A Detailed Comparison of the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the English Toy Spaniel.

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Cardigan Welsh Corgi Versus English Toy Spaniel: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the English Toy Spaniel? Well, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will provide you a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the English Toy 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 Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the English Toy Spaniel.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the English Toy 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 Cardigan Welsh Corgi and for the English Toy Spaniel. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the English Toy Spaniel.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Cardigan Welsh Corgi or the English Toy Spaniel

Cardigan Welsh Corgi versus English Toy Spaniel: Overview

Both the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the English Toy Spaniel are similar in size. The Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the English Toy Spaniel are both small-sized dogs.

Furthermore, the Cardigan Welsh Corgi 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 English Toy Spaniel 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.

Cardigan Welsh Corgi versus English Toy Spaniel: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Cardigan Welsh Corgi to the English Toy 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.

Factor Cardigan Welsh Corgi English Toy Spaniel
Does NOT Drool 5/5 4/5
Height 10 inches to 1 foot tall at the shoulder 10 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder
Life Span 12 to 15 years 10 to 12 years
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 2/5
Weight 25 to 38 pounds 8 to 14 pounds
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 2/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 4/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 4/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 4/5
Easygoing 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 2/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 1/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 1/5
General Health 4/5 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 3/5
Easy To Train 4/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Intelligence 5/5 3/5
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 11.0 years
Average Price $2100 $2350
Price Range $1250 – $3000 $2250 – $2525
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • approved laboratory
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy 3 (PRA) DNA Test
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 70 134

    *Data from dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (the American Temperament Test Society)

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Cardigan Welsh Corgi 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 English Toy 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 a Cardigan Welsh Corgi is 84 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a English Toy Spaniel is 74 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Cardigan Welsh Corgi is a better pet than the English Toy Spaniel. So, you should get the Cardigan Welsh Corgi!

    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 Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the English Toy Spaniel so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the English Toy Spaniel

    Below is a list of where the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the English Toy Spaniel are most different:

  • Cardigan Welsh Corgis get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly. However, English Toy Spaniels do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.
  • The Similarities Between the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the English Toy Spaniel

    The Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the English Toy Spaniel are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the English Toy Spaniel are most similar:

  • Both the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the English Toy Spaniel do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the English Toy Spaniel adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the English Toy Spaniel are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the English Toy 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 Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the English Toy Spaniel shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the English Toy Spaniel gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the English Toy Spaniel are very easy to train.
  • Both the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the English Toy Spaniel have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the English Toy Spaniel are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the English Toy Spaniel are very playful.
  • Both the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the English Toy Spaniel are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Cardigan Welsh Corgi versus English Toy Spaniel

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the English Toy Spaniel.

    Cardigan Welsh Corgis weigh 25 to 38 pounds when fully grown. Cardigan Welsh Corgis are 10 inches to 1 foot tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, English Toy Spaniels weigh 8 to 14 pounds when fully grown. English Toy Spaniels are 10 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Price of Cardigan Welsh Corgi versus Price of English Toy Spaniel

    The average price of the Cardigan Welsh Corgi puppy is $2100. The price of the Cardigan Welsh Corgi typically ranges from $1250 – $3000. However, the price of a Cardigan Welsh Corgi can be as low as $700 and as high as $5000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 117 Cardigan Welsh Corgi puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the English Toy Spaniel puppy is $2350. The price of the English Toy Spaniel typically ranges from $2250 – $2525. However, the price of a English Toy Spaniel can be as low as $2000 and as high as $2550. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 3 English Toy Spaniel puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The English Toy Spaniel is more expensive than the Cardigan Welsh Corgi.

    Cardigan Welsh Corgi English Toy Spaniel
    Average Price $2100 $2350
    Price Range $1250 to $3000 $2250 to $2525

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and English Toy Spaniel. For different price points, the charts show how many Cardigan Welsh Corgi puppies or how many English Toy Spaniel puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Cardigan Welsh Corgis. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Cardigan Welsh Corgis. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of English Toy Spaniels

    A breakdown of the prices of English Toy Spaniels

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Cardigan Welsh Corgi puppy or the English Toy 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 from 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 one of those puppy mills that mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    The Popularity of Cardigan Welsh Corgi versus Popularity of English Toy Spaniel

    Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).

    The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the English Toy Spaniel over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Cardigan Welsh Corgi is more popular with dog owners than the English Toy Spaniel. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Cardigan Welsh Corgi is 70 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the English Toy Spaniel is 134 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Cardigan Welsh Corgi

    Popularity of Cardigan Welsh Corgi

    Popularity of English Toy Spaniel

    Popularity of English Toy Spaniel

    Year Cardigan Welsh Corgi Popularity Rank English Toy Spaniel Popularity Rank
    2013 75 135
    2014 78 138
    2015 76 129
    2016 69 130
    2017 68 134
    2018 68 135
    2019 66 139
    2020 66 138

    Health Problems of Cardigan Welsh Corgi versus Health Problems of English Toy Spaniel

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. Therefore, there is nothing like a perfect puppy.

    Both the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the English Toy Spaniel are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.

    The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.

    Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the English Toy Spaniel is prone to the same number of genetic health problems as the Cardigan Welsh Corgi.

    4 health tests are recommended for Cardigan Welsh Corgi while 4 tests are recommended for the English Toy Spaniel.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Cardigan Welsh Corgis and in English Toy Spaniels.

    Cardigan Welsh Corgi Health Problems

    Cardigan Welsh Corgis are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Cardigan Welsh Corgi puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Cardigan Welsh Corgi puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Cardigan Welsh Corgi breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Cardigan Welsh Corgis for:

  • approved laboratory
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy 3 (PRA) DNA Test
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Cardigan Welsh Corgis here.

    English Toy Spaniel Health Problems

    English Toy Spaniels are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing English Toy Spaniel puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a English Toy Spaniel puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your English Toy Spaniel breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen English Toy Spaniels for:

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for English Toy Spaniels here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Cardigan Welsh Corgis and English Toy Spaniels

    Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Cardigan Welsh Corgi Breed is Degenerative Myelopathy problems.

    This is because the Cardigan Welsh Corgi ranks 10 out of 70 dog breeds for Degenerative Myelopathy problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 777 Cardigan Welsh Corgis, 133 of them had Degenerative Myelopathy problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Cardigan Welsh Corgis, and how common these diseases are in Cardigan Welsh Corgis relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 10 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 34 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 43 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 45 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 84 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 143 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the English Toy Spaniel Breed is Congenital Cardiac problems.

    This is because the English Toy Spaniel ranks 2 out of 159 dog breeds for Congenital Cardiac problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 470 English Toy Spaniels, 21 of them had Congenital Cardiac problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in English Toy Spaniels, and how common these diseases are in English Toy Spaniels relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 2 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 4 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 4 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Cardigan Welsh Corgi and in English Toy Spaniel and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the English Toy Spaniel:

    Disease Cardigan Welsh Corgi Rank English Toy Spaniel Rank
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems 10 out of 70 dog breeds Not Common
    Hips problems 34 out of 198 dog breeds Not Common
    Thyroid problems 43 out of 115 dog breeds Not Common
    Patella problems 45 out of 145 dog breeds 4 out of 145 dog breeds
    Elbow problems 84 out of 144 dog breeds Not Common
    Eyes problems 143 out of 182 dog breeds 4 out of 182 dog breeds
    Congenital Cardiac problems Not Common 2 out of 159 dog breeds

    *To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.

    Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.

    Which one drools more, the Cardigan Welsh Corgi or the English Toy Spaniel

    Cardigan Welsh Corgis do have a very low tendency to drool.

    English Toy Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Cardigan Welsh Corgi versus English Toy Spaniel

    Cardigan Welsh Corgis can be left alone only for a short time.

    English Toy Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

    Can Cardigan Welsh Corgis Tolerate Hot Weather? Can English Toy Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Cardigan Welsh Corgis can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    English Toy Spaniels cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Cardigan Welsh Corgi or the English Toy Spaniel?

    Cardigan Welsh Corgis get along fairly well with other dogs.

    English Toy Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Cardigan Welsh Corgi or the English Toy Spaniel?

    Cardigan Welsh Corgis are moderately easy to groom.

    English Toy Spaniels are very easy to groom.

    Wanderlust Potential: Cardigan Welsh Corgi vs. English Toy Spaniel

    Cardigan Welsh Corgis have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

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

    Is the Cardigan Welsh Corgi Better for Apartment Owners than the English Toy Spaniel?

    Cardigan Welsh Corgis adapt very well to apartment living.

    English Toy Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Cardigan Welsh Corgi or the English Toy Spaniel?

    Cardigan Welsh Corgis are very good for new dog owners.

    English Toy Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.

    Can Cardigan Welsh Corgis Tolerate Cold Weather? And can English Toy Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Cardigan Welsh Corgis can very well tolerate cold weather.

    English Toy Spaniels cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    How Kid-friendly are Cardigan Welsh Corgis and English Toy Spaniels?

    Cardigan Welsh Corgis get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    English Toy Spaniels do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

    Do Cardigan Welsh Corgis shed more than English Toy Spaniels?

    Cardigan Welsh Corgis shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

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

    Is the Cardigan Welsh Corgi Easier to Train than the English Toy Spaniel?

    Cardigan Welsh Corgis are very easy to train.

    English Toy Spaniels are fairly easy to train.

    Does the Cardigan Welsh Corgi Have a Higher Prey Drive than the English Toy Spaniel?

    Cardigan Welsh Corgis 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.

    English Toy 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 Cardigan Welsh Corgis Bark and Howl? What about English Toy Spaniels?

    Cardigan Welsh Corgis are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    English Toy Spaniels bark and howl, but not very much.

    Are Cardigan Welsh Corgis good family dogs? What about English Toy Spaniels?

    Cardigan Welsh Corgis are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    English Toy Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Cardigan Welsh Corgi

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Cardigan Welsh Corgi that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Cardigan Welsh Corgi:

  • West Highland White Terrier (84 percent match with Cardigan Welsh Corgi). Here is our comparison of the English Toy Spaniel vs West Highland White Terrier.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the English Toy Spaniel

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the English Toy Spaniel that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the English Toy Spaniel:

  • Japanese Chin (74 percent match with English Toy Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Cardigan Welsh Corgi vs Japanese Chin.
  • Pug (73 percent match with English Toy Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Cardigan Welsh Corgi vs Pug.
  • French Bulldog (74 percent match with English Toy Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Cardigan Welsh Corgi vs French Bulldog.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and how the English Toy Spaniel compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and of the English Toy Spaniel to other breeds:

    Cardigan Welsh Corgi Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Cardigan Welsh Corgi versus Portuguese Water Dog     Cardigan Welsh Corgi versus Japanese Chin     Cardigan Welsh Corgi versus Toy Poodle     Cardigan Welsh Corgi versus Manchester Terrier     Cardigan Welsh Corgi versus Irish Terrier     Cardigan Welsh Corgi versus Yorkshire Terrier     Cardigan Welsh Corgi versus American Bulldog     Cardigan Welsh Corgi versus Curly-Coated Retriever     Cardigan Welsh Corgi versus Flat-Coated Retriever     Cardigan Welsh Corgi versus Miniature Schnauzer     

    English Toy Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    English Toy Spaniel versus Portuguese Water Dog     English Toy Spaniel versus Boxer     English Toy Spaniel versus Saluki     English Toy Spaniel versus German Shepherd Dog     English Toy Spaniel versus American Hairless Terrier     English Toy Spaniel versus Neapolitan Mastiff     English Toy Spaniel versus Kerry Blue Terrier     English Toy Spaniel versus Bearded Collie     English Toy Spaniel versus Canaan Dog     English Toy Spaniel versus Komondor     

    Conclusion: Cardigan Welsh Corgi versus English Toy 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 Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the English Toy Spaniel better suits you and your family.