American Water Spaniel versus Gordon Setter. Final Verdict on Which one is a Better Pet.

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American Water Spaniel Versus Gordon Setter: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the American Water Spaniel and the Gordon Setter 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 Gordon Setter. 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 Gordon Setter.

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 Gordon Setter.

American Water Spaniel versus Gordon Setter: Overview

Both the American Water Spaniel and the Gordon Setter are similar in size. The American Water Spaniel and the Gordon Setter are both medium-sized dogs.

Furthermore, both the American Water Spaniel and the Gordon Setter are Sporting Dogs. This means both the American Water Spaniel and the Gordon Setter 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 Water Spaniel versus Gordon Setter: Comparison Table

The table below compares the American Water Spaniel to the Gordon Setter 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 Gordon Setter

FactorAmerican Water SpanielGordon Setter
Tolerates Being Alone1/51/5
Does NOT Drool5/53/5
Height1 foot, 3 inches to 1 foot, 6 inches tall at the s1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the
Life Span12 to 15 years10 to 12 years
Adapts Well To Apartment Living2/52/5
Good For Novice Owners2/53/5
Tolerates Cold Weather2/54/5
Dog Friendly2/52/5
Low Prey Drive4/52/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor4/54/5
Weight25 to 45 pounds45 to 80 pounds
Friendly Toward Strangers3/53/5
Does NOT Shed3/51/5
Easy To Groom3/52/5
General Health3/54/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight3/53/5
Intelligence3/55/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl3/51/5
Tolerates Hot Weather4/53/5
Easy To Train4/55/5
Easygoing1/52/5
Affectionate With Family5/55/5
Kid-Friendly5/53/5
Does NOT chew on things1/53/5
Tendency NOT to Wander1/52/5
NOT Rambunctious1/51/5
Minimal Exercise Needs1/51/5
Potential For Playfulness5/55/5
Average Lifespan13.5 years11.0 years
Price RangeNo Data$950 – $1500
Average PriceNo Data$1230
Temperament Score77.8 percent83.6 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination- Biennial exams until age 6 (every two years).
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • approved laboratory
  • DNA Repository (new requirement effective 7/1/13)
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • rcd4 PRA (new requirement effective 7/1/13)
    • Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds)4434

    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 Gordon Setter. 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 Gordon Setter is 70 out of 125.

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

    The Similarities Between the American Water Spaniel and the Gordon Setter

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

    • Both the American Water Spaniel and the Gordon Setter do not like to be left alone.
    • Both the American Water Spaniel and the Gordon Setter do not adapt well to apartment living.
    • Both the American Water Spaniel and the Gordon Setter are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
    • Both the American Water Spaniel and the Gordon Setter do not get along well with other dogs.
    • Both the American Water Spaniel and the Gordon Setter do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
    • Both the American Water Spaniel and the Gordon Setter can tolerate hot weather.
    • Both the American Water Spaniel and the Gordon Setter are very easy to train.
    • Both the American Water Spaniel and the Gordon Setter 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 Gordon Setter are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the American Water Spaniel and the Gordon Setter have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
    • Both the American Water Spaniel and the Gordon Setter have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
    • Both the American Water Spaniel and the Gordon Setter require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
    • Both the American Water Spaniel and the Gordon Setter are very playful.

    Size Comparison of American Water Spaniel versus Gordon Setter

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the American Water Spaniel and the Gordon Setter.

    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, Gordon Setters weigh 45 to 80 pounds when fully grown. Gordon Setters are 1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the when fully grown.

    Lifespan of American Water Spaniel versus Gordon Setter

    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 Gordon Setters is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Gordon Setters is 11.0 years.

    American Water Spaniels live longer than Gordon Setters.

    Temperament of the Gordon Setter Versus the American Water Spaniel

    The Gordon Setter has a better temperament than the American Water Spaniel.

    This is because the temperament score for the Gordon Setter is 83.6 percent while the temperament score for the American Water Spaniel is 77.8 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 77.8 percent, the American Water Spaniel has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 83.6 percent, the Gordon Setter has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the American Water Spaniel and the Gordon Setter by measuring the temperaments of 9 American Water Spaniels and 67 Gordon Setters.

    The Intelligence of the American Water Spaniel versus the Intelligence of the Gordon Setter

    `
    American Water Spaniel Gordon Setter
    Intelligence Rank 44 out of 130 dog breeds 34 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 Repetitions Tend To Learn New Commands After 15 To 25 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 American Water Spaniel has an obedience intelligence rank of 44 out of 130 dog breeds. The American Water Spaniel belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that American Water Spaniels tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 repetitions.

    The Gordon Setter has an obedience intelligence rank of 34 out of 130 dog breeds. The Gordon Setter belongs to the `Above Average Working Dogs` category. This means that Gordon Setters tend to learn new commands after 15 to 25 repetitions.

    The Gordon Setter is more intelligent than the American Water Spaniel.

    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 American Water Spaniel versus Health Problems of Gordon Setter

    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 Gordon Setter 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 Gordon Setter is prone to more genetic health problems than the American Water Spaniel.

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

    3 health tests are recommended for American Water Spaniel while 6 tests are recommended for the Gordon Setter.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in American Water Spaniels and in Gordon Setters.

    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.

    Gordon Setter Health Problems

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

  • approved laboratory
  • DNA Repository (new requirement effective 7/1/13)
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • rcd4 PRA (new requirement effective 7/1/13)

    • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Gordon Setters here.

    Tolerates Being Alone: American Water Spaniel versus Gordon Setter

    American Water Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

    Gordon Setters do not like to be left alone.

    Do American Water Spaniels shed more than Gordon Setters?

    American Water Spaniels shed moderately.

    Gordon Setters shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the American Water Spaniel or the Gordon Setter

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

    Gordon Setters drool moderately.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the American Water Spaniel or the Gordon Setter?

    American Water Spaniels are moderately easy to groom.

    Gordon Setters require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Does the American Water Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Gordon Setter?

    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.

    Gordon Setters 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 Gordon Setters?

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

    Gordon Setters are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can American Water Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Gordon Setters Tolerate Cold Weather?

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

    Gordon Setters can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: American Water Spaniel vs. Gordon Setter

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

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

    Can American Water Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Gordon Setters Tolerate Hot Weather?

    American Water Spaniels can tolerate hot weather.

    Gordon Setters can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the American Water Spaniel or the Gordon Setter?

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

    Gordon Setters do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are American Water Spaniels good family dogs? What about Gordon Setters?

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

    Gordon Setters are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are American Water Spaniels and Gordon Setters?

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

    Gordon Setters get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

    Is the American Water Spaniel Easier to Train than the Gordon Setter?

    American Water Spaniels are very easy to train.

    Gordon Setters are very easy to train.

    Is the American Water Spaniel Better for Apartment Owners than the Gordon Setter?

    American Water Spaniels do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Gordon Setters do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the American Water Spaniel or the Gordon Setter?

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

    Gordon Setters are OK for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: American Water Spaniel versus Gordon Setter. 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 Gordon Setter better suits you and your family.