water Dogs?
- Is the Irish Water Spaniel Easier to Train than the Portuguese Water Dog?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Irish Water Spaniel
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Portuguese Water Dog
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Irish Water Spaniel versus Portuguese Water Dog. Which One is a Better Pet?
Irish Water Spaniel Versus Portuguese Water Dog: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Irish Water Spaniel and the Portuguese Water Dog? 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 Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Irish Water Spaniel and the Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog. 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 Portuguese Water Dog.
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 Portuguese Water Dog.
Irish Water Spaniel versus Portuguese Water Dog: Overview
Both the Irish Water Spaniel and the Portuguese Water Dog are similar in size. The Irish Water Spaniel and the Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.
Irish Water Spaniel versus Portuguese Water Dog: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Irish Water Spaniel to the Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog
| Factor | Irish Water Spaniel | Portuguese Water Dog |
|---|---|---|
| Does NOT Shed | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Height | 1 foot, 9 inches to 2 feet tall at the shoulder | 1 foot, 5 inches to 1 foot, 11 inches tall at the |
| Life Span | 10 to 12 years | 10 to 14 years |
| Good For Novice Owners | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Weight | 45 to 65 pounds | 35 to 60 pounds |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 11.0 years | 12.0 years |
| Price Range | No Data | $2500 – $3300 |
| Average Price | No Data | $2860 |
| Temperament Score | 90.0 percent | 77.9 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 156 | 50 |
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 Portuguese Water Dog. 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 Portuguese Water Dog is 84 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Portuguese Water Dog is a better pet than the Irish Water Spaniel. So, you should get the Portuguese Water Dog!
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 Portuguese Water Dog so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Similarities Between the Irish Water Spaniel and the Portuguese Water Dog
The Irish Water Spaniel and the Portuguese Water Dog are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Irish Water Spaniel and the Portuguese Water Dog are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Irish Water Spaniel versus Portuguese Water Dog
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Irish Water Spaniel and the Portuguese Water Dog.
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, Portuguese Water Dogs weigh 35 to 60 pounds when fully grown. Portuguese Water Dogs are 1 foot, 5 inches to 1 foot, 11 inches tall at the when fully grown.
Lifespan of Irish Water Spaniel versus Portuguese Water Dog
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 Portuguese Water Dogs is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Portuguese Water Dogs is 12.0 years.
Portuguese Water Dogs live longer than Irish Water Spaniels.
Temperament of the Portuguese Water Dog Versus the Irish Water Spaniel
The Irish Water Spaniel has a better temperament than the Portuguese Water Dog.
This is because the temperament score for the Irish Water Spaniel is 90.0 percent while the temperament score for the Portuguese Water Dog is 77.9 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 77.9 percent, the Portuguese Water Dog has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Irish Water Spaniel and the Portuguese Water Dog by measuring the temperaments of 30 Irish Water Spaniels and 163 Portuguese Water Dogs.
The Popularity of Irish Water Spaniel versus Popularity of Portuguese Water Dog
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 Portuguese Water Dog over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Portuguese Water Dog is more popular with dog owners than the Irish Water Spaniel. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Portuguese Water Dog is 50 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 Portuguese Water Dog
| Year | Irish Water Spaniel Popularity Rank | Portuguese Water Dog Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 141 | 49 |
| 2014 | 152 | 52 |
| 2015 | 144 | 52 |
| 2016 | 150 | 51 |
| 2017 | 164 | 54 |
| 2018 | 159 | 50 |
| 2019 | 170 | 49 |
| 2020 | 174 | 49 |
Health Problems of Irish Water Spaniel versus Health Problems of Portuguese Water Dog
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 Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog is prone to more genetic health problems than the Irish Water Spaniel.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Portuguese Water Dog than for the Irish Water Spaniel.
5 health tests are recommended for Irish Water Spaniel while 11 tests are recommended for the Portuguese Water Dog.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Irish Water Spaniels and in Portuguese Water Dogs.
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.
Portuguese Water Dog Health Problems
Portuguese Water Dogs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dogs for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Portuguese Water Dogs here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Irish Water Spaniels and Portuguese Water Dogs
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 Portuguese Water Dog Breed is Early Onset Pra problems.
This is because the Portuguese Water Dog ranks 1 out of 1 dog breeds for Early Onset Pra problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 788 Portuguese Water Dogs, 0 of them had Early Onset Pra problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Portuguese Water Dogs, and how common these diseases are in Portuguese Water Dogs relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Irish Water Spaniel and in Portuguese Water Dog and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Irish Water Spaniel and the Portuguese Water Dog:
| Disease | Irish Water Spaniel Rank | Portuguese Water Dog 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 | 111 out of 144 dog breeds |
| Hips problems | 104 out of 198 dog breeds | 94 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Thyroid problems | 105 out of 115 dog breeds | 59 out of 115 dog breeds |
| Eyes problems | 150 out of 182 dog breeds | 140 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Early Onset Pra problems | Not Common | 1 out of 1 dog breeds |
| Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems | Not Common | 15 out of 32 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 Portuguese Water Dog
Irish Water Spaniels can be left alone only for a short time.
Portuguese Water Dogs do not like to be left alone.
Do Irish Water Spaniels shed more than Portuguese Water Dogs?
Irish Water Spaniels do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Portuguese Water Dogs do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Which one drools more, the Irish Water Spaniel or the Portuguese Water Dog
Irish Water Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.
Portuguese Water Dogs do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Irish Water Spaniel or the Portuguese Water Dog?
Irish Water Spaniels are moderately easy to groom.
Portuguese Water Dogs 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 Portuguese Water Dog?
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.
Portuguese Water Dogs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Do Irish Water Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Portuguese Water Dogs?
Irish Water Spaniels are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Portuguese Water Dogs bark and howl, but not very much.
Can Irish Water Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Portuguese Water Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?
Irish Water Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.
Portuguese Water Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Irish Water Spaniel vs. Portuguese Water Dog
Irish Water Spaniels have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Portuguese Water Dogs 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 Portuguese Water Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?
Irish Water Spaniels can tolerate hot weather.
Portuguese Water Dogs 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 Portuguese Water Dog?
Irish Water Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.
Portuguese Water Dogs get along very well with other dogs.
Are Irish Water Spaniels good family dogs? What about Portuguese Water Dogs?
Irish Water Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Portuguese Water Dogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Irish Water Spaniels and Portuguese Water Dogs?
Irish Water Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Portuguese Water Dogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Irish Water Spaniel Easier to Train than the Portuguese Water Dog?
Irish Water Spaniels are very easy to train.
Portuguese Water Dogs are very easy to train.
Is the Irish Water Spaniel Better for Apartment Owners than the Portuguese Water Dog?
Irish Water Spaniels adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Portuguese Water Dogs adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Irish Water Spaniel or the Portuguese Water Dog?
Irish Water Spaniels are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Portuguese Water Dogs are OK 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 Portuguese Water Dog
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Irish Water Spaniel and how the Portuguese Water Dog compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Irish Water Spaniel and of the Portuguese Water Dog to other breeds:
Irish Water Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds
Irish Water Spaniel versus Boerboel Irish Water Spaniel versus Frenchton Irish Water Spaniel versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Irish Water Spaniel versus Pyrenean Shepherd Irish Water Spaniel versus Dachshund Irish Water Spaniel versus Catahoula Bulldog Irish Water Spaniel versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog Irish Water Spaniel versus Siberian Husky Irish Water Spaniel versus Field Spaniel Irish Water Spaniel versus Shiranian Irish Water Spaniel versus Samoyed Irish Water Spaniel versus Rottweiler Irish Water Spaniel versus Norfolk Terrier Irish Water Spaniel versus Portuguese Water Dog Irish Water Spaniel versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Irish Water Spaniel versus Skye Terrier Irish Water Spaniel versus Scottish Terrier Irish Water Spaniel versus Fila Brasileiro Irish Water Spaniel versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever Irish Water Spaniel versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog Irish Water Spaniel versus Akita Irish Water Spaniel versus Norfolk Terrier Irish Water Spaniel versus Treeing Walker Coonhound Irish Water Spaniel versus Kishu Ken Irish Water Spaniel versus Bloodhound
Portuguese Water Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds
Portuguese Water Dog versus Great Pyrenees Portuguese Water Dog versus Manchester Terrier Portuguese Water Dog versus Cockalier Portuguese Water Dog versus Standard Schnauzer Portuguese Water Dog versus Lancashire Heeler Portuguese Water Dog versus Cesky Terrier Portuguese Water Dog versus Alaskan Malamute Portuguese Water Dog versus Bich Poo Portuguese Water Dog versus English Springer Spaniel Portuguese Water Dog versus Fila Brasileiro Portuguese Water Dog versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog Portuguese Water Dog versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen Portuguese Water Dog versus Great Dane Portuguese Water Dog versus Schipperke Portuguese Water Dog versus Canaan Dog Portuguese Water Dog versus Beaglier Portuguese Water Dog versus Chi-Poo Portuguese Water Dog versus Samoyed Portuguese Water Dog versus Weimaraner Portuguese Water Dog versus Korean Jindo Dog Portuguese Water Dog versus King Shepherd Portuguese Water Dog versus Brittany Portuguese Water Dog versus Belgian Malinois Portuguese Water Dog versus Welsh Springer Spaniel Portuguese Water Dog versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog
Conclusion: Irish Water Spaniel versus Portuguese Water Dog. 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 Portuguese Water Dog better suits you and your family.