Is the Cardigan Welsh Corgi Better than the Sussex Spaniel as a Pet? Answer…

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Cardigan Welsh Corgi Versus Sussex 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 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 Cardigan Welsh Corgi 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 Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the Sussex Spaniel.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Cardigan Welsh Corgi 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 Cardigan Welsh Corgi 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 Cardigan Welsh Corgi 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 Cardigan Welsh Corgi or the Sussex Spaniel.

Cardigan Welsh Corgi versus Sussex Spaniel: Overview

Both the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the Sussex Spaniel are similar in size. The Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the Sussex 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 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.

Cardigan Welsh Corgi versus Sussex Spaniel: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Cardigan Welsh Corgi 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 Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the Sussex Spaniel

Factor Cardigan Welsh Corgi Sussex Spaniel
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Height 10 inches to 1 foot tall at the shoulder 1 foot, 1 inch to 1 foot, 3 inches tall at the sho
Life Span 12 to 15 years 11 to 14 years
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 4/5
Weight 25 to 38 pounds 35 to 45 pounds
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
Easy To Groom 3/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 5/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 4/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 5/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 5/5
Easygoing 2/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 3/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 1/5
Easy To Train 4/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Intelligence 5/5 5/5
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 12.5 years
Average Price $2100 No Data
Price Range $1250 – $3000 No Data
Temperament Score 80.5 percent 100.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • approved laboratory
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy 3 (PRA) DNA Test
  • No Data
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 70 171

    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 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 Cardigan Welsh Corgi is 84 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 Cardigan Welsh Corgi. 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 Cardigan Welsh Corgi 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 Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the Sussex Spaniel

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

  • Cardigan Welsh Corgis have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets. However, Sussex Spaniels have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • The Similarities Between the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the Sussex Spaniel

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

  • Both the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the Sussex Spaniel do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the Sussex Spaniel are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the Sussex Spaniel adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the Sussex Spaniel are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the Cardigan Welsh Corgi 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 Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the Sussex Spaniel can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the Sussex Spaniel get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the Sussex Spaniel shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the Sussex Spaniel are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the Sussex Spaniel gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the Sussex Spaniel are very easy to train.
  • Both the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the Sussex Spaniel are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the Sussex Spaniel are very playful.
  • Both the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the Sussex Spaniel are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the Sussex Spaniel are highly intelligent.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Cardigan Welsh Corgi versus Sussex Spaniel

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the Sussex 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, 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 Cardigan Welsh Corgi versus Sussex Spaniel

    The lifespan of Cardigan Welsh Corgis is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Cardigan Welsh Corgis 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.

    Cardigan Welsh Corgis live longer than Sussex Spaniels.

    Temperament of the Cardigan Welsh Corgi Versus the Sussex Spaniel

    The Sussex Spaniel has a better temperament than the Cardigan Welsh Corgi.

    This is because the temperament score for the Sussex Spaniel is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Cardigan Welsh Corgi is 80.5 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 80.5 percent, the Cardigan Welsh Corgi has a below-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 Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the Sussex Spaniel by measuring the temperaments of 77 Cardigan Welsh Corgis and 4 Sussex Spaniels.

    The Popularity of Cardigan Welsh Corgi versus Popularity of Sussex 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 Sussex 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 Sussex 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 Sussex Spaniel is 171 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Cardigan Welsh Corgi

    Popularity of Cardigan Welsh Corgi

    Popularity of Sussex Spaniel

    Popularity of Sussex Spaniel

    Year Cardigan Welsh Corgi Popularity Rank Sussex Spaniel Popularity Rank
    2013 75 162
    2014 78 175
    2015 76 173
    2016 69 172
    2017 68 161
    2018 68 180
    2019 66 176
    2020 66 172

    Tolerates Being Alone: Cardigan Welsh Corgi versus Sussex Spaniel

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

    Sussex Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

    Do Cardigan Welsh Corgis shed more than Sussex Spaniels?

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

    Sussex Spaniels shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Cardigan Welsh Corgi or the Sussex Spaniel

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

    Sussex Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

    Cardigan Welsh Corgis are moderately easy to groom.

    Sussex Spaniels are very easy to groom.

    Does the Cardigan Welsh Corgi Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Sussex 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.

    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 Cardigan Welsh Corgis Bark and Howl? What about Sussex Spaniels?

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

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

    Can Cardigan Welsh Corgis Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Cardigan Welsh Corgis can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Sussex Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Cardigan Welsh Corgi vs. Sussex Spaniel

    Cardigan Welsh Corgis 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 Cardigan Welsh Corgis Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Cardigan Welsh Corgis 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 Cardigan Welsh Corgi or the Sussex Spaniel?

    Cardigan Welsh Corgis get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Sussex Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Cardigan Welsh Corgis good family dogs? What about Sussex Spaniels?

    Cardigan Welsh Corgis 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 Cardigan Welsh Corgis and Sussex Spaniels?

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

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

    Is the Cardigan Welsh Corgi Easier to Train than the Sussex Spaniel?

    Cardigan Welsh Corgis are very easy to train.

    Sussex Spaniels are fairly easy to train.

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

    Cardigan Welsh Corgis adapt very well to apartment living.

    Sussex Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Cardigan Welsh Corgis are very good for new dog owners.

    Sussex Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.

    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 Sussex Spaniel vs West Highland White Terrier.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Sussex Spaniel

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Sussex 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 Sussex Spaniel:

  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (71 percent match with Sussex Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Cardigan Welsh Corgi vs Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
  • Coton de Tulear (70 percent match with Sussex Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Cardigan Welsh Corgi vs Coton de Tulear.
  • Keeshond (71 percent match with Sussex Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Cardigan Welsh Corgi vs Keeshond.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Cardigan Welsh Corgi Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Cardigan Welsh Corgi versus Finnish Spitz     Cardigan Welsh Corgi versus Cockalier     Cardigan Welsh Corgi versus Boston Terrier     Cardigan Welsh Corgi versus Goldendoodle     Cardigan Welsh Corgi versus Mal Shi     Cardigan Welsh Corgi versus Redbone Coonhound     Cardigan Welsh Corgi versus Chihuahua     Cardigan Welsh Corgi versus Kooikerhondje     Cardigan Welsh Corgi versus Pomeranian     Cardigan Welsh Corgi versus Berger Picard     Cardigan Welsh Corgi versus Estrela Mountain Dog     Cardigan Welsh Corgi versus Yorkshire Terrier     Cardigan Welsh Corgi versus Hovawart     Cardigan Welsh Corgi versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     Cardigan Welsh Corgi versus Boerboel     Cardigan Welsh Corgi versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     Cardigan Welsh Corgi versus Bedlington Terrier     Cardigan Welsh Corgi versus Great Dane     Cardigan Welsh Corgi versus Puli     Cardigan Welsh Corgi versus Black Russian Terrier     Cardigan Welsh Corgi versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog     Cardigan Welsh Corgi versus Pyredoodle     Cardigan Welsh Corgi versus Afador     Cardigan Welsh Corgi versus Lhasa Apso     Cardigan Welsh Corgi versus Canaan Dog     

    Sussex Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Sussex Spaniel versus Australian Shepherd     Sussex Spaniel versus Miniature Schnauzer     Sussex Spaniel versus Jack Russell Terrier     Sussex Spaniel versus Akbash     Sussex Spaniel versus Akbash     Sussex Spaniel versus Lhasapoo     Sussex Spaniel versus Alaskan Klee Kai     Sussex Spaniel versus Belgian Sheepdog     Sussex Spaniel versus Affenpinscher     Sussex Spaniel versus Afghan Hound     Sussex Spaniel versus Scottish Terrier     Sussex Spaniel versus Bich Poo     Sussex Spaniel versus Catahoula Leopard Dog     Sussex Spaniel versus Irish Wolfhound     Sussex Spaniel versus Doberman Pinscher     Sussex Spaniel versus Biewer Terrier     Sussex Spaniel versus Affenpinscher     Sussex Spaniel versus Australian Kelpie     Sussex Spaniel versus Spanish Mastiff     Sussex Spaniel versus Airedale Terrier     Sussex Spaniel versus Carolina Dog     Sussex Spaniel versus Cavapoo     Sussex Spaniel versus Kishu Ken     Sussex Spaniel versus Ibizan Hound     Sussex Spaniel versus Greyhound     

    Conclusion: Cardigan Welsh Corgi 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 Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the Sussex Spaniel better suits you and your family.