Irish Terrier vs German Shepherd Comparison – Which dog is better Daredevil or Alsatian wolf dog?
"Find similarities and differences between Irish Terrier vs German Shepherd"
Compare Irish Terrier and German Shepherd. Which is better: Irish Terrier or German Shepherd?
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| Name | Irish Terrier | German Shepherd |
|---|---|---|
| Origins |  Ireland |  Germany |
| Group | Hunting Dogs | Pastoral / Herding Dogs |
| Popularity Rank | 114 | 2 |
| Reviews | 2 | 21 |
| User Ratings |
| Common Names & Aliases
Compare different names used for Irish Terrier and German Shepherd. What other names are these breeds known by? |
Daredevil Irish Red Terrier |
Alsatian wolf dog Berger Allemand Deutscher Schäferhund Schäferhund Alsatian |
|---|---|---|
| Breed Classification
Compare breed classifications between an Irish Terrier and a German Shepherd. Learn about their genetic backgrounds. | Purebred | Purebred |
Irish Terrier vs German Shepherd Size and Weight Comparison
| Size Classification
Which is bigger: an Irish Terrier or a German Shepherd? Compare size differences between these breeds. | Medium | Large |
|---|---|---|
| Weight Statistics
Compare weight ranges between an Irish Terrier and a German Shepherd. Which breed is heavier? | 25-27 pounds (11-12 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? | 26 pounds (11.5 kg) | Male: 77 pounds (35 kg), Female: 60 pounds (27 kg) |
| Height
Which is taller, Irish Terrier or German Shepherd? Is an Irish Terrier taller than a German Shepherd? | 18 inches (43 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? | 18 inches (43 cm) | Male: 25 inches (62.5 cm), Female: 23 inches (57.5 cm) |
Irish Terrier vs German Shepherd Price and Availability Comparison
| Price Range
Compare puppy prices between an Irish Terrier and a German Shepherd. Which breed costs more? | $600-$800 | $800-$2000 |
|---|---|---|
| Availability
Which is easier to get, Irish Terrier or German Shepherd? | Frequent: The Irish Terrier is easier than average to get. | Very frequent: The German Shepherd is quite easy to get. |
Irish Terrier vs German Shepherd Trainability and Intelligence Comparison
| Intelligence Rating
Which is smarter: an Irish Terrier or a German Shepherd? Compare intelligence rankings and learning abilities. | Average: It takes patience to teach this breed any tricks or commands, but the effort is worth it. | Outstanding: German Shepherd is one of the brightest dog breeds. |
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| Training Difficulty
Which is easier to train: an Irish Terrier or a German Shepherd? Compare training requirements. | Irish Terrier dogs are quite easy to train. | German Shepherd dogs are easy to train. |
| Watchdog Rating
Which makes a better watchdog: an Irish Terrier or a German Shepherd? Compare alertness levels. | Irish Terrier dogs are one of the best watchdogs. | German Shepherd dogs are one of the best watchdogs. |
| Territorial Protection
Which is more protective: an Irish Terrier or a German Shepherd? Compare territorial behaviors. | Irish Terrier dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. | German Shepherd dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. |
Irish Terrier vs German Shepherd Personality and Temperament Comparison
| Personality Traits
Compare personalities of an Irish Terrier and a German Shepherd. How do their temperaments differ? |
Protective Intelligent Dominant Lively Trainable Respectful |
Curious Alert Courageous Intelligent Confident Obedient Loyal Watchful |
|---|---|---|
| Sensitivity Level
Which dog is more sensitive? What's the difference between Irish Terrier vs German Shepherd? | Irish Terrier dogs have an average emotional level and are not the most sensitive dog breed. | 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 Terrier vs German Shepherd? | High: Irish Terrier 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 Terrier vs German Shepherd social needs comparison: | Irish Terrier dogs are a social breed. | 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 Terrier vs German Shepherd? | Irish Terrier dogs have average wanderlust potential. | German Shepherd dogs are not the biggest explorers. |
| Prey Drive
Which dog has a higher prey drive? What's the difference between Irish Terrier vs German Shepherd? Which can be better for hunting? | Irish Terrier dogs have low to an average impulse to chase and catch something like a cat or any other small aminals. | German Shepherd dogs have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. |
Irish Terrier vs German Shepherd Activity and Playfulness Comparison
| Barking Frequency
Which breed barks more: an Irish Terrier or a German Shepherd? Compare vocalization tendencies. | Average: The Irish Terrier barks occasionally. | Low to Average: The German Shepherd rarely barks. |
|---|---|---|
| Playful Nature
Which breed is more playful: an Irish Terrier or a German Shepherd? Compare play drive and energy. | The Irish Terrier is a playful breed. | Average: German Shepherds, like any other dog breed, like playing. |
| Apartment Adaptability
Which is better for apartments: an Irish Terrier or a German Shepherd? Compare living space needs. | 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 Irish Terrier indoors. | 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 Terrier vs German Shepherd Adaptability and Independence Comparison
| Lifestyle Adaptability
Which adapts better to changes: an Irish Terrier or a German Shepherd? Compare adaptability levels. | Irish Terrier 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. |
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| Alone Time Tolerance
Which dog can be left alone: Irish Terrier or German Shepherd? | Irish Terrier dogs do best when a family member is at home during the day or if their workplace is dog-friendly so they can take the dog at work. | Just like every puppy, they are prone to panic, cry, bark, whine when they left alone by their owner. |
Irish Terrier vs German Shepherd Bite Characteristics Comparison
| Bite Risk Assessment
Which has lower bite risk: an Irish Terrier or a German Shepherd? Compare biting tendencies. | Low 🔽 The Irish Terrier has a low chance of biting somebody. | High 🔼 The German Shepherd has a high chance of biting somebody. |
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| Mouthing Tendency
Which is more mouthy: an Irish Terrier or a German Shepherd? Compare mouthing behaviors. | Irish Terrier dogs have a low 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 Terrier or a German Shepherd? Compare bite force PSI. | Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ Irish Terrier bite force: Ordinary. | Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ German Shepherd bite force: Ordinary. |
Irish Terrier vs German Shepherd Health and Lifespan Comparison
| Average Lifespan
Which lives longer: an Irish Terrier or a German Shepherd? Compare average lifespans. |
11-15 years The average lifespan of Irish Terrier: 13 years |
9-13 years The average lifespan of German Shepherd: 11 years |
|---|---|---|
| Climate Tolerance
Which handles weather better: an Irish Terrier or a German Shepherd? Compare climate tolerances. | Prefers average to cold weather conditions The Irish Terrier 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 Terrier and a German Shepherd. Which breed is healthier? | Irish Terriers tend to have more frequent health issues than other breeds. | German Shepherds are commonly healthy dogs. |
| Vet Care Frequency
Which one may need more or less veterinary visits: Irish Terrier vs German Shepherd? |
Frequent The Irish Terrier should have a complete physical check-up at least once (but preferably twice) 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 Terrier vs German Shepherd? What are the allergies, genetic diseases and concerns for them? Irish Terrier vs German Shepherd health problems comparison: | No data available |
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 Terrier vs German Shepherd Energy and Activity Comparison
| Energy Rating
Which breed is more energetic: an Irish Terrier or a German Shepherd? Compare activity levels. | Irish Terrier dogs are high-energy dogs. | German Shepherd dogs are high-energy dogs. |
|---|---|---|
| Activity Requirement / Exercise Need
Irish Terrier vs German Shepherd exercise need comparison. Which dog needs more activity? Which dog needs the most exercise: Irish Terrier or German Shepherd? Which dog needs the most walking? Which dog is the laziest? | Irish Terrier dogs need quite a lot of exercise. | German Shepherd dogs need quite a lot of exercise. |
| Sleeping Need
Which one sleeps the least/most: Irish Terrier or German Shepherd? | Irish Terrier dogs don't need too much sleep. | German Shepherd dogs don't need too much sleep. |
Irish Terrier vs German Shepherd Diet and Weight Management Comparison
| Obesity Tendency
Which gains weight easier: an Irish Terrier or a German Shepherd? Compare obesity risks. | Average: The Irish Terrier has an average risk for obesity. | Low to Average: The German Shepherd has a low to the average risk for obesity. |
|---|---|---|
| Food Consumption
Which eats more: an Irish Terrier or a German Shepherd? Compare daily food needs. | 1 to 1.5 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 Terrier vs German Shepherd Allergies and Grooming Comparison
| Allergy Friendliness
Which is more hypoallergenic: an Irish Terrier or a German Shepherd? Compare allergy friendliness. | Yes See more. | No See more. |
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| Coat Colors
What color variations exist for Irish Terrier and German Shepherd? Compare breed colors. | Red Wheaten |
Black Tan Red Silver |
| Grooming Requirements
Which needs more grooming: an Irish Terrier or a German Shepherd? Compare maintenance needs. | Advanced: The Irish Terrier requires a lot of grooming. | Average: The German Shepherd requires average grooming effort. |
| Drooling Tendency
Which drools more: an Irish Terrier or a German Shepherd? Compare drooling amounts. | The Irish Terrier is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. | The German Shepherd is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. |
| Stinkiness Rating
Which has less odor: an Irish Terrier or a German Shepherd? Compare natural smell levels. | Medium ⏺ The Irish Terrier has an average chance of bad smell. | Medium ⏺ The German Shepherd has an average chance of bad smell. |
| Coat Characteristics
How do coats differ between an Irish Terrier and a German Shepherd? Compare fur types. |
Wiry Straight | Fuzzy |
| Bathing Needs
Which needs more baths: an Irish Terrier or a German Shepherd? Compare bathing frequencies. | 8-12 weeks Very rarely. Bathing your dog is beneficial to them in more ways than just one. | 8-12 weeks Very rarely. Bathing your dog is beneficial to them in more ways than just one. |
| Shedding Level
Who sheds more Irish Terrier or German Shepherd? Do Irish Terrier dogs shed more than German Shepherd dogs? | Irish Terrier dogs shed none to minimal. | German Shepherd dogs are heavy shedders. |
Irish Terrier vs German Shepherd Good With Comparison
| Child Compatibility
Which is better with children: an Irish Terrier or a German Shepherd? Compare kid-friendliness. | Irish Terrier dogs are 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 Terrier dogs usually don’t get on well with other pets. | German Shepherd dogs are generally with other pets. |
| Stranger Friendly
Which dog is more stranger friendly Irish Terrier or German Shepherd? Which dog is more friendly? | Irish Terrier dogs are not the most stranger-friendly dogs. | German Shepherd dogs are stranger-friendly dogs. |
| Cat Friendly
Which dog is more cat friendly Irish Terrier or German Shepherd? | Irish Terrier dogs are not the most cat-friendly dogs. | German Shepherd dogs are average friendly towards cats. |
| Dog Friendly
Which dog is more dog friendly Irish Terrier or German Shepherd? Can an Irish Terrier and a German Shepherd be friends? Do Irish Terrier dogs get along with German Shepherd dogs? | Irish Terrier dogs are not the most 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 Terrier vs German Shepherd? |
Yes Irish Terrier 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 Terrier 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 Terriers are usually recommended for elderly people. | German Shepherds are one of the best breeds for elderly people. |
Irish Terrier vs German Shepherd As a Working Dog Comparison
| Service Dog Capability
Which makes a better service dog: an Irish Terrier 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 Terrier or a German Shepherd? Compare therapy capabilities. | Not really This breed is generally not used as a therapy dog. | Yes This breed makes a perfect therapy dog. |
| Scent Detection Ability
Which is better at detection work: an Irish Terrier 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 Terrier 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 Terrier or a German Shepherd? Compare maritime abilities. | Not really Irish Terrier breed usually doesn't like 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 Terrier 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 Terrier 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 Terrier vs German Shepherd Reproducibility Comparison
| Puppy Litter Size
Compare litter sizes between Irish Terrier and German Shepherd. Which has larger litters? | 4-6 puppies | 6-10 puppies |
|---|---|---|
| Pregnancy Duration
Compare pregnancy duration between Irish Terrier and German Shepherd breeds. | 60-64 days See more. | 60-64 days See more. |
| Breeding Frequency
Compare breeding frequencies between Irish Terrier 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 Terrier vs German Shepherd Recognition Comparison
| AKC Classification
Compare AKC classifications of Irish Terrier and German Shepherd. Which groups do they belong to? | Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1885 as a Terrier breed. | Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1908 as a Herding breed. |
|---|---|---|
| FCI Classification
Compare FCI classifications of Irish Terrier and German Shepherd. Which groups are they in? | Recognized by FCI in the Terriers group, in the Large and medium sized Terriers 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 Terrier and German Shepherd. Which is more widely recognized? | No data available |
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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