Old English Terrier vs Irish Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison

Irish Water Spaniel is originated from Ireland but Old English Terrier is originated from United Kingdom. Irish Water Spaniel may grow 14 cm / 6 inches higher than Old English Terrier. Irish Water Spaniel may weigh 15 kg / 34 pounds more than Old English Terrier. Both Irish Water Spaniel and Old English Terrier has almost same life span. Irish Water Spaniel may have more litter size than Old English Terrier. Both Irish Water Spaniel and Old English Terrier requires Moderate Maintenance.

Basic Information

Group:
Gun dog
Terrier dog
undefined
Ireland
United Kingdom
Height Male:
51 - 59 cm
20 - 24 inches
30 - 45 cm
11 - 18 inches
Height Female:
51 - 59 cm
20 - 24 inches
30 - 45 cm
11 - 18 inches
Weight Male:
25 - 30 kg
55 - 67 pounds
6 - 15 kg
13 - 34 pounds
Weight Female:
25 - 30 kg
55 - 67 pounds
6 - 15 kg
13 - 34 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 12 Years
10 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 12
5 - 8
Size:
Medium
Medium
Other Names:
Rat Tail, Southern Irish Water Spaniel
Black Terrier
Colors Available:
Dark Brown, Liver
Solid white or black, tan and black
Coat:
Longish hair - thick and very curly
Smooth- and rough coated variety
Shedding:
Minimal
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
Yes
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

irish water spanielThe Irish Water Spaniel is one of the larger spaniel types and also one of the oldest.

He is sometimes referred to as the Southern Irish Water Spaniel. Hailing from Ireland, the precise origins of the dog aren't altogether sure. It is believed that the dog came from other dogs from Persia and there are references to these water dogs from as early as 1600.

The modern breed was developed in Ireland in the 1830s. The breed's purpose is that of a hunter of waterfowl and he swims strongly.

The Irish Water Spaniel was recognized by the AKC in 1884. In 1890 the Irish Water Spaniel Club was formed.

Known also as the Black Terrier, by the 18th century, the Old English Terrier was available as a rough-coated dog as well as a smooth-coated dog.

The dogs were established in England. The dog was developed to work and by the 19th century the Old English Terrier was to be found all over the world.

The dog was developed based on the work it was required to do, leading to variations in the coat texture, the body and size. The Old English Terrier is recognized today by the National Terriers Club LLC.

Description

irish water spaniel puppy - descriptionA peculiar feature of this dog is its hairless tail which is partly covered in curls which the rest is all but hairless, giving him the nickname of Rat Tail or Whip Tail.

Looking much like a Poodle with his tight oily curls, the Irish Water Spaniel is a medium to large sized purebred dog, a robust, compact built dog with a skull which is shaped like a dome.

The muzzle is longish, the eyes dark brown and intelligent looking and the ears are long and floppy.

His hair is thick and curly and it sheds very little so that the dog is regarded as being hypoallergenic. The medium length coat is a dark brown, liver color with fairly tight curls that may even tend to cover the eyes.

It is interesting to note that he has webbed feet, which is useful for when the dog swims.He stands at roughly 51cm to 61cm and weighs between 25 to 30kg.

Temperament:

Temperament in any dog is affected by socialization and the way the human owner raises the dog. The Irish Water Spaniel is a water loving dog, being active and energetic.

He is an intelligent dog and easy to train and socialize. When trained he becomes such an obedient dog. He has also got a light-hearted side to him and is actually known to be quite amusing and clownish, providing plenty of laughs for you.

They make good family dogs, getting on well with children in the home as well as with other pets. They're also able to make good guard dogs, taking the protective roles seriously. He isn't an aggressive dog but he has a warning bark that can be a good warning to intruders.

The Old English Terrier is a working dog, a sporting terrier known for his athleticism. This is a vibrant dog, both physically and mentally, and the dog will require plenty of physical exercise as well as mental stimulation.

If you go to a reputable pet shop, you will find many stimulating toys for such a clever dog. He is also social and friendly and makes a wonderful pet.

Your Old English Terrier stands at between 30 – 45cm and weighs between 6 and 15kg. The face of the dog is wedge-shaped and the eyes are set wide apart. The ears are erect and the tail has been docked but is left long these days.

The coat of the dog can be either rough or smooth and it is available in solid black or white or a black and tan mix.

Temperament:

The Old English Terrier is a working and sporting terrier. He makes a wonderful companion pet. He is an intelligent, boisterous type of dog and early training and socialization are necessary to make him obedient and more amicable around people and pets.

They are loving with their human family, but because they require such vigorous exercise, they are better suited to life in the countryside as opposed to living in a cramped space in the city.

Characteristics

irish water spaniel dog - characteristicsYour active Irish Water Spaniel just loves water so you can count him in whenever you go swimming. That is one characteristic of the Irish Water Spaniel – he just loves to be involved in all the action you're busy with.

He makes an ideal family pet for an active family, and he will be a loyal and devoted pet who will provide a lot of fun to your family with his mischievous side.

He is confident, independent and strong willed so first time dog owners should bear this in mind. He is essentially just a fun loving, busy dog and if you make sure to exercise him well and make sure he is a participating member of your family, he'll be your most loving and devoted friend.

Your Old English Terrier is a working dog and while he is known to be independent and sometimes quite stubborn, he is intelligent and trainable.

He should be trained and socialized and then he becomes a great family pet, being amicable with children and other pets. He is a good natured pet but he has lots of energy and will rely on you to provide him with walks and games, whether you live in the city or the countryside.

Give him the right upbringing and you can be assured of the most splendid pet and companion.

Health Problems

irish water spaniel puppies - health problemsA generally healthy breed, the Irish Water Spaniel, just like with most other dogs, can fall prey to some of the more common dog ailments of which hip dysplasia is one.

Bone and joint problems like this can lead to lameness even in young dogs.

Eye diseases are also a problem, and cataracts can form in the eye, particularly when the dog is older and create a cloudy look to the eye. It's not painful for the dog.

Hypothyroidism, a treatable hormonal disorder is another disease worth being aware of.

There are some health problems with a dog that can be inherited, but some illnesses develop because of bad lifestyle and bad diet along with lack of exercise.

Your Old English Terrier can live to anything from 10 to 14 years of age, but there are always some common dog diseases that you may want to be aware of.

Dental disease, skin allergies, hip dysplasia, cancer, epilepsy, bloat and eye diseases are just some of the diseases that are highly unlikely, but which can be worrisome for your pet.

Caring The Pet

Grooming:

irish water spaniel dogs - caringYour Irish Water Spaniel requires quite a bit of grooming that will involve his coat, his nails, his teeth and his ears. The double coat doesn't shed much so it can be easily maintained by brushing the coat twice a week.

It can help your water spaniel to look good by sending him in to a doggy grooming parlor to have his curls neatened. This is a dog that loves water and swimming, and you will need to check the inside of his ears for dampness, wax build-up and debris. This can all combine to cause nasty ear infections.

Exercise:

The dog is energetic and will need to be exercised. Take him for walks, play ball games with him and allow him to go on hikes with you or to go swimming. He loves being involved in all your activities as he is a social, active dog.

Diet:

Highly energetic, it will be important to feed your Irish Water Spaniel with food that enhances his energy levels. There are some good quality commercially manufactured dog foods on the market. Choose one that caters for active, athletic dogs such as the Irish Water Spaniel.

Dry kibble is more recommended to prevent canine tooth decay. Mix in some home cooked foods from time to time such as cooked chicken, rice, pasta and vegetables and try to include some raw meat every now and then as well. Make sure he has constant access to fresh, cool water.

Grooming:

Looking after your Old English Terrier is easy, whether you choose the short- or long haired breed, requiring you to brush him twice a week to remove those loose hairs. Check in and outside the ears for ticks and fleas and check around the eyes for infections.

Always run your hands over your dog to make sure there are no unusual lumps which could be indicative of cancer.

General care:

Make sure your pet has a nice dry, warm place to sleep, and if he is outdoors, make sure he has a spot to lie down in that is out of the sun and rain.

Exercise:

He is an active dog and will require a walk each day as well as ball- and rope games.

Diet:

Every dog will benefit from a high quality diet, both commercially manufactured food and home-made food. Dogs want their meals to be simple, tasty, consistent and delicious.

Dry kibble needs to be of a high quality and you can add in simple home-made food to his kibble and which is simple – boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and vegetables such as spinach, sweet potatoes and carrots. When you can afford it, some raw meat added into the kibble will be a welcome treat.

Such a simple diet will ensure you don’t battle with your dog’s digestion and it will keep him bright-eyed and healthy. Ensure a constant supply of fresh, cool water.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Irish Water Spaniel vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  2. Irish Water Spaniel vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. Irish Water Spaniel vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  4. Irish Water Spaniel vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  5. Irish Water Spaniel vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Irish Water Spaniel vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. Irish Water Spaniel vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. Irish Water Spaniel vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Irish Water Spaniel vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. Irish Water Spaniel vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. Irish Water Spaniel vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. Irish Water Spaniel vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  13. Irish Water Spaniel vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. Irish Water Spaniel vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  15. Irish Water Spaniel vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  16. Irish Water Spaniel vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  17. Irish Water Spaniel vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  18. Irish Water Spaniel vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  19. Irish Water Spaniel vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  20. Irish Water Spaniel vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. Irish Water Spaniel vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  22. Irish Water Spaniel vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  23. Irish Water Spaniel vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  24. Irish Water Spaniel vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  25. Irish Water Spaniel vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Old English Terrier vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Old English Terrier vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Old English Terrier vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Old English Terrier vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Old English Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Old English Terrier vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Old English Terrier vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Old English Terrier vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Old English Terrier vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Old English Terrier vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Old English Terrier vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Old English Terrier vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Old English Terrier vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Old English Terrier vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Old English Terrier vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Old English Terrier vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Old English Terrier vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Old English Terrier vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Old English Terrier vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Old English Terrier vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Old English Terrier vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Old English Terrier vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Old English Terrier vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Old English Terrier vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Old English Terrier vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison