A Detailed Comparison of the Belgian Malinois and the Sussex Spaniel.

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Belgian Malinois Versus Sussex Spaniel: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Belgian Malinois 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 Belgian Malinois 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 Belgian Malinois and the Sussex Spaniel.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Belgian Malinois 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 Belgian Malinois 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 Belgian Malinois 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 Belgian Malinois or the Sussex Spaniel.

Belgian Malinois versus Sussex Spaniel: Overview

A very important difference between the Belgian Malinois and the Sussex Spaniel is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Belgian Malinois is a large-sized dog while the Sussex Spaniel is a small-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Belgian Malinois 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.

Belgian Malinois versus Sussex Spaniel: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Belgian Malinois 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 Belgian Malinois and the Sussex Spaniel

Factor Belgian Malinois Sussex Spaniel
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 5/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 12 to 14 years 11 to 14 years
Dog Friendly 2/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 4/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 4/5 1/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 2/5
Height 22 to 26 inches tall at the shoulder 1 foot, 1 inch to 1 foot, 3 inches tall at the sho
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 5/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 1/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 5/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 5/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 5/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 5/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 5/5
Weight 40 to 80 pounds 35 to 45 pounds
Easygoing 1/5 1/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 4/5
Easy To Train 5/5 3/5
Intelligence 5/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Average Lifespan 13.0 years 12.5 years
Average Price $1380 No Data
Price Range $850 – $1800 No Data
Temperament Score 94.1 percent 100.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
    		•  No Data

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Belgian Malinois 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 Belgian Malinois is 83 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 Belgian Malinois. 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 Belgian Malinois 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 Belgian Malinois and the Sussex Spaniel

    Below is a list of where the Belgian Malinois and the Sussex Spaniel are most different:

    • Belgian Malinoiss do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Sussex Spaniels adapt well to apartment living.
    • Belgian Malinoiss do not get along well with other dogs. However, Sussex Spaniels get along well with other dogs.
    • Belgian Malinoiss are not prone to gaining weight easily. However, Sussex Spaniels gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
    • Belgian Malinoiss 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.
    • Belgian Malinoiss do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful. However, Sussex Spaniels do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
    • Belgian Malinoiss 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.
    • Belgian Malinoiss 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 Belgian Malinois and the Sussex Spaniel

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

    • Both the Belgian Malinois and the Sussex Spaniel do not have the tendency to drool.
    • Both the Belgian Malinois and the Sussex Spaniel do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
    • Both the Belgian Malinois and the Sussex Spaniel can tolerate cold weather.
    • Both the Belgian Malinois and the Sussex Spaniel can tolerate hot weather.
    • Both the Belgian Malinois and the Sussex Spaniel get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
    • Both the Belgian Malinois and the Sussex Spaniel are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
    • Both the Belgian Malinois 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 Belgian Malinois and the Sussex Spaniel are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the Belgian Malinois and the Sussex Spaniel are very easy to groom.
    • Both the Belgian Malinois and the Sussex Spaniel are highly intelligent.
    • Both the Belgian Malinois and the Sussex Spaniel are very playful.

    Size Comparison of Belgian Malinois versus Sussex Spaniel

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Belgian Malinois and the Sussex Spaniel.

    Belgian Malinoiss weigh 40 to 80 pounds when fully grown. Belgian Malinoiss are 22 to 26 inches tall at the shoulder 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 Belgian Malinois versus Sussex Spaniel

    The lifespan of Belgian Malinoiss is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Belgian Malinoiss is 13.0 years.

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

    Belgian Malinoiss live longer than Sussex Spaniels.

    Temperament of the Sussex Spaniel Versus the Belgian Malinois

    The Sussex Spaniel has a better temperament than the Belgian Malinois.

    This is because the temperament score for the Sussex Spaniel is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Belgian Malinois is 94.1 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 94.1 percent, the Belgian Malinois has an above-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 Belgian Malinois and the Sussex Spaniel by measuring the temperaments of 440 Belgian Malinoiss and 4 Sussex Spaniels.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Belgian Malinois versus Sussex Spaniel

    Belgian Malinoiss can be left alone only for a short time.

    Sussex Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

    Do Belgian Malinoiss shed more than Sussex Spaniels?

    Belgian Malinoiss do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Sussex Spaniels shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Belgian Malinois or the Sussex Spaniel

    Belgian Malinoiss do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Sussex Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Belgian Malinois or the Sussex Spaniel?

    Belgian Malinoiss are very easy to groom.

    Sussex Spaniels are very easy to groom.

    Does the Belgian Malinois Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Sussex Spaniel?

    Belgian Malinoiss 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 Belgian Malinoiss Bark and Howl? What about Sussex Spaniels?

    Belgian Malinoiss are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

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

    Can Belgian Malinoiss Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Belgian Malinoiss can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Sussex Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Belgian Malinois vs. Sussex Spaniel

    Belgian Malinoiss have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get 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 Belgian Malinoiss Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Belgian Malinoiss can tolerate hot weather.

    Sussex Spaniels can tolerate hot weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Belgian Malinois or the Sussex Spaniel?

    Belgian Malinoiss do not get along well with other dogs.

    Sussex Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Belgian Malinoiss good family dogs? What about Sussex Spaniels?

    Belgian Malinoiss 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 Belgian Malinoiss and Sussex Spaniels?

    Belgian Malinoiss get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Belgian Malinois Easier to Train than the Sussex Spaniel?

    Belgian Malinoiss are very easy to train.

    Sussex Spaniels are fairly easy to train.

    Is the Belgian Malinois Better for Apartment Owners than the Sussex Spaniel?

    Belgian Malinoiss do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Sussex Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Belgian Malinois or the Sussex Spaniel?

    Belgian Malinoiss are OK for new dog owners.

    Sussex Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Belgian Malinois 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 Belgian Malinois and the Sussex Spaniel better suits you and your family.