Is the Biewer Terrier Better than the Sussex Spaniel as a Pet? Our Answer.

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Biewer Terrier Versus Sussex Spaniel: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Biewer Terrier 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 Biewer Terrier 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 Biewer Terrier 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 Biewer Terrier or the Sussex Spaniel.

Biewer Terrier versus Sussex Spaniel: Overview

A very important difference between the Biewer Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Biewer Terrier is a tiny-sized dog while the Sussex Spaniel is a small-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Biewer Terrier belongs to the Terrier Dogs group. Terrier Dogs were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.

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.

Biewer Terrier versus Sussex Spaniel: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Biewer Terrier 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 Biewer Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel

Factor Biewer Terrier Sussex Spaniel
Does NOT Shed 5/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 5/5 5/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 5/5 5/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 11 to 14 years
Tolerates Cold Weather 2/5 5/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 5/5
Easygoing 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 1/5
Easy To Train 3/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 5/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 4/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Intelligence 4/5 5/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 4/5
Weight 4 to 8 pounds 35 to 45 pounds
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 5/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 4/5
Height 7 to 11 inches 1 foot, 1 inch to 1 foot, 3 inches tall at the sho
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 12.5 years
Average Price $2920 No Data
Price Range $2000 – $3000 No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Eye Examination prior to the onset of breeding, recommend evaluations at 1, 3, and 6 Years of Age.
  • HYPERURICOSURIA
  • Legg-Calve-Perthes
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Primary Lens Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • Serum Bile Acid Test
    		•  No Data

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Biewer Terrier 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 Biewer Terrier is 89 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 Biewer Terrier. 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 Biewer Terrier 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 Biewer Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel

    Below is a list of where the Biewer Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel are most different:

    • Biewer Terriers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold. However, Sussex Spaniels can tolerate cold weather.
    • Biewer Terriers 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.

    The Similarities Between the Biewer Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel

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

    • Both the Biewer Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel do not have the tendency to drool.
    • Both the Biewer Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
    • Both the Biewer Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
    • Both the Biewer Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
    • Both the Biewer Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel are very easy to groom.
    • Both the Biewer Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
    • Both the Biewer Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel are highly intelligent.
    • Both the Biewer Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel are very playful.
    • Both the Biewer Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel adapt well to apartment living.
    • Both the Biewer Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Size Comparison of Biewer Terrier versus Sussex Spaniel

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Biewer Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel.

    Biewer Terriers weigh 4 to 8 pounds when fully grown. Biewer Terriers are 7 to 11 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 Biewer Terrier versus Sussex Spaniel

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

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

    Biewer Terriers live longer than Sussex Spaniels.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Biewer Terrier versus Sussex Spaniel

    Biewer Terriers can be left alone only for a short time.

    Sussex Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

    Do Biewer Terriers shed more than Sussex Spaniels?

    Biewer Terriers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Sussex Spaniels shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Biewer Terrier or the Sussex Spaniel

    Biewer Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Sussex Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Biewer Terrier or the Sussex Spaniel?

    Biewer Terriers are very easy to groom.

    Sussex Spaniels are very easy to groom.

    Does the Biewer Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Sussex Spaniel?

    Biewer Terriers 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.

    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 Biewer Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Sussex Spaniels?

    Biewer Terriers bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    Can Biewer Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Biewer Terriers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Sussex Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Biewer Terrier vs. Sussex Spaniel

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

    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 Biewer Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Biewer Terriers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Sussex Spaniels can tolerate hot weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Biewer Terrier or the Sussex Spaniel?

    Biewer Terriers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Sussex Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Biewer Terriers good family dogs? What about Sussex Spaniels?

    Biewer Terriers 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 Biewer Terriers and Sussex Spaniels?

    Biewer Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Biewer Terrier Easier to Train than the Sussex Spaniel?

    Biewer Terriers are fairly easy to train.

    Sussex Spaniels are fairly easy to train.

    Is the Biewer Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Sussex Spaniel?

    Biewer Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Sussex Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Biewer Terrier or the Sussex Spaniel?

    Biewer Terriers are OK for new dog owners.

    Sussex Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Biewer Terrier 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 Biewer Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel better suits you and your family.