Schapendoes
VS
Irish Water Spaniel
Schapendoes vs Irish Water Spaniel
Compare Schapendoes 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
Schapendoes
Irish Water Spaniel
Breed type
Purebred
Purebred
Height
40 – 50 cm
51 – 61 cm
Weight
18 – 22 kg
25 – 34 kg
Life expectancy
11 – 15 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
3/5
3/5
Grooming needs
3/5
3/5
Shedding
4/5
2/5
Barking level
4/5
0/5
Aggressiveness
2/5
0/5
Characteristics
Schapendoes
Great with kids
Medium
Irish Water Spaniel
Great with kids
High energy
Super smart
Quiet
Easy to train
Large
Summary
About Schapendoes
Cheerful Dutch herding breed with a shaggy, low‑shedding but high‑maintenance coat. Medium, athletic and agile, it needs daily exercise and mental work yet is calm and cuddly indoors. Intelligent, sensitive and people focused, it suits active, engaged owners and varied dog sports.
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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