Differences and Similarities between the Carolina Dog and the Cocker Spaniel.

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Carolina Dog Versus Cocker Spaniel: Introduction

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

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

Carolina Dog versus Cocker Spaniel

Carolina Dog versus Cocker Spaniel: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Carolina Dog belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.

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.

Carolina Dog versus Cocker Spaniel: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Carolina Dog 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 Carolina Dog and the Cocker Spaniel

Factor Carolina Dog Cocker Spaniel
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 1/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 5/5 3/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 12 to 15 years
Height 18 to 20 inches at the shoulder 1 foot, 2 inches to 1 foot, 3 inches tall at the s
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 5/5
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 3/5
Easygoing 4/5 1/5
Affectionate With Family 2/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 4/5 5/5
Easy To Train 2/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 2/5
Kid-Friendly 3/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 3/5 4/5
Weight 33 to 55 pounds 24 to 28 pounds
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 1/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 2/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 4/5
General Health 5/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 1/5 4/5
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 13.5 years
Average Price $500 $1760
Price Range $500 – $500 $1200 – $2000
Temperament Score 66.7 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 Carolina Dog 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 Carolina Dog is 73 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Cocker Spaniel is 77 out of 125.

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

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

  • Carolina Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Cocker Spaniels adapt well to apartment living.
  • Carolina Dogs are not very sensitive to their enviroment. They can tolerate noisy environments. They are also not very sensitive to the tone of your voice, firm or gentle. However, Cocker Spaniels 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.
  • Carolina Dogs are not affectionate with family. They are not good family dogs. However, Cocker Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Carolina Dogs are not easy to train. However, Cocker Spaniels are very easy to train.
  • Carolina Dogs are very easy to groom. However, Cocker Spaniels require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Carolina Dogs do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful. However, Cocker Spaniels do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • The Similarities Between the Carolina Dog and the Cocker Spaniel

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

  • Both the Carolina Dog and the Cocker Spaniel do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Carolina Dog and the Cocker Spaniel are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Carolina Dog and the Cocker Spaniel are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Carolina Dog and the Cocker Spaniel do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Carolina Dog and the Cocker Spaniel can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Carolina Dog and the Cocker Spaniel can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Carolina Dog and the Cocker Spaniel shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Carolina Dog and the Cocker Spaniel gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Carolina Dog and the Cocker Spaniel are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Carolina Dog and the Cocker Spaniel have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Carolina Dog and the Cocker Spaniel require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Carolina Dog and the Cocker Spaniel get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Carolina Dog and the Cocker Spaniel are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Carolina Dog and the Cocker Spaniel have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Carolina Dog versus Cocker Spaniel

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

    Carolina Dogs weigh 33 to 55 pounds when fully grown. Carolina Dogs are 18 to 20 inches 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 Carolina Dog versus Cocker Spaniel

    The lifespan of Carolina Dogs is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Carolina Dogs is 13.5 years.

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

    Temperament of the Cocker Spaniel Versus the Carolina Dog

    The Cocker Spaniel has a better temperament than the Carolina Dog.

    This is because the temperament score for the Cocker Spaniel is 82.0 percent while the temperament score for the Carolina Dog is 66.7 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 66.7 percent, the Carolina Dog has a below-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 Carolina Dog and the Cocker Spaniel by measuring the temperaments of 3 Carolina Dogs and 233 Cocker Spaniels.

    Price of Carolina Dog versus Price of Cocker Spaniel

    The average price of the Carolina Dog puppy is $500. The price of the Carolina Dog typically ranges from $500 – $500. However, the price of a Carolina Dog can be as low as $500 and as high as $500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 6 Carolina Dog 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. However, the price of the Cocker Spaniel can be as low as $700 and as high as $4125. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 297 Cocker Spaniel puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Cocker Spaniel is more expensive than the Carolina Dog.

    Carolina Dog Cocker Spaniel
    Average Price $500 $1760
    Price Range $500 to $500 $1200 to $2000

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

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Carolina Dogs. 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 Carolina Dog 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.

    Adopting the Carolina Dog versus Adopting the Cocker Spaniel

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Carolina Dogs and many Cocker Spaniels are currently available for adoption.

    These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.

    Below is an adorable Male Carolina Dog named Ernie that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Carolina Dogs like Ernie on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Carolina Dogs, Cocker Spaniels are also available for adoption. For example, Dougie is a Male Cocker Spaniel that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Cocker Spaniels like Dougie that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Carolina Dog and the Cocker Spaniel can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Bert is the name of another Carolina Dog (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    Also, Guppy is an adorable Male Cocker Spaniel on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

    Carolina Dogs and Cocker Spaniels are always available for adoption. Images from petfinder.com

    You can find more Carolina Dogs and Cocker Spaniels that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Carolina Dog versus Cocker Spaniel

    Carolina Dogs do not like to be left alone.

    Cocker Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

    Do Carolina Dogs shed more than Cocker Spaniels?

    Carolina Dogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Cocker Spaniels shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Carolina Dog or the Cocker Spaniel

    Carolina Dogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Cocker Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Carolina Dog or the Cocker Spaniel?

    Carolina Dogs are very easy to groom.

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

    Does the Carolina Dog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Cocker Spaniel?

    Carolina Dogs 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 Carolina Dogs Bark and Howl? What about Cocker Spaniels?

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

    Cocker Spaniels bark and howl, but not very much.

    Can Carolina Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Cocker Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Carolina Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Cocker Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Carolina Dog vs. Cocker Spaniel

    Carolina Dogs have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

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

    Can Carolina Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Cocker Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Carolina Dogs can tolerate hot weather.

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

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

    Carolina Dogs get along very well with other dogs.

    Cocker Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Carolina Dogs good family dogs? What about Cocker Spaniels?

    Carolina Dogs are not affectionate with family. They are not good family dogs.

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

    How Kid-friendly are Carolina Dogs and Cocker Spaniels?

    Carolina Dogs get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Carolina Dog Easier to Train than the Cocker Spaniel?

    Carolina Dogs are not easy to train.

    Cocker Spaniels are very easy to train.

    Is the Carolina Dog Better for Apartment Owners than the Cocker Spaniel?

    Carolina Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Cocker Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Carolina Dogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Cocker Spaniels are OK for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Carolina Dog

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Carolina Dog 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 Carolina Dog:

  • Treeing Tennessee Brindle (75 percent match with Carolina Dog). Here is our comparison of the Cocker Spaniel vs Treeing Tennessee Brindle.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Cocker Spaniel

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

  • Bichon Frise (77 percent match with Cocker Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Carolina Dog vs Bichon Frise.
  • English Cocker Spaniel (76 percent match with Cocker Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Carolina Dog vs English Cocker Spaniel.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Carolina Dog and how the Cocker Spaniel compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Carolina Dog and of the Cocker Spaniel to other breeds:

    Carolina Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Carolina Dog versus Tibetan Terrier     Carolina Dog versus Shiloh Shepherd     Carolina Dog versus Spanish Mastiff     Carolina Dog versus Irish Wolfhound     Carolina Dog versus German Pinscher     Carolina Dog versus Boykin Spaniel     Carolina Dog versus Pyrenean Mastiff     Carolina Dog versus Curly-Coated Retriever     Carolina Dog versus Bich Poo     Carolina Dog versus Chihuahua     Carolina Dog versus Swedish Vallhund     Carolina Dog versus Doberman Pinscher     Carolina Dog versus Bracco Italiano     Carolina Dog versus Mudi     Carolina Dog versus Doberman Pinscher     Carolina Dog versus Silky Terrier     Carolina Dog versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon     Carolina Dog versus Valley Bulldog     Carolina Dog versus Schipperke     Carolina Dog versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier     Carolina Dog versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog     Carolina Dog versus Maremma Sheepdog     Carolina Dog versus West Highland White Terrier     Carolina Dog versus Boykin Spaniel     Carolina Dog versus Labrador Retriever     

    Cocker Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Cocker Spaniel versus Icelandic Sheepdog     Cocker Spaniel versus Siberian Husky     Cocker Spaniel versus Bernedoodle     Cocker Spaniel versus Akita     Cocker Spaniel versus Irish Water Spaniel     Cocker Spaniel versus Rottweiler     Cocker Spaniel versus Maltese     Cocker Spaniel versus Bull Terrier     Cocker Spaniel versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     Cocker Spaniel versus Puggle     Cocker Spaniel versus Alaskan Malamute     Cocker Spaniel versus Barbet     Cocker Spaniel versus Irish Wolfhound     Cocker Spaniel versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi     Cocker Spaniel versus Great Dane     Cocker Spaniel versus Briard     Cocker Spaniel versus Toy Fox Terrier     Cocker Spaniel versus Dalmatian     Cocker Spaniel versus American Eskimo Dog     Cocker Spaniel versus Chinook     Cocker Spaniel versus Dutch Shepherd     Cocker Spaniel versus Bulldog     Cocker Spaniel versus Labrador Retriever     Cocker Spaniel versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     Cocker Spaniel versus Brittany     

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