Differences and Similarities between the Chinese Shar-Pei and the Sussex Spaniel.

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Chinese Shar-Pei Versus Sussex Spaniel: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Chinese Shar-Pei 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 Chinese Shar-Pei 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 Chinese Shar-Pei and the Sussex Spaniel.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Chinese Shar-Pei 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 Chinese Shar-Pei 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 Chinese Shar-Pei 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 Chinese Shar-Pei or the Sussex Spaniel.

Chinese Shar-Pei versus Sussex Spaniel: Overview

A very important difference between the Chinese Shar-Pei and the Sussex Spaniel is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Chinese Shar-Pei is a medium-sized dog while the Sussex Spaniel is a small-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Chinese Shar-Pei 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.

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.

Chinese Shar-Pei versus Sussex Spaniel: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Chinese Shar-Pei 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 Chinese Shar-Pei and the Sussex Spaniel

Factor Chinese Shar-Pei Sussex Spaniel
Tolerates Hot Weather 1/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 1/5 5/5
General Health 1/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 5/5 5/5
Potential For Playfulness 1/5 4/5
Height 18 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder 1 foot, 1 inch to 1 foot, 3 inches tall at the sho
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 5/5
Easygoing 4/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 2/5 5/5
Affectionate With Family 2/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 2/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 4/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 4/5 5/5
Intelligence 2/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 4/5 5/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 4/5 4/5
Easy To Train 3/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 4/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 5/5
Tolerates Being Alone 4/5 1/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 1/5
Weight 40 to 55 pounds 35 to 45 pounds
Easy To Groom 5/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 1/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 1/5 2/5
Life Span 8 to 12 years 11 to 14 years
Average Lifespan 10.0 years 12.5 years
Average Price $1620 No Data
Price Range $1100 – $2000 No Data
Temperament Score 71.0 percent 100.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • No Data
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 60 171

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Chinese Shar-Pei 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 Chinese Shar-Pei is 68 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 Chinese Shar-Pei. 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 Chinese Shar-Pei 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 Chinese Shar-Pei and the Sussex Spaniel

    Below is a list of where the Chinese Shar-Pei and the Sussex Spaniel are most different:

  • Chinese Shar-Peis cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments. However, Sussex Spaniels can tolerate hot weather.
  • Chinese Shar-Peis do not get along well with other dogs. However, Sussex Spaniels get along well with other dogs.
  • Chinese Shar-Peis have the tendency to develop certain health problems. However, Sussex Spaniels are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Chinese Shar-Peis not very playful. However, Sussex Spaniels are very playful.
  • Chinese Shar-Peis are not the best dogs for new dog owners. However, Sussex Spaniels are good for new dog owners.
  • Chinese Shar-Peis 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, Sussex 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.
  • Chinese Shar-Peis cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold. However, Sussex Spaniels can tolerate cold weather.
  • Chinese Shar-Peis are not affectionate with family. They are not good family dogs. However, Sussex Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Chinese Shar-Peis do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly. However, Sussex Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Chinese Shar-Peis are not very friendly towards strangers. However, Sussex Spaniels are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Chinese Shar-Peis not very intelligent. However, Sussex Spaniels are highly intelligent.
  • Chinese Shar-Peis can be left alone for some time without problems. However, Sussex Spaniels do not like to be left alone.
  • Chinese Shar-Peis are prone to nip and chew at things. However, Sussex Spaniels are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • The Similarities Between the Chinese Shar-Pei and the Sussex Spaniel

    The Chinese Shar-Pei and the Sussex Spaniel are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Chinese Shar-Pei and the Sussex Spaniel are most similar:

  • Both the Chinese Shar-Pei and the Sussex Spaniel do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • Both the Chinese Shar-Pei and the Sussex Spaniel do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Chinese Shar-Pei and the Sussex Spaniel do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Chinese Shar-Pei and the Sussex Spaniel have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Chinese Shar-Pei 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 Chinese Shar-Pei and the Sussex Spaniel have low energy levels. They do not require a lot exercise time.
  • Both the Chinese Shar-Pei and the Sussex Spaniel adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Chinese Shar-Pei and the Sussex Spaniel gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Chinese Shar-Pei and the Sussex Spaniel are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Chinese Shar-Pei and the Sussex Spaniel are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Chinese Shar-Pei versus Sussex Spaniel

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Chinese Shar-Pei and the Sussex Spaniel.

    Chinese Shar-Peis weigh 40 to 55 pounds when fully grown. Chinese Shar-Peis are 18 to 20 inches 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 Chinese Shar-Pei versus Sussex Spaniel

    The lifespan of Chinese Shar-Peis is between 8 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Chinese Shar-Peis is 10.0 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 Chinese Shar-Peis.

    Temperament of the Sussex Spaniel Versus the Chinese Shar-Pei

    The Sussex Spaniel has a better temperament than the Chinese Shar-Pei.

    This is because the temperament score for the Sussex Spaniel is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Chinese Shar-Pei is 71.0 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 71.0 percent, the Chinese Shar-Pei 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 Chinese Shar-Pei and the Sussex Spaniel by measuring the temperaments of 214 Chinese Shar-Peis and 4 Sussex Spaniels.

    The Popularity of Chinese Shar-Pei 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 Chinese Shar-Pei and the Sussex Spaniel over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Chinese Shar-Pei is more popular with dog owners than the Sussex Spaniel. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Chinese Shar-Pei is 60 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Sussex Spaniel is 171 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Chinese Shar-Pei

    Popularity of Chinese Shar-Pei

    Popularity of Sussex Spaniel

    Popularity of Sussex Spaniel

    Year Chinese Shar-Pei Popularity Rank Sussex Spaniel Popularity Rank
    2013 54 162
    2014 58 175
    2015 59 173
    2016 61 172
    2017 64 161
    2018 64 180
    2019 65 176
    2020 61 172

    Tolerates Being Alone: Chinese Shar-Pei versus Sussex Spaniel

    Chinese Shar-Peis can be left alone for some time without problems.

    Sussex Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

    Do Chinese Shar-Peis shed more than Sussex Spaniels?

    Chinese Shar-Peis do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Sussex Spaniels shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Chinese Shar-Pei or the Sussex Spaniel

    Chinese Shar-Peis do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Sussex Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Chinese Shar-Pei or the Sussex Spaniel?

    Chinese Shar-Peis are very easy to groom.

    Sussex Spaniels are very easy to groom.

    Does the Chinese Shar-Pei Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Sussex Spaniel?

    Chinese Shar-Peis 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.

    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 Chinese Shar-Peis Bark and Howl? What about Sussex Spaniels?

    Chinese Shar-Peis 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 Chinese Shar-Peis Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Chinese Shar-Peis cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Sussex Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Chinese Shar-Pei vs. Sussex Spaniel

    Chinese Shar-Peis 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 Chinese Shar-Peis Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Chinese Shar-Peis 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 Chinese Shar-Pei or the Sussex Spaniel?

    Chinese Shar-Peis do not get along well with other dogs.

    Sussex Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Chinese Shar-Peis good family dogs? What about Sussex Spaniels?

    Chinese Shar-Peis are not affectionate with family. They are not good family dogs.

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

    How Kid-friendly are Chinese Shar-Peis and Sussex Spaniels?

    Chinese Shar-Peis do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Chinese Shar-Pei Easier to Train than the Sussex Spaniel?

    Chinese Shar-Peis are fairly easy to train.

    Sussex Spaniels are fairly easy to train.

    Is the Chinese Shar-Pei Better for Apartment Owners than the Sussex Spaniel?

    Chinese Shar-Peis adapt very well to apartment living.

    Sussex Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Chinese Shar-Pei or the Sussex Spaniel?

    Chinese Shar-Peis are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Sussex Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Chinese Shar-Pei

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Chinese Shar-Pei 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 Chinese Shar-Pei:

  • Chow Chow (63 percent match with Chinese Shar-Pei). Here is our comparison of the Sussex Spaniel vs Chow Chow.
  • Affenhuahua (62 percent match with Chinese Shar-Pei). Here is our comparison of the Sussex Spaniel vs Affenhuahua.
  • 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 Chinese Shar-Pei vs Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
  • Coton de Tulear (70 percent match with Sussex Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Chinese Shar-Pei vs Coton de Tulear.
  • Keeshond (71 percent match with Sussex Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Chinese Shar-Pei vs Keeshond.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Chinese Shar-Pei and how the Sussex Spaniel compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Chinese Shar-Pei and of the Sussex Spaniel to other breeds:

    Chinese Shar-Pei Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Chinese Shar-Pei versus Shetland Sheepdog     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Pug     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Tibetan Mastiff     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Brittany     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Australian Cattle Dog     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Saint Bernard     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Maltipoo     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Bearded Collie     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Schnoodle     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Bull Terrier     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Affenhuahua     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Irish Water Spaniel     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Belgian Sheepdog     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Ibizan Hound     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Havanese     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Greyhound     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Kuvasz     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Braque du Bourbonnais     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Australian Kelpie     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Pomapoo     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Whippet     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Akbash     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Catahoula Bulldog     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     

    Sussex Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Sussex Spaniel versus Stabyhoun     Sussex Spaniel versus Flat-Coated Retriever     Sussex Spaniel versus Biewer Terrier     Sussex Spaniel versus Saluki     Sussex Spaniel versus Ibizan Hound     Sussex Spaniel versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     Sussex Spaniel versus Boston Terrier     Sussex Spaniel versus Brussels Griffon     Sussex Spaniel versus Pomapoo     Sussex Spaniel versus Frenchton     Sussex Spaniel versus Chorkie     Sussex Spaniel versus Icelandic Sheepdog     Sussex Spaniel versus Brussels Griffon     Sussex Spaniel versus Dalmatian     Sussex Spaniel versus Standard Poodle     Sussex Spaniel versus Schipperke     Sussex Spaniel versus Boerboel     Sussex Spaniel versus Stabyhoun     Sussex Spaniel versus Lakeland Terrier     Sussex Spaniel versus Basset Hound     Sussex Spaniel versus Saluki     Sussex Spaniel versus Biewer Terrier     Sussex Spaniel versus Curly-Coated Retriever     Sussex Spaniel versus Alaskan Klee Kai     Sussex Spaniel versus Mastiff     

    Conclusion: Chinese Shar-Pei 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 Chinese Shar-Pei and the Sussex Spaniel better suits you and your family.