Breed comparison
Curly-Coated Retriever vs Irish Terrier
How the two breeds compare on the American Kennel Club's 1 to 5 trait ratings, and which one suits which home.
Curly-Coated Retriever
5Affection with family5
5Good with young children5
3Good with other dogs1
3Openness to strangers3
4Playfulness3
4Energy level3
4Trainability3
3Mental stimulation needs4
4Adaptability4
4Watchdog / protective5
3Barking3
2Shedding2
1Coat grooming1
1Drooling1
The biggest differences
- Good with other dogs: the Curly-Coated Retriever scores 3 out of 5, the Irish Terrier 1.
They score the same on affection with family, good with young children, openness to strangers, adaptability, barking, shedding.
Which one should you choose?
Pick the Curly-Coated Retriever if you want an energetic exercise partner, you want a dog that is easier to train, you have other dogs. Pick the Irish Terrier if you prefer a calmer dog, you want a more protective watchdog.
Ratings are general breed tendencies from the AKC. Every dog is an individual, so meet the dog, and its parents if you can, before you decide. Not sure? Try the breed selector.
Source: American Kennel Club breed ratings (compiled February 2022). How we check.