Breed comparison
Glen of Imaal Terrier vs Irish Water Spaniel
How the two breeds compare on the American Kennel Club's 1 to 5 trait ratings, and which one suits which home.
Irish Water Spaniel5Affection with family5
3Good with young children3
3Good with other dogs3
3Openness to strangers3
3Playfulness5
3Energy level3
3Trainability5
3Mental stimulation needs4
4Adaptability4
3Watchdog / protective3
2Barking1
2Shedding1
3Coat grooming3
2Drooling2
The biggest differences
- Playfulness: the Irish Water Spaniel scores 5 out of 5, the Glen of Imaal Terrier 3.
- Trainability: the Irish Water Spaniel scores 5 out of 5, the Glen of Imaal Terrier 3.
They score the same on affection with family, good with young children, good with other dogs, openness to strangers, energy level, adaptability.
Which one should you choose?
Pick the Glen of Imaal Terrier if its looks and size suit you better, since the ratings are close. Pick the Irish Water Spaniel if you want less dog hair, you want a dog that is easier to train, you want a quieter dog.
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.