Differences and Similarities between the Irish Wolfhound and the Shiloh Shepherd.

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Irish Wolfhound Versus Shiloh Shepherd: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Irish Wolfhound and the Shiloh Shepherd? 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 Shiloh Shepherd 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 Shiloh Shepherd.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Irish Wolfhound and the Shiloh Shepherd 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 Shiloh Shepherd. 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 Shiloh Shepherd.

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 Shiloh Shepherd.

Irish Wolfhound versus Shiloh Shepherd: Overview

Both the Irish Wolfhound and the Shiloh Shepherd are similar in size. The Irish Wolfhound and the Shiloh Shepherd are both giant-sized dogs.

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 Shiloh Shepherd belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

Irish Wolfhound versus Shiloh Shepherd: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Irish Wolfhound to the Shiloh Shepherd 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 Shiloh Shepherd

Factor Irish Wolfhound Shiloh Shepherd
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 1/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 3/5
General Health 1/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 5/5 2/5
Weight 115 to 180 pounds 80 to 130 pounds
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 4/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 2/5
Easygoing 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 2/5
Easy To Train 3/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 3/5
Height 32 to 35 inches tall at the shoulder 26 to 30 inches
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 5/5
Intelligence 4/5 5/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 5/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 5/5
Life Span 6 to 8 years 9 to 14 years
Average Lifespan 7.0 years 11.5 years
Average Price $1930 No Data
Price Range $1500 – $2400 No Data
Temperament Score 90.1 percent 80.8 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Serum Bile Acid Test
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • 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 Shiloh Shepherd. 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 Shiloh Shepherd is 82 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Shiloh Shepherd is not better or worse than the Irish Wolfhound. So, you can get the Shiloh Shepherd or 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 Shiloh Shepherd 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 Shiloh Shepherd

    Below is a list of where the Irish Wolfhound and the Shiloh Shepherd are most different:

  • Irish Wolfhounds are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl. However, Shiloh Shepherds are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Irish Wolfhounds have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets. However, Shiloh Shepherds have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • The Similarities Between the Irish Wolfhound and the Shiloh Shepherd

    The Irish Wolfhound and the Shiloh Shepherd are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Irish Wolfhound and the Shiloh Shepherd are most similar:

  • Both the Irish Wolfhound and the Shiloh Shepherd do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Irish Wolfhound and the Shiloh Shepherd are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Irish Wolfhound and the Shiloh Shepherd do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Irish Wolfhound and the Shiloh Shepherd can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Irish Wolfhound and the Shiloh Shepherd are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Irish Wolfhound and the Shiloh Shepherd require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Irish Wolfhound and the Shiloh Shepherd are very playful.
  • Both the Irish Wolfhound and the Shiloh Shepherd are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Irish Wolfhound and the Shiloh Shepherd get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Irish Wolfhound and the Shiloh Shepherd get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Irish Wolfhound and the Shiloh Shepherd are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Irish Wolfhound versus Shiloh Shepherd

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Irish Wolfhound and the Shiloh Shepherd.

    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, Shiloh Shepherds weigh 80 to 130 pounds when fully grown. Shiloh Shepherds are 26 to 30 inches when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Irish Wolfhound versus Shiloh Shepherd

    The lifespan of Irish Wolfhounds is between 6 to 8 years. The average lifespan of Irish Wolfhounds is 7.0 years.

    The lifespan of Shiloh Shepherds is between 9 to 14 years . The average lifespan of Shiloh Shepherds is 11.5 years.

    Shiloh Shepherds live longer than Irish Wolfhounds.

    Temperament of the Shiloh Shepherd Versus the Irish Wolfhound

    The Irish Wolfhound has a better temperament than the Shiloh Shepherd.

    This is because the temperament score for the Irish Wolfhound is 90.1 percent while the temperament score for the Shiloh Shepherd is 80.8 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 80.8 percent, the Shiloh Shepherd has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Irish Wolfhound and the Shiloh Shepherd by measuring the temperaments of 101 Irish Wolfhounds and 26 Shiloh Shepherds.

    Health Problems of Irish Wolfhound versus Health Problems of Shiloh Shepherd

    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 Shiloh Shepherd 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 Shiloh Shepherd.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Irish Wolfhound than for the Shiloh Shepherd.

    5 health tests are recommended for Irish Wolfhound while 4 tests are recommended for the Shiloh Shepherd.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Irish Wolfhounds and in Shiloh Shepherds.

    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:

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Serum Bile Acid Test
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Irish Wolfhounds here.

    Shiloh Shepherd Health Problems

    Shiloh Shepherds are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Shiloh Shepherd 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 Shiloh Shepherd puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Shiloh Shepherd 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 Shiloh Shepherds for:

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Shiloh Shepherds here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Irish Wolfhounds and Shiloh Shepherds

    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 Wolfhound Breed is Congenital Cardiac problems.

    This is because the Irish Wolfhound ranks 11 out of 159 dog breeds for Congenital Cardiac problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 682 Irish Wolfhounds, 12 of them had Congenital Cardiac problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Irish Wolfhounds, and how common these diseases are in Irish Wolfhounds relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 11 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Advanced Cardiac problems: Rank 12 out of 71 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 34 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 50 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 164 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • 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 Shiloh Shepherd Breed is Congenital Cardiac problems.

    This is because the Shiloh Shepherd ranks 39 out of 159 dog breeds for Congenital Cardiac problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 740 Shiloh Shepherds, 3 of them had Congenital Cardiac problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Shiloh Shepherds, and how common these diseases are in Shiloh Shepherds relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 39 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 40 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 42 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 52 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 97 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Irish Wolfhound and in Shiloh Shepherd and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Irish Wolfhound and the Shiloh Shepherd:

    Disease Irish Wolfhound Rank Shiloh Shepherd Rank
    Congenital Cardiac problems 11 out of 159 dog breeds 39 out of 159 dog breeds
    Advanced Cardiac problems 12 out of 71 dog breeds Not Common
    Elbow problems 34 out of 144 dog breeds 52 out of 144 dog breeds
    Eyes problems 50 out of 182 dog breeds Not Common
    Hips problems 164 out of 198 dog breeds 42 out of 198 dog breeds
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems Not Common 40 out of 70 dog breeds
    Thyroid problems Not Common 97 out of 115 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 Wolfhound versus Shiloh Shepherd

    Irish Wolfhounds do not like to be left alone.

    Shiloh Shepherds do not like to be left alone.

    Do Irish Wolfhounds shed more than Shiloh Shepherds?

    Irish Wolfhounds shed moderately.

    Shiloh Shepherds shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Irish Wolfhound or the Shiloh Shepherd

    Irish Wolfhounds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Shiloh Shepherds drool moderately.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Irish Wolfhound or the Shiloh Shepherd?

    Irish Wolfhounds are moderately easy to groom.

    Shiloh Shepherds are very easy to groom.

    Does the Irish Wolfhound Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shiloh Shepherd?

    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.

    Shiloh Shepherds 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 Wolfhounds Bark and Howl? What about Shiloh Shepherds?

    Irish Wolfhounds are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Shiloh Shepherds are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can Irish Wolfhounds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shiloh Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Irish Wolfhounds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Shiloh Shepherds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Irish Wolfhound vs. Shiloh Shepherd

    Irish Wolfhounds have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Shiloh Shepherds 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 Shiloh Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Irish Wolfhounds cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Shiloh Shepherds can tolerate hot weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Irish Wolfhound or the Shiloh Shepherd?

    Irish Wolfhounds get along very well with other dogs.

    Shiloh Shepherds get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Irish Wolfhounds good family dogs? What about Shiloh Shepherds?

    Irish Wolfhounds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Shiloh Shepherds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Irish Wolfhounds and Shiloh Shepherds?

    Irish Wolfhounds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Shiloh Shepherds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Irish Wolfhound Easier to Train than the Shiloh Shepherd?

    Irish Wolfhounds are fairly easy to train.

    Shiloh Shepherds are very easy to train.

    Is the Irish Wolfhound Better for Apartment Owners than the Shiloh Shepherd?

    Irish Wolfhounds do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Shiloh Shepherds do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Irish Wolfhound or the Shiloh Shepherd?

    Irish Wolfhounds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Shiloh Shepherds 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:

  • Bracco Italiano (74 percent match with Irish Wolfhound). Here is our comparison of the Shiloh Shepherd vs Bracco Italiano.
  • Cavapoo (72 percent match with Irish Wolfhound). Here is our comparison of the Shiloh Shepherd vs Cavapoo.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Shiloh Shepherd

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Shiloh Shepherd 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 Shiloh Shepherd:

  • Flat-Coated Retriever (78 percent match with Shiloh Shepherd). Here is our comparison of the Irish Wolfhound vs Flat-Coated Retriever.
  • Labrador Retriever (79 percent match with Shiloh Shepherd). Here is our comparison of the Irish Wolfhound vs Labrador Retriever.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Irish Wolfhound and how the Shiloh Shepherd compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Irish Wolfhound and of the Shiloh Shepherd to other breeds:

    Irish Wolfhound Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Irish Wolfhound versus Kuvasz     Irish Wolfhound versus Jack Russell Terrier     Irish Wolfhound versus Bull Terrier     Irish Wolfhound versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     Irish Wolfhound versus American Pit Bull Terrier     Irish Wolfhound versus Greyhound     Irish Wolfhound versus Bull Terrier     Irish Wolfhound versus Chihuahua     Irish Wolfhound versus Maremma Sheepdog     Irish Wolfhound versus Korean Jindo Dog     Irish Wolfhound versus Kai Ken     Irish Wolfhound versus Dogo Argentino     Irish Wolfhound versus Swedish Vallhund     Irish Wolfhound versus Black and Tan Coonhound     Irish Wolfhound versus Toy Poodle     Irish Wolfhound versus Field Spaniel     Irish Wolfhound versus Australian Shepherd     Irish Wolfhound versus Cavapoo     Irish Wolfhound versus American Water Spaniel     Irish Wolfhound versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     Irish Wolfhound versus Saluki     Irish Wolfhound versus Kooikerhondje     Irish Wolfhound versus Kishu Ken     Irish Wolfhound versus Icelandic Sheepdog     Irish Wolfhound versus Cesky Terrier     

    Shiloh Shepherd Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Shiloh Shepherd versus Dogue de Bordeaux     Shiloh Shepherd versus Bracco Italiano     Shiloh Shepherd versus Irish Wolfhound     Shiloh Shepherd versus Catahoula Leopard Dog     Shiloh Shepherd versus Beaglier     Shiloh Shepherd versus Sheepadoodle     Shiloh Shepherd versus Weimaraner     Shiloh Shepherd versus Weimaraner     Shiloh Shepherd versus Lhasapoo     Shiloh Shepherd versus Yorkipoo     Shiloh Shepherd versus Glen of Imaal Terrier     Shiloh Shepherd versus Belgian Malinois     Shiloh Shepherd versus Icelandic Sheepdog     Shiloh Shepherd versus Shichon     Shiloh Shepherd versus Chow Chow     Shiloh Shepherd versus German Shorthaired Pointer     Shiloh Shepherd versus Chinook     Shiloh Shepherd versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde     Shiloh Shepherd versus Pug     Shiloh Shepherd versus Kai Ken     Shiloh Shepherd versus Kooikerhondje     Shiloh Shepherd versus Japanese Chin     Shiloh Shepherd versus Gordon Setter     Shiloh Shepherd versus Pomeranian     Shiloh Shepherd versus Great Dane     

    Conclusion: Irish Wolfhound versus Shiloh Shepherd. 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 Shiloh Shepherd better suits you and your family.