Old English Sheepdog
VS
Irish Wolfhound
Old English Sheepdog vs Irish Wolfhound
Compare Old English Sheepdog and Irish Wolfhound 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
Old English Sheepdog
Irish Wolfhound
Breed type
Purebred
Purebred
Height
56 – 70 cm
71 – 90 cm
Weight
25 – 50 kg
40 – 69 kg
Life expectancy
10 – 12 years
6 – 8 years
Child friendly
5/5
5/5
Energy level
5/5
3/5
Intelligence
3/5
3/5
Trainability
4/5
3/5
Health
3/5
3/5
Grooming needs
5/5
3/5
Shedding
1/5
3/5
Barking level
4/5
1/5
Aggressiveness
2/5
3/5
Characteristics
Old English Sheepdog
Great with kids
High energy
Easy to train
Giant
Irish Wolfhound
Great with kids
Quiet
Giant
Summary
About Old English Sheepdog
The Old English Sheepdog is a large, shaggy, athletic herding breed with a dense double coat needing regular grooming or a shorter pet clip. Affectionate, clownish, and people focused, it’s intelligent but sometimes stubborn, thriving with consistent training and daily mental and physical exercise.
About Irish Wolfhound
Irish Wolfhounds are giant, tall hounds with a strong yet graceful build and a rough, weather‑resistant coat. Calm, gentle and sensitive, they are low‑key indoors but need steady exercise and space. They have notable health risks and a relatively short lifespan, so careful breeding and care are vital.
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