Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Collie Versus English Toy Spaniel: Introduction
- Collie versus English Toy Spaniel: Overview
- Collie versus English Toy Spaniel: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Collie and the English Toy Spaniel
- The Similarities Between the Collie and the English Toy Spaniel
- Size (Weight and Height) of Collie versus English Toy Spaniel
- Price of Collie versus Price of English Toy Spaniel
- The Popularity of Collie versus Popularity of English Toy Spaniel
- Health Problems of Collie versus Health Problems of English Toy Spaniel
- Which one drools more, the Collie or the English Toy Spaniel
- Wanderlust Potential: Collie vs. English Toy Spaniel
- Tolerates Being Alone: Collie versus English Toy Spaniel
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Collie or the English Toy Spaniel?
- Can Collies Tolerate Hot Weather? Can English Toy Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Can Collies Tolerate Cold Weather? And can English Toy Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Collie or the English Toy Spaniel?
- Is the Collie Easier to Train than the English Toy Spaniel?
- Does the Collie Have a Higher Prey Drive than the English Toy Spaniel?
- Do Collies Bark and Howl? What about English Toy Spaniels?
- Are Collies good family dogs? What about English Toy Spaniels?
- How Kid-friendly are Collies and English Toy Spaniels?
- Do Collies shed more than English Toy Spaniels?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Collie
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the English Toy Spaniel
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Collie versus English Toy Spaniel. Which One is a Better Pet?
Collie Versus English Toy Spaniel: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Collie 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 Collie 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 Collie and the English Toy Spaniel.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Collie 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 Collie 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 Collie 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 Collie or the English Toy Spaniel
Collie versus English Toy Spaniel: Overview
A very important difference between the Collie and the English Toy Spaniel is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Collie is a medium-sized dog while the English Toy Spaniel is a small-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Collie belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.
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.
Collie versus English Toy Spaniel: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Collie 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 | Collie | English Toy Spaniel |
|---|---|---|
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 14 years | 10 to 12 years |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Height | 22 to 26 inches all at the shoulder | 10 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Weight | 50 to 70 pounds | 8 to 14 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 12.0 years | 11.0 years |
| Average Price | $1480 | $2350 |
| Price Range | $1000 – $1800 | $2250 – $2525 |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 37 | 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 Collie 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 Collie is 83 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 Collie is a better pet than the English Toy Spaniel. So, you should get the Collie!
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 Collie 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 Collie and the English Toy Spaniel
Below is a list of where the Collie and the English Toy Spaniel are most different:
The Similarities Between the Collie and the English Toy Spaniel
The Collie and the English Toy Spaniel are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Collie and the English Toy Spaniel are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Collie versus English Toy Spaniel
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Collie and the English Toy Spaniel.
Collies weigh 50 to 70 pounds when fully grown. Collies are 22 to 26 inches all at the shoulder 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 Collie versus Price of English Toy Spaniel
The average price of the Collie puppy is $1480. The price of the Collie typically ranges from $1000 – $1800. However, the price of a Collie can be as low as $300 and as high as $15000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 356 Collie 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 Collie.
| Collie | English Toy Spaniel | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1480 | $2350 |
| Price Range | $1000 to $1800 | $2250 to $2525 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Collie and English Toy Spaniel. For different price points, the charts show how many Collie puppies or how many English Toy Spaniel puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Collies. 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 Collie 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 Collie 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 Collie and the English Toy Spaniel over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Collie is more popular with dog owners than the English Toy Spaniel. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Collie is 37 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 Collie
Popularity of English Toy Spaniel
| Year | Collie Popularity Rank | English Toy Spaniel Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 35 | 135 |
| 2014 | 36 | 138 |
| 2015 | 36 | 129 |
| 2016 | 37 | 130 |
| 2017 | 40 | 134 |
| 2018 | 38 | 135 |
| 2019 | 38 | 139 |
| 2020 | 40 | 138 |
Health Problems of Collie 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 Collie 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 the same number of genetic health problems as the Collie.
4 health tests are recommended for Collie while 4 tests are recommended for the English Toy Spaniel.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Collies and in English Toy Spaniels.
Collie Health Problems
Collies are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Collie 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 Collie puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Collie 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 Collies for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Collies 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 Collies 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 Collie Breed is Collie Eye Anomaly problems.
This is because the Collie ranks 1 out of 7 dog breeds for Collie Eye Anomaly problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 114 Collies, 16 of them had Collie Eye Anomaly problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Collies, and how common these diseases are in Collies 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 Collie and in English Toy Spaniel and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Collie and the English Toy Spaniel:
| Disease | Collie Rank | English Toy Spaniel Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Collie Eye Anomaly problems | 1 out of 7 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Eyes problems | 1 out of 182 dog breeds | 4 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Multiple Drug Resistance (Mdr1) problems | 1 out of 7 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Dentition Database problems | 13 out of 49 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Degenerative Myelopathy problems | 16 out of 70 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Thyroid problems | 65 out of 115 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Elbow problems | 107 out of 144 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Hips problems | 182 out of 198 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | Not Common | 2 out of 159 dog breeds |
| Patella problems | Not Common | 4 out of 145 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.
Which one drools more, the Collie or the English Toy Spaniel
Collies do have a very low tendency to drool.
English Toy Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.
Wanderlust Potential: Collie vs. English Toy Spaniel
Collies do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
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.
Tolerates Being Alone: Collie versus English Toy Spaniel
Collies do not like to be left alone.
English Toy Spaniels do not like to be left alone.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Collie or the English Toy Spaniel?
Collies require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
English Toy Spaniels are very easy to groom.
Is the Collie Better for Apartment Owners than the English Toy Spaniel?
Collies adapt moderately well to apartment living.
English Toy Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.
Can Collies Tolerate Hot Weather? Can English Toy Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?
Collies 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.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Collie or the English Toy Spaniel?
Collies are very good for new dog owners.
English Toy Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.
Can Collies Tolerate Cold Weather? And can English Toy Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?
Collies 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 Collie or the English Toy Spaniel?
Collies get along very well with other dogs.
English Toy Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.
Is the Collie Easier to Train than the English Toy Spaniel?
Collies are very easy to train.
English Toy Spaniels are fairly easy to train.
Does the Collie Have a Higher Prey Drive than the English Toy Spaniel?
Collies 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.
Do Collies Bark and Howl? What about English Toy Spaniels?
Collies are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
English Toy Spaniels bark and howl, but not very much.
Are Collies good family dogs? What about English Toy Spaniels?
Collies are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
English Toy Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Collies and English Toy Spaniels?
Collies get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
English Toy Spaniels do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.
Do Collies shed more than English Toy Spaniels?
Collies shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
English Toy Spaniels shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Collie
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Collie 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 Collie:
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 Collie and how the English Toy Spaniel compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Collie and of the English Toy Spaniel to other breeds:
Collie Versus Other Dog Breeds
Collie versus Korean Jindo Dog Collie versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Collie versus Irish Setter Collie versus Pharaoh Hound Collie versus Basenji Collie versus Maremma Sheepdog Collie versus Mastiff Collie versus Kooikerhondje Collie versus Whoodle Collie versus Clumber Spaniel
English Toy Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds
English Toy Spaniel versus Belgian Sheepdog English Toy Spaniel versus Biewer Terrier English Toy Spaniel versus Pekingese English Toy Spaniel versus Pug English Toy Spaniel versus Valley Bulldog English Toy Spaniel versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever English Toy Spaniel versus Shichon English Toy Spaniel versus Papipoo English Toy Spaniel versus Pekingese English Toy Spaniel versus Greyhound
Conclusion: Collie 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 Collie and the English Toy Spaniel better suits you and your family.