Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Cocker Spaniel Versus English Toy Spaniel: Introduction
- Cocker Spaniel versus English Toy Spaniel: Overview
- Cocker Spaniel versus English Toy Spaniel: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Cocker Spaniel and the English Toy Spaniel
- The Similarities Between the Cocker Spaniel and the English Toy Spaniel
- Size (Weight and Height) of Cocker Spaniel versus English Toy Spaniel
- Price of Cocker Spaniel versus Price of English Toy Spaniel
- The Popularity of Cocker Spaniel versus Popularity of English Toy Spaniel
- Health Problems of Cocker Spaniel versus Health Problems of English Toy Spaniel
- Tolerates Being Alone: Cocker Spaniel versus English Toy Spaniel
- Which one drools more, the Cocker Spaniel or the English Toy Spaniel
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Cocker Spaniel or the English Toy Spaniel?
- Can Cocker Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can English Toy Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?
- How Kid-friendly are Cocker Spaniels and English Toy Spaniels?
- Do Cocker Spaniels shed more than English Toy Spaniels?
- Do Cocker Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about English Toy Spaniels?
- Can Cocker Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can English Toy Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Cocker Spaniel or the English Toy Spaniel?
- Wanderlust Potential: Cocker Spaniel vs. English Toy Spaniel
- Are Cocker Spaniels good family dogs? What about English Toy Spaniels?
- Is the Cocker Spaniel Easier to Train than the English Toy Spaniel?
- Does the Cocker Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the English Toy Spaniel?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Cocker Spaniel
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the English Toy Spaniel
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Cocker Spaniel versus English Toy Spaniel. Which One is a Better Pet?
Cocker Spaniel Versus English Toy Spaniel: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Cocker Spaniel and the English Toy Spaniel? Well, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will provide you a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Cocker Spaniel and the English Toy 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 Cocker Spaniel and the English Toy Spaniel.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Cocker Spaniel and the English Toy 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 Cocker Spaniel and for the English Toy Spaniel. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Cocker Spaniel and the English Toy Spaniel.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Cocker Spaniel or the English Toy Spaniel
Cocker Spaniel versus English Toy Spaniel: Overview
Both the Cocker Spaniel and the English Toy Spaniel are similar in size. The Cocker Spaniel and the English Toy Spaniel are both small-sized dogs.
Furthermore, 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.
On the other hand, the English Toy 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.
Cocker Spaniel versus English Toy Spaniel: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Cocker Spaniel to the English Toy 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.
| Factor | Cocker Spaniel | English Toy Spaniel |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Height | 1 foot, 2 inches to 1 foot, 3 inches tall at the s | 10 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 10 to 12 years |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Weight | 24 to 28 pounds | 8 to 14 pounds |
| Good For Novice Owners | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 11.0 years |
| Average Price | $1760 | $2350 |
| Price Range | $1200 – $2000 | $2250 – $2525 |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 29 | 134 |
*Data from dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (the American Temperament Test Society)
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Cocker 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 English Toy 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 a Cocker Spaniel is 77 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a English Toy Spaniel is 74 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Cocker Spaniel is a better pet than the English Toy Spaniel. 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 Cocker Spaniel and the English Toy Spaniel so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Cocker Spaniel and the English Toy Spaniel
Below is a list of where the Cocker Spaniel and the English Toy Spaniel are most different:
The Similarities Between the Cocker Spaniel and the English Toy Spaniel
The Cocker Spaniel and the English Toy Spaniel are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Cocker Spaniel and the English Toy Spaniel are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Cocker Spaniel versus English Toy Spaniel
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Cocker Spaniel and the English Toy Spaniel.
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.
On the other hand, English Toy Spaniels weigh 8 to 14 pounds when fully grown. English Toy Spaniels are 10 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Price of Cocker Spaniel versus Price of English Toy Spaniel
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 a Cocker Spaniel can be as low as $700 and as high as $4125. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 297 Cocker Spaniel puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The average price of the English Toy Spaniel puppy is $2350. The price of the English Toy Spaniel typically ranges from $2250 – $2525. However, the price of a English Toy Spaniel can be as low as $2000 and as high as $2550. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 3 English Toy Spaniel puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The English Toy Spaniel is more expensive than the Cocker Spaniel.
| Cocker Spaniel | English Toy Spaniel | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1760 | $2350 |
| Price Range | $1200 to $2000 | $2250 to $2525 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Cocker Spaniel and English Toy Spaniel. For different price points, the charts show how many Cocker Spaniel puppies or how many English Toy Spaniel puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Cocker Spaniels. The typical price range is shaded Green.
A breakdown of the prices of English Toy Spaniels
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Cocker Spaniel puppy or the English Toy 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 from 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 one of those puppy mills that mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.
You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.
The Popularity of Cocker Spaniel versus Popularity of English Toy 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 Cocker Spaniel and the English Toy Spaniel over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Cocker Spaniel is more popular with dog owners than the English Toy Spaniel. 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 English Toy Spaniel is 134 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Cocker Spaniel
Popularity of English Toy Spaniel
| Year | Cocker Spaniel Popularity Rank | English Toy Spaniel Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 29 | 135 |
| 2014 | 30 | 138 |
| 2015 | 30 | 129 |
| 2016 | 29 | 130 |
| 2017 | 29 | 134 |
| 2018 | 30 | 135 |
| 2019 | 28 | 139 |
| 2020 | 30 | 138 |
Health Problems of Cocker Spaniel versus Health Problems of English Toy Spaniel
Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. Therefore, there is nothing like a perfect puppy.
Both the Cocker Spaniel and the English Toy 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 English Toy Spaniel is prone to more genetic health problems than the Cocker Spaniel.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the English Toy Spaniel than for the Cocker Spaniel.
2 health tests are recommended for Cocker Spaniel while 4 tests are recommended for the English Toy Spaniel.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Cocker Spaniels and in English Toy Spaniels.
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:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Cocker Spaniels here.
English Toy Spaniel Health Problems
English Toy Spaniels are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing English Toy 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 English Toy Spaniel puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your English Toy 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 English Toy Spaniels for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for English Toy Spaniels here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Cocker Spaniels and English Toy 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 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:
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 English Toy Spaniel Breed is Congenital Cardiac problems.
This is because the English Toy Spaniel ranks 2 out of 159 dog breeds for Congenital Cardiac problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 470 English Toy Spaniels, 21 of them had Congenital Cardiac problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in English Toy Spaniels, and how common these diseases are in English Toy Spaniels relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Cocker Spaniel and in English Toy Spaniel and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Cocker Spaniel and the English Toy Spaniel:
| Disease | Cocker Spaniel Rank | English Toy Spaniel Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Patella problems | 12 out of 145 dog breeds | 4 out of 145 dog breeds |
| Thyroid problems | 22 out of 115 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Dentition Database problems | 26 out of 49 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Eyes problems | 28 out of 182 dog breeds | 4 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Elbow problems | 125 out of 144 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Hips problems | 144 out of 198 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | Not Common | 2 out of 159 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: Cocker Spaniel versus English Toy Spaniel
Cocker Spaniels do not like to be left alone.
English Toy Spaniels do not like to be left alone.
Which one drools more, the Cocker Spaniel or the English Toy Spaniel
Cocker Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.
English Toy Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Cocker Spaniel or the English Toy Spaniel?
Cocker Spaniels require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
English Toy Spaniels are very easy to groom.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Cocker Spaniel or the English Toy Spaniel?
Cocker Spaniels are OK for new dog owners.
English Toy Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.
Can Cocker Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can English Toy Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?
Cocker Spaniels can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
English Toy Spaniels cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
How Kid-friendly are Cocker Spaniels and English Toy Spaniels?
Cocker Spaniels get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.
English Toy Spaniels do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.
Do Cocker Spaniels shed more than English Toy Spaniels?
Cocker Spaniels shed moderately.
English Toy Spaniels shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Do Cocker Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about English Toy Spaniels?
Cocker Spaniels bark and howl, but not very much.
English Toy Spaniels bark and howl, but not very much.
Can Cocker Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can English Toy Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?
Cocker Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.
English Toy Spaniels cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Cocker Spaniel or the English Toy Spaniel?
Cocker Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.
English Toy Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.
Wanderlust Potential: Cocker Spaniel vs. English Toy Spaniel
Cocker Spaniels have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
English Toy Spaniels do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Is the Cocker Spaniel Better for Apartment Owners than the English Toy Spaniel?
Cocker Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.
English Toy Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.
Are Cocker Spaniels good family dogs? What about English Toy Spaniels?
Cocker Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
English Toy Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Cocker Spaniel Easier to Train than the English Toy Spaniel?
Cocker Spaniels are very easy to train.
English Toy Spaniels are fairly easy to train.
Does the Cocker Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the English Toy Spaniel?
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.
English Toy 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.
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:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the English Toy Spaniel
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the English Toy 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 English Toy Spaniel:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Cocker Spaniel and how the English Toy Spaniel compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Cocker Spaniel and of the English Toy Spaniel to other breeds:
Cocker Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds
Cocker Spaniel versus Silky Terrier Cocker Spaniel versus Beagle Cocker Spaniel versus Toy Fox Terrier Cocker Spaniel versus Ibizan Hound Cocker Spaniel versus Irish Wolfhound Cocker Spaniel versus Shetland Sheepdog Cocker Spaniel versus Goldador Cocker Spaniel versus Papillon Cocker Spaniel versus Bullmastiff Cocker Spaniel versus English Springer Spaniel
English Toy Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds
English Toy Spaniel versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever English Toy Spaniel versus American Bulldog English Toy Spaniel versus West Highland White Terrier English Toy Spaniel versus Cockalier English Toy Spaniel versus Briard English Toy Spaniel versus German Shorthaired Pointer English Toy Spaniel versus Basset Hound English Toy Spaniel versus Flat-Coated Retriever English Toy Spaniel versus Samoyed
Conclusion: Cocker Spaniel versus English Toy 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 Cocker Spaniel and the English Toy Spaniel better suits you and your family.