Basque Shepherd vs Irish Wolfhound Comparison. Which dog is better for you: Basque Herder or Cú Faoil?

Compare the Basque Shepherd and Irish Wolfhound breeds to identify their similarities and differences. Are you trying to decide between a Basque Herder or a Cú Faoil? Read on to determine which breed is the better fit for you

Differences only

Other names

Basque Sheepdog, Basque Herder

Cú Faoil

Weight

What is the average weight of Basque Shepherd and Irish Wolfhound?

59.5 pounds ( 27 kg )

120.0 pounds ( 54 kg )

Height

What is the average height of Basque Shepherd and Irish Wolfhound

22.0 inches ( 55.9 cm )

32.0 inches ( 81.3 cm )

Hypoallergenic

Are Basque Shepherds or Irish Wolfhounds hypoallergenic, or neither?

Unfortunately, neither Basque Shepherd nor Irish Wolfhound are hypoallergenic, which may not make them the best choice for dog lovers who suffer from pet allergies.

Watchdog Ability

Which dog breed makes a better watchdog, the Basque Shepherd or Irish Wolfhound?

Choose a Basque Shepherd if you want a top-notch watchdog. This breed takes guarding seriously, and may not require much training, though obedience or guard dog training can improve their skills.

Irish Wolfhounds are decent watchdogs - they'll alert their owner if something seems amiss.

Origin

What is the origin of Basque Shepherd and Irish Wolfhound dog breeds?

Spain

Ireland

Ancestry

What are the origins of Basque Shepherd and Irish Wolfhound breeds?

Unknown

Great Dane, Deerhound

Date of Birth

When were Basque Shepherd and Irish Wolfhound breeds first developed?

Ancient Times

390 AD

Eye Color Possibilites

What are the eye colors of Basque Shepherd and Irish Wolfhound dogs?

Brown
Amber

Brown

Nose Color Possibilites

What are the natural nose colors of Basque Shepherd and Irish Wolfhound?

Black

Coat Color Possibilites

What are the natural colors of the coat for Basque Shepherd and Irish Wolfhound breeds?

Red
Isabella
Fawn

Black
Gray
Red
Cream
Fawn
Silver
Brindle

Coat Length

What is the typical coat length for Basque Shepherd and Irish Wolfhound breeds?

Basque Shepherds have medium-length coats.

Irish Wolfhounds have coats that can be either short or medium in length.

Coat Density

What is the density of the coat of Basque Shepherd and Irish Wolfhound?

Coat Texture

What is the hair texture of Basque Shepherd and Irish Wolfhound?

Wavy

Wiry

Litter Size

What is the usual litter size for Basque Shepherd and Irish Wolfhound?

12-15 puppies per pregnancy

A Basque Shepherd can have a litter of 12-15 puppies on average. However, it's worth noting that the size of the litters can vary greatly. Factors that can influence litter size include the health of the mother, breeding history, and genetics.

6-10 puppies per pregnancy

An Irish Wolfhound can have a litter of 6-10 puppies on average. However, it's worth noting that the size of the litters can vary greatly. Factors that can influence litter size include the health of the mother, breeding history, and genetics.

Major Concerns

What are the major health concerns for Basque Shepherd and Irish Wolfhound breeds?

Canine Hip Dysplasia (Chd)
Gastric Dilation Volvulus (GDV) or Bloat

Gastric Torsion

Minor Concerns

What minor health issues should be kept in mind when owning Basque Shepherd and Irish Wolfhound?

Ear Infections
Cataracts
Congenital Heart Defect (CHD)

Osteosarcoma
Cardiomyopathy
Hip Dysplasia
Osteochondritis Dissecans

Occasional Tests

What occasional tests are recommended for Basque Shepherd and Irish Wolfhound breeds?

Hip X-Rays
Dental Examination
Ear Examination
Echocardiogram Tests
Chest X-rays

Hip
Heart
X-Rays
Physical Examination

Energy

How do the energy levels of Basque Shepherds and Irish Wolfhounds compare?

Basque Shepherds thrive on an active lifestyle due to their high-energy nature.

Irish Wolfhounds are a good choice for a low-key lifestyle due to their low energy levels.

Exercise Needed

Basque Shepherd vs Irish Wolfhound exercise need comparison.

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

Irish Wolfhounds need moderate physical activity and are great for families and active individuals.

Tendency to Bark

Do Basque Shepherds or Irish Wolfhounds bark more/less frequently?

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

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

Past times

What are some enjoyable activities and ways to keep Basque Shepherd and Irish Wolfhound entertained?

Playing with us

Walk, Tug-of-war, Run, Play, Fetch, Cuddle

Activity Level

Which breed has higher energy, Basque Shepherds or Irish Wolfhounds?

High

Basque 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.

Medium

Irish Wolfhounds 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.

Walks per Week

How many miles should Basque Shepherd or Irish Wolfhound walk each week?

14 miles / week

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

15 miles / week

There's really no limit to how far you walk your dog as long as they're comfortable. For Irish Wolfhound, it's at least 15 miles / week. Just remember to build distance and stamina gradually over time.

Activity per Day

Do Basque Shepherds or Irish Wolfhounds require more exercise?

90 minutes

In general most Basque 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.

60 minutes

In general most Irish Wolfhounds 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.

Grooming

Which breed is easier to maintain in terms of grooming, Basque Shepherds or Irish Wolfhounds?

Basque Shepherd and Irish Wolfhound are breeds of dogs that require an average amount of grooming effort.

Brushing Frequency

What is the recommended brushing frequency for Basque Shepherd and Irish Wolfhound dogs?

Daily

Ideally, Basque Shepherd should be brushed at least 2 or 3 times a week (preferably daily) improve shedding.

Weekly

Irish Wolfhound should be brushed at least once a week. Of course you can give them more frequent brushes if you find that they are still shedding a lot

Brushing Tools

What brushing tools are used for Basque Shepherds and Irish Wolfhounds?

Pin Brush
Comb
Scissors
Nail Clipper

Pin Brush
Slicker Brush
Deshedder
Nail Clipper

Cups

How much food should be given to Basque Shepherd or Irish Wolfhound in cups?

2 cups

For an average 40-79 pound (18 - 36 kg) Basque Shepherd feed 2 cups daily. But, keep in mind, the amount you feed is going to be dependent on the quality of the food you are feeding.

4.5 cups

For an average 100-120 pound (45 - 54 kg) Irish Wolfhound feed 4.5 cups daily. But, keep in mind, the amount you feed is going to be dependent on the quality of the food you are feeding.

Daily Cost

Which breed has a higher daily cost, Basque Shepherd or Irish Wolfhound?

$1.70 - $2.00 / day

The average cost of a Basque Shepherd is somewhere $1.70 - $2.00 per day.

$4.20 - $4.90 / day

The average cost of an Irish Wolfhound is somewhere $4.20 - $4.90 per day.

Monthly Cost

Which breed has a higher monthly cost, Basque Shepherd or Irish Wolfhound?

$48 - $63 / month

The average per month expenses of a Basque 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.

$126 - $147 / month

The average per month expenses of an Irish Wolfhound is between $126 - $147. This makes an average of $1512 - $1764 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.

Intelligence

Comparing Intelligence: Basque Shepherds vs Irish Wolfhounds

Basque Shepherd is a very intelligent and trainable breed.

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

Affection Dependance

Which is the more affectionate dog breed: Basque Shepherd vs Irish Wolfhound?

Dog Friendly

Which breed is more sociable with other dogs: Basque Shepherd or Irish Wolfhound?

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

Irish Wolfhounds are generally very friendly towards other dogs, with a happy and affectionate temperament.

Playfulness

Which breed is more playful between Basque Shepherd and Irish Wolfhound?

Basque Shepherds are a playful breed that needs daily playtime to be happy.

Irish Wolfhounds have an average level of playfulness, enjoying playtime like most dogs but not excessively so.

Trainability

How do the trainability levels of Basque Shepherds and Irish Wolfhounds compare?

Basque Shepherds are popular for their ease of training and quick learning ability.

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