Last Updated: Jun 18, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Doberman Pinscher Versus Irish Terrier: Introduction
- Doberman Pinscher versus Irish Terrier: Overview
- Doberman Pinscher versus Irish Terrier: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Doberman Pinscher and the Irish Terrier
- The Similarities Between the Doberman Pinscher and the Irish Terrier
- Size Comparison of the Doberman Pinscher versus Irish Terrier
- Appearance (Colors) of the Doberman Pinscher and the Irish Terrier
- Lifespan of Doberman Pinscher versus Irish Terrier
- Temperament of the Irish Terrier Versus the Doberman Pinscher
- Price of Doberman Pinscher versus Price of Irish Terrier
- Adopting the Doberman Pinscher versus Adopting the Irish Terrier
- The Intelligence of the Doberman Pinscher versus the Intelligence of the Irish Terrier
- The Popularity of Doberman Pinscher versus Popularity of Irish Terrier
- Tolerates Being Alone: Doberman Pinscher versus Irish Terrier
- Do Doberman Pinschers shed more than Irish Terriers?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Doberman Pinscher or the Irish Terrier?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Doberman Pinscher or the Irish Terrier?
- Are Doberman Pinschers good family dogs? What about Irish Terriers?
- Is the Doberman Pinscher Easier to Train than the Irish Terrier?
- Which one drools more, the Doberman Pinscher or the Irish Terrier
- How Kid-friendly are Doberman Pinschers and Irish Terriers?
- Does the Doberman Pinscher Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Irish Terrier?
- Do Doberman Pinschers Bark and Howl? What about Irish Terriers?
- Can Doberman Pinschers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Irish Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Doberman Pinscher vs. Irish Terrier
- Can Doberman Pinschers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Irish Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Doberman Pinscher Versus Other Dog Breeds
- Conclusion: Doberman Pinscher versus Irish Terrier. Which One is a Better Pet?
Doberman Pinscher Versus Irish Terrier: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Doberman Pinscher and the Irish Terrier? 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 Doberman Pinscher and the Irish Terrier 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 Doberman Pinscher and the Irish Terrier.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Doberman Pinscher and the Irish Terrier 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 Doberman Pinscher and for the Irish Terrier. 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 Doberman Pinscher and the Irish Terrier.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Doberman Pinscher or the Irish Terrier.
Doberman Pinscher versus Irish Terrier: Overview
A very important difference between the Doberman Pinscher and the Irish Terrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Doberman Pinscher is a large-sized dog while the Irish Terrier is a medium-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Doberman Pinscher 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.
On the other hand, the Irish Terrier belongs to the Terrier Dogs group. Terrier Dogs were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.
Doberman Pinscher versus Irish Terrier: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Doberman Pinscher to the Irish Terrier 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 Doberman Pinscher and the Irish Terrier
| Factor | Doberman Pinscher | Irish Terrier |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| General Health | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 13 years | 12 to 16 years |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Height | 24 to 28 inches tall at the shoulder | 18 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 1/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Weight | 60 to 80 pounds | 25 to 27 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 11.5 years | 14.0 years |
| Average Price | $1910 | $1110 |
| Price Range | $1100 – $2500 | $900 – $1500 |
| Temperament Score | 79.5 percent | 80.0 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | No Data | |
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 15 | 118 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 5 | 53 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Doberman Pinscher 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 Terrier. 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 Doberman Pinscher is 81 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Irish Terrier is 78 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Doberman Pinscher is a better pet than the Irish Terrier. So, you should get a Doberman Pinscher!
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Doberman Pinscher and the Irish Terrier
Below is a list of where the Doberman Pinscher and the Irish Terrier are most different:
The Similarities Between the Doberman Pinscher and the Irish Terrier
The Doberman Pinscher and the Irish Terrier are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Doberman Pinscher and the Irish Terrier are most similar:
Size Comparison of the Doberman Pinscher versus Irish Terrier
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Doberman Pinscher and the Irish Terrier.
The Doberman Pinscher weighs 60 to 80 pounds when fully grown. The Doberman Pinscher is 24 to 28 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
On the other hand, the Irish Terrier weighs 25 to 27 pounds when fully grown. The Irish Terrier is 18 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Appearance (Colors) of the Doberman Pinscher and the Irish Terrier
Doberman Pinscher Colors
The Doberman Pinscher comes in the following beautiful primary colors:
- Black
- Bicolor
- Red / Chestnut / Orange
- Brown / Chocolate
- Merle (Blue)
- Gray / Blue / Silver
- Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
- Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
The Doberman Pinscher comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:
- Brown / Chocolate
- Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
- Black
- Red / Chestnut / Orange
Irish Terrier Colors
The Irish Terrier comes in the following beautiful primary colors:
- Black
- Red / Chestnut / Orange
The Irish Terrier comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:
- Brown / Chocolate
Lifespan of Doberman Pinscher versus Irish Terrier
The lifespan of the Doberman Pinscher is between 10 to 13 years. The average lifespan of the Doberman Pinscher is 11.5 years.
The lifespan of the Irish Terrier is between 12 to 16 years. The average lifespan of the Irish Terrier is 14.0 years.
The Irish Terrier live longer than the Doberman Pinscher.
Temperament of the Irish Terrier Versus the Doberman Pinscher
The Irish Terrier has a better temperament than the Doberman Pinscher.
This is because the temperament score for the Irish Terrier is 80.0 percent while the temperament score for the Doberman Pinscher is 79.5 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 79.5 percent, the Doberman Pinscher has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
With its temperament score of 80.0 percent, the Irish Terrier has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Doberman Pinscher and the Irish Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 1780 Doberman Pinschers and 10 Irish Terriers.
Price of Doberman Pinscher versus Price of Irish Terrier
The average price of the Doberman Pinscher puppy is $1910. The price of the Doberman Pinscher typically ranges from $1100 – $2500. However, the price of a Doberman Pinscher can be as low as $300 and as high as $7500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 476 Doberman Pinscher puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The average price of the Irish Terrier puppy is $1110. The price of the Irish Terrier typically ranges from $900 – $1500. However, the price of the Irish Terrier can be as low as $450 and as high as $2800. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 36 Irish Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Doberman Pinscher is more expensive than the Irish Terrier.
| Doberman Pinscher | Irish Terrier | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1910 | $1110 |
| Price Range | $1100 to $2500 | $900 to $1500 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Doberman Pinscher and Irish Terrier. For different price points, the charts show how many Doberman Pinscher puppies or how many Irish Terrier puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Doberman Pinschers. The typical price range is shaded Green.
A breakdown of the prices of Irish Terriers
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Doberman Pinscher puppy or the Irish Terrier puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.
Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.
You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.
Adopting the Doberman Pinscher versus Adopting the Irish Terrier
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Doberman Pinschers and many Irish Terriers are currently available for adoption.
These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.
Below is an adorable Male Doberman Pinscher named Justice that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Doberman Pinschers like Justice on pefinder.com.
Also, like Doberman Pinschers, Irish Terriers are also available for adoption. For example, Mccloud is a Male Irish Terrier that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Irish Terriers like Mccloud that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Donny is the name of another Doberman Pinscher (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.
You can find more Doberman Pinschers and Irish Terriers that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Intelligence of the Doberman Pinscher versus the Intelligence of the Irish Terrier
| Doberman Pinscher | Irish Terrier | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 5 out of 130 dog breeds | 53 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After Fewer Than 5 Repetitions | Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 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 Doberman Pinscher has an obedience intelligence rank of 5 out of 130 dog breeds. The Doberman Pinscher belongs to the `Brightest Dogs` category. This means that Doberman Pinschers tend to learn new commands after fewer than 5 repetitions.
The Irish Terrier has an obedience intelligence rank of 53 out of 130 dog breeds. The Irish Terrier belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Irish Terriers tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 repetitions.
The Doberman Pinscher is more intelligent than the Irish 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 Doberman Pinscher versus Popularity of Irish Terrier
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 Doberman Pinscher and the Irish Terrier over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Doberman Pinscher is more popular with dog owners than the Irish Terrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Doberman Pinscher is 15 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Irish Terrier is 118 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Doberman Pinscher
Popularity of Irish Terrier
| Year | Doberman Pinscher Popularity Rank | Irish Terrier Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 12 | 123 |
| 2014 | 14 | 125 |
| 2015 | 14 | 113 |
| 2016 | 15 | 115 |
| 2017 | 16 | 114 |
| 2018 | 17 | 116 |
| 2019 | 19 | 119 |
| 2020 | 18 | 120 |
| 2021 | 16 | 124 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Doberman Pinscher versus Irish Terrier
Doberman Pinschers do not like to be left alone.
Irish Terriers do not like to be left alone.
Do Doberman Pinschers shed more than Irish Terriers?
Doberman Pinschers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Irish Terriers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Doberman Pinscher or the Irish Terrier?
Doberman Pinschers are very easy to groom.
Irish Terriers require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Doberman Pinscher or the Irish Terrier?
Doberman Pinschers do not get along well with other dogs.
Irish Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.
Are Doberman Pinschers good family dogs? What about Irish Terriers?
Doberman Pinschers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Irish Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Doberman Pinscher Easier to Train than the Irish Terrier?
Doberman Pinschers are very easy to train.
Irish Terriers are not easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Doberman Pinscher or the Irish Terrier
Doberman Pinschers have a very high tendency to drool.
Irish Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Doberman Pinschers and Irish Terriers?
Doberman Pinschers get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.
Irish Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Doberman Pinscher Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Irish Terrier?
Doberman Pinschers 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 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.
Do Doberman Pinschers Bark and Howl? What about Irish Terriers?
Doberman Pinschers are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Irish Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Doberman Pinschers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Irish Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
Doberman Pinschers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Irish Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Doberman Pinscher vs. Irish Terrier
Doberman Pinschers do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Irish Terriers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Doberman Pinschers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Irish Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
Doberman Pinschers can tolerate hot weather.
Irish Terriers can tolerate hot weather.
Is the Doberman Pinscher Better for Apartment Owners than the Irish Terrier?
Doberman Pinschers adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Irish Terriers adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Doberman Pinscher or the Irish Terrier?
Doberman Pinschers are OK for new dog owners.
Irish Terriers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Doberman Pinscher Versus Other Dog Breeds
You may also be interested in how the Doberman Pinscher compares to other breeds aside from the Irish Terrier. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Doberman Pinscher to other breeds:
Doberman Pinscher versus Siberian Husky Doberman Pinscher versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog Doberman Pinscher versus Brussels Griffon Doberman Pinscher versus Saint Berdoodle Doberman Pinscher versus Gordon Setter Doberman Pinscher versus Afador Doberman Pinscher versus Golden Cocker Retriever Doberman Pinscher versus Aussiedoodle Doberman Pinscher versus Chihuahua Doberman Pinscher versus Korean Jindo Dog Doberman Pinscher versus Brittany Doberman Pinscher versus German Wirehaired Pointer Doberman Pinscher versus Pharaoh Hound Doberman Pinscher versus Irish Wolfhound
Conclusion: Doberman Pinscher versus Irish Terrier. 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 Doberman Pinscher and the Irish Terrier better suits you and your family.