Breed Comparison: Cocker Spaniel Versus Pekingese

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Cocker Spaniel Versus Pekingese: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Cocker Spaniel and the Pekingese 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 Pekingese. 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 Cocker Spaniel and the Pekingese.

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 Pekingese.

Cocker Spaniel versus Pekingese

Cocker Spaniel versus Pekingese: Overview

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

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 Pekingese 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 Pekingese: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Cocker Spaniel to the Pekingese 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 Cocker Spaniel and the Pekingese

Factor Cocker Spaniel Pekingese
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 1/5 1/5
Height 1 foot, 2 inches to 1 foot, 3 inches tall at the s 6 to 9 inches tall at the shoulder
Life Span 12 to 15 years 12 to 15 years
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 5/5
Weight 24 to 28 pounds 7 to 14 pounds
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 1/5
Kid-Friendly 3/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 4/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 2/5
General Health 4/5 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 3/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 3/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 5/5
Easygoing 1/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Easy To Train 5/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 1/5
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 13.5 years
Average Price $1760 $1930
Price Range $1200 – $2000 $1288 – $2500
Temperament Score 82.0 percent 93.3 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • No Data
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 29 86
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) 20 73

    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 Pekingese. 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 Cocker Spaniel is 77 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Pekingese is 77 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Pekingese is not better or worse than the Cocker Spaniel. So, you can get the Pekingese or 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 Pekingese so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    Cocker Spaniel versus Pekingese

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Cocker Spaniel and the Pekingese

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

  • 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. However, Pekingeses 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.
  • The Similarities Between the Cocker Spaniel and the Pekingese

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

  • Both the Cocker Spaniel and the Pekingese do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Cocker Spaniel and the Pekingese require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Cocker Spaniel and the Pekingese do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • Both the Cocker Spaniel and the Pekingese can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Cocker Spaniel and the Pekingese gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Cocker Spaniel and the Pekingese are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Cocker Spaniel and the Pekingese are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Cocker Spaniel and the Pekingese have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Cocker Spaniel and the Pekingese are very playful.
  • Both the Cocker Spaniel and the Pekingese adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Cocker Spaniel and the Pekingese are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Cocker Spaniel and the Pekingese have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Cocker Spaniel versus Pekingese

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

    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, Pekingeses weigh 7 to 14 pounds when fully grown. Pekingeses are 6 to 9 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Cocker Spaniel versus Pekingese

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

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

    Cocker Spaniel versus Pekingese

    Temperament of the Cocker Spaniel Versus the Pekingese

    The Pekingese has a better temperament than the Cocker Spaniel.

    This is because the temperament score for the Pekingese is 93.3 percent while the temperament score for the Cocker Spaniel is 82.0 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 82.0 percent, the Cocker Spaniel has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 93.3 percent, the Pekingese has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Cocker Spaniel and the Pekingese by measuring the temperaments of 233 Cocker Spaniels and 15 Pekingeses.

    Price of Cocker Spaniel versus Price of Pekingese

    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 Pekingese puppy is $1930. The price of the Pekingese typically ranges from $1288 – $2500. However, the price of the Pekingese can be as low as $700 and as high as $7500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 138 Pekingese puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Pekingese is more expensive than the Cocker Spaniel.

    Cocker Spaniel Pekingese
    Average Price $1760 $1930
    Price Range $1200 to $2000 $1288 to $2500

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Cocker Spaniel and Pekingese. For different price points, the charts show how many Cocker Spaniel puppies or how many Pekingese 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 Cocker Spaniels. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Pekingeses

    A breakdown of the prices of Pekingeses

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Cocker Spaniel puppy or the Pekingese 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.

    Cocker Spaniel versus Pekingese

    Adopting the Cocker Spaniel versus Adopting the Pekingese

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Cocker Spaniels and many Pekingeses 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 Cocker Spaniel named Billy 16-09053-2 that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Cocker Spaniels like Billy 16-09053-2 on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Cocker Spaniels, Pekingeses are also available for adoption. For example, Prancer is a Male Pekingese that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Pekingeses like Prancer that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

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

    Finn N 21064 is the name of another Cocker Spaniel (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    Also, Leo is an adorable Male Pekingese on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

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

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

    The Intelligence of the Cocker Spaniel versus the Intelligence of the Pekingese

    Cocker Spaniel Pekingese
    Intelligence Rank 20 out of 130 dog breeds 73 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 5 To 15 Repetitions Tend To Learn New Commands After 80 To 100 Repetitions Or More!

    Professor Stanley Coren, the famous psychology/neuropsychological professor and, dog lover/trainer measured and ranked the intelligence of about 130 different dog breeds.

    According to Prof. Stanley Coren, the total intelligence that a dog demonstrates is the addition of three types of intelligence. These intelligence types are:

  • Instinctive Intelligence: This is the natural intelligence a dog has because of what the dog was bred for. This type of intelligence comes from instinct. For example, dog breeds that were bred for guarding will have high `guarding` instinctive intelligence, while dog breeds that were bred for hunting will what high `hunting` instinctive intelligence. However, you cannot compare the intelligence of dog breeds based on instinctive intelligence because such a comparison will not make sense.
  • Adaptive Intelligence (learning and problem-solving ability): This indicates what a dog can learn to do for himself or herself. It includes learning and benefiting from experience with his environment, solving new problems, and so forth. Adaptive intelligence is specific to each dog, and not breed specific. Thus, two dogs can have remarkably different levels of adaptive intelligence even if they are of the same breed.
  • Working/Obedience Intelligence: This intelligence is the closest to what we might call school-learning ability and it is based upon what the dog can learn to do when instructed by humans. Importantly, different dog breeds have different learning abilities. Also, science has shown that some dog breeds can learn faster than some other breeds. This means certain dog breeds tend to have higher working/obedience intelligence than some other breeds. Dogs with high Working/Obedience Intelligence are smart and easy to train.
  • Prof. Coren showed that the Working/Obedience Intelligence of different dog breeds can be measured reliably. Thus, he was able to rank different dog breeds based on their Working/Obedience Intelligence.

    This is important because according to Prof. Coren, 51 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from its genes while 49 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from the dog`s environmental circumstances.

    To rank the intelligence of dog breeds, Prof. Coren employed the help of 208 dog obedience judges in North America to fill out a detailed survey on dog obedience. This number represented more than half of all of these judges in North America at the time. He also employed 63 veterinarians and 14 guard dog experts to collect data on the personality of different dog breeds.

    Prof. Coren found that the Cocker Spaniel has an obedience intelligence rank of 20 out of 130 dog breeds. The Cocker Spaniel belongs to the `Excellent Working Dogs` category. This means that Cocker Spaniels tend to learn new commands after 5 to 15 repetitions.

    The Pekingese has an obedience intelligence rank of 73 out of 130 dog breeds. The Pekingese belongs to the `Lowest Degree of Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Pekingeses tend to learn new commands after 80 to 100 repetitions or more!.

    The Cocker Spaniel is more intelligent than the Pekingese.

    However, Prof. Coren noted that a dog should not be judged based on its intelligence alone, that other factors such as sociability, adorability, and compatibility with the owner are other very important factors that new dog owners need to consider when deciding on a new dog.

    The Popularity of Cocker Spaniel versus Popularity of Pekingese

    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 Pekingese over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Cocker Spaniel is more popular with dog owners than the Pekingese. 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 Pekingese is 86 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Cocker Spaniel

    Popularity of Cocker Spaniel

    Popularity of Pekingese

    Popularity of Pekingese

    Year Cocker Spaniel Popularity Rank Pekingese Popularity Rank
    2013 29 77
    2014 30 82
    2015 30 80
    2016 29 93
    2017 29 88
    2018 30 92
    2019 28 83
    2020 30 95

    Tolerates Being Alone: Cocker Spaniel versus Pekingese

    Cocker Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

    Pekingeses can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Cocker Spaniels shed more than Pekingeses?

    Cocker Spaniels shed moderately.

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

    Which one drools more, the Cocker Spaniel or the Pekingese

    Cocker Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Pekingeses do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

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

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

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

    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.

    Pekingeses 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 Cocker Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Pekingeses?

    Cocker Spaniels bark and howl, but not very much.

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

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

    Cocker Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Pekingeses can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Cocker Spaniel vs. Pekingese

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

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

    Can Cocker Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Pekingeses Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Pekingeses cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

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

    Cocker Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Pekingeses do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Cocker Spaniels good family dogs? What about Pekingeses?

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

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

    How Kid-friendly are Cocker Spaniels and Pekingeses?

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

    Pekingeses do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

    Is the Cocker Spaniel Easier to Train than the Pekingese?

    Cocker Spaniels are very easy to train.

    Pekingeses are fairly easy to train.

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

    Cocker Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.

    Pekingeses adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Cocker Spaniels are OK for new dog owners.

    Pekingeses are very good for new dog owners.

    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 Pekingese vs Bichon Frise.
  • English Cocker Spaniel (76 percent match with Cocker Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Pekingese vs English Cocker Spaniel.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Pekingese

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

  • Dandie Dinmont Terrier (72 percent match with Pekingese). Here is our comparison of the Cocker Spaniel vs Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
  • Mal Shi (72 percent match with Pekingese). Here is our comparison of the Cocker Spaniel vs Mal Shi.
  • Pomeranian (72 percent match with Pekingese). Here is our comparison of the Cocker Spaniel vs Pomeranian.
  • Pomsky (72 percent match with Pekingese). Here is our comparison of the Cocker Spaniel vs Pomsky.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Cocker Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Cocker Spaniel versus German Wirehaired Pointer     Cocker Spaniel versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Cocker Spaniel versus Cockapoo     Cocker Spaniel versus Chihuahua     Cocker Spaniel versus Bernese Mountain Dog     Cocker Spaniel versus German Longhaired Pointer     Cocker Spaniel versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog     Cocker Spaniel versus Boston Terrier     Cocker Spaniel versus Mountain Cur     Cocker Spaniel versus Redbone Coonhound     Cocker Spaniel versus Boykin Spaniel     Cocker Spaniel versus Mudi     Cocker Spaniel versus Goldendoodle     Cocker Spaniel versus Yorkipoo     Cocker Spaniel versus Dogue de Bordeaux     Cocker Spaniel versus Lhasa Apso     Cocker Spaniel versus Maremma Sheepdog     Cocker Spaniel versus Australian Shepherd     Cocker Spaniel versus Plott     Cocker Spaniel versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Cocker Spaniel versus Border Terrier     Cocker Spaniel versus Yorkipoo     Cocker Spaniel versus Catahoula Bulldog     Cocker Spaniel versus Labradoodle     Cocker Spaniel versus Saluki     

    Pekingese Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Pekingese versus American Pit Bull Terrier     Pekingese versus Valley Bulldog     Pekingese versus Golden Retriever     Pekingese versus Estrela Mountain Dog     Pekingese versus Boston Terrier     Pekingese versus Sloughi     Pekingese versus Norwegian Buhund     Pekingese versus Azawakh     Pekingese versus Greyhound     Pekingese versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier     Pekingese versus Barbet     Pekingese versus Lakeland Terrier     Pekingese versus Bullmastiff     Pekingese versus Bracco Italiano     Pekingese versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde     Pekingese versus Bearded Collie     Pekingese versus Valley Bulldog     Pekingese versus Black Russian Terrier     Pekingese versus Weimaraner     Pekingese versus Patterdale Terrier     Pekingese versus Golden Cocker Retriever     Pekingese versus Catahoula Leopard Dog     Pekingese versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon     Pekingese versus Saint Berdoodle     Pekingese versus Valley Bulldog     

    Conclusion: Cocker Spaniel versus Pekingese. 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 Pekingese better suits you and your family.