Pug
VS
Irish Water Spaniel
Pug vs Irish Water Spaniel
Compare Pug 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
Pug
Irish Water Spaniel
Breed type
Purebred
Purebred
Height
31 – 35 cm
51 – 61 cm
Weight
5 – 9 kg
25 – 34 kg
Life expectancy
10 – 14 years
12 – 14 years
Child friendly
4/5
5/5
Energy level
3/5
4/5
Intelligence
3/5
4/5
Trainability
3/5
4/5
Health
1/5
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
Pug
Great with kids
Small
Irish Water Spaniel
Great with kids
High energy
Super smart
Quiet
Easy to train
Large
Summary
About Pug
Small, sturdy companion dog with wrinkled face, curled tail and expressive eyes, usually 6–8 kg and suited to city homes. Affectionate, people focused and playful, needs moderate gentle exercise, close family contact, careful weight control and extra management in hot weather due to its short nose.
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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