Is the American Water Spaniel Better than the Shetland Sheepdog as a Pet? Answer…

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American Water Spaniel Versus Shetland Sheepdog: Introduction

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

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

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 Shetland Sheepdog.

American Water Spaniel versus Shetland Sheepdog

American Water Spaniel versus Shetland Sheepdog: Overview

A very important difference between the American Water Spaniel and the Shetland Sheepdog is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The American Water Spaniel is a medium-sized dog while the Shetland Sheepdog 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 Shetland Sheepdog belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.

American Water Spaniel versus Shetland Sheepdog: Comparison Table

The table below compares the American Water Spaniel to the Shetland Sheepdog 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 Shetland Sheepdog

Factor American Water Spaniel Shetland Sheepdog
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Height 1 foot, 3 inches to 1 foot, 6 inches tall at the s 13 to 16 inches tall at the shoulder
Life Span 12 to 15 years 12 to 15 years
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 2/5
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 2/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 2/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 4/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 4/5
Weight 25 to 45 pounds Starts at 20 pounds
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 1/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 2/5
General Health 3/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Intelligence 3/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
Easy To Train 4/5 5/5
Easygoing 1/5 1/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 1/5 5/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 13.5 years
Price Range No Data $1000 – $2000
Average Price No Data $1590
Temperament Score 77.8 percent 68.9 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination- Biennial exams until age 6 (every two years).
  • Hip Dysplasia
    		•
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Dentition
  • Eye Examination- Recommend evaluation every year until age 5, every 2 years thereafter until age 9.
  • Hip Dysplasia
    		•
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 159 23
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) 44 6

    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 Shetland Sheepdog. 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 Shetland Sheepdog is 85 out of 125.

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

    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 Shetland Sheepdog 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 Shetland Sheepdog

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

  • American Water Spaniels are prone to nip and chew at things. However, Shetland Sheepdogs are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • American Water Spaniels have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects. However, Shetland Sheepdogs do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    • The Similarities Between the American Water Spaniel and the Shetland Sheepdog

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

  • Both the American Water Spaniel and the Shetland Sheepdog do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the American Water Spaniel and the Shetland Sheepdog do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the American Water Spaniel and the Shetland Sheepdog do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the American Water Spaniel and the Shetland Sheepdog are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the American Water Spaniel and the Shetland Sheepdog have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • Both the American Water Spaniel and the Shetland Sheepdog do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • Both the American Water Spaniel and the Shetland Sheepdog can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the American Water Spaniel and the Shetland Sheepdog are very easy to train.
  • Both the American Water Spaniel and the Shetland Sheepdog 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 Shetland Sheepdog are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the American Water Spaniel and the Shetland Sheepdog get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the American Water Spaniel and the Shetland Sheepdog have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the American Water Spaniel and the Shetland Sheepdog require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the American Water Spaniel and the Shetland Sheepdog are very playful.

    • Size (Weight and Height) of American Water Spaniel versus Shetland Sheepdog

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

    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, Shetland Sheepdogs weigh Starts at 20 pounds when fully grown. Shetland Sheepdogs are 13 to 16 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of American Water Spaniel versus Shetland Sheepdog

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

    Temperament of the American Water Spaniel Versus the Shetland Sheepdog

    The American Water Spaniel has a better temperament than the Shetland Sheepdog.

    This is because the temperament score for the American Water Spaniel is 77.8 percent while the temperament score for the Shetland Sheepdog is 68.9 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 68.9 percent, the Shetland Sheepdog has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the American Water Spaniel and the Shetland Sheepdog by measuring the temperaments of 9 American Water Spaniels and 515 Shetland Sheepdogs.

    The Intelligence of the American Water Spaniel versus the Intelligence of the Shetland Sheepdog

    American Water Spaniel Shetland Sheepdog
    Intelligence Rank 44 out of 130 dog breeds 6 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 Repetitions Tend To Learn New Commands After Fewer Than 5 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 Shetland Sheepdog has an obedience intelligence rank of 6 out of 130 dog breeds. The Shetland Sheepdog belongs to the `Brightest Dogs` category. This means that Shetland Sheepdogs tend to learn new commands after fewer than 5 repetitions.

    The Shetland Sheepdog 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.

    The Popularity of American Water Spaniel versus Popularity of Shetland Sheepdog

    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 Shetland Sheepdog over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Shetland Sheepdog is more popular with dog owners than the American Water Spaniel. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Shetland Sheepdog is 23 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 Shetland Sheepdog

    Popularity of Shetland Sheepdog

    Year American Water Spaniel Popularity Rank Shetland Sheepdog Popularity Rank
    2013 144 21
    2014 160 21
    2015 157 23
    2016 156 24
    2017 167 24
    2018 166 25
    2019 164 25
    2020 158 27

    Health Problems of American Water Spaniel versus Health Problems of Shetland Sheepdog

    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 Shetland Sheepdog 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 Shetland Sheepdog is prone to more genetic health problems than the American Water Spaniel.

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

    3 health tests are recommended for American Water Spaniel while 4 tests are recommended for the Shetland Sheepdog.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in American Water Spaniels and in Shetland Sheepdogs.

    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.

    Shetland Sheepdog Health Problems

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

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Dentition
  • Eye Examination- Recommend evaluation every year until age 5, every 2 years thereafter until age 9.
  • Hip Dysplasia

    • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Shetland Sheepdogs here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in American Water Spaniels and Shetland Sheepdogs

    Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the American Water Spaniel Breed is Eyes problems.

    This is because the American Water Spaniel ranks 16 out of 182 dog breeds for Eyes problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 160 American Water Spaniels, 6 of them had Eyes problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in American Water Spaniels, and how common these diseases are in American Water Spaniels relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Eyes problems: Rank 16 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 21 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 38 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 95 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 122 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 133 out of 198 Dog Breeds

    • Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Shetland Sheepdog Breed is Collie Eye Anomaly problems.

    This is because the Shetland Sheepdog ranks 3 out of 7 dog breeds for Collie Eye Anomaly problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 633 Shetland Sheepdogs, 5 of them had Collie Eye Anomaly problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Shetland Sheepdogs, and how common these diseases are in Shetland Sheepdogs relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Collie Eye Anomaly problems: Rank 3 out of 7 Dog Breeds
  • Multiple Drug Resistance (Mdr1) problems: Rank 4 out of 7 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 5 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Dentition Database problems: Rank 6 out of 49 Dog Breeds
  • Von Willebrands problems: Rank 6 out of 15 Dog Breeds
  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 46 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 89 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 101 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 122 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 166 out of 198 Dog Breeds

    • The table below lists the common health problems in American Water Spaniel and in Shetland Sheepdog and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the American Water Spaniel and the Shetland Sheepdog:

    Disease American Water Spaniel Rank Shetland Sheepdog Rank
    Eyes problems 16 out of 182 dog breeds 122 out of 182 dog breeds
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems 21 out of 70 dog breeds 46 out of 70 dog breeds
    Congenital Cardiac problems 38 out of 159 dog breeds Not Common
    Thyroid problems 95 out of 115 dog breeds 5 out of 115 dog breeds
    Elbow problems 122 out of 144 dog breeds 101 out of 144 dog breeds
    Hips problems 133 out of 198 dog breeds 166 out of 198 dog breeds
    Collie Eye Anomaly problems Not Common 3 out of 7 dog breeds
    Multiple Drug Resistance (Mdr1) problems Not Common 4 out of 7 dog breeds
    Dentition Database problems Not Common 6 out of 49 dog breeds
    Von Willebrands problems Not Common 6 out of 15 dog breeds
    Patella problems Not Common 89 out of 145 dog breeds

    *To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.

    Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.

    Tolerates Being Alone: American Water Spaniel versus Shetland Sheepdog

    American Water Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

    Shetland Sheepdogs do not like to be left alone.

    Do American Water Spaniels shed more than Shetland Sheepdogs?

    American Water Spaniels shed moderately.

    Shetland Sheepdogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the American Water Spaniel or the Shetland Sheepdog

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

    Shetland Sheepdogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

    American Water Spaniels are moderately easy to groom.

    Shetland Sheepdogs 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 Shetland Sheepdog?

    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.

    Shetland Sheepdogs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Do American Water Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Shetland Sheepdogs?

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

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

    Can American Water Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shetland Sheepdogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

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

    Shetland Sheepdogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: American Water Spaniel vs. Shetland Sheepdog

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

    Shetland Sheepdogs 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 Shetland Sheepdogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

    American Water Spaniels can tolerate hot weather.

    Shetland Sheepdogs 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 Shetland Sheepdog?

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

    Shetland Sheepdogs get along very well with other dogs.

    Are American Water Spaniels good family dogs? What about Shetland Sheepdogs?

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

    Shetland Sheepdogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are American Water Spaniels and Shetland Sheepdogs?

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

    Shetland Sheepdogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the American Water Spaniel Easier to Train than the Shetland Sheepdog?

    American Water Spaniels are very easy to train.

    Shetland Sheepdogs are very easy to train.

    Is the American Water Spaniel Better for Apartment Owners than the Shetland Sheepdog?

    American Water Spaniels do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Shetland Sheepdogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

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

    Shetland Sheepdogs are OK 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 Shetland Sheepdog vs Border Collie.

    • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Shetland Sheepdog

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

  • Collie (81 percent match with Shetland Sheepdog). Here is our comparison of the American Water Spaniel vs Collie.
  • Pembroke Welsh Corgi (79 percent match with Shetland Sheepdog). Here is our comparison of the American Water Spaniel vs Pembroke Welsh Corgi.

    • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    American Water Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    American Water Spaniel versus Belgian Sheepdog     American Water Spaniel versus French Bulldog     American Water Spaniel versus Kishu Ken     American Water Spaniel versus Gordon Setter     American Water Spaniel versus West Highland White Terrier     American Water Spaniel versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog     American Water Spaniel versus Aussiedoodle     American Water Spaniel versus Belgian Malinois     American Water Spaniel versus Sloughi     American Water Spaniel versus Lakeland Terrier     American Water Spaniel versus Bull Terrier     American Water Spaniel versus German Pinscher     American Water Spaniel versus Pomapoo     American Water Spaniel versus Pug     American Water Spaniel versus Portuguese Water Dog     American Water Spaniel versus Goldador     American Water Spaniel versus Maremma Sheepdog     American Water Spaniel versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     American Water Spaniel versus Silky Terrier     American Water Spaniel versus Bolognese     American Water Spaniel versus Kuvasz     American Water Spaniel versus Pyredoodle     American Water Spaniel versus Akbash     American Water Spaniel versus American Foxhound     American Water Spaniel versus Irish Setter     

    Shetland Sheepdog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Shetland Sheepdog versus Clumber Spaniel     Shetland Sheepdog versus Plott     Shetland Sheepdog versus Bouvier des Flandres     Shetland Sheepdog versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog     Shetland Sheepdog versus Australian Terrier     Shetland Sheepdog versus Karelian Bear Dog     Shetland Sheepdog versus American Pit Bull Terrier     Shetland Sheepdog versus Greyhound     Shetland Sheepdog versus Newfoundland     Shetland Sheepdog versus Aussiedoodle     Shetland Sheepdog versus Lhasapoo     Shetland Sheepdog versus Bedlington Terrier     Shetland Sheepdog versus Black Mouth Cur     Shetland Sheepdog versus Dalmatian     Shetland Sheepdog versus Lancashire Heeler     Shetland Sheepdog versus Bracco Italiano     Shetland Sheepdog versus Beaglier     Shetland Sheepdog versus Catahoula Bulldog     Shetland Sheepdog versus Bullmastiff     Shetland Sheepdog versus Bolognese     Shetland Sheepdog versus Lagotto Romagnolo     Shetland Sheepdog versus Afghan Hound     Shetland Sheepdog versus Papillon     Shetland Sheepdog versus Catahoula Bulldog     Shetland Sheepdog versus Afador     

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