Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Irish Water Spaniel Versus Whippet: Introduction
- Irish Water Spaniel versus Whippet: Overview
- Irish Water Spaniel versus Whippet: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Irish Water Spaniel and the Whippet
- The Similarities Between the Irish Water Spaniel and the Whippet
- Size (Weight and Height) of Irish Water Spaniel versus Whippet
- Lifespan of Irish Water Spaniel versus Whippet
- Temperament of the Whippet Versus the Irish Water Spaniel
- The Intelligence of the Irish Water Spaniel versus the Intelligence of the Whippet
- The Popularity of Irish Water Spaniel versus Popularity of Whippet
- Health Problems of Irish Water Spaniel versus Health Problems of Whippet
- Tolerates Being Alone: Irish Water Spaniel versus Whippet
- Do Irish Water Spaniels shed more than Whippets?
- Which one drools more, the Irish Water Spaniel or the Whippet
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Irish Water Spaniel or the Whippet?
- Does the Irish Water Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Whippet?
- Do Irish Water Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Whippets?
- Can Irish Water Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Whippets Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Irish Water Spaniel vs. Whippet
- Can Irish Water Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Whippets Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Irish Water Spaniel or the Whippet?
- Are Irish Water Spaniels good family dogs? What about Whippets?
- How Kid-friendly are Irish Water Spaniels and Whippets?
- Is the Irish Water Spaniel Easier to Train than the Whippet?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Irish Water Spaniel
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Whippet
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Irish Water Spaniel versus Whippet. Which One is a Better Pet?
Irish Water Spaniel Versus Whippet: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Irish Water Spaniel and the Whippet? 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 Whippet 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 Whippet.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Irish Water Spaniel and the Whippet 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 Whippet. 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 Whippet.
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 Whippet.
Irish Water Spaniel versus Whippet: Overview
Both the Irish Water Spaniel and the Whippet are similar in size. The Irish Water Spaniel and the Whippet 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 Whippet 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 Whippet: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Irish Water Spaniel to the Whippet 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 Whippet
| Factor | Irish Water Spaniel | Whippet |
|---|---|---|
| Does NOT Shed | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Height | 1 foot, 9 inches to 2 feet tall at the shoulder | 18 to 22 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 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Weight | 45 to 65 pounds | 18 to 48 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 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 11.0 years | 13.5 years |
| Price Range | No Data | $1600 – $2600 |
| Average Price | No Data | $2120 |
| Temperament Score | 90.0 percent | 86.2 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 156 | 58 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 24 | 51 |
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 Whippet. 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 Whippet is 86 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Whippet is a better pet than the Irish Water Spaniel. So, you should get the Whippet!
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 Whippet 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 Whippet
Below is a list of where the Irish Water Spaniel and the Whippet are most different:
The Similarities Between the Irish Water Spaniel and the Whippet
The Irish Water Spaniel and the Whippet are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Irish Water Spaniel and the Whippet are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Irish Water Spaniel versus Whippet
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Irish Water Spaniel and the Whippet.
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, Whippets weigh 18 to 48 pounds when fully grown. Whippets are 18 to 22 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Lifespan of Irish Water Spaniel versus Whippet
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 Whippets is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Whippets is 13.5 years.
Whippets live longer than Irish Water Spaniels.
Temperament of the Whippet Versus the Irish Water Spaniel
The Irish Water Spaniel has a better temperament than the Whippet.
This is because the temperament score for the Irish Water Spaniel is 90.0 percent while the temperament score for the Whippet is 86.2 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 86.2 percent, the Whippet has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Irish Water Spaniel and the Whippet by measuring the temperaments of 30 Irish Water Spaniels and 203 Whippets.
The Intelligence of the Irish Water Spaniel versus the Intelligence of the Whippet
| Irish Water Spaniel | Whippet | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 24 out of 130 dog breeds | 51 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 5 To 15 Repetitions | Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 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 Whippet has an obedience intelligence rank of 51 out of 130 dog breeds. The Whippet belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Whippets tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 repetitions.
The Irish Water Spaniel is more intelligent than the Whippet.
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 Whippet
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 Whippet over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Whippet is more popular with dog owners than the Irish Water Spaniel. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Whippet is 58 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 Whippet
| Year | Irish Water Spaniel Popularity Rank | Whippet Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 141 | 59 |
| 2014 | 152 | 56 |
| 2015 | 144 | 57 |
| 2016 | 150 | 60 |
| 2017 | 164 | 61 |
| 2018 | 159 | 61 |
| 2019 | 170 | 57 |
| 2020 | 174 | 59 |
Health Problems of Irish Water Spaniel versus Health Problems of Whippet
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 Whippet 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 Whippet is prone to the same number of genetic health problems as the Irish Water Spaniel.
5 health tests are recommended for Irish Water Spaniel while 5 tests are recommended for the Whippet.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Irish Water Spaniels and in Whippets.
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.
Whippet Health Problems
Whippets are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Whippet 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 Whippet puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Whippet 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 Whippets for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Whippets here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Irish Water Spaniels and Whippets
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 Whippet Breed is Advanced Cardiac problems.
This is because the Whippet ranks 3 out of 71 dog breeds for Advanced Cardiac problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 1416 Whippets, 107 of them had Advanced Cardiac problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Whippets, and how common these diseases are in Whippets relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Irish Water Spaniel and in Whippet and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Irish Water Spaniel and the Whippet:
| Disease | Irish Water Spaniel Rank | Whippet Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Cardiac problems | 5 out of 71 dog breeds | 3 out of 71 dog breeds |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | 9 out of 159 dog breeds | 7 out of 159 dog breeds |
| Shoulder problems | 18 out of 22 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Elbow problems | 31 out of 144 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Hips problems | 104 out of 198 dog breeds | 191 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Thyroid problems | 105 out of 115 dog breeds | 108 out of 115 dog breeds |
| Eyes problems | 150 out of 182 dog breeds | 162 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Baer Hearing Test problems | Not Common | 17 out of 21 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 Whippet
Irish Water Spaniels can be left alone only for a short time.
Whippets do not like to be left alone.
Do Irish Water Spaniels shed more than Whippets?
Irish Water Spaniels do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Whippets do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Which one drools more, the Irish Water Spaniel or the Whippet
Irish Water Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.
Whippets do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Irish Water Spaniel or the Whippet?
Irish Water Spaniels are moderately easy to groom.
Whippets are very easy to groom.
Does the Irish Water Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Whippet?
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.
Whippets 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 Whippets?
Irish Water Spaniels are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Whippets are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Can Irish Water Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Whippets Tolerate Cold Weather?
Irish Water Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.
Whippets cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Wanderlust Potential: Irish Water Spaniel vs. Whippet
Irish Water Spaniels have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Whippets have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Irish Water Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Whippets Tolerate Hot Weather?
Irish Water Spaniels can tolerate hot weather.
Whippets can tolerate hot weather.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Irish Water Spaniel or the Whippet?
Irish Water Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.
Whippets get along very well with other dogs.
Are Irish Water Spaniels good family dogs? What about Whippets?
Irish Water Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Whippets are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Irish Water Spaniels and Whippets?
Irish Water Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Whippets get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Irish Water Spaniel Easier to Train than the Whippet?
Irish Water Spaniels are very easy to train.
Whippets are very easy to train.
Is the Irish Water Spaniel Better for Apartment Owners than the Whippet?
Irish Water Spaniels adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Whippets adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Irish Water Spaniel or the Whippet?
Irish Water Spaniels are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Whippets 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 Whippet
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Whippet 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 Whippet:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Irish Water Spaniel and how the Whippet compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Irish Water Spaniel and of the Whippet to other breeds:
Irish Water Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds
Irish Water Spaniel versus Golden Cocker Retriever Irish Water Spaniel versus Dogo Argentino Irish Water Spaniel versus Fila Brasileiro Irish Water Spaniel versus Shiloh Shepherd Irish Water Spaniel versus Saluki Irish Water Spaniel versus Scottish Deerhound Irish Water Spaniel versus Pointer Irish Water Spaniel versus Cocker Spaniel Irish Water Spaniel versus Catahoula Leopard Dog Irish Water Spaniel versus Plott Irish Water Spaniel versus Italian Greyhound Irish Water Spaniel versus Field Spaniel Irish Water Spaniel versus Patterdale Terrier Irish Water Spaniel versus King Shepherd Irish Water Spaniel versus Puggle Irish Water Spaniel versus Chow Chow Irish Water Spaniel versus Affenpinscher Irish Water Spaniel versus German Shorthaired Pointer Irish Water Spaniel versus Portuguese Water Dog Irish Water Spaniel versus Shiba Inu Irish Water Spaniel versus Irish Wolfhound Irish Water Spaniel versus Westiepoo Irish Water Spaniel versus Norwegian Lundehund Irish Water Spaniel versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog Irish Water Spaniel versus Lakeland Terrier
Whippet Versus Other Dog Breeds
Whippet versus Schipperke Whippet versus Japanese Spitz Whippet versus Coton de Tulear Whippet versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle Whippet versus Collie Whippet versus Komondor Whippet versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog Whippet versus Chorkie Whippet versus Skye Terrier Whippet versus Manchester Terrier Whippet versus Mudi Whippet versus Mal Shi Whippet versus Aussiedoodle Whippet versus Bichon Frise Whippet versus Morkie Whippet versus Sloughi Whippet versus Black Russian Terrier Whippet versus Manchester Terrier Whippet versus Stabyhoun Whippet versus Labradoodle Whippet versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever Whippet versus Clumber Spaniel Whippet versus Standard Poodle Whippet versus Morkie Whippet versus Boston Terrier
Conclusion: Irish Water Spaniel versus Whippet. 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 Whippet better suits you and your family.