Last Updated: Apr 09, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Yorkshire Terrier Versus Irish Water Spaniel: Introduction
- Yorkshire Terrier versus Irish Water Spaniel: Overview
- Yorkshire Terrier versus Irish Water Spaniel: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Yorkshire Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel
- The Similarities Between the Yorkshire Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel
- Size Comparison of the Yorkshire Terrier versus Irish Water Spaniel
- Lifespan of Yorkshire Terrier versus Irish Water Spaniel
- Temperament of the Yorkshire Terrier Versus the Irish Water Spaniel
- The Intelligence of the Yorkshire Terrier versus the Intelligence of the Irish Water Spaniel
- The Popularity of Yorkshire Terrier versus Popularity of Irish Water Spaniel
- Health Problems of Yorkshire Terrier versus Health Problems of Irish Water Spaniel
- Tolerates Being Alone: Yorkshire Terrier versus Irish Water Spaniel
- Do Yorkshire Terriers shed more than Irish Water Spaniels?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Yorkshire Terrier or the Irish Water Spaniel?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Yorkshire Terrier or the Irish Water Spaniel?
- Are Yorkshire Terriers good family dogs? What about Irish Water Spaniels?
- Is the Yorkshire Terrier Easier to Train than the Irish Water Spaniel?
- Which one drools more, the Yorkshire Terrier or the Irish Water Spaniel
- How Kid-friendly are Yorkshire Terriers and Irish Water Spaniels?
- Does the Yorkshire Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Irish Water Spaniel?
- Do Yorkshire Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Irish Water Spaniels?
- Can Yorkshire Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Irish Water Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Yorkshire Terrier vs. Irish Water Spaniel
- Can Yorkshire Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Irish Water Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Yorkshire Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds
- Conclusion: Yorkshire Terrier versus Irish Water Spaniel. Which One is a Better Pet?
Yorkshire Terrier Versus Irish Water Spaniel: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Yorkshire Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel? 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 Yorkshire Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel 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 Yorkshire Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Yorkshire Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel 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 Yorkshire Terrier and for the Irish Water Spaniel. 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 Yorkshire Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Yorkshire Terrier or the Irish Water Spaniel.
Yorkshire Terrier versus Irish Water Spaniel: Overview
A very important difference between the Yorkshire Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Yorkshire Terrier is a tiny-sized dog while the Irish Water Spaniel is a medium-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Yorkshire Terrier 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.
On the other hand, 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.
Yorkshire Terrier versus Irish Water Spaniel: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Yorkshire Terrier to the Irish Water Spaniel 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 Yorkshire Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel
Factor | Yorkshire Terrier | Irish Water Spaniel |
---|---|---|
Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 4/5 |
Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 10 to 12 years |
Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 3/5 |
Tolerates Cold Weather | 2/5 | 4/5 |
Tolerates Hot Weather | 2/5 | 4/5 |
Kid-Friendly | 2/5 | 5/5 |
Friendly Toward Strangers | 2/5 | 5/5 |
Does NOT Shed | 4/5 | 5/5 |
Easy To Groom | 2/5 | 3/5 |
Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 4/5 | 3/5 |
Does NOT chew on things | 4/5 | 3/5 |
Low Prey Drive | 4/5 | 1/5 |
Dog Friendly | 3/5 | 4/5 |
Easy To Train | 3/5 | 5/5 |
Intelligence | 3/5 | 4/5 |
Does NOT Bark or Howl | 3/5 | 2/5 |
Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 3/5 |
Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 2/5 |
Affectionate With Family | 4/5 | 5/5 |
General Health | 4/5 | 2/5 |
Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 3/5 |
Minimal Exercise Needs | 2/5 | 1/5 |
Weight | 4 to 6 pounds | 45 to 65 pounds |
Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 5/5 | 3/5 |
Easygoing | 1/5 | 2/5 |
NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 1/5 |
Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 4/5 |
Height | 8 to 9 inches tall at the shoulder | 1 foot, 9 inches to 2 feet tall at the shoulder |
Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 11.0 years |
Average Price | $2420 | No Data |
Price Range | $1600 – $2950 | No Data |
Temperament Score | 83.7 percent | 90.0 percent |
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | ||
Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 9 | 157 |
Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 27 | 24 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Yorkshire Terrier 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 Irish Water Spaniel. 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 Yorkshire Terrier is 76 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Irish Water Spaniel is 81 out of 125.
Despite the higher Better-Pet score of the Irish Water Spaniel, we still believe that the Yorkshire Terrier is a better pet than the Irish Water Spaniel.
This is because Yorkshire Terriers are much cuter but you cannot put a score on cuteness. If you could put a score on cuteness, then the Yorkshire Terrier will come out on top.
Also, we are biased in favor of the Yorkshire Terrier :-). We are for the Yorkshire Terrier. So get a Yorkshire Terrier!
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Yorkshire Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel
Below is a list of where the Yorkshire Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel are most different:
The Similarities Between the Yorkshire Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel
The Yorkshire Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Yorkshire Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel are most similar:
Size Comparison of the Yorkshire Terrier versus Irish Water Spaniel
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Yorkshire Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel.
The Yorkshire Terrier weighs 4 to 6 pounds when fully grown. The Yorkshire Terrier is 8 to 9 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
On the other hand, the Irish Water Spaniel weighs 45 to 65 pounds when fully grown. The Irish Water Spaniel is 1 foot, 9 inches to 2 feet tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Lifespan of Yorkshire Terrier versus Irish Water Spaniel
The lifespan of the Yorkshire Terrier is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of the Yorkshire Terrier is 13.5 years.
The lifespan of the Irish Water Spaniel is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of the Irish Water Spaniel is 11.0 years.
The Yorkshire Terrier live longer than the Irish Water Spaniel.
Temperament of the Yorkshire Terrier Versus the Irish Water Spaniel
The Irish Water Spaniel has a better temperament than the Yorkshire Terrier.
This is because the temperament score for the Irish Water Spaniel is 90.0 percent while the temperament score for the Yorkshire Terrier is 83.7 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 83.7 percent, the Yorkshire Terrier has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
With its temperament score of 90.0 percent, the Irish Water Spaniel has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Yorkshire Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel by measuring the temperaments of 43 Yorkshire Terriers and 30 Irish Water Spaniels.
The Intelligence of the Yorkshire Terrier versus the Intelligence of the Irish Water Spaniel
`Yorkshire Terrier | Irish Water Spaniel | |
---|---|---|
Intelligence Rank | 27 out of 130 dog breeds | 24 out of 130 dog breeds |
Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 15 To 25 Repetitions | Tend To Learn New Commands After 5 To 15 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 Yorkshire Terrier has an obedience intelligence rank of 27 out of 130 dog breeds. The Yorkshire Terrier belongs to the `Above Average Working Dogs` category. This means that Yorkshire Terriers tend to learn new commands after 15 to 25 repetitions.
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 Irish Water Spaniel is more intelligent than the Yorkshire Terrier.
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 Yorkshire Terrier versus Popularity of Irish Water Spaniel
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 Yorkshire Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Yorkshire Terrier is more popular with dog owners than the Irish Water Spaniel. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Yorkshire Terrier is 9 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Irish Water Spaniel is 157 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Yorkshire Terrier
Popularity of Irish Water Spaniel
Year | Yorkshire Terrier Popularity Rank | Irish Water Spaniel Popularity Rank |
---|---|---|
2013 | 6 | 141 |
2014 | 6 | 152 |
2015 | 7 | 144 |
2016 | 9 | 150 |
2017 | 9 | 164 |
2018 | 10 | 159 |
2019 | 12 | 170 |
2020 | 13 | 174 |
2021 | 13 | 165 |
Health Problems of Yorkshire Terrier versus Health Problems of Irish Water Spaniel
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 Yorkshire Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel 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 Yorkshire Terrier is prone to more genetic health problems than the Irish Water Spaniel.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Yorkshire Terrier than for the Irish Water Spaniel.
7 health tests are recommended for Yorkshire Terrier while 5 tests are recommended for the Irish Water Spaniel.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Yorkshire Terriers and in Irish Water Spaniels.
Yorkshire Terrier Health Problems
Yorkshire Terriers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Yorkshire Terrier 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 Yorkshire Terrier puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Yorkshire Terrier 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 Yorkshire Terriers for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Yorkshire Terriers here.
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.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Yorkshire Terriers and Irish Water Spaniels
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 Yorkshire Terrier Breed is Legg-Calve-Perthes problems.
This is because the Yorkshire Terrier ranks 1 out of 40 dog breeds for Legg-Calve-Perthes problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 321 Yorkshire Terriers, 9 of them had Legg-Calve-Perthes problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Yorkshire Terriers, and how common these diseases are in Yorkshire Terriers 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 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:
The table below lists the common health problems in Yorkshire Terrier and in Irish Water Spaniel and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Yorkshire Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel:
`Disease | Yorkshire Terrier Rank | Irish Water Spaniel Rank |
---|---|---|
Legg-Calve-Perthes problems | 1 out of 40 dog breeds | Not Common |
Patella problems | 3 out of 145 dog breeds | Not Common |
Dentition Database problems | 23 out of 49 dog breeds | Not Common |
Eyes problems | 88 out of 182 dog breeds | 150 out of 182 dog breeds |
Hips problems | 159 out of 198 dog breeds | 104 out of 198 dog breeds |
Advanced Cardiac problems | Not Common | 5 out of 71 dog breeds |
Congenital Cardiac problems | Not Common | 9 out of 159 dog breeds |
Shoulder problems | Not Common | 18 out of 22 dog breeds |
Elbow problems | Not Common | 31 out of 144 dog breeds |
Thyroid problems | Not Common | 105 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: Yorkshire Terrier versus Irish Water Spaniel
Yorkshire Terriers do not like to be left alone.
Irish Water Spaniels can be left alone only for a short time.
Do Yorkshire Terriers shed more than Irish Water Spaniels?
Yorkshire Terriers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Irish Water Spaniels do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Yorkshire Terrier or the Irish Water Spaniel?
Yorkshire Terriers require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Irish Water Spaniels are moderately easy to groom.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Yorkshire Terrier or the Irish Water Spaniel?
Yorkshire Terriers get along fairly well with other dogs.
Irish Water Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.
Are Yorkshire Terriers good family dogs? What about Irish Water Spaniels?
Yorkshire Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Irish Water Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Yorkshire Terrier Easier to Train than the Irish Water Spaniel?
Yorkshire Terriers are fairly easy to train.
Irish Water Spaniels are very easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Yorkshire Terrier or the Irish Water Spaniel
Yorkshire Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Irish Water Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Yorkshire Terriers and Irish Water Spaniels?
Yorkshire Terriers do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.
Irish Water Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Yorkshire Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Irish Water Spaniel?
Yorkshire Terriers 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.
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.
Do Yorkshire Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Irish Water Spaniels?
Yorkshire Terriers bark and howl, but not very much.
Irish Water Spaniels are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Yorkshire Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Irish Water Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?
Yorkshire Terriers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Irish Water Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Yorkshire Terrier vs. Irish Water Spaniel
Yorkshire Terriers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Irish Water Spaniels have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Yorkshire Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Irish Water Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?
Yorkshire Terriers cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Irish Water Spaniels can tolerate hot weather.
Is the Yorkshire Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Irish Water Spaniel?
Yorkshire Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.
Irish Water Spaniels adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Yorkshire Terrier or the Irish Water Spaniel?
Yorkshire Terriers are very good for new dog owners.
Irish Water Spaniels are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Yorkshire Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds
You may also be interested in how the Yorkshire Terrier compares to other breeds aside from the Irish Water Spaniel. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Yorkshire Terrier to other breeds:
Yorkshire Terrier versus Labradoodle Yorkshire Terrier versus Aussiedoodle Yorkshire Terrier versus Chorkie Yorkshire Terrier versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog Yorkshire Terrier versus Black Russian Terrier Yorkshire Terrier versus Bluetick Coonhound Yorkshire Terrier versus Alaskan Klee Kai Yorkshire Terrier versus Karelian Bear Dog Yorkshire Terrier versus French Spaniel Yorkshire Terrier versus Miniature Schnauzer Yorkshire Terrier versus Bouvier des Flandres Yorkshire Terrier versus Papipoo Yorkshire Terrier versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Yorkshire Terrier versus Saint Berdoodle
Conclusion: Yorkshire Terrier versus Irish Water Spaniel. 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 Yorkshire Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel better suits you and your family.