Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Australian Shepherd Versus Cocker Spaniel: Introduction
- Australian Shepherd versus Cocker Spaniel: Overview
- Australian Shepherd versus Cocker Spaniel: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Australian Shepherd and the Cocker Spaniel
- The Similarities Between the Australian Shepherd and the Cocker Spaniel
- Size Comparison of Australian Shepherd versus Cocker Spaniel
- Lifespan of Australian Shepherd versus Cocker Spaniel
- Temperament of the Cocker Spaniel Versus the Australian Shepherd
- Price of Australian Shepherd versus Price of Cocker Spaniel
- The Intelligence of the Australian Shepherd versus the Intelligence of the Cocker Spaniel
- Health Problems of Australian Shepherd versus Health Problems of Cocker Spaniel
- Tolerates Being Alone: Australian Shepherd versus Cocker Spaniel
- Do Australian Shepherds shed more than Cocker Spaniels?
- Which one drools more, the Australian Shepherd or the Cocker Spaniel
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Australian Shepherd or the Cocker Spaniel?
- Does the Australian Shepherd Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Cocker Spaniel?
- Do Australian Shepherds Bark and Howl? What about Cocker Spaniels?
- Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Cocker Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Australian Shepherd vs. Cocker Spaniel
- Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Cocker Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Australian Shepherd or the Cocker Spaniel?
- Are Australian Shepherds good family dogs? What about Cocker Spaniels?
- How Kid-friendly are Australian Shepherds and Cocker Spaniels?
- Is the Australian Shepherd Easier to Train than the Cocker Spaniel?
- Conclusion: Australian Shepherd versus Cocker Spaniel. Which One is a Better Pet?
Australian Shepherd Versus Cocker Spaniel: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Australian Shepherd and the Cocker 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 Shepherd and the Cocker 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 Shepherd and the Cocker Spaniel.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Australian Shepherd and the Cocker 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 Shepherd and for the Cocker 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 Shepherd and the Cocker 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 Shepherd or the Cocker Spaniel.
Australian Shepherd versus Cocker Spaniel: Overview
A very important difference between the Australian Shepherd and the Cocker Spaniel is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Australian Shepherd is a medium-sized dog while the Cocker Spaniel is a small-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Australian Shepherd 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 Cocker 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 Shepherd versus Cocker Spaniel: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Australian Shepherd to the Cocker 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 Shepherd and the Cocker Spaniel
| Factor | Australian Shepherd | Cocker Spaniel |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Height | 18 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder | 1 foot, 2 inches to 1 foot, 3 inches tall at the s |
| Good For Novice Owners | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| General Health | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Weight | 40 to 65 pounds | 24 to 28 pounds |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 13.5 years |
| Average Price | $1210 | $1760 |
| Price Range | $800 – $1500 | $1200 – $2000 |
| Temperament Score | 82.2 percent | 82.0 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | ||
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 42 | 20 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Australian Shepherd 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 Cocker 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 Shepherd is 70 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Cocker Spaniel is 77 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Cocker Spaniel is a better pet than the Australian Shepherd. So, you should get the Cocker 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 Shepherd and the Cocker Spaniel so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Australian Shepherd and the Cocker Spaniel
Below is a list of where the Australian Shepherd and the Cocker Spaniel are most different:
- Australian Shepherds do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Cocker Spaniels adapt well to apartment living.
The Similarities Between the Australian Shepherd and the Cocker Spaniel
The Australian Shepherd and the Cocker Spaniel are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Australian Shepherd and the Cocker Spaniel are most similar:
- Both the Australian Shepherd and the Cocker Spaniel do not have the tendency to drool.
- Both the Australian Shepherd and the Cocker Spaniel require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
- Both the Australian Shepherd and the Cocker Spaniel are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
- Both the Australian Shepherd and the Cocker Spaniel do not like to be left alone.
- Both the Australian Shepherd and the Cocker Spaniel can tolerate cold weather.
- Both the Australian Shepherd and the Cocker Spaniel can tolerate hot weather.
- Both the Australian Shepherd and the Cocker Spaniel get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
- Both the Australian Shepherd and the Cocker Spaniel gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
- Both the Australian Shepherd and the Cocker Spaniel are prone to nip and chew at things.
- Both the Australian Shepherd and the Cocker Spaniel have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
- Both the Australian Shepherd and the Cocker Spaniel are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
- Both the Australian Shepherd and the Cocker 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 Shepherd and the Cocker Spaniel are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
- Both the Australian Shepherd and the Cocker Spaniel get along well with other dogs.
- Both the Australian Shepherd and the Cocker Spaniel are very easy to train.
- Both the Australian Shepherd and the Cocker Spaniel are highly intelligent.
- Both the Australian Shepherd and the Cocker Spaniel have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
- Both the Australian Shepherd and the Cocker Spaniel have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
- Both the Australian Shepherd and the Cocker Spaniel are very playful.
Size Comparison of Australian Shepherd versus Cocker Spaniel
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Australian Shepherd and the Cocker Spaniel.
Australian Shepherds weigh 40 to 65 pounds when fully grown. Australian Shepherds are 18 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
On the other hand, Cocker Spaniels weigh 24 to 28 pounds when fully grown. Cocker Spaniels are 1 foot, 2 inches to 1 foot, 3 inches tall at the s when fully grown.
Lifespan of Australian Shepherd versus Cocker Spaniel
The lifespan of Australian Shepherds is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Australian Shepherds is 13.5 years.
The lifespan of Cocker Spaniels is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Cocker Spaniels is 13.5 years.
Temperament of the Cocker Spaniel Versus the Australian Shepherd
The Australian Shepherd has a better temperament than the Cocker Spaniel.
This is because the temperament score for the Australian Shepherd is 82.2 percent while the temperament score for the Cocker Spaniel is 82.0 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 82.2 percent, the Australian Shepherd has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
With its temperament score of 82.0 percent, the Cocker Spaniel has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Australian Shepherd and the Cocker Spaniel by measuring the temperaments of 702 Australian Shepherds and 233 Cocker Spaniels.
Price of Australian Shepherd versus Price of Cocker Spaniel
The average price of the Australian Shepherd puppy is $1210. The price of the Australian Shepherd typically ranges from $800 – $1500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 1764 Australian Shepherd puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The average price of the Cocker Spaniel puppy is $1760. The price of the Cocker Spaniel typically ranges from $1200 – $2000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 297 Cocker Spaniel puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Cocker Spaniel is more expensive than the Australian Shepherd.
The charts below show the price distribution for the Australian Shepherd and Cocker Spaniel. For different price points, the charts show how many Australian Shepherd puppies or how many Cocker Spaniel puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Australian Shepherds. The typical price range is shaded Green.
A breakdown of the prices of Cocker Spaniels
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Australian Shepherd puppy or the Cocker Spaniel puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.
Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.
You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.
The Intelligence of the Australian Shepherd versus the Intelligence of the Cocker Spaniel
`| Australian Shepherd | Cocker Spaniel | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 42 out of 130 dog breeds | 20 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 Repetitions | Tend To Learn New Commands After 5 To 15 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 Australian Shepherd has an obedience intelligence rank of 42 out of 130 dog breeds. The Australian Shepherd belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Australian Shepherds tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 repetitions.
The Cocker Spaniel has an obedience intelligence rank of 20 out of 130 dog breeds. The Cocker Spaniel belongs to the `Excellent Working Dogs` category. This means that Cocker Spaniels tend to learn new commands after 5 to 15 repetitions.
The Cocker Spaniel is more intelligent than the Australian Shepherd.
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 Australian Shepherd versus Health Problems of Cocker Spaniel
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 Australian Shepherd and the Cocker Spaniel 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 Australian Shepherd is prone to more genetic health problems than the Cocker Spaniel.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Australian Shepherd than for the Cocker Spaniel.
7 health tests are recommended for Australian Shepherd while 2 tests are recommended for the Cocker Spaniel.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Australian Shepherds and in Cocker Spaniels.
Australian Shepherd Health Problems
Australian Shepherds are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Australian Shepherd 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 Australian Shepherd puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Australian Shepherd 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 Australian Shepherds for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Australian Shepherds here.
Cocker Spaniel Health Problems
Cocker Spaniels are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Cocker 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 Cocker Spaniel puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Cocker 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 Cocker Spaniels for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Cocker Spaniels here.
Tolerates Being Alone: Australian Shepherd versus Cocker Spaniel
Australian Shepherds do not like to be left alone.
Cocker Spaniels do not like to be left alone.
Do Australian Shepherds shed more than Cocker Spaniels?
Australian Shepherds shed moderately.
Cocker Spaniels shed moderately.
Which one drools more, the Australian Shepherd or the Cocker Spaniel
Australian Shepherds do have a very low tendency to drool.
Cocker Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Australian Shepherd or the Cocker Spaniel?
Australian Shepherds require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Cocker Spaniels require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Does the Australian Shepherd Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Cocker Spaniel?
Australian Shepherds 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.
Cocker Spaniels 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 Australian Shepherds Bark and Howl? What about Cocker Spaniels?
Australian Shepherds are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Cocker Spaniels bark and howl, but not very much.
Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Cocker Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?
Australian Shepherds can very well tolerate cold weather.
Cocker Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Australian Shepherd vs. Cocker Spaniel
Australian Shepherds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Cocker Spaniels have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Cocker Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?
Australian Shepherds can tolerate hot weather.
Cocker Spaniels can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Australian Shepherd or the Cocker Spaniel?
Australian Shepherds get along very well with other dogs.
Cocker Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.
Are Australian Shepherds good family dogs? What about Cocker Spaniels?
Australian Shepherds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Cocker Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Australian Shepherds and Cocker Spaniels?
Australian Shepherds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Cocker Spaniels get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.
Is the Australian Shepherd Easier to Train than the Cocker Spaniel?
Australian Shepherds are very easy to train.
Cocker Spaniels are very easy to train.
Is the Australian Shepherd Better for Apartment Owners than the Cocker Spaniel?
Australian Shepherds do not adapt well to apartment living.
Cocker Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Australian Shepherd or the Cocker Spaniel?
Australian Shepherds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Cocker Spaniels are OK for new dog owners.
Conclusion: Australian Shepherd versus Cocker 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 Shepherd and the Cocker Spaniel better suits you and your family.