Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Irish Wolfhound Versus Kai Ken: Introduction
- Irish Wolfhound versus Kai Ken: Overview
- Irish Wolfhound versus Kai Ken: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Irish Wolfhound and the Kai Ken
- The Similarities Between the Irish Wolfhound and the Kai Ken
- Size (Weight and Height) of Irish Wolfhound versus Kai Ken
- Lifespan of Irish Wolfhound versus Kai Ken
- Temperament of the Kai Ken Versus the Irish Wolfhound
- Health Problems of Irish Wolfhound versus Health Problems of Kai Ken
- Tolerates Being Alone: Irish Wolfhound versus Kai Ken
- Do Irish Wolfhounds shed more than Kai Kens?
- Which one drools more, the Irish Wolfhound or the Kai Ken
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Irish Wolfhound or the Kai Ken?
- Does the Irish Wolfhound Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Kai Ken?
- Do Irish Wolfhounds Bark and Howl? What about Kai Kens?
- Can Irish Wolfhounds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Kai Kens Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Irish Wolfhound vs. Kai Ken
- Can Irish Wolfhounds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Kai Kens Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Irish Wolfhound or the Kai Ken?
- Are Irish Wolfhounds good family dogs? What about Kai Kens?
- How Kid-friendly are Irish Wolfhounds and Kai Kens?
- Is the Irish Wolfhound Easier to Train than the Kai Ken?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Irish Wolfhound
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Kai Ken
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Irish Wolfhound versus Kai Ken. Which One is a Better Pet?
Irish Wolfhound Versus Kai Ken: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Irish Wolfhound and the Kai Ken? 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 Wolfhound and the Kai Ken 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 Wolfhound and the Kai Ken.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Irish Wolfhound and the Kai Ken 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 Wolfhound and for the Kai Ken. 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 Wolfhound and the Kai Ken.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Irish Wolfhound or the Kai Ken.
Irish Wolfhound versus Kai Ken: Overview
A very important difference between the Irish Wolfhound and the Kai Ken is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Irish Wolfhound is a giant-sized dog while the Kai Ken is a medium-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Irish Wolfhound 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.
On the other hand, the Kai Ken belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.
Irish Wolfhound versus Kai Ken: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Irish Wolfhound to the Kai Ken 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 Wolfhound and the Kai Ken
| Factor | Irish Wolfhound | Kai Ken |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| General Health | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Weight | 115 to 180 pounds | 25 to 45 pounds |
| Good For Novice Owners | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Easygoing | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Height | 32 to 35 inches tall at the shoulder | 17 to 22 inches |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Life Span | 6 to 8 years | 12 to 16 years |
| Average Lifespan | 7.0 years | 14.0 years |
| Average Price | $1930 | No Data |
| Price Range | $1500 – $2400 | No Data |
| Temperament Score | 90.1 percent | 100.0 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
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Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Irish Wolfhound 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 Kai Ken. 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 Wolfhound is 82 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Kai Ken is 73 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Irish Wolfhound is a better pet than the Kai Ken. So, you should get the Irish Wolfhound!
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 Wolfhound and the Kai Ken so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Irish Wolfhound and the Kai Ken
Below is a list of where the Irish Wolfhound and the Kai Ken are most different:
The Similarities Between the Irish Wolfhound and the Kai Ken
The Irish Wolfhound and the Kai Ken are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Irish Wolfhound and the Kai Ken are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Irish Wolfhound versus Kai Ken
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Irish Wolfhound and the Kai Ken.
Irish Wolfhounds weigh 115 to 180 pounds when fully grown. Irish Wolfhounds are 32 to 35 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
On the other hand, Kai Kens weigh 25 to 45 pounds when fully grown. Kai Kens are 17 to 22 inches when fully grown.
Lifespan of Irish Wolfhound versus Kai Ken
The lifespan of Irish Wolfhounds is between 6 to 8 years. The average lifespan of Irish Wolfhounds is 7.0 years.
The lifespan of Kai Kens is between 12 to 16 years. The average lifespan of Kai Kens is 14.0 years.
Kai Kens live longer than Irish Wolfhounds.
Temperament of the Kai Ken Versus the Irish Wolfhound
The Kai Ken has a better temperament than the Irish Wolfhound.
This is because the temperament score for the Kai Ken is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Irish Wolfhound is 90.1 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 90.1 percent, the Irish Wolfhound has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
With its temperament score of 100.0 percent, the Kai Ken has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Irish Wolfhound and the Kai Ken by measuring the temperaments of 101 Irish Wolfhounds and 1 Kai Kens.
Health Problems of Irish Wolfhound versus Health Problems of Kai Ken
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 Wolfhound and the Kai Ken 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 Wolfhound is prone to more genetic health problems than the Kai Ken.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Irish Wolfhound than for the Kai Ken.
5 health tests are recommended for Irish Wolfhound while 2 tests are recommended for the Kai Ken.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Irish Wolfhounds and in Kai Kens.
Irish Wolfhound Health Problems
Irish Wolfhounds are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Irish Wolfhound 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 Wolfhound puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Irish Wolfhound 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 Wolfhounds for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Irish Wolfhounds here.
Kai Ken Health Problems
Kai Kens are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Kai Ken 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 Kai Ken puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Kai Ken 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 Kai Kens for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Kai Kens here.
Tolerates Being Alone: Irish Wolfhound versus Kai Ken
Irish Wolfhounds do not like to be left alone.
Kai Kens can be left alone only for a short time.
Do Irish Wolfhounds shed more than Kai Kens?
Irish Wolfhounds shed moderately.
Kai Kens shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Which one drools more, the Irish Wolfhound or the Kai Ken
Irish Wolfhounds do have a very low tendency to drool.
Kai Kens do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Irish Wolfhound or the Kai Ken?
Irish Wolfhounds are moderately easy to groom.
Kai Kens require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Does the Irish Wolfhound Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Kai Ken?
Irish Wolfhounds 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.
Kai Kens 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 Wolfhounds Bark and Howl? What about Kai Kens?
Irish Wolfhounds are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Kai Kens are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Can Irish Wolfhounds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Kai Kens Tolerate Cold Weather?
Irish Wolfhounds can very well tolerate cold weather.
Kai Kens can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Irish Wolfhound vs. Kai Ken
Irish Wolfhounds have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Kai Kens have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Irish Wolfhounds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Kai Kens Tolerate Hot Weather?
Irish Wolfhounds cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Kai Kens can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Irish Wolfhound or the Kai Ken?
Irish Wolfhounds get along very well with other dogs.
Kai Kens get along fairly well with other dogs.
Are Irish Wolfhounds good family dogs? What about Kai Kens?
Irish Wolfhounds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Kai Kens are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Irish Wolfhounds and Kai Kens?
Irish Wolfhounds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Kai Kens get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Irish Wolfhound Easier to Train than the Kai Ken?
Irish Wolfhounds are fairly easy to train.
Kai Kens are fairly easy to train.
Is the Irish Wolfhound Better for Apartment Owners than the Kai Ken?
Irish Wolfhounds do not adapt well to apartment living.
Kai Kens do not adapt well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Irish Wolfhound or the Kai Ken?
Irish Wolfhounds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Kai Kens are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Irish Wolfhound
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Irish Wolfhound 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 Wolfhound:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Kai Ken
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Kai Ken 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 Kai Ken:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Irish Wolfhound and how the Kai Ken compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Irish Wolfhound and of the Kai Ken to other breeds:
Irish Wolfhound Versus Other Dog Breeds
Irish Wolfhound versus Chinese Crested Irish Wolfhound versus Barbet Irish Wolfhound versus Barbet Irish Wolfhound versus Cocker Spaniel Irish Wolfhound versus Boxer Irish Wolfhound versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog Irish Wolfhound versus Sussex Spaniel Irish Wolfhound versus American Staffordshire Terrier Irish Wolfhound versus Irish Water Spaniel Irish Wolfhound versus Aussiedoodle Irish Wolfhound versus Whippet Irish Wolfhound versus Spinone Italiano Irish Wolfhound versus Bullmastiff Irish Wolfhound versus Australian Kelpie Irish Wolfhound versus Chihuahua Irish Wolfhound versus Alaskan Malamute Irish Wolfhound versus Berger Picard Irish Wolfhound versus Jack Russell Terrier Irish Wolfhound versus Chinese Crested Irish Wolfhound versus Portuguese Water Dog Irish Wolfhound versus Scottish Terrier Irish Wolfhound versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Irish Wolfhound versus Boykin Spaniel Irish Wolfhound versus Bouvier des Flandres
Kai Ken Versus Other Dog Breeds
Kai Ken versus Neapolitan Mastiff Kai Ken versus Chow Chow Kai Ken versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde Kai Ken versus Dogue de Bordeaux Kai Ken versus Kuvasz Kai Ken versus Dogue de Bordeaux Kai Ken versus Silky Terrier Kai Ken versus Skye Terrier Kai Ken versus Saluki Kai Ken versus Norwegian Lundehund Kai Ken versus Briard Kai Ken versus Siberian Husky Kai Ken versus Basset Hound Kai Ken versus Spanish Mastiff Kai Ken versus Sheepadoodle Kai Ken versus French Bulldog Kai Ken versus Lhasapoo Kai Ken versus Catahoula Leopard Dog Kai Ken versus Korean Jindo Dog Kai Ken versus Finnish Spitz Kai Ken versus Norwegian Buhund Kai Ken versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Kai Ken versus Bouvier des Flandres Kai Ken versus American Bulldog Kai Ken versus Australian Terrier
Conclusion: Irish Wolfhound versus Kai Ken. 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 Wolfhound and the Kai Ken better suits you and your family.