Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Collie Versus Field Spaniel: Introduction
- Collie versus Field Spaniel: Overview
- Collie versus Field Spaniel: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Collie and the Field Spaniel
- The Similarities Between the Collie and the Field Spaniel
- Size (Weight and Height) of Collie versus Field Spaniel
- Temperament of the Collie Versus the Field Spaniel
- Price of Collie versus Price of Field Spaniel
- The Intelligence of the Collie versus the Intelligence of the Field Spaniel
- The Popularity of Collie versus Popularity of Field Spaniel
- Health Problems of Collie versus Health Problems of Field Spaniel
- Which one drools more, the Collie or the Field Spaniel
- Wanderlust Potential: Collie vs. Field Spaniel
- Tolerates Being Alone: Collie versus Field Spaniel
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Collie or the Field Spaniel?
- Can Collies Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Field Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Can Collies Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Field Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Collie or the Field Spaniel?
- Is the Collie Easier to Train than the Field Spaniel?
- Does the Collie Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Field Spaniel?
- Do Collies Bark and Howl? What about Field Spaniels?
- Are Collies good family dogs? What about Field Spaniels?
- How Kid-friendly are Collies and Field Spaniels?
- Do Collies shed more than Field Spaniels?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Collie
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Field Spaniel
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Collie versus Field Spaniel. Which One is a Better Pet?
Collie Versus Field Spaniel: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Collie and the Field 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 Field 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 Field Spaniel.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Collie and the Field 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 Field 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 Field 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 Field Spaniel
Collie versus Field Spaniel: Overview
A very important difference between the Collie and the Field Spaniel is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Collie is a medium-sized dog while the Field 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 Field 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.
Collie versus Field Spaniel: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Collie to the Field 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 | Field Spaniel |
|---|---|---|
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 5/5 | 1/5 |
| 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 | 1 foot, 4 inches to 1 foot, 7 inches tall at the s |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Weight | 50 to 70 pounds | 37 to 45 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 12.0 years | 11.0 years |
| Average Price | $1480 | $4640 |
| Price Range | $1000 – $1800 | $2900 – $5000 |
| Temperament Score | 80.8 percent | 85.7 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 37 | 147 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 16 | 34 |
*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 Field 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 Field Spaniel is 79 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Collie is a better pet than the Field 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 Field 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 Field Spaniel
Below is a list of where the Collie and the Field Spaniel are most different:
The Similarities Between the Collie and the Field Spaniel
The Collie and the Field Spaniel are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Collie and the Field Spaniel are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Collie versus Field Spaniel
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Collie and the Field 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, Field Spaniels weigh 37 to 45 pounds when fully grown. Field Spaniels are 1 foot, 4 inches to 1 foot, 7 inches tall at the s when fully grown.
Temperament of the Collie Versus the Field Spaniel
The Field Spaniel has a better temperament than the Collie.
This is because the temperament score for the Field Spaniel is 85.7 percent while the temperament score for the Collie is 80.8 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).
The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.
Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and they 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 80.8 percent, the Collie has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
With its temperament score of 85.7 percent, the Field Spaniel has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Collie and the Field Spaniel by measuring the temperaments of 896 Collies and 14 Field Spaniels.
Price of Collie versus Price of Field 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 Field Spaniel puppy is $4640. The price of the Field Spaniel typically ranges from $2900 – $5000. However, the price of a Field Spaniel can be as low as $1800 and as high as $10000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 5 Field Spaniel puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Field Spaniel is more expensive than the Collie.
| Collie | Field Spaniel | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1480 | $4640 |
| Price Range | $1000 to $1800 | $2900 to $5000 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Collie and Field Spaniel. For different price points, the charts show how many Collie puppies or how many Field 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 Field Spaniels
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Collie puppy or the Field 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 Intelligence of the Collie versus the Intelligence of the Field Spaniel
| Collie | Field Spaniel | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 16 out of 130 dog breeds | 34 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 5 To 15 Repetitions | Tend To Learn New Commands After 15 To 25 Repetitions |
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:
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 Collie has an obedience intelligence rank of 16 out of 130 dog breeds. The Collie belongs to the `Excellent Working Dogs` category. This means that Collies tend to learn new commands after 5 to 15 repetitions.
The Field Spaniel has an obedience intelligence rank of 34 out of 130 dog breeds. The Field Spaniel belongs to the `Above Average Working Dogs` category. This means that Field Spaniels tend to learn new commands after 15 to 25 repetitions.
The Collie is more intelligent than the Field Spaniel.
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 Collie versus Popularity of Field 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 Field Spaniel over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Collie is more popular with dog owners than the Field 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 Field Spaniel is 147 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Collie
Popularity of Field Spaniel
| Year | Collie Popularity Rank | Field Spaniel Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 35 | 140 |
| 2014 | 36 | 137 |
| 2015 | 36 | 145 |
| 2016 | 37 | 147 |
| 2017 | 40 | 145 |
| 2018 | 38 | 149 |
| 2019 | 38 | 153 |
| 2020 | 40 | 160 |
Health Problems of Collie versus Health Problems of Field 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 Field 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 Field Spaniel is prone to more genetic health problems than the Collie.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Field Spaniel than for the Collie.
4 health tests are recommended for Collie while 6 tests are recommended for the Field Spaniel.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Collies and in Field 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.
Field Spaniel Health Problems
Field Spaniels are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Field 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 Field Spaniel puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Field 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 Field Spaniels for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Field Spaniels here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Collies and Field 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 Field Spaniel Breed is Eyes problems.
This is because the Field Spaniel ranks 52 out of 182 dog breeds for Eyes problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 479 Field Spaniels, 10 of them had Eyes problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Field Spaniels, and how common these diseases are in Field Spaniels relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Collie and in Field Spaniel and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Collie and the Field Spaniel:
| Disease | Collie Rank | Field Spaniel Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Collie Eye Anomaly problems | 1 out of 7 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Eyes problems | 1 out of 182 dog breeds | 52 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 | 74 out of 115 dog breeds |
| Elbow problems | 107 out of 144 dog breeds | 138 out of 144 dog breeds |
| Hips problems | 182 out of 198 dog breeds | 58 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | Not Common | 57 out of 159 dog breeds |
| Patella problems | Not Common | 113 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 Field Spaniel
Collies do have a very low tendency to drool.
Field Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.
Wanderlust Potential: Collie vs. Field Spaniel
Collies do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Field Spaniels have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Tolerates Being Alone: Collie versus Field Spaniel
Collies do not like to be left alone.
Field Spaniels do not like to be left alone.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Collie or the Field Spaniel?
Collies require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Field Spaniels are very easy to groom.
Is the Collie Better for Apartment Owners than the Field Spaniel?
Collies adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Field Spaniels do not adapt well to apartment living.
Can Collies Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Field Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?
Collies can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Field Spaniels can tolerate hot weather.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Collie or the Field Spaniel?
Collies are very good for new dog owners.
Field Spaniels are OK for new dog owners.
Can Collies Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Field Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?
Collies can very well tolerate cold weather.
Field Spaniels can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Collie or the Field Spaniel?
Collies get along very well with other dogs.
Field Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.
Is the Collie Easier to Train than the Field Spaniel?
Collies are very easy to train.
Field Spaniels are very easy to train.
Does the Collie Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Field 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.
Field 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 Field Spaniels?
Collies are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Field Spaniels are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Are Collies good family dogs? What about Field Spaniels?
Collies are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Field Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Collies and Field Spaniels?
Collies get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Field Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Do Collies shed more than Field Spaniels?
Collies shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Field Spaniels shed moderately.
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 Field Spaniel
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Field 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 Field Spaniel:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Collie and how the Field Spaniel compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Collie and of the Field Spaniel to other breeds:
Collie Versus Other Dog Breeds
Collie versus Miniature Poodle Collie versus Belgian Sheepdog Collie versus Spinone Italiano Collie versus Standard Poodle Collie versus Scottish Terrier Collie versus American Eskimo Dog Collie versus Pomchi Collie versus Keeshond Collie versus Papipoo Collie versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Field Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds
Field Spaniel versus Dachshund Field Spaniel versus Rhodesian Ridgeback Field Spaniel versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Field Spaniel versus Tibetan Spaniel Field Spaniel versus Black and Tan Coonhound Field Spaniel versus Braque du Bourbonnais Field Spaniel versus Dutch Shepherd Field Spaniel versus Japanese Chin Field Spaniel versus Australian Shepherd Field Spaniel versus Saint Bernard
Conclusion: Collie versus Field 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 Field Spaniel better suits you and your family.