Which is Better Between the Australian Kelpie and the Sussex Spaniel?

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Australian Kelpie Versus Sussex Spaniel: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Australian Kelpie and the Sussex Spaniel? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Australian Kelpie and the Sussex Spaniel better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Australian Kelpie and the Sussex Spaniel.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Australian Kelpie and the Sussex Spaniel is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Australian Kelpie and for the Sussex Spaniel. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Australian Kelpie and the Sussex Spaniel.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Australian Kelpie or the Sussex Spaniel.

Australian Kelpie versus Sussex Spaniel: Overview

A very important difference between the Australian Kelpie and the Sussex Spaniel is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Australian Kelpie is a medium-sized dog while the Sussex Spaniel is a small-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Australian Kelpie 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.

On the other hand, the Sussex 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.

Australian Kelpie versus Sussex Spaniel: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Australian Kelpie to the Sussex Spaniel based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Australian Kelpie and the Sussex Spaniel

Factor Australian Kelpie Sussex Spaniel
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 10 to 15 years 11 to 14 years
Height 15 to 20 inches 1 foot, 1 inch to 1 foot, 3 inches tall at the sho
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 5/5
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 5/5
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 1/5
Kid-Friendly 2/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 4/5 1/5
Weight 25 to 46 pounds 35 to 45 pounds
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 3/5
General Health 3/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 5/5
Easygoing 2/5 1/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 5/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 5/5 5/5
Easy To Train 5/5 3/5
Intelligence 5/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 1/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 4/5
Average Lifespan 12.5 years 12.5 years
Average Price $500 No Data
Price Range $500 – $500 No Data
Temperament Score 83.3 percent 100.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data No Data

Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Australian Kelpie 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 Sussex Spaniel. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

The Better-Pet score for the Australian Kelpie is 72 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Sussex Spaniel is 100 out of 125.

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

The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Australian Kelpie and the Sussex Spaniel

Below is a list of where the Australian Kelpie and the Sussex Spaniel are most different:

  • Australian Kelpies do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Sussex Spaniels adapt well to apartment living.
  • Australian Kelpies are not the best dogs for new dog owners. However, Sussex Spaniels are good for new dog owners.
  • Australian Kelpies do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly. However, Sussex Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Australian Kelpies are not very friendly towards strangers. However, Sussex Spaniels are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Australian Kelpies are not prone to gaining weight easily. However, Sussex Spaniels gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Australian Kelpies have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets. However, Sussex Spaniels have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • Australian Kelpies have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects. However, Sussex Spaniels do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
  • Australian Kelpies are prone to nip and chew at things. However, Sussex Spaniels are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Australian Kelpies have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy. However, Sussex Spaniels have low energy levels. They do not require a lot exercise time.
  • Australian Kelpies require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise. However, Sussex Spaniels have low exercise needs.

The Similarities Between the Australian Kelpie and the Sussex Spaniel

The Australian Kelpie and the Sussex Spaniel are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Australian Kelpie and the Sussex Spaniel are most similar:

  • Both the Australian Kelpie and the Sussex Spaniel do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Australian Kelpie and the Sussex Spaniel do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Australian Kelpie and the Sussex Spaniel are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
  • Both the Australian Kelpie and the Sussex Spaniel are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Australian Kelpie and the Sussex Spaniel are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Australian Kelpie and the Sussex Spaniel are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Australian Kelpie and the Sussex Spaniel are very playful.
  • Both the Australian Kelpie and the Sussex Spaniel can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Australian Kelpie and the Sussex Spaniel are highly intelligent.

Size Comparison of Australian Kelpie versus Sussex Spaniel

Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Australian Kelpie and the Sussex Spaniel.

Australian Kelpies weigh 25 to 46 pounds when fully grown. Australian Kelpies are 15 to 20 inches when fully grown.

On the other hand, Sussex Spaniels weigh 35 to 45 pounds when fully grown. Sussex Spaniels are 1 foot, 1 inch to 1 foot, 3 inches tall at the sho when fully grown.

Lifespan of Australian Kelpie versus Sussex Spaniel

The lifespan of Australian Kelpies is between 10 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Australian Kelpies is 12.5 years.

The lifespan of Sussex Spaniels is between 11 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Sussex Spaniels is 12.5 years.

Temperament of the Australian Kelpie Versus the Sussex Spaniel

The Sussex Spaniel has a better temperament than the Australian Kelpie.

This is because the temperament score for the Sussex Spaniel is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Australian Kelpie is 83.3 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 83.3 percent, the Australian Kelpie has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

With its temperament score of 100.0 percent, the Sussex Spaniel has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Australian Kelpie and the Sussex Spaniel by measuring the temperaments of 6 Australian Kelpies and 4 Sussex Spaniels.

Tolerates Being Alone: Australian Kelpie versus Sussex Spaniel

Australian Kelpies do not like to be left alone.

Sussex Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

Do Australian Kelpies shed more than Sussex Spaniels?

Australian Kelpies shed moderately.

Sussex Spaniels shed moderately.

Which one drools more, the Australian Kelpie or the Sussex Spaniel

Australian Kelpies do have a very low tendency to drool.

Sussex Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

Which is Easier to Groom, the Australian Kelpie or the Sussex Spaniel?

Australian Kelpies are very easy to groom.

Sussex Spaniels are very easy to groom.

Does the Australian Kelpie Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Sussex Spaniel?

Australian Kelpies 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.

Sussex 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.

Do Australian Kelpies Bark and Howl? What about Sussex Spaniels?

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

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

Can Australian Kelpies Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?

Australian Kelpies can moderately tolerate cold weather.

Sussex Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.

Wanderlust Potential: Australian Kelpie vs. Sussex Spaniel

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

Sussex Spaniels do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

Can Australian Kelpies Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?

Australian Kelpies can tolerate hot weather.

Sussex Spaniels can tolerate hot weather.

Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Australian Kelpie or the Sussex Spaniel?

Australian Kelpies get along fairly well with other dogs.

Sussex Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

Are Australian Kelpies good family dogs? What about Sussex Spaniels?

Australian Kelpies are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

Sussex Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

How Kid-friendly are Australian Kelpies and Sussex Spaniels?

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

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

Is the Australian Kelpie Easier to Train than the Sussex Spaniel?

Australian Kelpies are very easy to train.

Sussex Spaniels are fairly easy to train.

Is the Australian Kelpie Better for Apartment Owners than the Sussex Spaniel?

Australian Kelpies do not adapt well to apartment living.

Sussex Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.

Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Australian Kelpie or the Sussex Spaniel?

Australian Kelpies are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

Sussex Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.

Conclusion: Australian Kelpie versus Sussex Spaniel. Which One is a Better Pet?

In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Australian Kelpie and the Sussex Spaniel better suits you and your family.