Guide on Deciding Betweeen the Boykin Spaniel and the Hovawart.

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Boykin Spaniel Versus Hovawart: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Boykin Spaniel and the Hovawart 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 Boykin Spaniel and for the Hovawart. 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 Boykin Spaniel and the Hovawart.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Boykin Spaniel or the Hovawart.

Boykin Spaniel versus Hovawart: Overview

A very important difference between the Boykin Spaniel and the Hovawart is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Boykin Spaniel is a medium-sized dog while the Hovawart is a large-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Boykin 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.

On the other hand, the Hovawart 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.

Boykin Spaniel versus Hovawart: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Boykin Spaniel to the Hovawart 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 Boykin Spaniel and the Hovawart

Factor Boykin Spaniel Hovawart
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 1/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 1/5 4/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 10 to 14 years
Height 14 to 18 inches tall at the shoulder 23 to 29 inches
General Health 2/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 4/5 4/5
Weight 25 to 40 pounds 55 to 110 pounds
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 4/5
Easygoing 2/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 3/5
Easy To Train 4/5 2/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 1/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 2/5
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 12.0 years
Average Price $1110 No Data
Price Range $900 – $1225 No Data
Temperament Score 100.0 percent 91.7 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Collie Eye Anomaly
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • EIC (Exercise Induced Collapse)
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
    		•  No Data

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Boykin Spaniel 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 Hovawart. 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 Boykin Spaniel is 71 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Hovawart is 78 out of 125.

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

    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 Boykin Spaniel and the Hovawart so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Boykin Spaniel and the Hovawart

    Below is a list of where the Boykin Spaniel and the Hovawart are most different:

    • Boykin Spaniels require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom. However, Hovawarts are very easy to groom.

    The Similarities Between the Boykin Spaniel and the Hovawart

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

    • Both the Boykin Spaniel and the Hovawart do not adapt well to apartment living.
    • Both the Boykin Spaniel and the Hovawart do not have the tendency to drool.
    • Both the Boykin Spaniel and the Hovawart have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
    • Both the Boykin Spaniel and the Hovawart 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 Boykin Spaniel and the Hovawart can tolerate hot weather.
    • Both the Boykin Spaniel and the Hovawart shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
    • Both the Boykin Spaniel and the Hovawart gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
    • Both the Boykin Spaniel and the Hovawart are highly intelligent.
    • Both the Boykin Spaniel and the Hovawart are very playful.
    • Both the Boykin Spaniel and the Hovawart are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the Boykin Spaniel and the Hovawart get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
    • Both the Boykin Spaniel and the Hovawart have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
    • Both the Boykin Spaniel and the Hovawart do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
    • Both the Boykin Spaniel and the Hovawart require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.

    Size Comparison of Boykin Spaniel versus Hovawart

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Boykin Spaniel and the Hovawart.

    Boykin Spaniels weigh 25 to 40 pounds when fully grown. Boykin Spaniels are 14 to 18 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Hovawarts weigh 55 to 110 pounds when fully grown. Hovawarts are 23 to 29 inches when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Boykin Spaniel versus Hovawart

    The lifespan of Boykin Spaniels is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Boykin Spaniels is 11.0 years.

    The lifespan of Hovawarts is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Hovawarts is 12.0 years.

    Hovawarts live longer than Boykin Spaniels.

    Temperament of the Hovawart Versus the Boykin Spaniel

    The Boykin Spaniel has a better temperament than the Hovawart.

    This is because the temperament score for the Boykin Spaniel is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Hovawart is 91.7 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 Boykin Spaniel has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 91.7 percent, the Hovawart has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Boykin Spaniel and the Hovawart by measuring the temperaments of 2 Boykin Spaniels and 24 Hovawarts.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Boykin Spaniel versus Hovawart

    Boykin Spaniels can be left alone only for a short time.

    Hovawarts do not like to be left alone.

    Do Boykin Spaniels shed more than Hovawarts?

    Boykin Spaniels shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Hovawarts shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Boykin Spaniel or the Hovawart

    Boykin Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Hovawarts do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Boykin Spaniel or the Hovawart?

    Boykin Spaniels require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Hovawarts are very easy to groom.

    Does the Boykin Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Hovawart?

    Boykin 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.

    Hovawarts 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 Boykin Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Hovawarts?

    Boykin Spaniels bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    Can Boykin Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Hovawarts Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Boykin Spaniels can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Hovawarts can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Boykin Spaniel vs. Hovawart

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

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

    Can Boykin Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Hovawarts Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Boykin Spaniels can tolerate hot weather.

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

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Boykin Spaniel or the Hovawart?

    Boykin Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Hovawarts do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Boykin Spaniels good family dogs? What about Hovawarts?

    Boykin Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Hovawarts are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Boykin Spaniels and Hovawarts?

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

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

    Is the Boykin Spaniel Easier to Train than the Hovawart?

    Boykin Spaniels are very easy to train.

    Hovawarts are not easy to train.

    Is the Boykin Spaniel Better for Apartment Owners than the Hovawart?

    Boykin Spaniels do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Hovawarts do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Boykin Spaniel or the Hovawart?

    Boykin Spaniels are OK for new dog owners.

    Hovawarts are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Boykin Spaniel versus Hovawart. 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 Boykin Spaniel and the Hovawart better suits you and your family.