Is the Giant Schnauzer or the Irish Water Spaniel better for families with children?

Both the Giant Schnauzer and the Irish Water Spaniel are considered good with children when properly socialized and supervised.

Which sheds more, the Giant Schnauzer or the Irish Water Spaniel?

The Giant Schnauzer and Irish Water Spaniel shed a similar amount (low).

Which is easier to train, the Giant Schnauzer or the Irish Water Spaniel?

The Giant Schnauzer is generally the easier of the two to train, making it a better pick for less experienced owners.

Is Giant Schnauzer or Irish Water Spaniel bigger?

Giant Schnauzer and Irish Water Spaniel are a similar size (Large).

Which barks more, Giant Schnauzer or Irish Water Spaniel?

Both bark a similar amount (medium).

Which is better for apartment living, Giant Schnauzer or Irish Water Spaniel?

For apartment or apartment living, Giant Schnauzer and Irish Water Spaniel are an even match — either can work well.

Giant Schnauzer vs Irish Water Spaniel: Which Guards Better?

Giant Schnauzer vs Irish Water Spaniel: full comparison

Trait	Giant Schnauzer	Irish Water Spaniel
Size	Large	Large
Energy level	High	High
Trainability	High	Medium
Friendliness	Medium	Medium
Good with children	Medium	Medium
Grooming needs	Very High	Very High
Shedding	Low	Low
Barking	Medium	Medium
Protectiveness	Very High	Medium
Adaptability	Medium	Medium
Typical lifespan	12 years	12 years
Hypoallergenic	No	Yes

Key differences at a glance

The Giant Schnauzer has noticeably higher protectiveness than the Irish Water Spaniel.

Size and living space

The Giant Schnauzer is a big, substantial dog that does best in a larger home with room to stretch out, ideally with access to a yard. By comparison, the Irish Water Spaniel is a big, substantial dog that does best in a larger home with room to stretch out, ideally with access to a yard. Because they are a similar size, neither has a clear space advantage — both will suit the same kind of home.

Exercise and energy needs

The Giant Schnauzer needs a good deal of daily exercise — long walks, running or vigorous play. The Irish Water Spaniel needs a good deal of daily exercise — long walks, running or vigorous play. Their exercise needs are broadly the same, so this is unlikely to be a deciding factor.

Grooming and shedding

The Giant Schnauzer demands daily coat care plus professional grooming to stay in shape and drops very little hair. The Irish Water Spaniel demands daily coat care plus professional grooming to stay in shape and drops very little hair. The Irish Water Spaniel is also considered hypoallergenic, an advantage for allergy sufferers. Grooming upkeep is similar for both.

Temperament, training and family life

The Giant Schnauzer takes to training fast and works willingly, barks a moderate amount, usually with reason and gets on with children when raised around them. The Irish Water Spaniel picks things up at a fair pace with steady practice, barks a moderate amount, usually with reason and gets on with children when raised around them. On guarding instinct, Giant Schnauzer is a formidable natural guardian with a strong protective drive, whereas Irish Water Spaniel will let you know someone is at the door without being aggressive.

Which is better for…

For apartment or apartment living, Giant Schnauzer and Irish Water Spaniel are an even match — either can work well.
For families with young children, Giant Schnauzer and Irish Water Spaniel are an even match — either can work well.
For first-time dog owners, Giant Schnauzer and Irish Water Spaniel are an even match — either can work well.
For being left alone during the workday, Irish Water Spaniel has the edge, coping better with independence and being quieter when unsupervised.
For allergy sufferers, Irish Water Spaniel has the edge, as it is hypoallergenic and lower-shedding.

Which should you choose?

Choose the Giant Schnauzer if you want a more protective, watchful guardian or you want an easier dog to train.

Choose the Irish Water Spaniel if you need a hypoallergenic, low-dander coat.

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Frequently asked questions

Is the Giant Schnauzer or the Irish Water Spaniel better for families with children?: Both the Giant Schnauzer and the Irish Water Spaniel are considered good with children when properly socialized and supervised.
Which sheds more, the Giant Schnauzer or the Irish Water Spaniel?: The Giant Schnauzer and Irish Water Spaniel shed a similar amount (low).
Which is easier to train, the Giant Schnauzer or the Irish Water Spaniel?: The Giant Schnauzer is generally the easier of the two to train, making it a better pick for less experienced owners.
Is Giant Schnauzer or Irish Water Spaniel bigger?: Giant Schnauzer and Irish Water Spaniel are a similar size (Large).
Which barks more, Giant Schnauzer or Irish Water Spaniel?: Both bark a similar amount (medium).
Which is better for apartment living, Giant Schnauzer or Irish Water Spaniel?: For apartment or apartment living, Giant Schnauzer and Irish Water Spaniel are an even match — either can work well.

Giant Schnauzer vs Irish Water Spaniel