Side-by-side comparison of two popular breeds — temperament, exercise, grooming, lifespan and common health issues. Use it to decide which breed fits your home.
| Irish Setter | Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier | |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Sporting | Terrier |
| Origin | Ireland | Ireland |
| Weight | 25–32 kg | 14–18 kg |
| Height | 63–69 cm | 43–48 cm |
| Lifespan | 12–15 years | 12–14 years |
| Energy level | ||
| Trainability | ||
| Grooming needs | ||
| Good with kids | ||
| Good with other pets | ||
| Hypoallergenic | ||
| Watchdog instinct | ||
| Novice-owner OK |
Joyful, affectionate, sociable, sometimes scatterbrained. Excellent with children and other pets. Bonded with everyone.
90+ minutes of daily exercise. They love to run.
Long silky red coat. Brush 3× weekly. Light trimming around feet/ears.
Bloat / GDV. Hip dysplasia. PRA. Hypothyroidism. Epilepsy in some lines.
Full Irish Setter profile →Friendly, energetic, less feisty than other terriers, very people-oriented.
60–90 minutes daily.
Long silky single coat. Daily brushing prevents matting; trim every 6–8 weeks.
Protein-losing enteropathy and nephropathy (PLE/PLN — annual blood/urine screening from age 5). Renal dysplasia. Addison's disease.
Full Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier profile →Active families, multi-pet homes, owners who enjoy running.
Allergy-sensitive families, active homes, multi-pet households.
