Last Updated: Jun 15, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Australian Shepherd Versus Irish Setter: Introduction
- Australian Shepherd versus Irish Setter: Overview
- Australian Shepherd versus Irish Setter: Comparison Table
- The Similarities Between the Australian Shepherd and the Irish Setter
- Size Comparison of the Australian Shepherd versus Irish Setter
- Appearance (Colors) of the Australian Shepherd and the Irish Setter
- Lifespan of Australian Shepherd versus Irish Setter
- Temperament of the Irish Setter Versus the Australian Shepherd
- Price of Australian Shepherd versus Price of Irish Setter
- The Popularity of Australian Shepherd versus Popularity of Irish Setter
- Health Problems of Australian Shepherd versus Health Problems of Irish Setter
- Tolerates Being Alone: Australian Shepherd versus Irish Setter
- Do Australian Shepherds shed more than Irish Setters?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Australian Shepherd or the Irish Setter?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Australian Shepherd or the Irish Setter?
- Are Australian Shepherds good family dogs? What about Irish Setters?
- Is the Australian Shepherd Easier to Train than the Irish Setter?
- Which one drools more, the Australian Shepherd or the Irish Setter
- How Kid-friendly are Australian Shepherds and Irish Setters?
- Does the Australian Shepherd Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Irish Setter?
- Do Australian Shepherds Bark and Howl? What about Irish Setters?
- Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Irish Setters Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Australian Shepherd vs. Irish Setter
- Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Irish Setters Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Australian Shepherd Versus Other Dog Breeds
- Conclusion: Australian Shepherd versus Irish Setter. Which One is a Better Pet?
Australian Shepherd Versus Irish Setter: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Australian Shepherd and the Irish Setter? 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 Australian Shepherd and the Irish Setter 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 Australian Shepherd and the Irish Setter.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Australian Shepherd and the Irish Setter 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 Australian Shepherd and for the Irish Setter. 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 Australian Shepherd and the Irish Setter.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Australian Shepherd or the Irish Setter.
Australian Shepherd versus Irish Setter: Overview
A very important difference between the Australian Shepherd and the Irish Setter is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Australian Shepherd is a medium-sized dog while the Irish Setter is a large-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Australian Shepherd belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.
On the other hand, the Irish Setter belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.
Australian Shepherd versus Irish Setter: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Australian Shepherd to the Irish Setter 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 Australian Shepherd and the Irish Setter
| Factor | Australian Shepherd | Irish Setter |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 11 to 15 years |
| Height | 18 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder | 2 feet, 1 inch to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the sho |
| Good For Novice Owners | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| General Health | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Weight | 40 to 65 pounds | 60 to 70 pounds |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 13.0 years |
| Average Price | $1180 | $1570 |
| Price Range | $800 – $1500 | $1200 – $2000 |
| Temperament Score | 82.2 percent | 90.9 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | ||
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 15 | 74 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Australian Shepherd 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 Setter. 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 Australian Shepherd is 70 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Irish Setter is 73 out of 125.
Despite the higher Better-Pet score of the Irish Setter, we still believe that the Australian Shepherd is a better pet than the Irish Setter.
This is because Australian Shepherds are much cuter but you cannot put a score on cuteness. If you could put a score on cuteness, then the Australian Shepherd will come out on top.
Also, we are biased in favor of the Australian Shepherd :-). We are for the Australian Shepherd. So get a Australian Shepherd!
The Similarities Between the Australian Shepherd and the Irish Setter
The Australian Shepherd and the Irish Setter are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Australian Shepherd and the Irish Setter are most similar:
Size Comparison of the Australian Shepherd versus Irish Setter
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Australian Shepherd and the Irish Setter.
The Australian Shepherd weighs 40 to 65 pounds when fully grown. The Australian Shepherd is 18 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
On the other hand, the Irish Setter weighs 60 to 70 pounds when fully grown. The Irish Setter is 2 feet, 1 inch to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the sho when fully grown.
Appearance (Colors) of the Australian Shepherd and the Irish Setter
Australian Shepherd Colors
The Australian Shepherd comes in the following beautiful primary colors:
- Brown / Chocolate
- Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
- Black
- Merle (Red)
- Gray / Blue / Silver
- Red / Chestnut / Orange
- Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
- Harlequin
- Merle (Blue)
- White / Cream
- Apricot / Beige
- Bicolor
- Golden
- Brindle
The Australian Shepherd comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:
- White / Cream
- Brown / Chocolate
- Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
- Red / Chestnut / Orange
- Black
- Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
- Sable
- Gray / Blue / Silver
- Merle (Blue)
Irish Setter Colors
The Irish Setter comes in the following beautiful primary colors:
- Red / Chestnut / Orange
- Black
The Irish Setter comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:
- Gray / Blue / Silver
Lifespan of Australian Shepherd versus Irish Setter
The lifespan of the Australian Shepherd is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of the Australian Shepherd is 13.5 years.
The lifespan of the Irish Setter is between 11 to 15 years. The average lifespan of the Irish Setter is 13.0 years.
The Australian Shepherd live longer than the Irish Setter.
Temperament of the Irish Setter Versus the Australian Shepherd
The Irish Setter has a better temperament than the Australian Shepherd.
This is because the temperament score for the Irish Setter is 90.9 percent while the temperament score for the Australian Shepherd is 82.2 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 82.2 percent, the Australian Shepherd has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
With its temperament score of 90.9 percent, the Irish Setter has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Australian Shepherd and the Irish Setter by measuring the temperaments of 702 Australian Shepherds and 154 Irish Setters.
Price of Australian Shepherd versus Price of Irish Setter
The average price of the Australian Shepherd puppy is $1180. The price of the Australian Shepherd typically ranges from $800 – $1500. However, the price of a Australian Shepherd can be as low as $100 and as high as $12009. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 2674 Australian Shepherd puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The average price of the Irish Setter puppy is $1570. The price of the Irish Setter typically ranges from $1200 – $2000. However, the price of the Irish Setter can be as low as $500 and as high as $3200. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 158 Irish Setter puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Irish Setter is more expensive than the Australian Shepherd.
| Australian Shepherd | Irish Setter | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1180 | $1570 |
| Price Range | $800 to $1500 | $1200 to $2000 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Australian Shepherd and Irish Setter. For different price points, the charts show how many Australian Shepherd puppies or how many Irish Setter puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Australian Shepherds. The typical price range is shaded Green.
A breakdown of the prices of Irish Setters
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Australian Shepherd puppy or the Irish Setter 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.
The Popularity of Australian Shepherd versus Popularity of Irish Setter
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 Australian Shepherd and the Irish Setter over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Australian Shepherd is more popular with dog owners than the Irish Setter. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Australian Shepherd is 15 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Irish Setter is 74 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Australian Shepherd
Popularity of Irish Setter
| Year | Australian Shepherd Popularity Rank | Irish Setter Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 20 | 72 |
| 2014 | 18 | 73 |
| 2015 | 17 | 72 |
| 2016 | 16 | 76 |
| 2017 | 17 | 72 |
| 2018 | 15 | 77 |
| 2019 | 13 | 79 |
| 2020 | 12 | 75 |
| 2021 | 12 | 71 |
Health Problems of Australian Shepherd versus Health Problems of Irish Setter
Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.
Both the Australian Shepherd and the Irish Setter are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.
The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.
Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Australian Shepherd is prone to more genetic health problems than the Irish Setter.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Australian Shepherd than for the Irish Setter.
7 health tests are recommended for Australian Shepherd while 3 tests are recommended for the Irish Setter.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Australian Shepherds and in Irish Setters.
Australian Shepherd Health Problems
Australian Shepherds are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Australian Shepherd puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Australian Shepherd puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Australian Shepherd breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Australian Shepherds for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Australian Shepherds here.
Irish Setter Health Problems
Irish Setters are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Irish Setter puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Irish Setter puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Irish Setter breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Irish Setters for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Irish Setters here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Australian Shepherds and Irish Setters
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Australian Shepherd Breed is Cataracts problems.
This is because the Australian Shepherd ranks 1 out of 5 dog breeds for Cataracts problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 107 Australian Shepherds, 2 of them had Cataracts problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Australian Shepherds, and how common these diseases are in Australian Shepherds relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Irish Setter Breed is Thyroid problems.
This is because the Irish Setter ranks 13 out of 115 dog breeds for Thyroid problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 1455 Irish Setters, 139 of them had Thyroid problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Irish Setters, and how common these diseases are in Irish Setters relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Australian Shepherd and in Irish Setter and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Australian Shepherd and the Irish Setter:
| Disease | Australian Shepherd Rank | Irish Setter Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Cataracts problems | 1 out of 5 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Multiple Drug Resistance (Mdr1) problems | 2 out of 7 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems | 7 out of 32 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Degenerative Myelopathy problems | 12 out of 70 dog breeds | 35 out of 70 dog breeds |
| Shoulder problems | 19 out of 22 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Dentition Database problems | 28 out of 49 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | 60 out of 159 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Thyroid problems | 66 out of 115 dog breeds | 13 out of 115 dog breeds |
| Elbow problems | 77 out of 144 dog breeds | 92 out of 144 dog breeds |
| Patella problems | 103 out of 145 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Eyes problems | 133 out of 182 dog breeds | 67 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Hips problems | 150 out of 198 dog breeds | 99 out of 198 dog breeds |
*To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.
Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.
Tolerates Being Alone: Australian Shepherd versus Irish Setter
Australian Shepherds do not like to be left alone.
Irish Setters do not like to be left alone.
Do Australian Shepherds shed more than Irish Setters?
Australian Shepherds shed moderately.
Irish Setters shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Australian Shepherd or the Irish Setter?
Australian Shepherds require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Irish Setters are moderately easy to groom.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Australian Shepherd or the Irish Setter?
Australian Shepherds get along very well with other dogs.
Irish Setters get along very well with other dogs.
Are Australian Shepherds good family dogs? What about Irish Setters?
Australian Shepherds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Irish Setters are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Australian Shepherd Easier to Train than the Irish Setter?
Australian Shepherds are very easy to train.
Irish Setters are very easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Australian Shepherd or the Irish Setter
Australian Shepherds do have a very low tendency to drool.
Irish Setters do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Australian Shepherds and Irish Setters?
Australian Shepherds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Irish Setters get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Australian Shepherd Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Irish Setter?
Australian Shepherds have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.
Irish Setters have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.
Do Australian Shepherds Bark and Howl? What about Irish Setters?
Australian Shepherds are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Irish Setters are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Irish Setters Tolerate Cold Weather?
Australian Shepherds can very well tolerate cold weather.
Irish Setters can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Australian Shepherd vs. Irish Setter
Australian Shepherds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Irish Setters have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Irish Setters Tolerate Hot Weather?
Australian Shepherds can tolerate hot weather.
Irish Setters can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Is the Australian Shepherd Better for Apartment Owners than the Irish Setter?
Australian Shepherds do not adapt well to apartment living.
Irish Setters do not adapt well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Australian Shepherd or the Irish Setter?
Australian Shepherds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Irish Setters are OK for new dog owners.
Australian Shepherd Versus Other Dog Breeds
You may also be interested in how the Australian Shepherd compares to other breeds aside from the Irish Setter. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Australian Shepherd to other breeds:
Australian Shepherd versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever Australian Shepherd versus Fila Brasileiro Australian Shepherd versus Sealyham Terrier Australian Shepherd versus Chi-Poo Australian Shepherd versus Skye Terrier Australian Shepherd versus Schipperke Australian Shepherd versus French Bulldog Australian Shepherd versus Affenhuahua Australian Shepherd versus Saint Bernard Australian Shepherd versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen Australian Shepherd versus English Springer Spaniel Australian Shepherd versus Golden Retriever Australian Shepherd versus Belgian Sheepdog Australian Shepherd versus Welsh Terrier Australian Shepherd versus German Shorthaired Pointer Australian Shepherd versus German Longhaired Pointer
Conclusion: Australian Shepherd versus Irish Setter. 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 Australian Shepherd and the Irish Setter better suits you and your family.