Breed Comparison: American Water Spaniel Versus Pekingese

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American Water Spaniel Versus Pekingese: Introduction

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

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

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 Pekingese.

American Water Spaniel versus Pekingese

American Water Spaniel versus Pekingese: Overview

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

The table below compares the American Water Spaniel to the Pekingese 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 Pekingese

Factor American Water Spaniel Pekingese
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Height 1 foot, 3 inches to 1 foot, 6 inches tall at the s 6 to 9 inches tall at the shoulder
Life Span 12 to 15 years 12 to 15 years
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 5/5
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 4/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 2/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 2/5 2/5
Low Prey Drive 4/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 5/5
Weight 25 to 45 pounds 7 to 14 pounds
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 1/5
General Health 3/5 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Intelligence 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 1/5
Easy To Train 4/5 3/5
Easygoing 1/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 1/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 3/5
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 13.5 years
Price Range No Data $1288 – $2500
Average Price No Data $1930
Temperament Score 77.8 percent 93.3 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination- Biennial exams until age 6 (every two years).
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • No Data
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 159 86
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) 44 73

    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 Pekingese. 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 Pekingese is 77 out of 125.

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

    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 Pekingese 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 Pekingese

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

  • American Water Spaniels do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Pekingeses adapt well to apartment living.
  • American Water Spaniels have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets. However, Pekingeses have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • American Water Spaniels can tolerate hot weather. However, Pekingeses cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • American Water 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. However, Pekingeses 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.
  • American Water Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly. However, Pekingeses do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.
  • American Water Spaniels have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy. However, Pekingeses have low energy levels. They do not require a lot exercise time.
  • American Water Spaniels require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise. However, Pekingeses have low exercise needs.
  • The Similarities Between the American Water Spaniel and the Pekingese

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

  • Both the American Water Spaniel and the Pekingese do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the American Water Spaniel and the Pekingese do not get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the American Water Spaniel and the Pekingese do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • Both the American Water Spaniel and the Pekingese are very easy to train.
  • Both the American Water Spaniel and the Pekingese are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of American Water Spaniel versus Pekingese

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

    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, Pekingeses weigh 7 to 14 pounds when fully grown. Pekingeses are 6 to 9 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of American Water Spaniel versus Pekingese

    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 Pekingeses is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Pekingeses is 13.5 years.

    Temperament of the American Water Spaniel Versus the Pekingese

    The Pekingese has a better temperament than the American Water Spaniel.

    This is because the temperament score for the Pekingese is 93.3 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 93.3 percent, the Pekingese has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the American Water Spaniel and the Pekingese by measuring the temperaments of 9 American Water Spaniels and 15 Pekingeses.

    The Intelligence of the American Water Spaniel versus the Intelligence of the Pekingese

    American Water Spaniel Pekingese
    Intelligence Rank 44 out of 130 dog breeds 73 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 Repetitions Tend To Learn New Commands After 80 To 100 Repetitions Or More!

    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 Pekingese has an obedience intelligence rank of 73 out of 130 dog breeds. The Pekingese belongs to the `Lowest Degree of Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Pekingeses tend to learn new commands after 80 to 100 repetitions or more!.

    The American Water Spaniel is more intelligent than the Pekingese.

    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.

    The Popularity of American Water Spaniel versus Popularity of Pekingese

    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 American Water Spaniel and the Pekingese over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Pekingese is more popular with dog owners than the American Water Spaniel. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Pekingese is 86 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the American Water Spaniel is 159 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of American Water Spaniel

    Popularity of American Water Spaniel

    Popularity of Pekingese

    Popularity of Pekingese

    Year American Water Spaniel Popularity Rank Pekingese Popularity Rank
    2013 144 77
    2014 160 82
    2015 157 80
    2016 156 93
    2017 167 88
    2018 166 92
    2019 164 83
    2020 158 95

    Tolerates Being Alone: American Water Spaniel versus Pekingese

    American Water Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

    Pekingeses can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do American Water Spaniels shed more than Pekingeses?

    American Water Spaniels shed moderately.

    Pekingeses shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the American Water Spaniel or the Pekingese

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

    Pekingeses do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

    American Water Spaniels are moderately easy to groom.

    Pekingeses 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 Pekingese?

    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.

    Pekingeses 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 Pekingeses?

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

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

    Can American Water Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Pekingeses Tolerate Cold Weather?

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

    Pekingeses can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: American Water Spaniel vs. Pekingese

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

    Pekingeses 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 Pekingeses Tolerate Hot Weather?

    American Water Spaniels can tolerate hot weather.

    Pekingeses cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

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

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

    Pekingeses do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are American Water Spaniels good family dogs? What about Pekingeses?

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

    Pekingeses are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are American Water Spaniels and Pekingeses?

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

    Pekingeses do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

    Is the American Water Spaniel Easier to Train than the Pekingese?

    American Water Spaniels are very easy to train.

    Pekingeses are fairly easy to train.

    Is the American Water Spaniel Better for Apartment Owners than the Pekingese?

    American Water Spaniels do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Pekingeses adapt very well to apartment living.

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

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

    Pekingeses are very good for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the American Water Spaniel

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the American Water 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 American Water Spaniel:

  • Border Collie (74 percent match with American Water Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Pekingese vs Border Collie.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Pekingese

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Pekingese 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 Pekingese:

  • Dandie Dinmont Terrier (72 percent match with Pekingese). Here is our comparison of the American Water Spaniel vs Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
  • Mal Shi (72 percent match with Pekingese). Here is our comparison of the American Water Spaniel vs Mal Shi.
  • Pomeranian (72 percent match with Pekingese). Here is our comparison of the American Water Spaniel vs Pomeranian.
  • Pomsky (72 percent match with Pekingese). Here is our comparison of the American Water Spaniel vs Pomsky.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the American Water Spaniel and how the Pekingese compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the American Water Spaniel and of the Pekingese to other breeds:

    American Water Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    American Water Spaniel versus Dogue de Bordeaux     American Water Spaniel versus Maremma Sheepdog     American Water Spaniel versus Shiranian     American Water Spaniel versus Patterdale Terrier     American Water Spaniel versus Belgian Malinois     American Water Spaniel versus Dalmatian     American Water Spaniel versus Chihuahua     American Water Spaniel versus Border Terrier     American Water Spaniel versus German Wirehaired Pointer     American Water Spaniel versus Neapolitan Mastiff     American Water Spaniel versus German Longhaired Pointer     American Water Spaniel versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier     American Water Spaniel versus Patterdale Terrier     American Water Spaniel versus Pyrenean Shepherd     American Water Spaniel versus Mountain Cur     American Water Spaniel versus Chorkie     American Water Spaniel versus American Hairless Terrier     American Water Spaniel versus Goldador     American Water Spaniel versus Maltipoo     American Water Spaniel versus Irish Water Spaniel     American Water Spaniel versus Scottish Deerhound     American Water Spaniel versus Basenji     American Water Spaniel versus Akita     American Water Spaniel versus Bulldog     American Water Spaniel versus Samoyed     

    Pekingese Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Pekingese versus German Longhaired Pointer     Pekingese versus Xoloitzcuintli     Pekingese versus Bernese Mountain Dog     Pekingese versus Fila Brasileiro     Pekingese versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     Pekingese versus Curly-Coated Retriever     Pekingese versus Kai Ken     Pekingese versus Irish Wolfhound     Pekingese versus Doberman Pinscher     Pekingese versus Skye Terrier     Pekingese versus Braque du Bourbonnais     Pekingese versus Boxer     Pekingese versus Kooikerhondje     Pekingese versus Bordoodle     Pekingese versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     Pekingese versus Brittany     Pekingese versus Sealyham Terrier     Pekingese versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     Pekingese versus Shih Tzu     Pekingese versus Cane Corso     Pekingese versus French Spaniel     Pekingese versus Affenpinscher     Pekingese versus Cane Corso     Pekingese versus Finnish Lapphund     Pekingese versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog     

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