Cocker Spaniel vs Irish Setter, trying to decide which dog is perfect for your needs? These dogs may appear similar from afar because of their hairiness and cute looks. However, each is a unique dog breed with specific traits.
If you want a taller and heavier dog, an Irish Setter suits you best. On the other hand, the American Cocker Spaniel is a medium size dog with moderate energy levels. You can find out major differences from personality to grooming in a detailed manner. This article is a comprehensive guide, which will help you decide which Puppy is good for your need. So stay here to discover the difference between Cocker Spaniel vs Irish Setter.
Cocker Spaniel vs Irish Setter: Description
Before diving into the topic of Cocker Spaniel and Irish Setter differences, here are some of the descriptions which are important to know:
What is the origin of the Irish Setter and Cocker Spaniel?
We will first reveal the origins of these dogs to ensure you understand our Cocker Spaniel and Irish Setter discussion. Below is the background information on each dog breed:
Cocker Spaniel Origin
The Cocker Spaniel originated from Suriname, USA. Its descendants are the English Cocker Spaniels, dogs that came to the United States at the end of the 1800s. Cocker spaniels were small bird-hunting dogs.
People did not see the difference between the American Cocker Spaniel and the English Cocker Spaniel. They only recognized them as two unique dog breeds when the American Kennel Club made the separation official in 1935. After this distinction, the American Cocker Spaniel babies became the darling of most hunters and families. Up to today, it is among the most preferred family dog among Americans.
Irish Setter Origin
The Irish Setter is a superb gun dog that adapts to any family type. The purebred dog emerged in Ireland in 1780AD but arrived in America in the 1800s. Its original coat colors were mahogany and chestnut. However, professional dog breeders have turned the Irish Setter’s coat into a solid red color over the years. That is why its other name is the Red Setter.
Characteristics of Each Breed: Irish Setter and Cocker Spaniel
We will now learn some of the key characteristics of Irish Setter and Cocker Spaniel:
Cocker Spaniel Characteristics
The American Cocker Spaniel is a very smart dog and they are also very cute too appearing in many coat colors. The solid-colored Cocker Spaniels can be black, tan, brown, red, golden, silver, cream, buff, red roan, or blue roan.
Cocker Spaniels can have two colors, black and white, black, and tan, blue roan and tan, brown and white, etc. Some dogs have up to three colors at once. Cocker Spaniels is sturdy and active. They have a round head with a wide and deep muzzle. Their jaws are proportional and have a square shape. Cocker spaniels boast a scissors bite, round dark eyes, long ears, and a docked tail.
American Cocker Spaniels grows fourteen to fifteen inches tall and their weight is around twenty-four to twenty-eight pounds. They can be long-haired or short-haired, depending on the breeding purpose. Cockers for hunting have short coats. Cocker Spaniels for dog shows have long coats. Their hair texture is wavy.
Irish Setter Characteristics
An Irish Setter is a full-size dog standing at sixty-one to seventy-one centimeters tall. It weighs around fifty to sixty pounds. It has a solid red or mahogany coat with short to medium-length hair. Irish Setters have longer, feathery hairs on the tail, chest, legs, and abdomen. The Irish Setter has a long and lean head. It also boasts long ears and a lengthy, feathery tail.
7 Major Differences between Cocker Spaniels and Irish Setters
We will demonstrate cocker spaniel vs Irish Setter differences here:
1. Personality
Cocker Spaniels are affectionate, attention-seeking dogs. They are very loyal and loving to their caregivers. When not engaged in an activity, a Cocker Spaniel would rather snuggle. It is a people-pleaser dog that does not like solitude.
Similarly, the Irish Setter is loving, affectionate, and ever ready to please you. It hates seclusion too. If we compare Cocker spaniel and Irish Seeker based on their personality, we can see that both have admirable traits. The only differences in their personalities are that the Irish Seeker dislikes slumber and hardly enjoys attention.
2. Temperament
Another way to evaluate Cocker Spaniel and Irish Setter is to check their temperaments. If you need a dog with an admirable temperament, the Irish Setter might be a better choice. Overall, both dogs are super friendly to family and other pets.
However, the Irish Setter is friendlier to strangers and children. Its high level of kindness makes it less desirable as a watchdog. It would probably make a great therapy dog. The Cocker Spaniel may need encouragement to like kids and strangers.
3. Best environment
We should consider the best living conditions when exploring Cocker Spaniel vs Irish Setter. Cocker Spaniels do well in small spaces like your apartment or a small or medium-sized yard. If your land is expensive, this dog is not the best pick. In contrast, Irish Setters do not live in apartments or small yards.
Although they can live indoors like Cockers, they enjoy homes with medium to large yards. Irish Setters can tolerate colder temperatures (50 degrees F) better than Cocker Spaniels (55 degrees F). Even so, both dogs cannot withstand more than eight degrees F. If you need a dog that likes barking and howling, avoid the Irish Setter. It likes to howl and bark more than the Cocker Spaniel.
4. Behavior and instinct
Behaviors and instincts are critical when contrasting Cocker Spaniels vs Irish Setters. Both dogs score below average in aggression, burrowing and digging, following commands, fighting, herding, watching, and removing vermin.
Their differences appear when considering instincts such as chasing. A Cocker Spaniel is a natural chaser high, while the Irish Setter is average. Both dogs love hunting, but the Irish Setter has higher instincts. Additionally, both dogs can drool, but the Irish Setter does it more.
5. Health disorders
We must compare Cocker Spaniel vs Irish Setters vulnerability to diseases. Irish Setters are prone to deadly diseases and some rare conditions. For instance, the affectionate Irish Setter is prone to cancer, bloat, and hip dysplasia.
The affected dogs can have bone disorders, anorexia, skin wounds, and generalized lymphadenopathy. Irish Setters can also develop the worst kind of bloat called gastric torsion. It can increase drooling, restlessness, and vomiting. Bloat can lead to death if the dog does not get immediate attention from the Veterinary.
On the contrary, the American Cocker Spaniel is prone to eye issues like glaucoma and cataracts. It is also a high-risk breed for joint dysplasia, allergies, liver disease, congestive heart failure, cardiomyopathy, and lip fold pyoderma. The deadliest disease this dog can face is Immune-Mediated Hemolytic Anemia.
It attacks its body fast and can wipe away your pet within a short while. The disease triggers internal bleeding and has no reliable solution. In our comparison between Cocker Spaniel and Irish Setter, we can conclude that the latter is easier to handle. Both dogs can live for fifteen years. Perhaps Cocker Spaniel Irish Setter mix puppies can be healthier.
6. Maintenance
Now let’s compare the maintenance of Cocker Spaniel vs Irish Setter.
Irish Setters need regular exercise because of their physique. The lean and muscular dogs enjoy running and playing in open spaces. The Irish Setter can run at a speed of 28mph. That is why they are ideal for families with big yards. An Irish Setter likes hunting, hiking, and other high-energy activities.
As a result, it deserves to eat a more nutritious diet. Add more protein to its daily meals to help the dog maintain its muscles. This dog could live longer if it consumes natural food instead of processed products. Above all, give it enough water. On the other hand, Cocker Spaniels requires moderate energy and low to medium levels of exercise.
A Cocker Spaniel runs less fast at 20mph. It has medium strength. A Cocker Spaniel requires a well planned and balanced diet as it is prone to obesity. You must encourage it to exercise if you live in an apartment. If not, it will snuggle most of the time. Comparing Cocker Spaniel and Irish Setter in this context, we can say that Irish Setters need more exercise.
7. Grooming
Cocker Spaniel and Irish Setter differences in grooming needs include the following. The Irish Setter has slightly long body hair and short and smooth head hair.
Hence, the dog requires brushing two times a week. If you ignore this point, your Irish Setter puppies could have a matting problem. Their long, drooping ears could hide infections. Thus, check them often and treat any ear infections.Trim nails as needed and take the pet to a veterinarian for dental checkups. A Cocker Spaniel has a double coat, while an Irish Setter has one. For that reason, Cocker Spaniel need extra grooming. You must brush and trim its long wavy hair often to minimize shedding and dander.
For Cocker Spaniel their ear needs to clean once a week. You also need to clean the dog’s teeth and trim its nails. Hence, in Cocker Spaniel vs Irish Setter comparison, the former is harder to groom.
Ending Note
After reading our Cocker Spaniel vs Irish Setter comparison, you probably like both dogs. Nevertheless, we can advise you to choose the best puppy based on your goals. Do you need a dog that can get along well with family, kids, and strangers?
Maybe you also need a high-energy dog that likes to hunt and run. In that case, we advise you to go for the Irish Setter. A Cocker Spaniel is the best choice if you want a dog that can live in a small house or yard, barks less, and loves human companions. Alternatively, choose Irish Setter Cocker Spaniel mix puppies.
FAQ
1. Is An Irish Setter a Spaniel?
An Irish Setter is a Spaniel dog. Its parent dogs are English Setter Spaniel and Pointer Gordon Setter.
2. What Dog Looks Similar to An Irish Setter?
Dogs that are like an Irish Setter are the English Setter Spaniel, Point Gordon Setter, and Red and White Irish Setter.
3. Are Irish Setters Aggressive?
An Irish Setter is among the calmest and most loving dogs. Its composed and affectionate character allows it to fit in with all families. As we pointed out in our Cocker Spaniel vs Irish Setter discussion, this dog is kind to everyone, including fellow pets.
4. Is an Irish Setter a Good First Dog?
If you want to buy a dog for the first time, we highly recommend the Irish Setter. Nevertheless, consider the best environment for it. The Irish Setter loves large, open spaces, as we said when describing Cocker Spaniel vs Irish Setter differences. You can buy this dog if you live in a rural area or have a large yard. Can you keep up with its high exercise needs? If yes, choose this dog.
5. What is a Scottish Spaniel?
A Scottish Spaniel is a crossbreed between the Scottish Terrier and Cocker Spaniel.
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