Shikoku
VS
Irish Water Spaniel
Shikoku vs Irish Water Spaniel
Compare Shikoku 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
Shikoku
Irish Water Spaniel
Breed type
Purebred
Purebred
Height
48 – 52 cm
51 – 61 cm
Weight
16 – 25 kg
25 – 34 kg
Life expectancy
10 – 12 years
12 – 14 years
Child friendly
3/5
5/5
Energy level
3/5
4/5
Intelligence
3/5
4/5
Trainability
4/5
4/5
Health
4/5
3/5
Grooming needs
2/5
3/5
Shedding
3/5
2/5
Barking level
4/5
0/5
Aggressiveness
3/5
0/5
Characteristics
Shikoku
Low grooming
Easy to train
Medium
Irish Water Spaniel
Great with kids
High energy
Super smart
Quiet
Easy to train
Large
Summary
About Shikoku
The Shikoku is an ancient Japanese medium‑sized hunting spitz from Shikoku Island, bred for boar in steep mountains. Athletic, loyal, and reserved with strangers, it has a dense sesame double coat, strong prey drive, and needs experienced, active owners and regular mental and physical work.
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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