Irish Terrier vs Collie - Breed Comparison | MyDogBreeds

Irish Terrier vs Collie - Breed ComparisonIrish Terrier is originated from Ireland but Collie is originated from United Kingdom. Irish Terrier may grow 11 cm / 4 inches shorter than Collie. Irish Terrier may weigh 17 kg / 37 pounds lesser than Collie. Both Irish Terrier and Collie has almost same life span. Irish Terrier may have less litter size than Collie. Both Irish Terrier and Collie requires Moderate maintenance.

History

irish terrier - historyThe Irish Terrier is a dog breed from Ireland and one of the many different terrier breeds there are.

Nobody is too sure of the Irish Terrier's history but it is one of the oldest terrier breeds. It appears as if the dog breed was developed from a wheat colored terrier and the extinct black and tan terrier.

It was always a common practice to crop the ears of terriers, but in 1889 the Irish Terrier Club required that the ears remain uncropped. The first Irish Terrier was shown in 1881, and the first Irish Terrier registered with the American Kennel Club was in 1885. The Irish Terrier Club of America was founded in 1896.

collie - historyThe Collie is a herding dog from Scotland and is also known by other names such as Rough Collie or Lassie Collie.

The first Collies used to be more in size as today’s Border Collies and they were also essentially black. Queen Victoria stepped in to save the Collie from obscurity, bringing some back to England where their popularity soared.

The looks started changing as they were bred and in 1860 they were shown at a dog show in Birmingham, England as ‘Scotch Sheep Dogs’.Later on the sable coat color was introduced.

In 1879 the first Collie was imported to the United States and a club for the dog breed was formed in 1886.

Description

irish terrier puppy - descriptionThe Irish Terrier is a medium sized dog who stands between 45cm and 50cm and weighs in the region of 11 to 12kg. He has a short, dense, wiry double coat which is a red, golden, sandy, wheaten color.

The ears of the dog are semi-erect/semi-floppy and the tail is held high and curved.The chest is deep and muscular and the front and back legs are strong, long and muscular.

Temperament:

The Irish Terrier is a companion dog today, even though he was once a guard- and hunting dog. He is an amicable dog while also being alert and active. He is also independent and strong-willed so he will require training and socialization as then he becomes obedient and relaxed and much easier to live with.

They're social dogs too, loving all the members of their human family, getting on well with children in the home.

collie puppy - descriptionThe modern Collie is a medium to large sized dog that stands at 51 – 61cm and weighs between 20 – 29kg. You could say that the popularity of the Collie grew because of the dog Lassie, a Rough Collie dog in the film ‘Lassie Come Home’. People who saw this film learned what a wonderful pet the dog could be.

The Collie has two looks – the full coat which is known as the Rough Collie and the shorter coated Collie known as the Smooth variety. The coat comes in different colors but is essentially tri-colored in white, tan and black tips. The Collie has erect ears and a long, feathery tail.

Temperament:

Temperament of a dog is affected by a number of factors, including lifestyle of owners, heredity as well as whether the dog had training and socialization.

The Collie is a good-natured, friendly dog with no aggressiveness in him. He adapts well to city and country life, so long as he is with his human family, but he will need lots of exercise.

He will do well with training and socialization, turning into an even more splendid pet than he already is. He loves the children in the home and loves playing with them and watching over them. The Collie is intelligent and loyal and is easily trained.

Characteristics

irish terrier dog - characteristicsIrish Terriers are good with people and want to be an active member of their human families.

They are active dogs and will require ongoing mental and physical stimulation. This is a lively dog, but he still loves to spend quiet time indoors with his family.

They’re intelligent dogs with a strong sense of loyalty towards their owner, making excellent family pets.

collie dog - characteristicsYour Collie is an intelligent dog who will need physical exercise as well as mental stimulation too, otherwise he can develop some destructive behavior patterns that could be avoided just by seeing to his exercise needs.

He is easy to train and is a sensitive dog, wanting to learn and wanting to please.

A well trained Collie makes a wonderful pet. He is such a loyal dog that he will go to the ends of the earth for his owner, and guarantees to be every bit as affectionate, brave and loyal as the film-star dog, Lassie.

Health Problems

irish terrier puppies - health problemsThe Irish Terrier is a healthy dog breed and you won't find yourself running to the vet often with him, but still he can land up with one of the common dog problems.

It is always wise to be aware of hip dysplasia as this is a disease which can occur in all dog breeds and all dog ages. Also look out for eye diseases such as progressive retinal atrophy and cataracts as these can lead to blindness in your pet.

There is a disease known as cystinuria which is quite a concern with Irish Terriers. It’s an inherited kidney disease where increased amounts of arginine, lysine, amino acids cystine and ornithine are excreted in the urine.

In well-functioning kidneys, blood is filtered so as to create urine. Cystine is reabsorbed back into the bloodstream but with dogs affected with cystinuria they cannot reabsorb cystine back in their bloodstream, causing an accumulation in the urine. Dogs with cystinuria suffer inflammation of the urinary tract and can also develop urinary blockage and kidney failure. Immediate veterinary intervention is required.

collie puppies - health problemsThe Collie is a healthy dog breed generally, but just like with all other dogs, they are also prone to certain health conditions. It’s not to say that your Collie will get these diseases, but it can be beneficial to you and your pet’s health to be aware of them if you’re looking at the Collie as a pet.

Collie Nose:

This is a condition where the skin of the nose peels and oozes and left untreated, it can be painful for your pet and could even lead to cancer.

Collie Eye Anomaly:

This is an inherited eye disease that can actually lead to blindness. When certain parts of the eye don't develop properly it can lead to CEA - a genetic disease found in Collies as well as other dog breeds. The disease is also known as Choroidal Hypoplasia and brings about changes and abnormalities in the eye.

Hip Dysplasia:

This is an abnormal formation of the hip socket and certainly dogs with hip dysplasia should never be bred as it can lead to pain and lameness.

Caring The Pet

Grooming:

irish terrier dogs - caringThe coat of the Irish Terrier requires a brush twice a week to keep it bright. If you intend showing your dog, the coat will need to be stripped a couple of times a year to maintain the texture and color.

Other Irish Terrier owners take their dog to the groomers to have the coat clipped. The dog doesn't shed a lot and they are referred to as being somewhat hypoallergenic.

As with any other dog breed, other grooming needs with your Irish Terrier will include clipping the nails, checking his teeth for plaque build-up and checking inside the ears for infection.

If you're unsure how to perform these grooming procedures with your pet, simply ask your vet who will explain to you precisely how to ensure your dog remains in tip top condition.

Exercise:

He's a fairly active dog so you want to make sure that you are attending to his exercise needs. Take him for a walk every day, and if you've got a good sized garden, throw a ball for him. If you're a jogger you can count him in.

Diet:

What you feed your Irish Terrier will depend a lot on his age and his activity levels. Every dog is a unique individual and nothing is set in stone regarding their diets. Just like people though, feeding him a lot of junk food will contribute to illness and shorten his lifespan.

He needs quality food. If you buy commercially manufactured food, make sure to read up on how much to feed him. Try and mix in some cooked chicken, brown rice and vegetables from time to time as well as some raw meat.

Learn to know what foods are toxic for him. Make sure he has a bowl of fresh, cool water constantly available to him.

Grooming:

collie dogs - caringThe Collie will need grooming because of his long hair, and you will need to brush it at least twice a week to rid it of loose hairs and to keep it free from tangles. This is especially important if you live in the country and he leads an active lifestyle running through fields.

Keep a constant check on your Collie’s ears because dirt build-up can lead to an ear infection. Your vet can advise you on how to clean your dog’s ears. Make sure you have your Collie’s nails trimmed.

Diet:

To cater for your Collie’s size and activity levels, make sure to feed him good food that meets his nutritional needs. Protein is the most important nutritional need for dogs, and apart from feeding your dog quality kibble, protein should also come from raw, animal-based sources such as meat, fish and poultry.

You can also include some cooked brown rice, vegetables and cooked chicken to provide variety. Make sure he always has fresh, cool water available.

Basic Information

Group:
Terrier dog
Herding dogs
Origin:
Ireland
United Kingdom
Height Male:
45 - 50 cm
17 - 20 inches
56 - 61 cm
22 - 25 inches
Height Female:
45 - 50 cm
17 - 20 inches
56 - 61 cm
22 - 25 inches
Weight Male:
11 - 12 kg
24 - 27 pounds
18 - 29 kg
39 - 64 pounds
Weight Female:
11 - 12 kg
24 - 27 pounds
18 - 29 kg
39 - 64 pounds
Life Span:
13 - 15 Years
14 - 16 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 6
6 - 10
Size:
Medium dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Irish Red Terrier
Lassie, Scottish Collie, Rough Collie
Colors Available:
sandy, golden, Red, wheaten
tan and black, White
Coat:
Shortish, wiry, dense
Long, dense and straight
Shedding:
Minimal
Moderate, Seasonal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Sweet
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
Yes
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Schnauzer vs Irish Terrier - Breed Comparison
  2. Irish Terrier vs American Pit Bull Terrier - Breed Comparison
  3. Irish Terrier vs Bull Terrier - Breed Comparison
  4. Irish Terrier vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  5. Irish Terrier vs Fox Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Irish Terrier vs Bull and Terrier - Breed Comparison
  7. Irish Terrier vs Bedlington Terrier - Breed Comparison
  8. Irish Terrier vs Fox Terrier (Smooth) - Breed Comparison
  9. Irish Terrier vs Austrian Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  10. Irish Terrier vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  11. Irish Terrier vs Blue Paul Terrier - Breed Comparison
  12. Irish Terrier vs Indian Bull Terrier - Breed Comparison
  13. Irish Terrier vs Irish Bull Terrier - Breed Comparison
  14. Irish Terrier vs Brazilian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  15. Irish Terrier vs Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier - Breed Comparison
  16. Kerry Blue Terrier vs Irish Terrier - Breed Comparison
  17. Lakeland Terrier vs Irish Terrier - Breed Comparison
  18. Jagdterrier vs Irish Terrier - Breed Comparison
  19. Japanese Terrier vs Irish Terrier - Breed Comparison
  20. Old English Terrier vs Irish Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. Scoland Terrier vs Irish Terrier - Breed Comparison
  22. Skye Terrier vs Irish Terrier - Breed Comparison
  23. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Irish Terrier - Breed Comparison
  24. Staffordshire Bull Terrier vs Irish Terrier - Breed Comparison
  25. Welsh Terrier vs Irish Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Pembroke Welsh Corgi vs Collie - Breed Comparison
  27. Collie vs Australian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Collie vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) - Breed Comparison
  29. Collie vs Australian Cattle Dog - Breed Comparison
  30. Collie vs Bearded Collie - Breed Comparison
  31. Collie vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison
  32. Collie vs Blue Healer - Breed Comparison
  33. Collie vs Australian Collie - Breed Comparison
  34. Collie vs Catahoula Cur - Breed Comparison
  35. Collie vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  36. Collie vs Catalan Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  37. Collie vs Bergamasco - Breed Comparison
  38. Collie vs Berger Picard - Breed Comparison
  39. Collie vs Bohemian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  40. Collie vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Tervuren) - Breed Comparison
  41. Collie vs Blue Lacy - Breed Comparison
  42. Collie vs Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog - Breed Comparison
  43. Collie vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) - Breed Comparison
  44. Collie vs Black Norwegian Elkhound - Breed Comparison
  45. Collie vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  46. Dutch Shepherd vs Collie - Breed Comparison
  47. English Shepherd vs Collie - Breed Comparison
  48. Pyrenean Shepherd vs Collie - Breed Comparison
  49. Appenzell Mountain Dog vs Collie - Breed Comparison
  50. Queensland Heeler vs Collie - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds