Which is Better between the Airedale Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel? A Very Detailed Review.

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Airedale Terrier Versus Sussex Spaniel: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Airedale Terrier and the Sussex 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 Airedale Terrier and the Sussex 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 Airedale Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Airedale Terrier and the Sussex 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 Airedale Terrier and for the Sussex 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 Airedale Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel.

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

Airedale Terrier versus Sussex Spaniel: Overview

A very important difference between the Airedale Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Airedale Terrier is a medium-sized dog while the Sussex Spaniel is a small-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Airedale Terrier belongs to the Terrier Dogs group. Terrier Dogs were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.

On the other hand, the Sussex 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.

Airedale Terrier versus Sussex Spaniel: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Airedale Terrier to the Sussex 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 Airedale Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel

Factor Airedale Terrier Sussex Spaniel
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 5/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 10 to 13 years 11 to 14 years
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 5/5
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 1/5
Does NOT Shed 4/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 4/5
Height 21 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder 1 foot, 1 inch to 1 foot, 3 inches tall at the sho
Easygoing 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 5/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 5/5
General Health 3/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 5/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 1/5
Easy To Train 4/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 5/5
Weight 40 to 65 pounds 35 to 45 pounds
Intelligence 5/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 1/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Average Lifespan 11.5 years 12.5 years
Average Price $1360 No Data
Price Range $950 – $1800 No Data
Temperament Score 78.2 percent 100.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • No Data
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 57 171

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Airedale Terrier 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 Sussex 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 Airedale Terrier is 70 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Sussex Spaniel is 100 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Sussex Spaniel is a better pet than the Airedale Terrier. So, you should get the Sussex 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 Airedale Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Airedale Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel

    Below is a list of where the Airedale Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel are most different:

  • Airedale Terriers do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Sussex Spaniels adapt well to apartment living.
  • Airedale Terriers are not the best dogs for new dog owners. However, Sussex Spaniels are good for new dog owners.
  • Airedale Terriers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects. However, Sussex Spaniels do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
  • Airedale Terriers are prone to nip and chew at things. However, Sussex Spaniels are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Airedale Terriers have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets. However, Sussex Spaniels have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • Airedale Terriers have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy. However, Sussex Spaniels have low energy levels. They do not require a lot exercise time.
  • Airedale Terriers require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise. However, Sussex Spaniels have low exercise needs.
  • The Similarities Between the Airedale Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel

    The Airedale Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Airedale Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel are most similar:

  • Both the Airedale Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Airedale Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Airedale Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Airedale Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Airedale Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Airedale Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Airedale Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Airedale Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel are very easy to train.
  • Both the Airedale Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Airedale Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Airedale Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Airedale Terrier versus Sussex Spaniel

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Airedale Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel.

    Airedale Terriers weigh 40 to 65 pounds when fully grown. Airedale Terriers are 21 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Sussex Spaniels weigh 35 to 45 pounds when fully grown. Sussex Spaniels are 1 foot, 1 inch to 1 foot, 3 inches tall at the sho when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Airedale Terrier versus Sussex Spaniel

    The lifespan of Airedale Terriers is between 10 to 13 years. The average lifespan of Airedale Terriers is 11.5 years.

    The lifespan of Sussex Spaniels is between 11 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Sussex Spaniels is 12.5 years.

    Sussex Spaniels live longer than Airedale Terriers.

    Temperament of the Sussex Spaniel Versus the Airedale Terrier

    The Sussex Spaniel has a better temperament than the Airedale Terrier.

    This is because the temperament score for the Sussex Spaniel is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Airedale Terrier is 78.2 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 78.2 percent, the Airedale Terrier has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 100.0 percent, the Sussex Spaniel has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Airedale Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel by measuring the temperaments of 110 Airedale Terriers and 4 Sussex Spaniels.

    The Popularity of Airedale Terrier versus Popularity of Sussex Spaniel

    Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).

    The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Airedale Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Airedale Terrier is more popular with dog owners than the Sussex Spaniel. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Airedale Terrier is 57 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Sussex Spaniel is 171 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Airedale Terrier

    Popularity of Airedale Terrier

    Popularity of Sussex Spaniel

    Popularity of Sussex Spaniel

    Year Airedale Terrier Popularity Rank Sussex Spaniel Popularity Rank
    2013 56 162
    2014 57 175
    2015 53 173
    2016 55 172
    2017 55 161
    2018 60 180
    2019 60 176
    2020 62 172

    Tolerates Being Alone: Airedale Terrier versus Sussex Spaniel

    Airedale Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Sussex Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

    Do Airedale Terriers shed more than Sussex Spaniels?

    Airedale Terriers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Sussex Spaniels shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Airedale Terrier or the Sussex Spaniel

    Airedale Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Sussex Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Airedale Terrier or the Sussex Spaniel?

    Airedale Terriers require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Sussex Spaniels are very easy to groom.

    Does the Airedale Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Sussex Spaniel?

    Airedale Terriers 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.

    Sussex Spaniels have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.

    Do Airedale Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Sussex Spaniels?

    Airedale Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

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

    Can Airedale Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Airedale Terriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Sussex Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Airedale Terrier vs. Sussex Spaniel

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

    Sussex Spaniels do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Can Airedale Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Airedale Terriers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Sussex Spaniels can tolerate hot weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Airedale Terrier or the Sussex Spaniel?

    Airedale Terriers get along very well with other dogs.

    Sussex Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Airedale Terriers good family dogs? What about Sussex Spaniels?

    Airedale Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Sussex Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Airedale Terriers and Sussex Spaniels?

    Airedale Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Airedale Terrier Easier to Train than the Sussex Spaniel?

    Airedale Terriers are very easy to train.

    Sussex Spaniels are fairly easy to train.

    Is the Airedale Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Sussex Spaniel?

    Airedale Terriers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Sussex Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Airedale Terrier or the Sussex Spaniel?

    Airedale Terriers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Sussex Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Airedale Terrier

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Airedale Terrier that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Airedale Terrier:

  • Australian Shepherd (80 percent match with Airedale Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Sussex Spaniel vs Australian Shepherd.
  • Curly-Coated Retriever (82 percent match with Airedale Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Sussex Spaniel vs Curly-Coated Retriever.
  • English Springer Spaniel (80 percent match with Airedale Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Sussex Spaniel vs English Springer Spaniel.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Sussex Spaniel

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Sussex Spaniel that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Sussex Spaniel:

  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (71 percent match with Sussex Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Airedale Terrier vs Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
  • Coton de Tulear (70 percent match with Sussex Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Airedale Terrier vs Coton de Tulear.
  • Keeshond (71 percent match with Sussex Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Airedale Terrier vs Keeshond.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Airedale Terrier and how the Sussex Spaniel compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Airedale Terrier and of the Sussex Spaniel to other breeds:

    Airedale Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Airedale Terrier versus Bordoodle     Airedale Terrier versus Skye Terrier     Airedale Terrier versus Bichon Frise     Airedale Terrier versus Finnish Spitz     Airedale Terrier versus Aussiedoodle     Airedale Terrier versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     Airedale Terrier versus Belgian Malinois     Airedale Terrier versus Afador     Airedale Terrier versus English Toy Spaniel     Airedale Terrier versus Komondor     Airedale Terrier versus Basenji     Airedale Terrier versus Brussels Griffon     Airedale Terrier versus Mastiff     Airedale Terrier versus Chinese Shar-Pei          Airedale Terrier versus Shiba Inu     Airedale Terrier versus Belgian Malinois     Airedale Terrier versus Portuguese Pointer     Airedale Terrier versus Karelian Bear Dog     Airedale Terrier versus Sheepadoodle     Airedale Terrier versus Azawakh     Airedale Terrier versus Dogue de Bordeaux     Airedale Terrier versus Basset Hound     Airedale Terrier versus Pomchi     Airedale Terrier versus Great Dane     

    Sussex Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Sussex Spaniel versus Cairn Terrier     Sussex Spaniel versus English Toy Spaniel     Sussex Spaniel versus Alaskan Malamute     Sussex Spaniel versus Cockalier     Sussex Spaniel versus Bernese Mountain Dog     Sussex Spaniel versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     Sussex Spaniel versus Scottish Terrier     Sussex Spaniel versus Alaskan Malamute     Sussex Spaniel versus Belgian Malinois     Sussex Spaniel versus Lakeland Terrier     Sussex Spaniel versus Golden Cocker Retriever     Sussex Spaniel versus Braque du Bourbonnais     Sussex Spaniel versus Portuguese Pointer     Sussex Spaniel versus Bernese Mountain Dog     Sussex Spaniel versus Maremma Sheepdog     Sussex Spaniel versus Lagotto Romagnolo     Sussex Spaniel versus Shiba Inu     Sussex Spaniel versus Boxerdoodle     Sussex Spaniel versus Maremma Sheepdog     Sussex Spaniel versus American Hairless Terrier     Sussex Spaniel versus Affenpinscher     Sussex Spaniel versus Bluetick Coonhound     Sussex Spaniel versus Pug     Sussex Spaniel versus Gordon Setter     

    Conclusion: Airedale Terrier versus Sussex 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 Airedale Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel better suits you and your family.