Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Irish Wolfhound Versus Pekingese: Introduction
- Irish Wolfhound versus Pekingese: Overview
- Irish Wolfhound versus Pekingese: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Irish Wolfhound and the Pekingese
- The Similarities Between the Irish Wolfhound and the Pekingese
- Size (Weight and Height) of Irish Wolfhound versus Pekingese
- Lifespan of Irish Wolfhound versus Pekingese
- Temperament of the Irish Wolfhound Versus the Pekingese
- Price of Irish Wolfhound versus Price of Pekingese
- Adopting the Irish Wolfhound versus Adopting the Pekingese
- The Intelligence of the Irish Wolfhound versus the Intelligence of the Pekingese
- The Popularity of Irish Wolfhound versus Popularity of Pekingese
- Tolerates Being Alone: Irish Wolfhound versus Pekingese
- Do Irish Wolfhounds shed more than Pekingeses?
- Which one drools more, the Irish Wolfhound or the Pekingese
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Irish Wolfhound or the Pekingese?
- Does the Irish Wolfhound Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Pekingese?
- Do Irish Wolfhounds Bark and Howl? What about Pekingeses?
- Can Irish Wolfhounds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Pekingeses Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Irish Wolfhound vs. Pekingese
- Can Irish Wolfhounds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Pekingeses Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Irish Wolfhound or the Pekingese?
- Are Irish Wolfhounds good family dogs? What about Pekingeses?
- How Kid-friendly are Irish Wolfhounds and Pekingeses?
- Is the Irish Wolfhound Easier to Train than the Pekingese?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Irish Wolfhound
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Pekingese
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Irish Wolfhound versus Pekingese. Which One is a Better Pet?
Irish Wolfhound Versus Pekingese: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Irish Wolfhound and the Pekingese? 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 Pekingese 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 Pekingese.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Irish Wolfhound and the Pekingese 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 Pekingese. 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 Pekingese.
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 Pekingese.
Irish Wolfhound versus Pekingese: Overview
A very important difference between the Irish Wolfhound and the Pekingese is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Irish Wolfhound is a giant-sized dog while the Pekingese is a tiny-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 Pekingese 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 Pekingese: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Irish Wolfhound to the Pekingese 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 Pekingese
| Factor | Irish Wolfhound | Pekingese |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Weight | 115 to 180 pounds | 7 to 14 pounds |
| Good For Novice Owners | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Easygoing | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Height | 32 to 35 inches tall at the shoulder | 6 to 9 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Life Span | 6 to 8 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Average Lifespan | 7.0 years | 13.5 years |
| Average Price | $1930 | $1930 |
| Price Range | $1500 – $2400 | $1288 – $2500 |
| Temperament Score | 90.1 percent | 93.3 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
No Data |
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 73 | 86 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 41 | 73 |
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 Pekingese. 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 Pekingese is 77 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Irish Wolfhound is a better pet than the Pekingese. 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 Pekingese 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 Pekingese
Below is a list of where the Irish Wolfhound and the Pekingese are most different:
The Similarities Between the Irish Wolfhound and the Pekingese
The Irish Wolfhound and the Pekingese are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Irish Wolfhound and the Pekingese are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Irish Wolfhound versus Pekingese
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Irish Wolfhound and the Pekingese.
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, Pekingeses weigh 7 to 14 pounds when fully grown. Pekingeses are 6 to 9 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Lifespan of Irish Wolfhound versus Pekingese
The lifespan of Irish Wolfhounds is between 6 to 8 years. The average lifespan of Irish Wolfhounds is 7.0 years.
The lifespan of Pekingeses is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Pekingeses is 13.5 years.
Pekingeses live longer than Irish Wolfhounds.
Temperament of the Irish Wolfhound Versus the Pekingese
The Pekingese has a better temperament than the Irish Wolfhound.
This is because the temperament score for the Pekingese is 93.3 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 93.3 percent, the Pekingese has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Irish Wolfhound and the Pekingese by measuring the temperaments of 101 Irish Wolfhounds and 15 Pekingeses.
Price of Irish Wolfhound versus Price of Pekingese
The average price of the Irish Wolfhound puppy is $1930. The price of the Irish Wolfhound typically ranges from $1500 – $2400. However, the price of a Irish Wolfhound can be as low as $720 and as high as $4000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 91 Irish Wolfhound puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The average price of the Pekingese puppy is $1930. The price of the Pekingese typically ranges from $1288 – $2500. However, the price of the Pekingese can be as low as $700 and as high as $7500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 138 Pekingese puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Pekingese and the Irish Wolfhound are sold for about the same price.
| Irish Wolfhound | Pekingese | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1930 | $1930 |
| Price Range | $1500 to $2400 | $1288 to $2500 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Irish Wolfhound and Pekingese. For different price points, the charts show how many Irish Wolfhound puppies or how many Pekingese puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Irish Wolfhounds. The typical price range is shaded Green.
A breakdown of the prices of Pekingeses
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Irish Wolfhound puppy or the Pekingese puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.
Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.
You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.
Adopting the Irish Wolfhound versus Adopting the Pekingese
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Irish Wolfhounds and many Pekingeses are currently available for adoption.
These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.
Below is an adorable Male Irish Wolfhound named Tex that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Irish Wolfhounds like Tex on pefinder.com.
Also, like Irish Wolfhounds, Pekingeses are also available for adoption. For example, Buster is a Male Pekingese that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Pekingeses like Buster that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Action Jackson is the name of another Irish Wolfhound (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.
Also, Johnny is an adorable Male Pekingese on petfinder.com that you can adopt.
You can find more Irish Wolfhounds and Pekingeses that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Intelligence of the Irish Wolfhound versus the Intelligence of the Pekingese
| Irish Wolfhound | Pekingese | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 41 out of 130 dog breeds | 73 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 Repetitions | Tend To Learn New Commands After 80 To 100 Repetitions Or More! |
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 Wolfhound has an obedience intelligence rank of 41 out of 130 dog breeds. The Irish Wolfhound belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Irish Wolfhounds tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 repetitions.
The Pekingese has an obedience intelligence rank of 73 out of 130 dog breeds. The Pekingese belongs to the `Lowest Degree of Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Pekingeses tend to learn new commands after 80 to 100 repetitions or more!.
The Irish Wolfhound is more intelligent than the Pekingese.
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 Wolfhound versus Popularity of Pekingese
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 Wolfhound and the Pekingese over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Irish Wolfhound is more popular with dog owners than the Pekingese. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Irish Wolfhound is 73 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Pekingese is 86 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Irish Wolfhound
Popularity of Pekingese
| Year | Irish Wolfhound Popularity Rank | Pekingese Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 73 | 77 |
| 2014 | 72 | 82 |
| 2015 | 69 | 80 |
| 2016 | 73 | 93 |
| 2017 | 73 | 88 |
| 2018 | 76 | 92 |
| 2019 | 76 | 83 |
| 2020 | 74 | 95 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Irish Wolfhound versus Pekingese
Irish Wolfhounds do not like to be left alone.
Pekingeses can be left alone only for a short time.
Do Irish Wolfhounds shed more than Pekingeses?
Irish Wolfhounds shed moderately.
Pekingeses shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Which one drools more, the Irish Wolfhound or the Pekingese
Irish Wolfhounds do have a very low tendency to drool.
Pekingeses do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Irish Wolfhound or the Pekingese?
Irish Wolfhounds are moderately easy to groom.
Pekingeses require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Does the Irish Wolfhound Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Pekingese?
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.
Pekingeses 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 Pekingeses?
Irish Wolfhounds are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Pekingeses are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Irish Wolfhounds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Pekingeses Tolerate Cold Weather?
Irish Wolfhounds can very well tolerate cold weather.
Pekingeses can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Irish Wolfhound vs. Pekingese
Irish Wolfhounds have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Pekingeses 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 Pekingeses Tolerate Hot Weather?
Irish Wolfhounds cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Pekingeses cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Irish Wolfhound or the Pekingese?
Irish Wolfhounds get along very well with other dogs.
Pekingeses do not get along well with other dogs.
Are Irish Wolfhounds good family dogs? What about Pekingeses?
Irish Wolfhounds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Pekingeses are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Irish Wolfhounds and Pekingeses?
Irish Wolfhounds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Pekingeses do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.
Is the Irish Wolfhound Easier to Train than the Pekingese?
Irish Wolfhounds are fairly easy to train.
Pekingeses are fairly easy to train.
Is the Irish Wolfhound Better for Apartment Owners than the Pekingese?
Irish Wolfhounds do not adapt well to apartment living.
Pekingeses adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Irish Wolfhound or the Pekingese?
Irish Wolfhounds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Pekingeses are very good 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 Pekingese
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Pekingese 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 Pekingese:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Irish Wolfhound and how the Pekingese compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Irish Wolfhound and of the Pekingese to other breeds:
Irish Wolfhound Versus Other Dog Breeds
Irish Wolfhound versus Lhasapoo Irish Wolfhound versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Irish Wolfhound versus Manchester Terrier Irish Wolfhound versus American Staffordshire Terrier Irish Wolfhound versus Yorkshire Terrier Irish Wolfhound versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Irish Wolfhound versus Yorkipoo Irish Wolfhound versus Papipoo Irish Wolfhound versus Kuvasz Irish Wolfhound versus Mastiff Irish Wolfhound versus Treeing Walker Coonhound Irish Wolfhound versus Biewer Terrier Irish Wolfhound versus Papillon Irish Wolfhound versus Giant Schnauzer Irish Wolfhound versus Miniature Poodle Irish Wolfhound versus Chi-Poo Irish Wolfhound versus Kerry Blue Terrier Irish Wolfhound versus Japanese Chin Irish Wolfhound versus Pointer Irish Wolfhound versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog Irish Wolfhound versus Flat-Coated Retriever Irish Wolfhound versus Bich Poo Irish Wolfhound versus Black Russian Terrier Irish Wolfhound versus Irish Water Spaniel Irish Wolfhound versus American Bulldog
Pekingese Versus Other Dog Breeds
Pekingese versus Morkie Pekingese versus Afghan Hound Pekingese versus Maltipoo Pekingese versus Australian Cattle Dog Pekingese versus Bordoodle Pekingese versus Yorkshire Terrier Pekingese versus Chinese Shar-Pei Pekingese versus Lagotto Romagnolo Pekingese versus Shichon Pekingese versus German Shorthaired Pointer Pekingese versus Dachshund Pekingese versus Standard Poodle Pekingese versus Treeing Walker Coonhound Pekingese versus Cavachon Pekingese versus Kuvasz Pekingese versus Yorkipoo Pekingese versus Spanish Mastiff Pekingese versus Airedale Terrier Pekingese versus Glen of Imaal Terrier Pekingese versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne Pekingese versus Lakeland Terrier Pekingese versus Glen of Imaal Terrier Pekingese versus Glen of Imaal Terrier Pekingese versus Neapolitan Mastiff
Conclusion: Irish Wolfhound versus Pekingese. 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 Pekingese better suits you and your family.