Breed Comparison: American Water Spaniel Versus English Toy Spaniel

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American Water Spaniel Versus English Toy Spaniel: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the American Water Spaniel and the English Toy 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 Water Spaniel and for the English Toy 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 Water Spaniel and the English Toy 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 Water Spaniel or the English Toy Spaniel.

American Water Spaniel versus English Toy Spaniel: Overview

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

Furthermore, the American Water 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.

On the other hand, the English Toy Spaniel belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.

American Water Spaniel versus English Toy Spaniel: Comparison Table

The table below compares the American Water Spaniel to the English Toy 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 Water Spaniel and the English Toy Spaniel

Factor American Water Spaniel English Toy Spaniel
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 1/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 4/5
Height 1 foot, 3 inches to 1 foot, 6 inches tall at the s 10 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder
Life Span 12 to 15 years 10 to 12 years
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 4/5
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 4/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 2/5 2/5
Dog Friendly 2/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 4/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 3/5
Weight 25 to 45 pounds 8 to 14 pounds
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 1/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 4/5
General Health 3/5 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Intelligence 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 2/5
Easy To Train 4/5 3/5
Easygoing 1/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 1/5
Does NOT chew on things 1/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 11.0 years
Price Range No Data $2250 – $2525
Average Price No Data $2350
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination- Biennial exams until age 6 (every two years).
  • Hip Dysplasia
    		•
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation
    		•

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the American Water Spaniel 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 Toy 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 Water Spaniel is 71 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the English Toy Spaniel is 74 out of 125.

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

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the American Water Spaniel and the English Toy Spaniel

    Below is a list of where the American Water Spaniel and the English Toy Spaniel are most different:

    • American Water Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly. However, English Toy Spaniels do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.
    • American Water Spaniels have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects. However, English Toy Spaniels do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
    • American Water Spaniels require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise. However, English Toy Spaniels have low exercise needs.

    The Similarities Between the American Water Spaniel and the English Toy Spaniel

    The American Water Spaniel and the English Toy Spaniel are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the American Water Spaniel and the English Toy Spaniel are most similar:

    • Both the American Water Spaniel and the English Toy Spaniel do not like to be left alone.
    • Both the American Water Spaniel and the English Toy Spaniel do not have the tendency to drool.
    • Both the American Water Spaniel and the English Toy Spaniel cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
    • Both the American Water Spaniel and the English Toy Spaniel do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
    • Both the American Water Spaniel and the English Toy Spaniel are very easy to train.
    • Both the American Water Spaniel and the English Toy 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 American Water Spaniel and the English Toy Spaniel are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the American Water Spaniel and the English Toy Spaniel are prone to nip and chew at things.
    • Both the American Water Spaniel and the English Toy Spaniel are very playful.

    Size Comparison of American Water Spaniel versus English Toy Spaniel

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the American Water Spaniel and the English Toy Spaniel.

    American Water Spaniels weigh 25 to 45 pounds when fully grown. American Water Spaniels are 1 foot, 3 inches to 1 foot, 6 inches tall at the s when fully grown.

    On the other hand, English Toy Spaniels weigh 8 to 14 pounds when fully grown. English Toy Spaniels are 10 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of American Water Spaniel versus English Toy Spaniel

    The lifespan of American Water Spaniels is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of American Water Spaniels is 13.5 years.

    The lifespan of English Toy Spaniels is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of English Toy Spaniels is 11.0 years.

    American Water Spaniels live longer than English Toy Spaniels.

    Health Problems of American Water Spaniel versus Health Problems of English Toy 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 American Water Spaniel and the English Toy 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 Toy Spaniel is prone to more genetic health problems than the American Water Spaniel.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the English Toy Spaniel than for the American Water Spaniel.

    3 health tests are recommended for American Water Spaniel while 4 tests are recommended for the English Toy Spaniel.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in American Water Spaniels and in English Toy Spaniels.

    American Water Spaniel Health Problems

    American Water Spaniels are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing American Water 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 American Water Spaniel puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your American Water 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 American Water Spaniels for:

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination- Biennial exams until age 6 (every two years).
  • Hip Dysplasia

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

    English Toy Spaniel Health Problems

    English Toy Spaniels are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing English Toy 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 Toy Spaniel puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your English Toy 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 Toy Spaniels for:

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation

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

    Tolerates Being Alone: American Water Spaniel versus English Toy Spaniel

    American Water Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

    English Toy Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

    Do American Water Spaniels shed more than English Toy Spaniels?

    American Water Spaniels shed moderately.

    English Toy Spaniels shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the American Water Spaniel or the English Toy Spaniel

    American Water Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

    Which is Easier to Groom, the American Water Spaniel or the English Toy Spaniel?

    American Water Spaniels are moderately easy to groom.

    English Toy Spaniels are very easy to groom.

    Does the American Water Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the English Toy Spaniel?

    American Water 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.

    English Toy 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 American Water Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about English Toy Spaniels?

    American Water Spaniels bark and howl, but not very much.

    English Toy Spaniels bark and howl, but not very much.

    Can American Water Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can English Toy Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?

    American Water Spaniels cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    English Toy Spaniels cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Wanderlust Potential: American Water Spaniel vs. English Toy Spaniel

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

    English Toy 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 Water Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can English Toy Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?

    American Water Spaniels can tolerate hot weather.

    English Toy Spaniels cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the American Water Spaniel or the English Toy Spaniel?

    American Water Spaniels do not get along well with other dogs.

    English Toy Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Are American Water Spaniels good family dogs? What about English Toy Spaniels?

    American Water Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

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

    How Kid-friendly are American Water Spaniels and English Toy Spaniels?

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

    English Toy Spaniels do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

    Is the American Water Spaniel Easier to Train than the English Toy Spaniel?

    American Water Spaniels are very easy to train.

    English Toy Spaniels are fairly easy to train.

    Is the American Water Spaniel Better for Apartment Owners than the English Toy Spaniel?

    American Water Spaniels do not adapt well to apartment living.

    English Toy Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the American Water Spaniel or the English Toy Spaniel?

    American Water Spaniels are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    English Toy Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: American Water Spaniel versus English Toy 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 Water Spaniel and the English Toy Spaniel better suits you and your family.