Irish Setter vs German Shepherd Comparison – Which dog is better Irish Red Setter or Alsatian wolf dog?
"Find similarities and differences between Irish Setter vs German Shepherd"
Compare Irish Setter and German Shepherd. Which is better: Irish Setter or German Shepherd?
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| Name | Irish Setter | German Shepherd |
|---|---|---|
| Origins |  Ireland |  Germany |
| Group | Gun Dog | Pastoral / Herding Dogs |
| Popularity Rank | 72 | 2 |
| Reviews | 4 | 21 |
| User Ratings |
| Common Names & Aliases
Compare different names used for Irish Setter and German Shepherd. What other names are these breeds known by? |
Irish Red Setter Red Setter |
Alsatian wolf dog Berger Allemand Deutscher Schäferhund Schäferhund Alsatian |
|---|---|---|
| Breed Classification
Compare breed classifications between an Irish Setter and a German Shepherd. Learn about their genetic backgrounds. | Purebred | Purebred |
Irish Setter vs German Shepherd Size and Weight Comparison
| Size Classification
Which is bigger: an Irish Setter or a German Shepherd? Compare size differences between these breeds. | Large | Large |
|---|---|---|
| Weight Statistics
Compare weight ranges between an Irish Setter and a German Shepherd. Which breed is heavier? | Male: 65-75 pounds (29-34 kg), Female: 55-65 pounds (25-29 kg) | Male: 66-88 pounds (30-40 kg), Female: 49-71 pounds (22-32 kg) |
| Average Weight
Which dog has a smaller / higher average weight? | Male: 70 pounds (31.5 kg), Female: 60 pounds (27 kg) | Male: 77 pounds (35 kg), Female: 60 pounds (27 kg) |
| Height
Which is taller, Irish Setter or German Shepherd? Is an Irish Setter taller than a German Shepherd? | Male: 26-28 inches (66-71 cm), Female: 24-26 inches (61-66 cm) | Male: 24-26 inches (60-65 cm), Female: 22-24 inches (55-60 cm) |
| Average Height
Which dog has a smaller / higher average height? | Male: 27 inches (68.5 cm), Female: 25 inches (63.5 cm) | Male: 25 inches (62.5 cm), Female: 23 inches (57.5 cm) |
Irish Setter vs German Shepherd Price and Availability Comparison
| Price Range
Compare puppy prices between an Irish Setter and a German Shepherd. Which breed costs more? | $800-$1000 | $800-$2000 |
|---|---|---|
| Availability
Which is easier to get, Irish Setter or German Shepherd? | Very frequent: The Irish Setter is quite easy to get. | Very frequent: The German Shepherd is quite easy to get. |
Irish Setter vs German Shepherd Trainability and Intelligence Comparison
| Intelligence Rating
Which is smarter: an Irish Setter or a German Shepherd? Compare intelligence rankings and learning abilities. | Smart: The Irish Setter dogs have great intelligence. | Outstanding: German Shepherd is one of the brightest dog breeds. |
|---|---|---|
| Training Difficulty
Which is easier to train: an Irish Setter or a German Shepherd? Compare training requirements. | Irish Setter dogs are very easy to train. | German Shepherd dogs are easy to train. |
| Watchdog Rating
Which makes a better watchdog: an Irish Setter or a German Shepherd? Compare alertness levels. | Irish Setter dogs are average watchdogs. | German Shepherd dogs are one of the best watchdogs. |
| Territorial Protection
Which is more protective: an Irish Setter or a German Shepherd? Compare territorial behaviors. | Irish Setter dogs are not the best to protect their territory. | German Shepherd dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. |
Irish Setter vs German Shepherd Personality and Temperament Comparison
| Personality Traits
Compare personalities of an Irish Setter and a German Shepherd. How do their temperaments differ? |
Playful Independent Energetic Intelligent Affectionate Lively Companionable |
Curious Alert Courageous Intelligent Confident Obedient Loyal Watchful |
|---|---|---|
| Sensitivity Level
Which dog is more sensitive? What's the difference between Irish Setter vs German Shepherd? | They are a little bit more sensitive than other dog breeds. | Sensitive: German Shepherd dogs don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household, and frequent guest visits. |
| Affection Level
Which is the more affectionate dog breed: Irish Setter vs German Shepherd? | High: Irish Setter dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. | High: German Shepherd dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. |
| Social Needs
Irish Setter vs German Shepherd social needs comparison: | Irish Setter dogs need a lot of social interaction. | German Shepherd dogs need for social interaction is average. |
| Impulse to Wander or Roam
Which dog has a greater roaming instinct? What's the difference between Irish Setter vs German Shepherd? | Irish Setter dogs have high wanderlust potential, which means that this breed has a strong desire for exploring the world. | German Shepherd dogs are not the biggest explorers. |
| Prey Drive
Which dog has a higher prey drive? What's the difference between Irish Setter vs German Shepherd? Which can be better for hunting? | Irish Setter dogs have a high impulse to chase and catch something. | German Shepherd dogs have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. |
Irish Setter vs German Shepherd Activity and Playfulness Comparison
| Barking Frequency
Which breed barks more: an Irish Setter or a German Shepherd? Compare vocalization tendencies. | Low: The Irish Setter barks none to minimal. | Low to Average: The German Shepherd rarely barks. |
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| Playful Nature
Which breed is more playful: an Irish Setter or a German Shepherd? Compare play drive and energy. | The Irish Setter is a highly playful breed. | Average: German Shepherds, like any other dog breed, like playing. |
| Apartment Adaptability
Which is better for apartments: an Irish Setter or a German Shepherd? Compare living space needs. | Not an apartment-friendly dog the Irish Setter breed. | It is not the best choice if you want to keep them indoors, however, with careful exercise and several walks a day, they will tolerate the indoor environment, so it is possible to keep German Shepherd indoors. |
Irish Setter vs German Shepherd Adaptability and Independence Comparison
| Lifestyle Adaptability
Which adapts better to changes: an Irish Setter or a German Shepherd? Compare adaptability levels. | Irish Setter dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments. | German Shepherd dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments. |
|---|---|---|
| Alone Time Tolerance
Which dog can be left alone: Irish Setter or German Shepherd? | Irish Setter dogs tend to have separation anxiety when their owners left them alone at home because they bond very closely with them. | Just like every puppy, they are prone to panic, cry, bark, whine when they left alone by their owner. |
Irish Setter vs German Shepherd Bite Characteristics Comparison
| Bite Risk Assessment
Which has lower bite risk: an Irish Setter or a German Shepherd? Compare biting tendencies. | Low 🔽 The Irish Setter has a low chance of biting somebody. | High 🔼 The German Shepherd has a high chance of biting somebody. |
|---|---|---|
| Mouthing Tendency
Which is more mouthy: an Irish Setter or a German Shepherd? Compare mouthing behaviors. | Irish Setter dogs have a strong tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. | German Shepherd dogs have a strong tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. |
| Bite Strength Rating
Which has a stronger bite: an Irish Setter or a German Shepherd? Compare bite force PSI. | Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ Irish Setter bite force: Ordinary. | Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ German Shepherd bite force: Ordinary. |
Irish Setter vs German Shepherd Health and Lifespan Comparison
| Average Lifespan
Which lives longer: an Irish Setter or a German Shepherd? Compare average lifespans. |
12-14 years The average lifespan of Irish Setter: 13 years |
9-13 years The average lifespan of German Shepherd: 11 years |
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| Climate Tolerance
Which handles weather better: an Irish Setter or a German Shepherd? Compare climate tolerances. | Prefers average to cold weather conditions The Irish Setter can adapt to well to cold weather conditions, some dogs even can be a good mountain dog. | Tolerates warm and cold weather Dogs that tolerate hot and cold weather are typically those that have a double coat of fur. |
| Health Concerns
Compare common health issues between an Irish Setter and a German Shepherd. Which breed is healthier? | The Irish Setter is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly. | German Shepherds are commonly healthy dogs. |
| Vet Care Frequency
Which one may need more or less veterinary visits: Irish Setter vs German Shepherd? |
Average The Irish Setter should have a complete physical check-up at least once per year. |
Rare The German Shepherd should have a complete physical check-up at least every 12-18 months (but preferably once per year). |
| Health Problems
Which one has more or less genetic/health problems: Irish Setter vs German Shepherd? What are the allergies, genetic diseases and concerns for them? Irish Setter vs German Shepherd health problems comparison: | Hip Dysplasia Cancer Hypothyroidism Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Bloat Epilepsy Osteochondrosis Dissecans Panosteitis Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy Canine Leukocyte |
Cataracts Hip Dysplasia Allergies Cancer Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Von Willebrand's Disease Bloat Epilepsy Blindness Cherry Eye Elbow Dysplasia Diabetes Heart Disease Retinal Dysplasia Demodectic Mange Degenerative Myelopathy Wobbler's Syndrome Panosteitis Hemophilia B Megaesophagus Cushing's Syndrome Lens Luxation Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency Chronic Diarrhea Cruciate Ligament Rupture Digestive Problems Hemophilia A Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy Lupus Myasthenia Gravis Nail Bed Disease Osteochondrosis Pannus Paralysis Perianal Fistula Seborrhea Vitiligo |
Irish Setter vs German Shepherd Energy and Activity Comparison
| Energy Rating
Which breed is more energetic: an Irish Setter or a German Shepherd? Compare activity levels. | Irish Setter dogs are high-energy dogs. | German Shepherd dogs are high-energy dogs. |
|---|---|---|
| Activity Requirement / Exercise Need
Irish Setter vs German Shepherd exercise need comparison. Which dog needs more activity? Which dog needs the most exercise: Irish Setter or German Shepherd? Which dog needs the most walking? Which dog is the laziest? | Irish Setter dogs need a lot of exercises. | German Shepherd dogs need quite a lot of exercise. |
| Sleeping Need
Which one sleeps the least/most: Irish Setter or German Shepherd? | Irish Setter dogs don't need too much sleep. | German Shepherd dogs don't need too much sleep. |
Irish Setter vs German Shepherd Diet and Weight Management Comparison
| Obesity Tendency
Which gains weight easier: an Irish Setter or a German Shepherd? Compare obesity risks. | Average: The Irish Setter has an average risk for obesity. | Low to Average: The German Shepherd has a low to the average risk for obesity. |
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| Food Consumption
Which eats more: an Irish Setter or a German Shepherd? Compare daily food needs. | 3 to 4 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals. | 3 to 4 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals. |
Irish Setter vs German Shepherd Allergies and Grooming Comparison
| Allergy Friendliness
Which is more hypoallergenic: an Irish Setter or a German Shepherd? Compare allergy friendliness. | No See more. | No See more. |
|---|---|---|
| Coat Colors
What color variations exist for Irish Setter and German Shepherd? Compare breed colors. | Red Mahogany |
Black Tan Red Silver |
| Grooming Requirements
Which needs more grooming: an Irish Setter or a German Shepherd? Compare maintenance needs. | Advanced: The Irish Setter requires a lot of grooming. | Average: The German Shepherd requires average grooming effort. |
| Drooling Tendency
Which drools more: an Irish Setter or a German Shepherd? Compare drooling amounts. | The Irish Setter is a perfect example of a low drooling tendency. | The German Shepherd is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. |
| Stinkiness Rating
Which has less odor: an Irish Setter or a German Shepherd? Compare natural smell levels. | High 🔼 The Irish Setter has a high chance of bad smell. | Medium ⏺ The German Shepherd has an average chance of bad smell. |
| Coat Characteristics
How do coats differ between an Irish Setter and a German Shepherd? Compare fur types. | Fine | Fuzzy |
| Bathing Needs
Which needs more baths: an Irish Setter or a German Shepherd? Compare bathing frequencies. | 3-4 weeks More often than average. These dog coats tend to be longer, softer, and oilier than short-haired breeds. | 8-12 weeks Very rarely. Bathing your dog is beneficial to them in more ways than just one. |
| Shedding Level
Who sheds more Irish Setter or German Shepherd? Do Irish Setter dogs shed more than German Shepherd dogs? | Irish Setter dogs shed moderately. | German Shepherd dogs are heavy shedders. |
Irish Setter vs German Shepherd Good With Comparison
| Child Compatibility
Which is better with children: an Irish Setter or a German Shepherd? Compare kid-friendliness. | Irish Setter dogs are very kid-friendly dogs. | German Shepherd dogs are very kid-friendly dogs. |
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| Pet Compatibility
Which dog breeds get along well with other animals/pets? | Irish Setter dogs are one of the friendliest dog breeds. | German Shepherd dogs are generally with other pets. |
| Stranger Friendly
Which dog is more stranger friendly Irish Setter or German Shepherd? Which dog is more friendly? | Irish Setter dogs are very stranger-friendly dogs. | German Shepherd dogs are stranger-friendly dogs. |
| Cat Friendly
Which dog is more cat friendly Irish Setter or German Shepherd? | Irish Setter dogs are very cat-friendly dogs. | German Shepherd dogs are average friendly towards cats. |
| Dog Friendly
Which dog is more dog friendly Irish Setter or German Shepherd? Can an Irish Setter and a German Shepherd be friends? Do Irish Setter dogs get along with German Shepherd dogs? | Irish Setter dogs are very dog-friendly dogs. | German Shepherd dogs are not the most dog-friendly dogs. |
| Good For First Time Owners
Which dog is best for first time owners: Irish Setter vs German Shepherd? |
Yes Irish Setter dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality. |
Yes German Shepherd dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality. |
| Office Friendly
Which one fits better in the office? |
No Irish Setter is not the best dog breed for office environment. |
No German Shepherd is not the best dog breed for office environment. |
| Senior Citizens Friendly
Which dog is good for elderly people? | Irish Setters are one of the best breeds for elderly people. | German Shepherds are one of the best breeds for elderly people. |
Irish Setter vs German Shepherd As a Working Dog Comparison
| Service Dog Capability
Which makes a better service dog: an Irish Setter or a German Shepherd? Compare service capabilities. | Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog. | Yes This breed makes good as a service dog. |
|---|---|---|
| Therapy Work Suitability
Which is better for therapy work: an Irish Setter or a German Shepherd? Compare therapy capabilities. | Yes This breed makes a perfect therapy dog. | Yes This breed makes a perfect therapy dog. |
| Scent Detection Ability
Which is better at detection work: an Irish Setter or a German Shepherd? Compare scenting abilities. | Not really They are not typically employed for this type of work, but there may be exceptional cases. | Yes After proper training, they can excel at this kind of work. |
| Search & Rescue Potential
Which is better for search and rescue: an Irish Setter or a German Shepherd? Compare SAR abilities. | Not really This dog breed is not typically used as a search and rescue dog. | Yes This breed would make an excellent search and rescue dog. |
| Maritime Work Ability
Which is better on boats: an Irish Setter or a German Shepherd? Compare maritime abilities. | Yes Irish Setter breed usually likes being on a boat. | Not really German Shepherd breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. |
| Draft Work Capability
Which is better at pulling: an Irish Setter or a German Shepherd? Compare draft work capabilities. | Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. | Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. |
| Military Service Background
Compare military history between Irish Setter and German Shepherd. Which has stronger military background? | Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog. | Yes In history, this breed was unfortunately used for combat dogs. |
Irish Setter vs German Shepherd Reproducibility Comparison
| Puppy Litter Size
Compare litter sizes between Irish Setter and German Shepherd. Which has larger litters? | 7-10 puppies | 6-10 puppies |
|---|---|---|
| Pregnancy Duration
Compare pregnancy duration between Irish Setter and German Shepherd breeds. | 60-64 days See more. | 60-64 days See more. |
| Breeding Frequency
Compare breeding frequencies between Irish Setter and German Shepherd. Which needs longer recovery? | Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. | Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. |
Irish Setter vs German Shepherd Recognition Comparison
| AKC Classification
Compare AKC classifications of Irish Setter and German Shepherd. Which groups do they belong to? | Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1878 as a Sporting breed. | Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1908 as a Herding breed. |
|---|---|---|
| FCI Classification
Compare FCI classifications of Irish Setter and German Shepherd. Which groups are they in? | Recognized by FCI in the Pointing Dogs group, in the British and Irish Pointers and Setters section. | Recognized by FCI in the Sheepdogs and Cattledogs (except Swiss Cattledogs) group, in the Sheepdogs section. |
| Kennel Club Recognition
Compare kennel club recognition between Irish Setter and German Shepherd. Which is more widely recognized? |
American Canine Registry American Kennel Club America's Pet Registry Canadian Kennel Club Dog Registry of America Inc. Federation Cynologique Internationale Kennel Club of Great Britain North American Purebred Registry, Inc. American Canine Association, Inc. Australian National Kennel Council Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club New Zealand Kennel Club United Kennel Club Canadian Canine Registry |
American Canine Registry American Kennel Club America's Pet Registry Canadian Kennel Club Dog Registry of America Inc. Federation Cynologique Internationale Kennel Club of Great Britain North American Purebred Registry, Inc. American Canine Association, Inc. Australian National Kennel Council Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club New Zealand Kennel Club United Kennel Club German Shepherd Dog Club Of America |
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