Is the American Water Spaniel Better than the Italian Greyhound as a Pet? Our Answer.

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American Water Spaniel Versus Italian Greyhound: Introduction

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

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

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 Italian Greyhound.

American Water Spaniel versus Italian Greyhound: Overview

A very important difference between the American Water Spaniel and the Italian Greyhound is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The American Water Spaniel is a medium-sized dog while the Italian Greyhound 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 Italian Greyhound 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 Italian Greyhound: Comparison Table

The table below compares the American Water Spaniel to the Italian Greyhound 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 Italian Greyhound

FactorAmerican Water SpanielItalian Greyhound
Tolerates Being Alone1/51/5
Does NOT Drool5/55/5
Height1 foot, 3 inches to 1 foot, 6 inches tall at the s13 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder
Life Span12 to 15 years14 to 15 years
Adapts Well To Apartment Living2/55/5
Good For Novice Owners2/55/5
Tolerates Cold Weather2/51/5
Dog Friendly2/54/5
Low Prey Drive4/51/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor4/54/5
Weight25 to 45 pounds6 to 15 pounds
Friendly Toward Strangers3/54/5
Does NOT Shed3/54/5
Easy To Groom3/55/5
General Health3/53/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight3/54/5
Intelligence3/53/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl3/53/5
Tolerates Hot Weather4/53/5
Easy To Train4/53/5
Easygoing1/51/5
Affectionate With Family5/55/5
Kid-Friendly5/55/5
Does NOT chew on things1/52/5
Tendency NOT to Wander1/53/5
NOT Rambunctious1/52/5
Minimal Exercise Needs1/52/5
Potential For Playfulness5/54/5
Average Lifespan13.5 years14.5 years
Price RangeNo Data$1500 – $2250
Average PriceNo Data$1930
Temperament Score77.8 percent81.5 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination- Biennial exams until age 6 (every two years).
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Eye Examination at 36 months, recommend annual testing to age 10
  • Hip Dysplasia/Legg-Calve-Perthes
  • Patellar Luxation
    • Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds)4460

    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 Italian Greyhound. 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 Italian Greyhound is 82 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Italian Greyhound is a better pet than the American Water Spaniel. So, you should get the Italian Greyhound!

    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 Italian Greyhound 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 Italian Greyhound

    Below is a list of where the American Water Spaniel and the Italian Greyhound are most different:

    • American Water Spaniels do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Italian Greyhounds adapt well to apartment living.
    • American Water Spaniels are not the best dogs for new dog owners. However, Italian Greyhounds are good for new dog owners.
    • American Water Spaniels have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets. However, Italian Greyhounds have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.

    The Similarities Between the American Water Spaniel and the Italian Greyhound

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

    • Both the American Water Spaniel and the Italian Greyhound do not like to be left alone.
    • Both the American Water Spaniel and the Italian Greyhound do not have the tendency to drool.
    • Both the American Water Spaniel and the Italian Greyhound cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
    • Both the American Water Spaniel and the Italian Greyhound do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
    • Both the American Water Spaniel and the Italian Greyhound can tolerate hot weather.
    • Both the American Water Spaniel and the Italian Greyhound are very easy to train.
    • Both the American Water Spaniel and the Italian Greyhound 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 Italian Greyhound are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the American Water Spaniel and the Italian Greyhound get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
    • Both the American Water Spaniel and the Italian Greyhound are prone to nip and chew at things.
    • Both the American Water Spaniel and the Italian Greyhound have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
    • Both the American Water Spaniel and the Italian Greyhound require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
    • Both the American Water Spaniel and the Italian Greyhound are very playful.

    Size Comparison of American Water Spaniel versus Italian Greyhound

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the American Water Spaniel and the Italian Greyhound.

    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, Italian Greyhounds weigh 6 to 15 pounds when fully grown. Italian Greyhounds are 13 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of American Water Spaniel versus Italian Greyhound

    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 Italian Greyhounds is between 14 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Italian Greyhounds is 14.5 years.

    Italian Greyhounds live longer than American Water Spaniels.

    Temperament of the Italian Greyhound Versus the American Water Spaniel

    The Italian Greyhound has a better temperament than the American Water Spaniel.

    This is because the temperament score for the Italian Greyhound is 81.5 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 81.5 percent, the Italian Greyhound has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the American Water Spaniel and the Italian Greyhound by measuring the temperaments of 9 American Water Spaniels and 54 Italian Greyhounds.

    The Intelligence of the American Water Spaniel versus the Intelligence of the Italian Greyhound

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    American Water Spaniel Italian Greyhound
    Intelligence Rank 44 out of 130 dog breeds 60 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 Repetitions Tend To Learn New Commands After 40 To 80 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 Italian Greyhound has an obedience intelligence rank of 60 out of 130 dog breeds. The Italian Greyhound belongs to the `Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Italian Greyhounds tend to learn new commands after 40 to 80 repetitions!.

    The American Water Spaniel is more intelligent than the Italian Greyhound.

    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 Italian Greyhound

    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 Italian Greyhound 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 Italian Greyhound is prone to more genetic health problems than the American Water Spaniel.

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

    3 health tests are recommended for American Water Spaniel while 4 tests are recommended for the Italian Greyhound.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in American Water Spaniels and in Italian Greyhounds.

    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.

    Italian Greyhound Health Problems

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

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Eye Examination at 36 months, recommend annual testing to age 10
  • Hip Dysplasia/Legg-Calve-Perthes
  • Patellar Luxation

    • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Italian Greyhounds here.

    Tolerates Being Alone: American Water Spaniel versus Italian Greyhound

    American Water Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

    Italian Greyhounds do not like to be left alone.

    Do American Water Spaniels shed more than Italian Greyhounds?

    American Water Spaniels shed moderately.

    Italian Greyhounds do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the American Water Spaniel or the Italian Greyhound

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

    Italian Greyhounds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the American Water Spaniel or the Italian Greyhound?

    American Water Spaniels are moderately easy to groom.

    Italian Greyhounds are very easy to groom.

    Does the American Water Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Italian Greyhound?

    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.

    Italian Greyhounds 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 Italian Greyhounds?

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

    Italian Greyhounds bark and howl, but not very much.

    Can American Water Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Italian Greyhounds Tolerate Cold Weather?

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

    Italian Greyhounds cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Wanderlust Potential: American Water Spaniel vs. Italian Greyhound

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

    Italian Greyhounds have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can American Water Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Italian Greyhounds Tolerate Hot Weather?

    American Water Spaniels can tolerate hot weather.

    Italian Greyhounds 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 Italian Greyhound?

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

    Italian Greyhounds get along very well with other dogs.

    Are American Water Spaniels good family dogs? What about Italian Greyhounds?

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

    Italian Greyhounds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are American Water Spaniels and Italian Greyhounds?

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

    Italian Greyhounds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the American Water Spaniel Easier to Train than the Italian Greyhound?

    American Water Spaniels are very easy to train.

    Italian Greyhounds are fairly easy to train.

    Is the American Water Spaniel Better for Apartment Owners than the Italian Greyhound?

    American Water Spaniels do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Italian Greyhounds adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the American Water Spaniel or the Italian Greyhound?

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

    Italian Greyhounds are very good for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: American Water Spaniel versus Italian Greyhound. 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 Italian Greyhound better suits you and your family.