Which is Better Between the Afghan Hound and the English Cocker Spaniel?

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Afghan Hound Versus English Cocker Spaniel: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Afghan Hound and the English Cocker Spaniel? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Afghan Hound and the English Cocker Spaniel better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Afghan Hound and the English Cocker Spaniel.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Afghan Hound and the English Cocker Spaniel is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Afghan Hound and for the English Cocker Spaniel. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Afghan Hound and the English Cocker Spaniel.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Afghan Hound or the English Cocker Spaniel.

Afghan Hound versus English Cocker Spaniel: Overview

A very important difference between the Afghan Hound and the English Cocker Spaniel is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Afghan Hound is a large-sized dog while the English Cocker Spaniel is a small-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Afghan Hound belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.

On the other hand, the English Cocker Spaniel belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.

Afghan Hound versus English Cocker Spaniel: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Afghan Hound to the English Cocker Spaniel based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Afghan Hound and the English Cocker Spaniel

FactorAfghan HoundEnglish Cocker Spaniel
Does NOT Drool5/55/5
Easy To Groom1/53/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight5/51/5
Easy To Train1/54/5
Life Span10 to 12 years12 to 14 years
Tolerates Being Alone2/51/5
Friendly Toward Strangers2/55/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl4/52/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor4/53/5
Height24 to 26 inches tall at the shoulder1 foot, 3 inches to 1 foot, 5 inches tall at the s
Good For Novice Owners3/54/5
General Health3/54/5
Does NOT chew on things3/53/5
Dog Friendly4/55/5
Does NOT Shed2/53/5
Intelligence4/55/5
Minimal Exercise Needs2/52/5
Potential For Playfulness4/55/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living5/55/5
Easygoing1/51/5
Tolerates Cold Weather5/54/5
Tolerates Hot Weather5/53/5
Affectionate With Family5/55/5
Kid-Friendly5/55/5
Low Prey Drive1/51/5
Tendency NOT to Wander1/52/5
NOT Rambunctious1/51/5
Weight50 to 60 pounds26 to 34 pounds
Average Lifespan11.0 years13.0 years
Average Price$2290$1520
Price Range$1912 – $2500$1200 – $1800
Temperament Score72.7 percent93.3 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Eye Examination- minimum age 12 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • BAER Test
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • OFA/U of MO Adult Onset Neuropathy
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
    • Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds)7918

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Afghan Hound in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the English Cocker Spaniel. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for the Afghan Hound is 78 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the English Cocker Spaniel is 82 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the English Cocker Spaniel is a better pet than the Afghan Hound. So, you should get the English Cocker Spaniel!

    Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Afghan Hound and the English Cocker Spaniel so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Afghan Hound and the English Cocker Spaniel

    Below is a list of where the Afghan Hound and the English Cocker Spaniel are most different:

    • Afghan Hounds are not prone to gaining weight easily. However, English Cocker Spaniels gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
    • Afghan Hounds are not easy to train. However, English Cocker Spaniels are very easy to train.
    • Afghan Hounds are not very friendly towards strangers. However, English Cocker Spaniels are very friendly towards strangers.

    The Similarities Between the Afghan Hound and the English Cocker Spaniel

    The Afghan Hound and the English Cocker Spaniel are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Afghan Hound and the English Cocker Spaniel are most similar:

    • Both the Afghan Hound and the English Cocker Spaniel do not have the tendency to drool.
    • Both the Afghan Hound and the English Cocker Spaniel do not like to be left alone.
    • Both the Afghan Hound and the English Cocker Spaniel do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
    • Both the Afghan Hound and the English Cocker Spaniel get along well with other dogs.
    • Both the Afghan Hound and the English Cocker Spaniel shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
    • Both the Afghan Hound and the English Cocker Spaniel are highly intelligent.
    • Both the Afghan Hound and the English Cocker Spaniel require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
    • Both the Afghan Hound and the English Cocker Spaniel are very playful.
    • Both the Afghan Hound and the English Cocker Spaniel adapt well to apartment living.
    • Both the Afghan Hound and the English Cocker Spaniel are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
    • Both the Afghan Hound and the English Cocker Spaniel can tolerate cold weather.
    • Both the Afghan Hound and the English Cocker Spaniel are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the Afghan Hound and the English Cocker Spaniel get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
    • Both the Afghan Hound and the English Cocker Spaniel have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
    • Both the Afghan Hound and the English Cocker Spaniel have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
    • Both the Afghan Hound and the English Cocker Spaniel have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.

    Size Comparison of Afghan Hound versus English Cocker Spaniel

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Afghan Hound and the English Cocker Spaniel.

    Afghan Hounds weigh 50 to 60 pounds when fully grown. Afghan Hounds are 24 to 26 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, English Cocker Spaniels weigh 26 to 34 pounds when fully grown. English Cocker Spaniels are 1 foot, 3 inches to 1 foot, 5 inches tall at the s when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Afghan Hound versus English Cocker Spaniel

    The lifespan of Afghan Hounds is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Afghan Hounds is 11.0 years.

    The lifespan of English Cocker Spaniels is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of English Cocker Spaniels is 13.0 years.

    English Cocker Spaniels live longer than Afghan Hounds.

    Temperament of the English Cocker Spaniel Versus the Afghan Hound

    The English Cocker Spaniel has a better temperament than the Afghan Hound.

    This is because the temperament score for the English Cocker Spaniel is 93.3 percent while the temperament score for the Afghan Hound is 72.7 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).

    The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.

    Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.

    The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.

    With its temperament score of 72.7 percent, the Afghan Hound has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 93.3 percent, the English Cocker Spaniel has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Afghan Hound and the English Cocker Spaniel by measuring the temperaments of 165 Afghan Hounds and 75 English Cocker Spaniels.

    Price of Afghan Hound versus Price of English Cocker Spaniel

    The average price of the Afghan Hound puppy is $2290. The price of the Afghan Hound typically ranges from $1912 – $2500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 14 Afghan Hound puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the English Cocker Spaniel puppy is $1520. The price of the English Cocker Spaniel typically ranges from $1200 – $1800. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 35 English Cocker Spaniel puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Afghan Hound is more expensive than the English Cocker Spaniel.

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Afghan Hound and English Cocker Spaniel. For different price points, the charts show how many Afghan Hound puppies or how many English Cocker Spaniel puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Afghan Hounds. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Afghan Hounds. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of English Cocker Spaniels

    A breakdown of the prices of English Cocker Spaniels

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Afghan Hound puppy or the English Cocker Spaniel puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.

    Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    The Intelligence of the Afghan Hound versus the Intelligence of the English Cocker Spaniel

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    Afghan Hound English Cocker Spaniel
    Intelligence Rank 79 out of 130 dog breeds 18 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 80 To 100 Repetitions Or More! Tend To Learn New Commands After 5 To 15 Repetitions

    Professor Stanley Coren, the famous psychology/neuropsychological professor and, dog lover/trainer measured and ranked the intelligence of about 130 different dog breeds.

    According to Prof. Stanley Coren, the total intelligence that a dog demonstrates is the addition of three types of intelligence. These intelligence types are:
    • Instinctive Intelligence: This is the natural intelligence a dog has because of what the dog was bred for. This type of intelligence comes from instinct. For example, dog breeds that were bred for guarding will have high `guarding` instinctive intelligence, while dog breeds that were bred for hunting will what high `hunting` instinctive intelligence. However, you cannot compare the intelligence of dog breeds based on instinctive intelligence because such a comparison will not make sense.
    • Adaptive Intelligence (learning and problem-solving ability): This indicates what a dog can learn to do for himself or herself. It includes learning and benefiting from experience with his environment, solving new problems, and so forth. Adaptive intelligence is specific to each dog, and not breed specific. Thus, two dogs can have remarkably different levels of adaptive intelligence even if they are of the same breed.
    • Working/Obedience Intelligence: This intelligence is the closest to what we might call school-learning ability and it is based upon what the dog can learn to do when instructed by humans. Importantly, different dog breeds have different learning abilities. Also, science has shown that some dog breeds can learn faster than some other breeds. This means certain dog breeds tend to have higher working/obedience intelligence than some other breeds. Dogs with high Working/Obedience Intelligence are smart and easy to train.

    Prof. Coren showed that the Working/Obedience Intelligence of different dog breeds can be measured reliably. Thus, he was able to rank different dog breeds based on their Working/Obedience Intelligence.

    This is important because according to Prof. Coren, 51 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from its genes while 49 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from the dog`s environmental circumstances.

    To rank the intelligence of dog breeds, Prof. Coren employed the help of 208 dog obedience judges in North America to fill out a detailed survey on dog obedience. This number represented more than half of all of these judges in North America at the time. He also employed 63 veterinarians and 14 guard dog experts to collect data on the personality of different dog breeds.

    Prof. Coren found that the Afghan Hound has an obedience intelligence rank of 79 out of 130 dog breeds. The Afghan Hound belongs to the `Lowest Degree of Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Afghan Hounds tend to learn new commands after 80 to 100 repetitions or more!.

    The English Cocker Spaniel has an obedience intelligence rank of 18 out of 130 dog breeds. The English Cocker Spaniel belongs to the `Excellent Working Dogs` category. This means that English Cocker Spaniels tend to learn new commands after 5 to 15 repetitions.

    The English Cocker Spaniel is more intelligent than the Afghan Hound.

    However, Prof. Coren noted that a dog should not be judged based on its intelligence alone, that other factors such as sociability, adorability, and compatibility with the owner are other very important factors that new dog owners need to consider when deciding on a new dog.

    Health Problems of Afghan Hound versus Health Problems of English Cocker Spaniel

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.

    Both the Afghan Hound and the English Cocker Spaniel are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.

    The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.

    Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the English Cocker Spaniel is prone to more genetic health problems than the Afghan Hound.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the English Cocker Spaniel than for the Afghan Hound.

    3 health tests are recommended for Afghan Hound while 5 tests are recommended for the English Cocker Spaniel.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Afghan Hounds and in English Cocker Spaniels.

    Afghan Hound Health Problems

    Afghan Hounds are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Afghan Hound puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Afghan Hound puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Afghan Hound breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Afghan Hounds for:

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Eye Examination- minimum age 12 months
  • Hip Dysplasia

    • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Afghan Hounds here.

    English Cocker Spaniel Health Problems

    English Cocker Spaniels are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing English Cocker Spaniel puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a English Cocker Spaniel puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your English Cocker Spaniel breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen English Cocker Spaniels for:

  • BAER Test
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • OFA/U of MO Adult Onset Neuropathy
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test

    • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for English Cocker Spaniels here.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Afghan Hound versus English Cocker Spaniel

    Afghan Hounds do not like to be left alone.

    English Cocker Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

    Do Afghan Hounds shed more than English Cocker Spaniels?

    Afghan Hounds shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    English Cocker Spaniels shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Afghan Hound or the English Cocker Spaniel

    Afghan Hounds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    English Cocker Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Afghan Hound or the English Cocker Spaniel?

    Afghan Hounds require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    English Cocker Spaniels are moderately easy to groom.

    Does the Afghan Hound Have a Higher Prey Drive than the English Cocker Spaniel?

    Afghan Hounds have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    English Cocker Spaniels have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Do Afghan Hounds Bark and Howl? What about English Cocker Spaniels?

    Afghan Hounds are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    English Cocker Spaniels are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can Afghan Hounds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can English Cocker Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Afghan Hounds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    English Cocker Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Afghan Hound vs. English Cocker Spaniel

    Afghan Hounds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    English Cocker Spaniels have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Afghan Hounds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can English Cocker Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Afghan Hounds can tolerate hot weather.

    English Cocker Spaniels can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Afghan Hound or the English Cocker Spaniel?

    Afghan Hounds get along very well with other dogs.

    English Cocker Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Afghan Hounds good family dogs? What about English Cocker Spaniels?

    Afghan Hounds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    English Cocker Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Afghan Hounds and English Cocker Spaniels?

    Afghan Hounds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    English Cocker Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Afghan Hound Easier to Train than the English Cocker Spaniel?

    Afghan Hounds are not easy to train.

    English Cocker Spaniels are very easy to train.

    Is the Afghan Hound Better for Apartment Owners than the English Cocker Spaniel?

    Afghan Hounds adapt very well to apartment living.

    English Cocker Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Afghan Hound or the English Cocker Spaniel?

    Afghan Hounds are OK for new dog owners.

    English Cocker Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Afghan Hound versus English Cocker Spaniel. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Afghan Hound and the English Cocker Spaniel better suits you and your family.