Irish Terrier has average risk of obesity, needs daily walks and quality diet to maintain healthy weight.

Australian Shepherd has high obesity risk, needs regular exercise and food control to maintain healthy weight.

While no dogs are truly 100% hypoallergenic, Irish Terriers are about as close as it gets, making them an ideal pet if you are an allergy sufferer.

Unfortunately, the Australian Shepherd is not hypoallergenic, making it not a good choice for a dog lover who suffers from pet allergies.

Dominant
Lively
Respectful
Intelligent
Protective
Trainable

Active
Friendly
Intelligent
Loving
Affectionate
Good-natured
Protective

Irish Terriers shed very little hair, making them a great choice for those who dislike excess hair in the house.

Australian Shepherds are moderate shedders, but regular brushing can reduce shedding and maintain coat health.

Ireland

United States

Terrier, Irish Wolfhound

Basque Shepherd

1700s

1800s

Terrier (AKC:1885)(UKC)

Herding (AKC:1991 & UKC)

Brown

Blue
Brown
Amber

Black

Black
Brown

Red
Cream
Fawn

Black
Red
Blue

Irish Terriers have medium-length coats.

Australian Shepherds have longer coats compared to most dogs.

Wiry

Straight

Irish Terriers are susceptible to health issues like all breeds, so it's important to monitor their health and seek veterinary care when needed.

While the Australian Shepherd breed is generally healthy, occasional vet check-ups are still necessary to address any health concerns.

Hip And Elbow Dysplasia

Cataract
Progressive Retinal Atrophy
Hip Dysplasia
CEA
Von Willebrand's Disease

Progressive Retinal Atrophy
Urolithiasis Irish Terrier
Hypothyroidism
Degenerative Myelopathy
Hyperkeratosis

Distichiasis
Deafness
OCD
Nasal Solar Dermatitis
Patent Ductus Arteriosus

Blood Test
Thyroid Tests
X-Rays
Eye Examination

Eye
Hip
Blood
Hearing

Irish Terriers require significant physical activity and suit those with an active lifestyle.

Australian Shepherds need high physical activity and are ideal for active individuals, but not suitable for sedentary lifestyles or small apartments.

Irish Terriers bark moderately when necessary and may also bark due to certain triggers like fear, alarm, boredom, greeting, separation anxiety and compulsive barking.

Australian Shepherd dogs are generally less vocal than other breeds and only bark when necessary, such as to alert their owner or communicate.

Walking, Run, Play, Tracking, Jumping, Jerking, Swim, Walk, Go to Beach, Music, Go Camping, Chase, Brushing

Go to Beach, Walk, Frisbee, Hike, Backpacking, High Five, Speak, Walking, Petting, Sniffing, Tug-of-war, Play, Run, Chase, Jogging, Being chased, Tug of war, Running, Walks, Fetch, Sticks, Toys, Fetching, Napping, Kissing, Jumping, Heel, Squirrel gazing, Stare, Greet humans

Irish Terriers are medium-energy dogs and typically enjoy socializing and playing casual or even sustained games of chase with other dogs. They may also have occasional periods of barking or racing around the house.

Australian Shepherds are high-energy dogs. They need mental as well as physical exercise. These dogs require a lot of your involvement and without it they can, and will, become problematic dogs.

There's really no limit to how far you walk your dog as long as they're comfortable. For Irish Terrier, it's at least 8 miles / week. Just remember to build distance and stamina gradually over time.

There's really no limit to how far you walk your dog as long as they're comfortable. For Australian Shepherd, it's at least 14 miles / week. Just remember to build distance and stamina gradually over time.

In general most Irish Terriers usually need at least 60 minutes of exercise daily. This can be spread across the day and include all sorts of high-energy activities, like walking, running and playing.

In general most Australian Shepherds usually need at least 90 minutes of exercise daily. This can be spread across the day and include all sorts of high-energy activities, like walking, running and playing.

Irish Terriers require significant grooming, including regular trims and professional grooming assistance to maintain their coat. They may also require frequent bathing to keep their coat and skin healthy.

The Australian Shepherd requires an average amount of grooming compared to other breeds.

Pin Brush
Deshedder
Nail Clipper

Pin Brush
Comb
Nail Clipper

The average cost of an Irish Terrier is somewhere $2.50 - $3.20 per day.

The average cost of an Australian Shepherd is somewhere $1.70 - $2.00 per day.

The average per month expenses of an Irish Terrier is between $74 - $95. This makes an average of $888 - $1140 per year. It will be on the higher side when the dog is still small because it will need more frequent visits to the vet, shots.

The average per month expenses of an Australian Shepherd is between $48 - $63. This makes an average of $576 - $756 per year. It will be on the higher side when the dog is still small because it will need more frequent visits to the vet, shots.

Irish Terriers are average in obedience intelligence but have a high IQ and may cause trouble if left unsupervised.

Australian Shepherd is a very intelligent and trainable breed.

Irish Terriers have average emotions and adapt well to different situations.

This breed is sensitive to its environment and best suited for patient and understanding families with a consistent routine.

Irish Terriers are good with kids if socialized and trained from a young age.

Australian Shepherds make excellent family pets for kids due to their gentle, protective nature and calm temperament.

Irish Terriers are somewhat cat friendly and can be trained to get along with cats.

Australian Shepherds are average in their friendliness toward cats and tend to do well with them, especially if raised together.

Irish Terriers are less friendly towards other dogs, but can improve with socialization.

Australian Shepherds are average in their friendliness towards other dogs, and socialization can help.

Irish Terriers are a playful breed that needs daily playtime to be happy.

Australian Shepherds are very playful, so adopting an older one might be a better option for a more relaxed experience.

Irish Terriers are usually easy to train but require consistency to fully obey commands.

The Australian Shepherd is highly intelligent and eager to please, making it a great choice for both novice and experienced dog owners due to its easy trainability.