Last Updated: May 01, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Miniature Schnauzer Versus Irish Terrier: Introduction
- Miniature Schnauzer versus Irish Terrier: Overview
- Miniature Schnauzer versus Irish Terrier: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Miniature Schnauzer and the Irish Terrier
- The Similarities Between the Miniature Schnauzer and the Irish Terrier
- Size Comparison of the Miniature Schnauzer versus Irish Terrier
- Appearance (Colors) of the Miniature Schnauzer and the Irish Terrier
- Lifespan of Miniature Schnauzer versus Irish Terrier
- Temperament of the Irish Terrier Versus the Miniature Schnauzer
- Price of Miniature Schnauzer versus Price of Irish Terrier
- The Intelligence of the Miniature Schnauzer versus the Intelligence of the Irish Terrier
- The Popularity of Miniature Schnauzer versus Popularity of Irish Terrier
- Tolerates Being Alone: Miniature Schnauzer versus Irish Terrier
- Do Miniature Schnauzers shed more than Irish Terriers?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Miniature Schnauzer or the Irish Terrier?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Miniature Schnauzer or the Irish Terrier?
- Are Miniature Schnauzers good family dogs? What about Irish Terriers?
- Is the Miniature Schnauzer Easier to Train than the Irish Terrier?
- Which one drools more, the Miniature Schnauzer or the Irish Terrier
- How Kid-friendly are Miniature Schnauzers and Irish Terriers?
- Does the Miniature Schnauzer Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Irish Terrier?
- Do Miniature Schnauzers Bark and Howl? What about Irish Terriers?
- Can Miniature Schnauzers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Irish Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Miniature Schnauzer vs. Irish Terrier
- Can Miniature Schnauzers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Irish Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Miniature Schnauzer Versus Other Dog Breeds
- Conclusion: Miniature Schnauzer versus Irish Terrier. Which One is a Better Pet?
Miniature Schnauzer Versus Irish Terrier: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Miniature Schnauzer and the Irish Terrier? 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 Miniature Schnauzer and the Irish Terrier 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 Miniature Schnauzer and the Irish Terrier.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Miniature Schnauzer and the Irish Terrier 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 Miniature Schnauzer and for the Irish Terrier. 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 Miniature Schnauzer and the Irish Terrier.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Miniature Schnauzer or the Irish Terrier.
Miniature Schnauzer versus Irish Terrier: Overview
A very important difference between the Miniature Schnauzer and the Irish Terrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Miniature Schnauzer is a small-sized dog while the Irish Terrier is a medium-sized dog.
Furthermore, both the Miniature Schnauzer and the Irish Terrier are Terrier Dogs. This means both the Miniature Schnauzer and the Irish Terrier were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.
Miniature Schnauzer versus Irish Terrier: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Miniature Schnauzer to the Irish Terrier 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 Miniature Schnauzer and the Irish Terrier
| Factor | Miniature Schnauzer | Irish Terrier |
|---|---|---|
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Weight | 11 to 20 pounds | 25 to 27 pounds |
| Life Span | 12 to 14 years | 12 to 16 years |
| Height | 13 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder | 18 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Does NOT Shed | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 1/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 13.0 years | 14.0 years |
| Average Price | $1950 | $1110 |
| Price Range | $1400 – $2500 | $900 – $1500 |
| Temperament Score | 79.3 percent | 80.0 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | No Data | |
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 17 | 118 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 12 | 53 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Miniature Schnauzer 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 Terrier. 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 Miniature Schnauzer is 82 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Irish Terrier is 78 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Miniature Schnauzer is a better pet than the Irish Terrier. So, you should get a Miniature Schnauzer!
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Miniature Schnauzer and the Irish Terrier
Below is a list of where the Miniature Schnauzer and the Irish Terrier are most different:
The Similarities Between the Miniature Schnauzer and the Irish Terrier
The Miniature Schnauzer and the Irish Terrier are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Miniature Schnauzer and the Irish Terrier are most similar:
Size Comparison of the Miniature Schnauzer versus Irish Terrier
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Miniature Schnauzer and the Irish Terrier.
The Miniature Schnauzer weighs 11 to 20 pounds when fully grown. The Miniature Schnauzer is 13 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
On the other hand, the Irish Terrier weighs 25 to 27 pounds when fully grown. The Irish Terrier is 18 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Appearance (Colors) of the Miniature Schnauzer and the Irish Terrier
Miniature Schnauzer Colors
The Miniature Schnauzer comes in the following beautiful primary colors:
- Bicolor
- Gray / Blue / Silver
- Brown / Chocolate
- Black
- White / Cream
- Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
- Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
The Miniature Schnauzer comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:
- White / Cream
- Black
- Gray / Blue / Silver
Irish Terrier Colors
The Irish Terrier comes in the following beautiful primary colors:
- Black
- Red / Chestnut / Orange
The Irish Terrier comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:
- Brown / Chocolate
Lifespan of Miniature Schnauzer versus Irish Terrier
The lifespan of the Miniature Schnauzer is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of the Miniature Schnauzer is 13.0 years.
The lifespan of the Irish Terrier is between 12 to 16 years. The average lifespan of the Irish Terrier is 14.0 years.
The Irish Terrier live longer than the Miniature Schnauzer.
Temperament of the Irish Terrier Versus the Miniature Schnauzer
The Irish Terrier has a better temperament than the Miniature Schnauzer.
This is because the temperament score for the Irish Terrier is 80.0 percent while the temperament score for the Miniature Schnauzer is 79.3 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 79.3 percent, the Miniature Schnauzer has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
With its temperament score of 80.0 percent, the Irish Terrier has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Miniature Schnauzer and the Irish Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 116 Miniature Schnauzers and 10 Irish Terriers.
Price of Miniature Schnauzer versus Price of Irish Terrier
The average price of the Miniature Schnauzer puppy is $1950. The price of the Miniature Schnauzer typically ranges from $1400 – $2500. However, the price of a Miniature Schnauzer can be as low as $500 and as high as $8500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 913 Miniature Schnauzer puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The average price of the Irish Terrier puppy is $1110. The price of the Irish Terrier typically ranges from $900 – $1500. However, the price of the Irish Terrier can be as low as $450 and as high as $2800. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 36 Irish Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Miniature Schnauzer is more expensive than the Irish Terrier.
| Miniature Schnauzer | Irish Terrier | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1950 | $1110 |
| Price Range | $1400 to $2500 | $900 to $1500 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Miniature Schnauzer and Irish Terrier. For different price points, the charts show how many Miniature Schnauzer puppies or how many Irish Terrier puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Miniature Schnauzers. The typical price range is shaded Green.
A breakdown of the prices of Irish Terriers
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Miniature Schnauzer puppy or the Irish Terrier 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 Intelligence of the Miniature Schnauzer versus the Intelligence of the Irish Terrier
| Miniature Schnauzer | Irish Terrier | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 12 out of 130 dog breeds | 53 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 5 To 15 Repetitions | Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 Repetitions |
Professor Stanley Coren, the famous psychology/neuropsychological professor and, dog lover/trainer measured and ranked the intelligence of about 130 different dog breeds.
According to Prof. Stanley Coren, the total intelligence that a dog demonstrates is the addition of three types of intelligence. These intelligence types are:
Prof. Coren showed that the Working/Obedience Intelligence of different dog breeds can be measured reliably. Thus, he was able to rank different dog breeds based on their Working/Obedience Intelligence.
This is important because according to Prof. Coren, 51 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from its genes while 49 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from the dog`s environmental circumstances.
To rank the intelligence of dog breeds, Prof. Coren employed the help of 208 dog obedience judges in North America to fill out a detailed survey on dog obedience. This number represented more than half of all of these judges in North America at the time. He also employed 63 veterinarians and 14 guard dog experts to collect data on the personality of different dog breeds.
Prof. Coren found that the Miniature Schnauzer has an obedience intelligence rank of 12 out of 130 dog breeds. The Miniature Schnauzer belongs to the `Excellent Working Dogs` category. This means that Miniature Schnauzers tend to learn new commands after 5 to 15 repetitions.
The Irish Terrier has an obedience intelligence rank of 53 out of 130 dog breeds. The Irish Terrier belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Irish Terriers tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 repetitions.
The Miniature Schnauzer is more intelligent than the Irish Terrier.
However, Prof. Coren noted that a dog should not be judged based on its intelligence alone, that other factors such as sociability, adorability, and compatibility with the owner are other very important factors that new dog owners need to consider when deciding on a new dog.
The Popularity of Miniature Schnauzer versus Popularity of Irish Terrier
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 Miniature Schnauzer and the Irish Terrier over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Miniature Schnauzer is more popular with dog owners than the Irish Terrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Miniature Schnauzer is 17 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Irish Terrier is 118 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Miniature Schnauzer
Popularity of Irish Terrier
| Year | Miniature Schnauzer Popularity Rank | Irish Terrier Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 17 | 123 |
| 2014 | 16 | 125 |
| 2015 | 16 | 113 |
| 2016 | 17 | 115 |
| 2017 | 18 | 114 |
| 2018 | 19 | 116 |
| 2019 | 18 | 119 |
| 2020 | 19 | 120 |
| 2021 | 18 | 124 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Miniature Schnauzer versus Irish Terrier
Miniature Schnauzers can be left alone for some time without problems.
Irish Terriers do not like to be left alone.
Do Miniature Schnauzers shed more than Irish Terriers?
Miniature Schnauzers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Irish Terriers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Miniature Schnauzer or the Irish Terrier?
Miniature Schnauzers require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Irish Terriers require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Miniature Schnauzer or the Irish Terrier?
Miniature Schnauzers get along fairly well with other dogs.
Irish Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.
Are Miniature Schnauzers good family dogs? What about Irish Terriers?
Miniature Schnauzers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Irish Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Miniature Schnauzer Easier to Train than the Irish Terrier?
Miniature Schnauzers are very easy to train.
Irish Terriers are not easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Miniature Schnauzer or the Irish Terrier
Miniature Schnauzers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Irish Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Miniature Schnauzers and Irish Terriers?
Miniature Schnauzers get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.
Irish Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Miniature Schnauzer Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Irish Terrier?
Miniature Schnauzers 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 Terriers have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.
Do Miniature Schnauzers Bark and Howl? What about Irish Terriers?
Miniature Schnauzers bark and howl, but not very much.
Irish Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Miniature Schnauzers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Irish Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
Miniature Schnauzers can very well tolerate cold weather.
Irish Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Miniature Schnauzer vs. Irish Terrier
Miniature Schnauzers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Irish Terriers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Miniature Schnauzers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Irish Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
Miniature Schnauzers can tolerate hot weather.
Irish Terriers can tolerate hot weather.
Is the Miniature Schnauzer Better for Apartment Owners than the Irish Terrier?
Miniature Schnauzers adapt very well to apartment living.
Irish Terriers adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Miniature Schnauzer or the Irish Terrier?
Miniature Schnauzers are OK for new dog owners.
Irish Terriers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Miniature Schnauzer Versus Other Dog Breeds
You may also be interested in how the Miniature Schnauzer compares to other breeds aside from the Irish Terrier. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Miniature Schnauzer to other breeds:
Miniature Schnauzer versus Bedlington Terrier Miniature Schnauzer versus Estrela Mountain Dog Miniature Schnauzer versus Collie Miniature Schnauzer versus Carolina Dog Miniature Schnauzer versus Greyhound Miniature Schnauzer versus Braque du Bourbonnais Miniature Schnauzer versus Pug Miniature Schnauzer versus Chi-Poo Miniature Schnauzer versus Australian Kelpie Miniature Schnauzer versus Cavachon Miniature Schnauzer versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne Miniature Schnauzer versus Valley Bulldog Miniature Schnauzer versus Korean Jindo Dog Miniature Schnauzer versus Labradoodle Miniature Schnauzer versus Shiba Inu Miniature Schnauzer versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever
Conclusion: Miniature Schnauzer versus Irish Terrier. 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 Miniature Schnauzer and the Irish Terrier better suits you and your family.