Breed Comparison: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Versus Sussex Spaniel

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Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Versus Sussex Spaniel: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Sussex Spaniel.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or the Sussex Spaniel.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Sussex Spaniel: Overview

Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Sussex Spaniel are similar in size. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Sussex Spaniel are both small-sized dogs.

Furthermore, the Cavalier King Charles 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.

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.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Sussex Spaniel: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Sussex Spaniel

Factor Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Sussex Spaniel
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 1/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Height 12 to 13 inches at the shoulder 1 foot, 1 inch to 1 foot, 3 inches tall at the sho
Weight 13 to 18 pounds 35 to 45 pounds
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 5/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 5/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 4/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 1/5
Easy To Train 4/5 3/5
Intelligence 4/5 5/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 4/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 5/5
Good For Novice Owners 5/5 5/5
Easygoing 1/5 1/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 5/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Life Span 9 to 15 years 11 to 14 years
Average Lifespan 12.0 years 12.5 years
Average Price $2440 No Data
Price Range $1800 – $3000 No Data
Temperament Score 85.5 percent 100.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination;
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • No Data
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 18 171

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Cavalier King Charles 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 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is 91 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Sussex Spaniel

    Below is a list of where the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Sussex Spaniel are most different:

  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniels cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments. However, Sussex Spaniels can tolerate hot weather.
  • The Similarities Between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Sussex Spaniel

    The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Sussex Spaniel are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Sussex Spaniel are most similar:

  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Sussex Spaniel do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Sussex Spaniel do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Sussex Spaniel do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Sussex Spaniel do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Sussex Spaniel are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Sussex Spaniel are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Sussex Spaniel gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Sussex Spaniel are very easy to train.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Sussex Spaniel are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Sussex Spaniel adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Sussex Spaniel are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Sussex Spaniel are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Sussex Spaniel get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Sussex Spaniel get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Sussex Spaniel are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Sussex Spaniel are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Sussex Spaniel

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Sussex Spaniel.

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels weigh 13 to 18 pounds when fully grown. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are 12 to 13 inches 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Sussex Spaniel

    The lifespan of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels is between 9 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels is 12.0 years.

    The lifespan of Sussex Spaniels is between 11 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Sussex Spaniels is 12.5 years.

    Sussex Spaniels live longer than Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.

    Temperament of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Versus the Sussex Spaniel

    The Sussex Spaniel has a better temperament than the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

    This is because the temperament score for the Sussex Spaniel is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is 85.5 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 85.5 percent, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has an above-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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Sussex Spaniel by measuring the temperaments of 62 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and 4 Sussex Spaniels.

    The Popularity of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Sussex Spaniel over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is more popular with dog owners than the Sussex Spaniel. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is 18 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Sussex Spaniel is 171 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

    Popularity of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

    Popularity of Sussex Spaniel

    Popularity of Sussex Spaniel

    Year Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Popularity Rank Sussex Spaniel Popularity Rank
    2013 18 162
    2014 19 175
    2015 18 173
    2016 19 172
    2017 19 161
    2018 18 180
    2019 16 176
    2020 17 172

    Tolerates Being Alone: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Sussex Spaniel

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

    Sussex Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

    Do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels shed more than Sussex Spaniels?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels shed moderately.

    Sussex Spaniels shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or the Sussex Spaniel

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Sussex Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or the Sussex Spaniel?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are very easy to groom.

    Sussex Spaniels are very easy to groom.

    Does the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Sussex Spaniel?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Sussex Spaniels?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

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

    Can Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Sussex Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs. Sussex Spaniel

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

    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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Sussex Spaniels can tolerate hot weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or the Sussex Spaniel?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Sussex Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels good family dogs? What about Sussex Spaniels?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Sussex Spaniels?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Easier to Train than the Sussex Spaniel?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are very easy to train.

    Sussex Spaniels are fairly easy to train.

    Is the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Better for Apartment Owners than the Sussex Spaniel?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.

    Sussex Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or the Sussex Spaniel?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.

    Sussex Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Cavalier King Charles 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel:

  • Cavachon (84 percent match with Cavalier King Charles Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Sussex Spaniel vs Cavachon.
  • Cockalier (81 percent match with Cavalier King Charles Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Sussex Spaniel vs Cockalier.
  • 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:

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

    You may also be interested in how the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and how the Sussex Spaniel compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and of the Sussex Spaniel to other breeds:

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Curly-Coated Retriever     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Australian Shepherd     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Whippet     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Kerry Blue Terrier     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Bloodhound     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Scottish Terrier     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus American Water Spaniel     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Shetland Sheepdog     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Great Pyrenees     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Australian Cattle Dog     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Field Spaniel     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Shetland Sheepdog     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus English Cocker Spaniel     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Bergamasco Sheepdog     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Lakeland Terrier     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Chinook     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Briard     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Cavachon     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Finnish Lapphund     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Irish Water Spaniel     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Fila Brasileiro     

    Sussex Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Sussex Spaniel versus West Highland White Terrier     Sussex Spaniel versus Shiba Inu     Sussex Spaniel versus Papillon     Sussex Spaniel versus Puggle     Sussex Spaniel versus Coton de Tulear     Sussex Spaniel versus Giant Schnauzer     Sussex Spaniel versus Pointer     Sussex Spaniel versus Scottish Terrier     Sussex Spaniel versus Dachshund     Sussex Spaniel versus Bernese Mountain Dog     Sussex Spaniel versus Stabyhoun     Sussex Spaniel versus Chi-Poo     Sussex Spaniel versus Schnoodle     Sussex Spaniel versus Kuvasz     Sussex Spaniel versus Rottweiler     Sussex Spaniel versus Lancashire Heeler     Sussex Spaniel versus Mastiff     Sussex Spaniel versus Whippet     Sussex Spaniel versus Shiloh Shepherd     Sussex Spaniel versus Shihpoo     Sussex Spaniel versus Spanish Mastiff     Sussex Spaniel versus German Longhaired Pointer     Sussex Spaniel versus Fila Brasileiro     Sussex Spaniel versus Lhasapoo     

    Conclusion: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Sussex Spaniel better suits you and your family.