Leonberger
VS
Irish Water Spaniel
Leonberger vs Irish Water Spaniel
Compare Leonberger and Irish Water Spaniel side by side and get a clear picture of what sets the breeds apart. Explore differences in size, weight, temperament, activity level, and other key traits to more easily decide which breed best fits your lifestyle and circumstances.
Characteristic
Leonberger
Irish Water Spaniel
Breed type
Purebred
Purebred
Height
65 – 80 cm
51 – 61 cm
Weight
40 – 77 kg
25 – 34 kg
Life expectancy
9 – 10 years
12 – 14 years
Child friendly
5/5
5/5
Energy level
3/5
4/5
Intelligence
3/5
4/5
Trainability
4/5
4/5
Health
2/5
3/5
Grooming needs
3/5
3/5
Shedding
4/5
2/5
Barking level
3/5
0/5
Aggressiveness
2/5
0/5
Characteristics
Leonberger
Great with kids
Easy to train
Giant
Irish Water Spaniel
Great with kids
High energy
Super smart
Quiet
Easy to train
Large
Summary
About Leonberger
Large, strongly built “gentle giant” with lion‑coloured, water‑resistant double coat and black mask. Typically calm, devoted, and very good with children and other pets when well socialised. Needs regular exercise, kind training, thorough grooming, and careful health management.
About Irish Water Spaniel
Medium–large, athletic gundog with a distinctive curly liver coat, smooth face and tapering “rat tail.” Clever, water‑loving retriever that forms close bonds, often to one person. Needs substantial daily exercise, mental work, regular grooming and kind, consistent training.
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