Breed Comparison: Bolognese Versus Cocker Spaniel

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Bolognese Versus Cocker Spaniel: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Bolognese 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 Bolognese 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 Bolognese 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 Bolognese or the Cocker Spaniel.

Bolognese versus Cocker Spaniel: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Bolognese belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.

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.

Bolognese versus Cocker Spaniel: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Bolognese 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 Bolognese and the Cocker Spaniel

Factor Bolognese Cocker Spaniel
Does NOT Shed 5/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 1/5 1/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 5/5 2/5
Life Span 12 to 14 years 12 to 15 years
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 2/5 4/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 3/5 4/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 3/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 5/5
Easygoing 1/5 1/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 3/5
General Health 5/5 4/5
Easy To Train 5/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 1/5
Weight 8 to 14 pounds 24 to 28 pounds
Height 9 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder 1 foot, 2 inches to 1 foot, 3 inches tall at the s
Average Lifespan 13.0 years 13.5 years
Average Price $2030 $1760
Price Range $1888 – $2162 $1200 – $2000
Temperament Score 100.0 percent 82.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
    		•

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Bolognese 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 Bolognese is 85 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Cocker Spaniel is 77 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Bolognese is a better pet than the Cocker Spaniel. So, you should get the Bolognese!

    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 Bolognese 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 Bolognese and the Cocker Spaniel

    Below is a list of where the Bolognese and the Cocker Spaniel are most different:

    • Bologneses do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them. However, Cocker Spaniels have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    The Similarities Between the Bolognese and the Cocker Spaniel

    The Bolognese and the Cocker Spaniel are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Bolognese and the Cocker Spaniel are most similar:

    • Both the Bolognese and the Cocker Spaniel do not have the tendency to drool.
    • Both the Bolognese and the Cocker Spaniel require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
    • Both the Bolognese and the Cocker Spaniel do not like to be left alone.
    • Both the Bolognese and the Cocker Spaniel are highly intelligent.
    • Both the Bolognese and the Cocker Spaniel are prone to nip and chew at things.
    • Both the Bolognese and the Cocker Spaniel are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
    • Both the Bolognese and the Cocker Spaniel require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
    • Both the Bolognese and the Cocker Spaniel adapt well to apartment living.
    • Both the Bolognese 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 Bolognese and the Cocker Spaniel are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the Bolognese and the Cocker Spaniel get along well with other dogs.
    • Both the Bolognese and the Cocker Spaniel are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
    • Both the Bolognese and the Cocker Spaniel are very easy to train.
    • Both the Bolognese and the Cocker Spaniel have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Size Comparison of Bolognese versus Cocker Spaniel

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Bolognese and the Cocker Spaniel.

    Bologneses weigh 8 to 14 pounds when fully grown. Bologneses are 9 to 12 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 Bolognese versus Cocker Spaniel

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

    The lifespan of Cocker Spaniels is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Cocker Spaniels is 13.5 years.

    Cocker Spaniels live longer than Bologneses.

    Temperament of the Bolognese Versus the Cocker Spaniel

    The Bolognese has a better temperament than the Cocker Spaniel.

    This is because the temperament score for the Bolognese is 100.0 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 100.0 percent, the Bolognese has an above-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 Bolognese and the Cocker Spaniel by measuring the temperaments of 1 Bologneses and 233 Cocker Spaniels.

    Price of Bolognese versus Price of Cocker Spaniel

    The average price of the Bolognese puppy is $2030. The price of the Bolognese typically ranges from $1888 – $2162. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 2 Bolognese 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 Bolognese is more expensive than the Cocker Spaniel.

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Bolognese and Cocker Spaniel. For different price points, the charts show how many Bolognese puppies or how many Cocker Spaniel puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Bologneses. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Bologneses. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Cocker Spaniels

    A breakdown of the prices of Cocker Spaniels

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Bolognese 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.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Bolognese versus Cocker Spaniel

    Bologneses do not like to be left alone.

    Cocker Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

    Do Bologneses shed more than Cocker Spaniels?

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

    Cocker Spaniels shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Bolognese or the Cocker Spaniel

    Bologneses do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Cocker Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Bolognese or the Cocker Spaniel?

    Bologneses 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 Bolognese Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Cocker Spaniel?

    Bologneses 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 Bologneses Bark and Howl? What about Cocker Spaniels?

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

    Cocker Spaniels bark and howl, but not very much.

    Can Bologneses Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Cocker Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Bologneses cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Cocker Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Bolognese vs. Cocker Spaniel

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

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

    Can Bologneses Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Cocker Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Bologneses can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Cocker Spaniels can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Bolognese or the Cocker Spaniel?

    Bologneses get along very well with other dogs.

    Cocker Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Bologneses good family dogs? What about Cocker Spaniels?

    Bologneses 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 Bologneses and Cocker Spaniels?

    Bologneses get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Cocker Spaniels get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

    Is the Bolognese Easier to Train than the Cocker Spaniel?

    Bologneses are very easy to train.

    Cocker Spaniels are very easy to train.

    Is the Bolognese Better for Apartment Owners than the Cocker Spaniel?

    Bologneses adapt very well to apartment living.

    Cocker Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Bolognese or the Cocker Spaniel?

    Bologneses are OK for new dog owners.

    Cocker Spaniels are OK for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Bolognese 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 Bolognese and the Cocker Spaniel better suits you and your family.