Breed Comparison: Chinook Versus Cocker Spaniel

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Chinook Versus Cocker Spaniel: Introduction

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

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

Chinook versus Cocker Spaniel

Chinook versus Cocker Spaniel: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Chinook 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 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.

Chinook versus Cocker Spaniel: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Chinook 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 Chinook and the Cocker Spaniel

Factor Chinook Cocker Spaniel
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 3/5
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 1/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 12 to 15 years
Easy To Groom 2/5 1/5
Low Prey Drive 4/5 1/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 2/5
Height 21 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder 1 foot, 2 inches to 1 foot, 3 inches tall at the s
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 3/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 5/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 3/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Easy To Train 4/5 5/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 4/5
Easygoing 1/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 1/5 3/5
Intelligence 5/5 4/5
Weight 55 to 70 pounds 24 to 28 pounds
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 13.5 years
Price Range No Data $1200 – $2000
Average Price No Data $1760
Temperament Score 77.8 percent 82.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Clear By Parentage
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 177 29

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Chinook 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 Chinook is 87 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Cocker Spaniel is 77 out of 125.

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

    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 Chinook 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 Chinook and the Cocker Spaniel

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

  • Chinooks have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets. However, Cocker Spaniels have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • The Similarities Between the Chinook and the Cocker Spaniel

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

  • Both the Chinook and the Cocker Spaniel do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Chinook and the Cocker Spaniel do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Chinook and the Cocker Spaniel require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Chinook and the Cocker Spaniel are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Chinook and the Cocker Spaniel adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Chinook and the Cocker Spaniel can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Chinook and the Cocker Spaniel are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Chinook and the Cocker Spaniel are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Chinook and the Cocker Spaniel are very easy to train.
  • Both the Chinook and the Cocker Spaniel are very playful.
  • Both the Chinook and the Cocker 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 Chinook and the Cocker Spaniel can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Chinook and the Cocker Spaniel are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Chinook and the Cocker Spaniel get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Chinook and the Cocker Spaniel are highly intelligent.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Chinook versus Cocker Spaniel

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

    Chinooks weigh 55 to 70 pounds when fully grown. Chinooks are 21 to 27 inches tall 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 Chinook versus Cocker Spaniel

    The lifespan of Chinooks is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Chinooks 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 Chinook Versus the Cocker Spaniel

    The Cocker Spaniel has a better temperament than the Chinook.

    This is because the temperament score for the Cocker Spaniel is 82.0 percent while the temperament score for the Chinook is 77.8 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 77.8 percent, the Chinook 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 Chinook and the Cocker Spaniel by measuring the temperaments of 9 Chinooks and 233 Cocker Spaniels.

    The Popularity of Chinook versus Popularity of Cocker 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 Chinook and the Cocker Spaniel over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Cocker Spaniel is more popular with dog owners than the Chinook. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Cocker Spaniel is 29 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Chinook is 177 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Chinook

    Popularity of Chinook

    Popularity of Cocker Spaniel

    Popularity of Cocker Spaniel

    Year Chinook Popularity Rank Cocker Spaniel Popularity Rank
    2013 156 29
    2014 171 30
    2015 177 30
    2016 175 29
    2017 179 29
    2018 190 30
    2019 184 28
    2020 186 30

    Health Problems of Chinook versus Health Problems of Cocker Spaniel

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

    Both the Chinook and the Cocker 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 Chinook is prone to more genetic health problems than the Cocker Spaniel.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Chinook than for the Cocker Spaniel.

    3 health tests are recommended for Chinook while 2 tests are recommended for the Cocker Spaniel.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Chinooks and in Cocker Spaniels.

    Chinook Health Problems

    Chinooks are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Chinook 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 Chinook puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Chinook 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 Chinooks for:

  • Clear By Parentage
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Chinooks here.

    Cocker Spaniel Health Problems

    Cocker Spaniels are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Cocker 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 Cocker Spaniel puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Cocker 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 Cocker Spaniels for:

  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Cocker Spaniels here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Chinooks and Cocker 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 Chinook Breed is Patella problems.

    This is because the Chinook ranks 5 out of 145 dog breeds for Patella problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 52 Chinooks, 5 of them had Patella problems.

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

  • Patella problems: Rank 5 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 63 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 82 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 Cocker Spaniel Breed is Patella problems.

    This is because the Cocker Spaniel ranks 12 out of 145 dog breeds for Patella problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 1845 Cocker Spaniels, 145 of them had Patella problems.

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

  • Patella problems: Rank 12 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 22 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Dentition Database problems: Rank 26 out of 49 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 28 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 125 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 144 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Chinook and in Cocker Spaniel and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Chinook and the Cocker Spaniel:

    Disease Chinook Rank Cocker Spaniel Rank
    Patella problems 5 out of 145 dog breeds 12 out of 145 dog breeds
    Hips problems 63 out of 198 dog breeds 144 out of 198 dog breeds
    Eyes problems 82 out of 182 dog breeds 28 out of 182 dog breeds
    Thyroid problems Not Common 22 out of 115 dog breeds
    Dentition Database problems Not Common 26 out of 49 dog breeds
    Elbow problems Not Common 125 out of 144 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.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Chinook versus Cocker Spaniel

    Chinooks do not like to be left alone.

    Cocker Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

    Do Chinooks shed more than Cocker Spaniels?

    Chinooks shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Cocker Spaniels shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Chinook or the Cocker Spaniel

    Chinooks do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Cocker Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Chinook or the Cocker Spaniel?

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

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

    Does the Chinook Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Cocker Spaniel?

    Chinooks 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.

    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 Chinooks Bark and Howl? What about Cocker Spaniels?

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

    Cocker Spaniels bark and howl, but not very much.

    Can Chinooks Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Cocker Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Chinooks can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Cocker Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Chinook vs. Cocker Spaniel

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

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

    Can Chinooks Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Cocker Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Chinooks 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 Chinook or the Cocker Spaniel?

    Chinooks get along very well with other dogs.

    Cocker Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Chinooks good family dogs? What about Cocker Spaniels?

    Chinooks are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

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

    How Kid-friendly are Chinooks and Cocker Spaniels?

    Chinooks get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Chinook Easier to Train than the Cocker Spaniel?

    Chinooks are very easy to train.

    Cocker Spaniels are very easy to train.

    Is the Chinook Better for Apartment Owners than the Cocker Spaniel?

    Chinooks adapt very well to apartment living.

    Cocker Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Chinooks 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 Chinook

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

  • Keeshond (76 percent match with Chinook). Here is our comparison of the Cocker Spaniel vs Keeshond.
  • King Shepherd (75 percent match with Chinook). Here is our comparison of the Cocker Spaniel vs King Shepherd.
  • 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 Chinook vs Bichon Frise.
  • English Cocker Spaniel (76 percent match with Cocker Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Chinook vs English Cocker Spaniel.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Chinook Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Chinook versus Cavachon     Chinook versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     Chinook versus Maremma Sheepdog     Chinook versus Cavapoo     Chinook versus Cane Corso     Chinook versus Pharaoh Hound     Chinook versus Briard     Chinook versus Standard Poodle     Chinook versus Bernese Mountain Dog     Chinook versus Akbash     Chinook versus Goldador     Chinook versus Labrador Retriever     Chinook versus Japanese Chin     Chinook versus Braque du Bourbonnais     Chinook versus Labrador Retriever     Chinook versus Border Collie     Chinook versus German Wirehaired Pointer     Chinook versus Black Mouth Cur     Chinook versus Portuguese Water Dog     Chinook versus Basset Hound     Chinook versus Samoyed     Chinook versus Kerry Blue Terrier     Chinook versus Hovawart     Chinook versus Japanese Spitz     Chinook versus Alaskan Malamute     

    Cocker Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Cocker Spaniel versus Valley Bulldog     Cocker Spaniel versus Finnish Spitz     Cocker Spaniel versus Chihuahua     Cocker Spaniel versus Schnoodle     Cocker Spaniel versus Pomapoo     Cocker Spaniel versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Cocker Spaniel versus Plott     Cocker Spaniel versus Komondor     Cocker Spaniel versus Kerry Blue Terrier     Cocker Spaniel versus Azawakh     Cocker Spaniel versus Bolognese     Cocker Spaniel versus Flat-Coated Retriever     Cocker Spaniel versus Spinone Italiano     Cocker Spaniel versus Berger Picard     Cocker Spaniel versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     Cocker Spaniel versus Sealyham Terrier     Cocker Spaniel versus French Spaniel     Cocker Spaniel versus Berger Picard     Cocker Spaniel versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     Cocker Spaniel versus Bluetick Coonhound     Cocker Spaniel versus Pomeranian     Cocker Spaniel versus Great Dane     Cocker Spaniel versus Akita Chow     Cocker Spaniel versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi     Cocker Spaniel versus Labradoodle     

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