Guide on Deciding Betweeen the American Foxhound and the Sussex Spaniel.

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American Foxhound Versus Sussex Spaniel: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the American Foxhound 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 American Foxhound 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 American Foxhound 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 American Foxhound or the Sussex Spaniel.

American Foxhound versus Sussex Spaniel: Overview

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

Furthermore, the American Foxhound 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 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.

American Foxhound versus Sussex Spaniel: Comparison Table

The table below compares the American Foxhound 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 American Foxhound and the Sussex Spaniel

Factor American Foxhound Sussex Spaniel
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 5/5
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 1/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 12 to 13 years 11 to 14 years
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 5/5
Easygoing 4/5 1/5
Easy To Train 2/5 3/5
Height 21 to 25 inches tall at the shoulder 1 foot, 1 inch to 1 foot, 3 inches tall at the sho
Does NOT Shed 3/5 3/5
Intelligence 3/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 4/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 5/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 5/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 5/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 5/5
Weight 40 to 60 pounds 35 to 45 pounds
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 4/5
General Health 5/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 1/5 1/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 1/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 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 12.5 years 12.5 years
Average Price $460 No Data
Price Range $400 – $500 No Data
Temperament Score 100.0 percent 100.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data No Data

Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the American Foxhound 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 American Foxhound is 74 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 American Foxhound. 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 American Foxhound 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 American Foxhound and the Sussex Spaniel

Below is a list of where the American Foxhound and the Sussex Spaniel are most different:

  • American Foxhounds do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Sussex Spaniels adapt well to apartment living.
  • American Foxhounds are not the best dogs for new dog owners. However, Sussex Spaniels are good for new dog owners.
  • American Foxhounds are not very sensitive to their enviroment. They can tolerate noisy environments. They are also not very sensitive to the tone of your voice, firm or gentle. However, Sussex Spaniels 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.
  • American Foxhounds 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.
  • American Foxhounds do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful. However, Sussex Spaniels do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • American Foxhounds 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.
  • American Foxhounds 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.
  • American Foxhounds 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 American Foxhound and the Sussex Spaniel

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

  • Both the American Foxhound and the Sussex Spaniel do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the American Foxhound and the Sussex Spaniel do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the American Foxhound and the Sussex Spaniel are not easy to train.
  • Both the American Foxhound and the Sussex Spaniel can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the American Foxhound and the Sussex Spaniel can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the American Foxhound and the Sussex Spaniel are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the American Foxhound and the Sussex Spaniel are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the American Foxhound and the Sussex Spaniel get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the American Foxhound and the Sussex Spaniel get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the American Foxhound and the Sussex Spaniel are very easy to groom.
  • Both the American Foxhound and the Sussex Spaniel are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the American Foxhound and the Sussex Spaniel gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the American Foxhound and the Sussex Spaniel are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the American Foxhound and the Sussex Spaniel are very playful.

Size Comparison of American Foxhound versus Sussex Spaniel

Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the American Foxhound and the Sussex Spaniel.

American Foxhounds weigh 40 to 60 pounds when fully grown. American Foxhounds are 21 to 25 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 American Foxhound versus Sussex Spaniel

The lifespan of American Foxhounds is between 12 to 13 years. The average lifespan of American Foxhounds is 12.5 years.

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

Temperament of the Sussex Spaniel Versus the American Foxhound

The American Foxhound has the same temperament score as the Sussex Spaniel.

This is because the temperament score for the American Foxhound is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Sussex Spaniel is 100.0 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 100.0 percent, the American Foxhound has an above-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 American Foxhound and the Sussex Spaniel by measuring the temperaments of 2 American Foxhounds and 4 Sussex Spaniels.

Tolerates Being Alone: American Foxhound versus Sussex Spaniel

American Foxhounds do not like to be left alone.

Sussex Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

Do American Foxhounds shed more than Sussex Spaniels?

American Foxhounds shed moderately.

Sussex Spaniels shed moderately.

Which one drools more, the American Foxhound or the Sussex Spaniel

American Foxhounds do have a very low tendency to drool.

Sussex Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

Which is Easier to Groom, the American Foxhound or the Sussex Spaniel?

American Foxhounds are very easy to groom.

Sussex Spaniels are very easy to groom.

Does the American Foxhound Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Sussex Spaniel?

American Foxhounds 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 American Foxhounds Bark and Howl? What about Sussex Spaniels?

American Foxhounds 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 American Foxhounds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?

American Foxhounds can very well tolerate cold weather.

Sussex Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.

Wanderlust Potential: American Foxhound vs. Sussex Spaniel

American Foxhounds 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 American Foxhounds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?

American Foxhounds can tolerate hot weather.

Sussex Spaniels can tolerate hot weather.

Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the American Foxhound or the Sussex Spaniel?

American Foxhounds get along very well with other dogs.

Sussex Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

Are American Foxhounds good family dogs? What about Sussex Spaniels?

American Foxhounds 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 American Foxhounds and Sussex Spaniels?

American Foxhounds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

Is the American Foxhound Easier to Train than the Sussex Spaniel?

American Foxhounds are not easy to train.

Sussex Spaniels are fairly easy to train.

Is the American Foxhound Better for Apartment Owners than the Sussex Spaniel?

American Foxhounds do not adapt well to apartment living.

Sussex Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.

Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the American Foxhound or the Sussex Spaniel?

American Foxhounds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

Sussex Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.

Conclusion: American Foxhound 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 American Foxhound and the Sussex Spaniel better suits you and your family.