Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Irish Water Spaniel Versus Shichon: Introduction
- Irish Water Spaniel versus Shichon: Overview
- Irish Water Spaniel versus Shichon: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Irish Water Spaniel and the Shichon
- The Similarities Between the Irish Water Spaniel and the Shichon
- Size (Weight and Height) of Irish Water Spaniel versus Shichon
- Lifespan of Irish Water Spaniel versus Shichon
- Tolerates Being Alone: Irish Water Spaniel versus Shichon
- Do Irish Water Spaniels shed more than Shichons?
- Which one drools more, the Irish Water Spaniel or the Shichon
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Irish Water Spaniel or the Shichon?
- Does the Irish Water Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shichon?
- Do Irish Water Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Shichons?
- Can Irish Water Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shichons Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Irish Water Spaniel vs. Shichon
- Can Irish Water Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shichons Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Irish Water Spaniel or the Shichon?
- Are Irish Water Spaniels good family dogs? What about Shichons?
- How Kid-friendly are Irish Water Spaniels and Shichons?
- Is the Irish Water Spaniel Easier to Train than the Shichon?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Irish Water Spaniel
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Shichon
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Irish Water Spaniel versus Shichon. Which One is a Better Pet?
Irish Water Spaniel Versus Shichon: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Irish Water Spaniel and the Shichon? 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 Shichon 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 Shichon.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Irish Water Spaniel and the Shichon 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 Shichon. 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 Shichon.
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 Shichon.
Irish Water Spaniel versus Shichon: Overview
A very important difference between the Irish Water Spaniel and the Shichon is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Irish Water Spaniel is a medium-sized dog while the Shichon 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 Shichon belongs to the Mixed Breed Dogs group. Mixed Breed Dogs are not purebred dogs.
Irish Water Spaniel versus Shichon: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Irish Water Spaniel to the Shichon 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 Shichon
| Factor | Irish Water Spaniel | Shichon |
|---|---|---|
| Does NOT Shed | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Height | 1 foot, 9 inches to 2 feet tall at the shoulder | 9 to 12 inches |
| Life Span | 10 to 12 years | 12 to 18 years |
| Good For Novice Owners | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Weight | 45 to 65 pounds | 9 to 15 pounds |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 11.0 years | 15.0 years |
| Price Range | No Data | $1200 – $2000 |
| Average Price | No Data | $1610 |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
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 Shichon. 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 Shichon is 95 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Shichon is a better pet than the Irish Water Spaniel. So, you should get the Shichon!
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 Shichon 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 Shichon
Below is a list of where the Irish Water Spaniel and the Shichon are most different:
The Similarities Between the Irish Water Spaniel and the Shichon
The Irish Water Spaniel and the Shichon are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Irish Water Spaniel and the Shichon are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Irish Water Spaniel versus Shichon
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Irish Water Spaniel and the Shichon.
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, Shichons weigh 9 to 15 pounds when fully grown. Shichons are 9 to 12 inches when fully grown.
Lifespan of Irish Water Spaniel versus Shichon
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 Shichons is between 12 to 18 years. The average lifespan of Shichons is 15.0 years.
Shichons live longer than Irish Water Spaniels.
Tolerates Being Alone: Irish Water Spaniel versus Shichon
Irish Water Spaniels can be left alone only for a short time.
Shichons do not like to be left alone.
Do Irish Water Spaniels shed more than Shichons?
Irish Water Spaniels do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Shichons do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Which one drools more, the Irish Water Spaniel or the Shichon
Irish Water Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.
Shichons do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Irish Water Spaniel or the Shichon?
Irish Water Spaniels are moderately easy to groom.
Shichons are very easy to groom.
Does the Irish Water Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shichon?
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.
Shichons have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.
Do Irish Water Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Shichons?
Irish Water Spaniels are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Shichons are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Can Irish Water Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shichons Tolerate Cold Weather?
Irish Water Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.
Shichons cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Wanderlust Potential: Irish Water Spaniel vs. Shichon
Irish Water Spaniels have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Shichons 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 Shichons Tolerate Hot Weather?
Irish Water Spaniels can tolerate hot weather.
Shichons cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Irish Water Spaniel or the Shichon?
Irish Water Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.
Shichons get along very well with other dogs.
Are Irish Water Spaniels good family dogs? What about Shichons?
Irish Water Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Shichons are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Irish Water Spaniels and Shichons?
Irish Water Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Shichons get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Irish Water Spaniel Easier to Train than the Shichon?
Irish Water Spaniels are very easy to train.
Shichons are fairly easy to train.
Is the Irish Water Spaniel Better for Apartment Owners than the Shichon?
Irish Water Spaniels adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Shichons adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Irish Water Spaniel or the Shichon?
Irish Water Spaniels are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Shichons 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 Shichon
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Shichon 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 Shichon:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Irish Water Spaniel and how the Shichon compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Irish Water Spaniel and of the Shichon to other breeds:
Irish Water Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds
Irish Water Spaniel versus Peek A Poo Irish Water Spaniel versus Shihpoo Irish Water Spaniel versus French Spaniel Irish Water Spaniel versus Xoloitzcuintli Irish Water Spaniel versus Karelian Bear Dog Irish Water Spaniel versus Dogo Argentino Irish Water Spaniel versus Irish Wolfhound Irish Water Spaniel versus Belgian Malinois Irish Water Spaniel versus Tibetan Terrier Irish Water Spaniel versus Harrier Irish Water Spaniel versus Australian Shepherd Irish Water Spaniel versus Black Russian Terrier Irish Water Spaniel versus Irish Wolfhound Irish Water Spaniel versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Irish Water Spaniel versus Glen of Imaal Terrier Irish Water Spaniel versus Treeing Walker Coonhound Irish Water Spaniel versus Chinese Crested Irish Water Spaniel versus Japanese Spitz Irish Water Spaniel versus Finnish Spitz Irish Water Spaniel versus French Spaniel Irish Water Spaniel versus Boston Terrier Irish Water Spaniel versus Black and Tan Coonhound Irish Water Spaniel versus Dogue de Bordeaux Irish Water Spaniel versus German Wirehaired Pointer Irish Water Spaniel versus Berger Picard
Shichon Versus Other Dog Breeds
Shichon versus Samoyed Shichon versus Gordon Setter Shichon versus Patterdale Terrier Shichon versus American Pit Bull Terrier Shichon versus Bullmastiff Shichon versus Rottweiler Shichon versus Saint Berdoodle Shichon versus Flat-Coated Retriever Shichon versus Standard Schnauzer Shichon versus Borzoi Shichon versus Bearded Collie Shichon versus Pyrenean Mastiff Shichon versus Lakeland Terrier Shichon versus Valley Bulldog Shichon versus Irish Setter Shichon versus Peek A Poo Shichon versus Spinone Italiano Shichon versus Morkie Shichon versus German Shorthaired Pointer Shichon versus Welsh Springer Spaniel Shichon versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Shichon versus Italian Greyhound Shichon versus Rottweiler Shichon versus Morkie Shichon versus Lancashire Heeler
Conclusion: Irish Water Spaniel versus Shichon. 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 Shichon better suits you and your family.