Breed Comparison: Black Russian Terrier Versus Sussex Spaniel

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Black Russian Terrier Versus Sussex Spaniel: Introduction

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

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

Black Russian Terrier versus Sussex Spaniel: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Black Russian Terrier belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

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.

Black Russian Terrier versus Sussex Spaniel: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Black Russian 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 Black Russian Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel

Factor Black Russian Terrier Sussex Spaniel
Life Span 10 to 11 years 11 to 14 years
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 5/5
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 1/5
Dog Friendly 2/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 4/5 5/5
Height 26 to 28 inches at the shoulder 1 foot, 1 inch to 1 foot, 3 inches tall at the sho
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 3/5 5/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 3/5 5/5
General Health 3/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 1/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 4/5
Easygoing 2/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 5/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Easy To Train 4/5 3/5
Intelligence 4/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 1/5 5/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Weight 80 to 140 pounds 35 to 45 pounds
Average Lifespan 10.5 years 12.5 years
Average Price $3050 No Data
Price Range $2600 – $3500 No Data
Temperament Score 93.9 percent 100.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Agouti DNA Test
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Dominant Black DNA Test
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Juvenile Laryngeal Paralysis & Polyneuropathy
    		•  No Data

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Black Russian 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 Black Russian Terrier is 74 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 Black Russian 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 Black Russian 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 Black Russian Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel

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

    • Black Russian Terriers are not the best dogs for new dog owners. However, Sussex Spaniels are good for new dog owners.
    • Black Russian Terriers do not get along well with other dogs. However, Sussex Spaniels get along well with other dogs.
    • Black Russian Terriers are not very friendly towards strangers. However, Sussex Spaniels are very friendly towards strangers.
    • Black Russian Terriers 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.

    The Similarities Between the Black Russian Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel

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

    • Both the Black Russian Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel do not like to be left alone.
    • Both the Black Russian Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
    • Both the Black Russian Terrier 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 Black Russian Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel can tolerate cold weather.
    • Both the Black Russian Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the Black Russian Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel are very easy to train.
    • Both the Black Russian Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel are highly intelligent.
    • Both the Black Russian Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
    • Both the Black Russian Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel are very playful.

    Size Comparison of Black Russian Terrier versus Sussex Spaniel

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

    Black Russian Terriers weigh 80 to 140 pounds when fully grown. Black Russian Terriers are 26 to 28 inches 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 Black Russian Terrier versus Sussex Spaniel

    The lifespan of Black Russian Terriers is between 10 to 11 years. The average lifespan of Black Russian Terriers is 10.5 years.

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

    Sussex Spaniels live longer than Black Russian Terriers.

    Temperament of the Sussex Spaniel Versus the Black Russian Terrier

    The Sussex Spaniel has a better temperament than the Black Russian Terrier.

    This is because the temperament score for the Sussex Spaniel is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Black Russian Terrier is 93.9 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 93.9 percent, the Black Russian Terrier 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 Black Russian Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel by measuring the temperaments of 164 Black Russian Terriers and 4 Sussex Spaniels.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Black Russian Terrier versus Sussex Spaniel

    Black Russian Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Sussex Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

    Do Black Russian Terriers shed more than Sussex Spaniels?

    Black Russian Terriers shed moderately.

    Sussex Spaniels shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Black Russian Terrier or the Sussex Spaniel

    Black Russian Terriers drool moderately.

    Sussex Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

    Black Russian Terriers require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Sussex Spaniels are very easy to groom.

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

    Black Russian 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 Black Russian Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Sussex Spaniels?

    Black Russian Terriers bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    Can Black Russian Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Black Russian Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Sussex Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Black Russian Terrier vs. Sussex Spaniel

    Black Russian Terriers 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 Black Russian Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Black Russian 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 Black Russian Terrier or the Sussex Spaniel?

    Black Russian Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Sussex Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Black Russian Terriers good family dogs? What about Sussex Spaniels?

    Black Russian 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 Black Russian Terriers and Sussex Spaniels?

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

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

    Is the Black Russian Terrier Easier to Train than the Sussex Spaniel?

    Black Russian Terriers are very easy to train.

    Sussex Spaniels are fairly easy to train.

    Is the Black Russian Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Sussex Spaniel?

    Black Russian Terriers adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Sussex Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Black Russian Terriers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Sussex Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.

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