Is the Cocker Spaniel Better than the Sloughi as a Pet? Answer…

Quick Links: Table of Contents

Cocker Spaniel Versus Sloughi: Introduction

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

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

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 Sloughi.

Cocker Spaniel versus Sloughi: Overview

A very important difference between the Cocker Spaniel and the Sloughi is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Cocker Spaniel is a small-sized dog while the Sloughi is a large-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 Sloughi belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.

Cocker Spaniel versus Sloughi: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Cocker Spaniel to the Sloughi 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 Sloughi

Factor Cocker Spaniel Sloughi
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 1/5 5/5
Height 1 foot, 2 inches to 1 foot, 3 inches tall at the s 24 to 29 inches tall at the shoulder
Life Span 12 to 15 years 12 to 16 years
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 3/5
Weight 24 to 28 pounds 40 to 63 pounds
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 3/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 2/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 4/5
General Health 4/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 4/5
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 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 3/5
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 1/5
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 14.0 years
Average Price $1760 No Data
Price Range $1200 – $2000 No Data
Temperament Score 82.0 percent 100.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Exam by a veterinarian with Board certification by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Specialty of Cardiology
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination by a board certified ACVO Ophthalmologist- minimum age 12 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 29 189

    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 Sloughi. 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 Sloughi is 79 out of 125.

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

    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 Sloughi 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 Sloughi

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

  • Cocker Spaniels require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom. However, Sloughis are very easy to groom.
  • The Similarities Between the Cocker Spaniel and the Sloughi

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

  • Both the Cocker Spaniel and the Sloughi do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Cocker Spaniel and the Sloughi do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • Both the Cocker Spaniel and the Sloughi get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Cocker Spaniel and the Sloughi are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Cocker Spaniel and the Sloughi are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Cocker Spaniel and the Sloughi are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Cocker Spaniel and the Sloughi have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Cocker Spaniel and the Sloughi have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Cocker Spaniel and the Sloughi are very playful.
  • Both the Cocker Spaniel and the Sloughi adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Cocker Spaniel and the Sloughi 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 Cocker Spaniel and the Sloughi are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Cocker Spaniel and the Sloughi have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Cocker Spaniel versus Sloughi

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

    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, Sloughis weigh 40 to 63 pounds when fully grown. Sloughis are 24 to 29 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Cocker Spaniel versus Sloughi

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

    The lifespan of Sloughis is between 12 to 16 years. The average lifespan of Sloughis is 14.0 years.

    Sloughis live longer than Cocker Spaniels.

    Temperament of the Sloughi Versus the Cocker Spaniel

    The Sloughi has a better temperament than the Cocker Spaniel.

    This is because the temperament score for the Sloughi is 100.0 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 100.0 percent, the Sloughi has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Cocker Spaniel and the Sloughi by measuring the temperaments of 233 Cocker Spaniels and 3 Sloughis.

    The Popularity of Cocker Spaniel versus Popularity of Sloughi

    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 Sloughi over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Cocker Spaniel is more popular with dog owners than the Sloughi. 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 Sloughi is 189 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Cocker Spaniel

    Popularity of Cocker Spaniel

    Popularity of Sloughi

    Popularity of Sloughi

    Year Cocker Spaniel Popularity Rank Sloughi Popularity Rank
    2013 29 no data
    2014 30 no data
    2015 30 no data
    2016 29 185.0
    2017 29 188.0
    2018 30 192.0
    2019 28 191.0
    2020 30 189.0

    Health Problems of Cocker Spaniel versus Health Problems of Sloughi

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

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

    2 health tests are recommended for Cocker Spaniel while 6 tests are recommended for the Sloughi.

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

    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.

    Sloughi Health Problems

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

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Exam by a veterinarian with Board certification by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Specialty of Cardiology
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination by a board certified ACVO Ophthalmologist- minimum age 12 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Sloughis here.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Cocker Spaniel versus Sloughi

    Cocker Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

    Sloughis can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Cocker Spaniels shed more than Sloughis?

    Cocker Spaniels shed moderately.

    Sloughis shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Cocker Spaniel or the Sloughi

    Cocker Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Sloughis do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

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

    Sloughis are very easy to groom.

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

    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.

    Sloughis 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 Sloughis?

    Cocker Spaniels bark and howl, but not very much.

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

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

    Cocker Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Sloughis cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Wanderlust Potential: Cocker Spaniel vs. Sloughi

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

    Sloughis 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 Sloughis Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Sloughis can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

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

    Cocker Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Sloughis get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Cocker Spaniels good family dogs? What about Sloughis?

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

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

    How Kid-friendly are Cocker Spaniels and Sloughis?

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

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

    Is the Cocker Spaniel Easier to Train than the Sloughi?

    Cocker Spaniels are very easy to train.

    Sloughis are fairly easy to train.

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

    Cocker Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.

    Sloughis adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Cocker Spaniels are OK for new dog owners.

    Sloughis are not the best dogs 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 Sloughi vs Bichon Frise.
  • English Cocker Spaniel (76 percent match with Cocker Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Sloughi vs English Cocker Spaniel.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Sloughi

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

  • Bracco Italiano (78 percent match with Sloughi). Here is our comparison of the Cocker Spaniel vs Bracco Italiano.
  • Ibizan Hound (79 percent match with Sloughi). Here is our comparison of the Cocker Spaniel vs Ibizan Hound.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Cocker Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Cocker Spaniel versus Akita Chow     Cocker Spaniel versus Pyredoodle     Cocker Spaniel versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Cocker Spaniel versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Cocker Spaniel versus Lowchen     Cocker Spaniel versus Rottweiler     Cocker Spaniel versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     Cocker Spaniel versus Harrier     Cocker Spaniel versus Ibizan Hound     Cocker Spaniel versus Cockalier     Cocker Spaniel versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Cocker Spaniel versus King Shepherd     Cocker Spaniel versus Afghan Hound     Cocker Spaniel versus Golden Cocker Retriever     Cocker Spaniel versus Spinone Italiano     Cocker Spaniel versus Bearded Collie     Cocker Spaniel versus Plott     Cocker Spaniel versus American Pit Bull Terrier     Cocker Spaniel versus Bull Terrier     Cocker Spaniel versus Australian Kelpie     Cocker Spaniel versus Westiepoo     Cocker Spaniel versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier     Cocker Spaniel versus Pyredoodle     Cocker Spaniel versus Flat-Coated Retriever     Cocker Spaniel versus Briard     

    Sloughi Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Sloughi versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier     Sloughi versus Basset Hound     Sloughi versus Barbet     Sloughi versus French Spaniel     Sloughi versus Irish Terrier     Sloughi versus Bernedoodle     Sloughi versus Whoodle     Sloughi versus French Spaniel     Sloughi versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     Sloughi versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen     Sloughi versus Skye Terrier     Sloughi versus American Water Spaniel     Sloughi versus Finnish Lapphund     Sloughi versus Boerboel     Sloughi versus Beagle     Sloughi versus Miniature Poodle     Sloughi versus Bernese Mountain Dog     Sloughi versus Dogue de Bordeaux     Sloughi versus Australian Cattle Dog     Sloughi versus French Spaniel     Sloughi versus Rottweiler     Sloughi versus Cesky Terrier     Sloughi versus Westiepoo     Sloughi versus Beagle     Sloughi versus Silky Terrier     

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