Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Irish Water Spaniel Versus Shetland Sheepdog: Introduction
- Irish Water Spaniel versus Shetland Sheepdog: Overview
- Irish Water Spaniel versus Shetland Sheepdog: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Irish Water Spaniel and the Shetland Sheepdog
- The Similarities Between the Irish Water Spaniel and the Shetland Sheepdog
- Size (Weight and Height) of Irish Water Spaniel versus Shetland Sheepdog
- Lifespan of Irish Water Spaniel versus Shetland Sheepdog
- Temperament of the Shetland Sheepdog Versus the Irish Water Spaniel
- The Intelligence of the Irish Water Spaniel versus the Intelligence of the Shetland Sheepdog
- The Popularity of Irish Water Spaniel versus Popularity of Shetland Sheepdog
- Health Problems of Irish Water Spaniel versus Health Problems of Shetland Sheepdog
- Tolerates Being Alone: Irish Water Spaniel versus Shetland Sheepdog
- Do Irish Water Spaniels shed more than Shetland Sheepdogs?
- Which one drools more, the Irish Water Spaniel or the Shetland Sheepdog
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Irish Water Spaniel or the Shetland Sheepdog?
- Does the Irish Water Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shetland Sheepdog?
- Do Irish Water Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Shetland Sheepdogs?
- Can Irish Water Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shetland Sheepdogs Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Irish Water Spaniel vs. Shetland Sheepdog
- Can Irish Water Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shetland Sheepdogs Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Irish Water Spaniel or the Shetland Sheepdog?
- Are Irish Water Spaniels good family dogs? What about Shetland Sheepdogs?
- How Kid-friendly are Irish Water Spaniels and Shetland Sheepdogs?
- Is the Irish Water Spaniel Easier to Train than the Shetland Sheepdog?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Irish Water Spaniel
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Shetland Sheepdog
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Irish Water Spaniel versus Shetland Sheepdog. Which One is a Better Pet?
Irish Water Spaniel Versus Shetland Sheepdog: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Irish Water Spaniel and the Shetland Sheepdog? 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 Shetland Sheepdog 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 Shetland Sheepdog.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Irish Water Spaniel and the Shetland Sheepdog 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 Shetland Sheepdog. 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 Shetland Sheepdog.
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 Shetland Sheepdog.
Irish Water Spaniel versus Shetland Sheepdog: Overview
A very important difference between the Irish Water Spaniel and the Shetland Sheepdog is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Irish Water Spaniel is a medium-sized dog while the Shetland Sheepdog 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 Shetland Sheepdog belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.
Irish Water Spaniel versus Shetland Sheepdog: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Irish Water Spaniel to the Shetland Sheepdog 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 Shetland Sheepdog
| Factor | Irish Water Spaniel | Shetland Sheepdog |
|---|---|---|
| Does NOT Shed | 5/5 | 1/5 |
| Height | 1 foot, 9 inches to 2 feet tall at the shoulder | 13 to 16 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Life Span | 10 to 12 years | 12 to 15 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 | 2/5 |
| 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 | 5/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Weight | 45 to 65 pounds | Starts at 20 pounds |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 11.0 years | 13.5 years |
| Price Range | No Data | $1000 – $2000 |
| Average Price | No Data | $1590 |
| Temperament Score | 90.0 percent | 68.9 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 156 | 23 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 24 | 6 |
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 Shetland Sheepdog. 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 Shetland Sheepdog is 85 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Shetland Sheepdog is a better pet than the Irish Water Spaniel. So, you should get the Shetland Sheepdog!
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 Shetland Sheepdog 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 Shetland Sheepdog
Below is a list of where the Irish Water Spaniel and the Shetland Sheepdog are most different:
The Similarities Between the Irish Water Spaniel and the Shetland Sheepdog
The Irish Water Spaniel and the Shetland Sheepdog are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Irish Water Spaniel and the Shetland Sheepdog are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Irish Water Spaniel versus Shetland Sheepdog
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Irish Water Spaniel and the Shetland Sheepdog.
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, Shetland Sheepdogs weigh Starts at 20 pounds when fully grown. Shetland Sheepdogs are 13 to 16 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Lifespan of Irish Water Spaniel versus Shetland Sheepdog
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 Shetland Sheepdogs is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Shetland Sheepdogs is 13.5 years.
Shetland Sheepdogs live longer than Irish Water Spaniels.
Temperament of the Shetland Sheepdog Versus the Irish Water Spaniel
The Irish Water Spaniel has a better temperament than the Shetland Sheepdog.
This is because the temperament score for the Irish Water Spaniel is 90.0 percent while the temperament score for the Shetland Sheepdog is 68.9 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 68.9 percent, the Shetland Sheepdog has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Irish Water Spaniel and the Shetland Sheepdog by measuring the temperaments of 30 Irish Water Spaniels and 515 Shetland Sheepdogs.
The Intelligence of the Irish Water Spaniel versus the Intelligence of the Shetland Sheepdog
| Irish Water Spaniel | Shetland Sheepdog | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 24 out of 130 dog breeds | 6 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 5 To 15 Repetitions | Tend To Learn New Commands After Fewer Than 5 Repetitions |
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 Shetland Sheepdog has an obedience intelligence rank of 6 out of 130 dog breeds. The Shetland Sheepdog belongs to the `Brightest Dogs` category. This means that Shetland Sheepdogs tend to learn new commands after fewer than 5 repetitions.
The Shetland Sheepdog is more intelligent than the Irish Water Spaniel.
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 Shetland Sheepdog
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 Shetland Sheepdog over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Shetland Sheepdog is more popular with dog owners than the Irish Water Spaniel. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Shetland Sheepdog is 23 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 Shetland Sheepdog
| Year | Irish Water Spaniel Popularity Rank | Shetland Sheepdog Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 141 | 21 |
| 2014 | 152 | 21 |
| 2015 | 144 | 23 |
| 2016 | 150 | 24 |
| 2017 | 164 | 24 |
| 2018 | 159 | 25 |
| 2019 | 170 | 25 |
| 2020 | 174 | 27 |
Health Problems of Irish Water Spaniel versus Health Problems of Shetland Sheepdog
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 Shetland Sheepdog 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 Irish Water Spaniel is prone to more genetic health problems than the Shetland Sheepdog.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Irish Water Spaniel than for the Shetland Sheepdog.
5 health tests are recommended for Irish Water Spaniel while 4 tests are recommended for the Shetland Sheepdog.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Irish Water Spaniels and in Shetland Sheepdogs.
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.
Shetland Sheepdog Health Problems
Shetland Sheepdogs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Shetland Sheepdog 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 Shetland Sheepdog puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Shetland Sheepdog 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 Shetland Sheepdogs for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Shetland Sheepdogs here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Irish Water Spaniels and Shetland Sheepdogs
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 Shetland Sheepdog Breed is Collie Eye Anomaly problems.
This is because the Shetland Sheepdog ranks 3 out of 7 dog breeds for Collie Eye Anomaly problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 633 Shetland Sheepdogs, 5 of them had Collie Eye Anomaly problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Shetland Sheepdogs, and how common these diseases are in Shetland Sheepdogs relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Irish Water Spaniel and in Shetland Sheepdog and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Irish Water Spaniel and the Shetland Sheepdog:
| Disease | Irish Water Spaniel Rank | Shetland Sheepdog 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 | 101 out of 144 dog breeds |
| Hips problems | 104 out of 198 dog breeds | 166 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Thyroid problems | 105 out of 115 dog breeds | 5 out of 115 dog breeds |
| Eyes problems | 150 out of 182 dog breeds | 122 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Collie Eye Anomaly problems | Not Common | 3 out of 7 dog breeds |
| Multiple Drug Resistance (Mdr1) problems | Not Common | 4 out of 7 dog breeds |
| Dentition Database problems | Not Common | 6 out of 49 dog breeds |
| Von Willebrands problems | Not Common | 6 out of 15 dog breeds |
| Degenerative Myelopathy problems | Not Common | 46 out of 70 dog breeds |
| Patella problems | Not Common | 89 out of 145 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 Shetland Sheepdog
Irish Water Spaniels can be left alone only for a short time.
Shetland Sheepdogs do not like to be left alone.
Do Irish Water Spaniels shed more than Shetland Sheepdogs?
Irish Water Spaniels do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Shetland Sheepdogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Which one drools more, the Irish Water Spaniel or the Shetland Sheepdog
Irish Water Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.
Shetland Sheepdogs do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Irish Water Spaniel or the Shetland Sheepdog?
Irish Water Spaniels are moderately easy to groom.
Shetland Sheepdogs 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 Shetland Sheepdog?
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.
Shetland Sheepdogs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Do Irish Water Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Shetland Sheepdogs?
Irish Water Spaniels are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Shetland Sheepdogs are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Irish Water Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shetland Sheepdogs Tolerate Cold Weather?
Irish Water Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.
Shetland Sheepdogs can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Irish Water Spaniel vs. Shetland Sheepdog
Irish Water Spaniels have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Shetland Sheepdogs 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 Shetland Sheepdogs Tolerate Hot Weather?
Irish Water Spaniels can tolerate hot weather.
Shetland Sheepdogs 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 Shetland Sheepdog?
Irish Water Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.
Shetland Sheepdogs get along very well with other dogs.
Are Irish Water Spaniels good family dogs? What about Shetland Sheepdogs?
Irish Water Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Shetland Sheepdogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Irish Water Spaniels and Shetland Sheepdogs?
Irish Water Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Shetland Sheepdogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Irish Water Spaniel Easier to Train than the Shetland Sheepdog?
Irish Water Spaniels are very easy to train.
Shetland Sheepdogs are very easy to train.
Is the Irish Water Spaniel Better for Apartment Owners than the Shetland Sheepdog?
Irish Water Spaniels adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Shetland Sheepdogs do not adapt well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Irish Water Spaniel or the Shetland Sheepdog?
Irish Water Spaniels are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Shetland Sheepdogs 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 Shetland Sheepdog
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Shetland Sheepdog 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 Shetland Sheepdog:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Irish Water Spaniel and how the Shetland Sheepdog compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Irish Water Spaniel and of the Shetland Sheepdog to other breeds:
Irish Water Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds
Irish Water Spaniel versus Sussex Spaniel Irish Water Spaniel versus Great Dane Irish Water Spaniel versus Schipperke Irish Water Spaniel versus Spinone Italiano Irish Water Spaniel versus Bluetick Coonhound Irish Water Spaniel versus Australian Cattle Dog Irish Water Spaniel versus Spanish Mastiff Irish Water Spaniel versus Collie Irish Water Spaniel versus Maremma Sheepdog Irish Water Spaniel versus English Springer Spaniel Irish Water Spaniel versus Chorkie Irish Water Spaniel versus Afador Irish Water Spaniel versus Carolina Dog Irish Water Spaniel versus Havanese Irish Water Spaniel versus Chi-Poo Irish Water Spaniel versus Lhasapoo Irish Water Spaniel versus Silky Terrier Irish Water Spaniel versus Afador Irish Water Spaniel versus Japanese Spitz Irish Water Spaniel versus Akita Irish Water Spaniel versus Akita Irish Water Spaniel versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne Irish Water Spaniel versus Lhasapoo Irish Water Spaniel versus Manchester Terrier
Shetland Sheepdog Versus Other Dog Breeds
Shetland Sheepdog versus Welsh Springer Spaniel Shetland Sheepdog versus Mudi Shetland Sheepdog versus Boerboel Shetland Sheepdog versus West Highland White Terrier Shetland Sheepdog versus Sloughi Shetland Sheepdog versus American Staffordshire Terrier Shetland Sheepdog versus Whoodle Shetland Sheepdog versus Field Spaniel Shetland Sheepdog versus Pomchi Shetland Sheepdog versus English Setter Shetland Sheepdog versus Briard Shetland Sheepdog versus Toy Poodle Shetland Sheepdog versus German Shorthaired Pointer Shetland Sheepdog versus Cavapoo Shetland Sheepdog versus Finnish Lapphund Shetland Sheepdog versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Shetland Sheepdog versus Boxerdoodle Shetland Sheepdog versus Bearded Collie Shetland Sheepdog versus Cane Corso Shetland Sheepdog versus Miniature Schnauzer Shetland Sheepdog versus Sloughi Shetland Sheepdog versus Boxerdoodle Shetland Sheepdog versus Biewer Terrier Shetland Sheepdog versus Shiranian
Conclusion: Irish Water Spaniel versus Shetland Sheepdog. 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 Shetland Sheepdog better suits you and your family.