A Detailed Comparison of the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Sussex Spaniel.

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Curly-Coated Retriever Versus Sussex Spaniel: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Sussex 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 Curly-Coated Retriever and the Sussex 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 Curly-Coated Retriever and the Sussex Spaniel.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Sussex 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 Curly-Coated Retriever and for the Sussex 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 Curly-Coated Retriever and the Sussex Spaniel.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Curly-Coated Retriever or the Sussex Spaniel

Curly-Coated Retriever versus Sussex Spaniel: Overview

A very important difference between the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Sussex Spaniel is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Curly-Coated Retriever is a medium-sized dog while the Sussex Spaniel is a small-sized dog.

Furthermore, both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Sussex Spaniel are Sporting Dogs. This means both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Sussex Spaniel 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.

Curly-Coated Retriever versus Sussex Spaniel: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Curly-Coated Retriever to the Sussex 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 Curly-Coated Retriever Sussex Spaniel
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 5/5
Height 1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the 1 foot, 1 inch to 1 foot, 3 inches tall at the sho
Does NOT Drool 4/5 5/5
General Health 2/5 4/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 5/5
Easygoing 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 1/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 1/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 5/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 5/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 5/5
Easy To Train 4/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 5/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Intelligence 5/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 1/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Weight 65 to 100 pounds 35 to 45 pounds
Life Span 9 to 12 years 11 to 14 years
Average Lifespan 10.5 years 12.5 years
Price Range No Data No Data
Average Price No Data No Data
Temperament Score 91.7 percent No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Cord-1 PRA
  • EIC (Exercise Induced Collapse)
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • GSD IIIa
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • No Data
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 162 171

    *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 Curly-Coated Retriever 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 Sussex 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 Curly-Coated Retriever is 77 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Sussex Spaniel is 100 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Sussex Spaniel is a better pet than the Curly-Coated Retriever. So, you should get the Sussex 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 Curly-Coated Retriever and the Sussex Spaniel so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Sussex Spaniel

    Below is a list of where the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Sussex Spaniel are most different:

  • Curly-Coated Retrievers do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Sussex Spaniels adapt well to apartment living.
  • Curly-Coated Retrievers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects. However, Sussex Spaniels do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
  • Curly-Coated Retrievers are prone to nip and chew at things. However, Sussex Spaniels are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Curly-Coated Retrievers have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets. However, Sussex Spaniels have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • Curly-Coated Retrievers have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy. However, Sussex Spaniels have low energy levels. They do not require a lot exercise time.
  • The Similarities Between the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Sussex Spaniel

    The Curly-Coated Retriever and the Sussex Spaniel are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Sussex Spaniel are most similar:

  • Both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Sussex Spaniel do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Sussex Spaniel can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Sussex Spaniel can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Sussex Spaniel get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Sussex Spaniel are very easy to train.
  • Both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Sussex Spaniel are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Sussex Spaniel get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Sussex Spaniel are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Sussex Spaniel are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Curly-Coated Retriever versus Sussex Spaniel

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Sussex Spaniel.

    Curly-Coated Retrievers weigh 65 to 100 pounds when fully grown. Curly-Coated Retrievers are 1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Sussex Spaniels weigh 35 to 45 pounds when fully grown. Sussex Spaniels are 1 foot, 1 inch to 1 foot, 3 inches tall at the sho when fully grown.

    The Popularity of Curly-Coated Retriever versus Popularity of Sussex 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 Curly-Coated Retriever and the Sussex Spaniel over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Curly-Coated Retriever is more popular with dog owners than the Sussex Spaniel. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Curly-Coated Retriever is 162 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Sussex Spaniel is 171 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Curly-Coated Retriever

    Popularity of Curly-Coated Retriever

    Popularity of Sussex Spaniel

    Popularity of Sussex Spaniel

    Year Curly-Coated Retriever Popularity Rank Sussex Spaniel Popularity Rank
    2013 163 162
    2014 163 175
    2015 151 173
    2016 164 172
    2017 171 161
    2018 162 180
    2019 163 176
    2020 159 172

    Is the Curly-Coated Retriever Better for Apartment Owners than the Sussex Spaniel?

    Curly-Coated Retrievers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Sussex Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which one drools more, the Curly-Coated Retriever or the Sussex Spaniel

    Curly-Coated Retrievers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Sussex Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Curly-Coated Retriever or the Sussex Spaniel?

    Curly-Coated Retrievers are OK for new dog owners.

    Sussex Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Curly-Coated Retriever versus Sussex Spaniel

    Curly-Coated Retrievers can be left alone only for a short time.

    Sussex Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

    Do Curly-Coated Retrievers shed more than Sussex Spaniels?

    Curly-Coated Retrievers shed moderately.

    Sussex Spaniels shed moderately.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Curly-Coated Retriever or the Sussex Spaniel?

    Curly-Coated Retrievers are moderately easy to groom.

    Sussex Spaniels are very easy to groom.

    Do Curly-Coated Retrievers Bark and Howl? What about Sussex Spaniels?

    Curly-Coated Retrievers bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    Can Curly-Coated Retrievers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Curly-Coated Retrievers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Sussex Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Can Curly-Coated Retrievers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Curly-Coated Retrievers can tolerate hot weather.

    Sussex Spaniels can tolerate hot weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Curly-Coated Retriever or the Sussex Spaniel?

    Curly-Coated Retrievers get along very well with other dogs.

    Sussex Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Is the Curly-Coated Retriever Easier to Train than the Sussex Spaniel?

    Curly-Coated Retrievers are very easy to train.

    Sussex Spaniels are fairly easy to train.

    Wanderlust Potential: Curly-Coated Retriever vs. Sussex Spaniel

    Curly-Coated Retrievers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Sussex Spaniels do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Are Curly-Coated Retrievers good family dogs? What about Sussex Spaniels?

    Curly-Coated Retrievers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

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

    How Kid-friendly are Curly-Coated Retrievers and Sussex Spaniels?

    Curly-Coated Retrievers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Sussex Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Does the Curly-Coated Retriever Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Sussex Spaniel?

    Curly-Coated Retrievers 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.

    Sussex Spaniels have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Curly-Coated Retriever

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Curly-Coated Retriever 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 Curly-Coated Retriever:

  • Airedale Terrier (82 percent match with Curly-Coated Retriever). Here is our comparison of the Sussex Spaniel vs Airedale Terrier.
  • English Springer Spaniel (79 percent match with Curly-Coated Retriever). Here is our comparison of the Sussex Spaniel vs English Springer Spaniel.
  • Irish Setter (82 percent match with Curly-Coated Retriever). Here is our comparison of the Sussex Spaniel vs Irish Setter.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Sussex Spaniel

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

  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (71 percent match with Sussex Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Curly-Coated Retriever vs Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
  • Coton de Tulear (70 percent match with Sussex Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Curly-Coated Retriever vs Coton de Tulear.
  • Keeshond (71 percent match with Sussex Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Curly-Coated Retriever vs Keeshond.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Curly-Coated Retriever and how the Sussex Spaniel compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Curly-Coated Retriever and of the Sussex Spaniel to other breeds:

    Curly-Coated Retriever Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Curly-Coated Retriever versus Pekingese     Curly-Coated Retriever versus Ibizan Hound     Curly-Coated Retriever versus Flat-Coated Retriever     Curly-Coated Retriever versus Alaskan Klee Kai     Curly-Coated Retriever versus Chinese Crested     Curly-Coated Retriever versus Chihuahua     Curly-Coated Retriever versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     Curly-Coated Retriever versus Toy Poodle     Curly-Coated Retriever versus Portuguese Pointer     Curly-Coated Retriever versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog     

    Sussex Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Sussex Spaniel versus Mal Shi     Sussex Spaniel versus Labrador Retriever     Sussex Spaniel versus Kuvasz     Sussex Spaniel versus Bich Poo     Sussex Spaniel versus Cesky Terrier     Sussex Spaniel versus Biewer Terrier     Sussex Spaniel versus Spanish Mastiff     Sussex Spaniel versus Estrela Mountain Dog     Sussex Spaniel versus Great Dane     Sussex Spaniel versus Saint Bernard     

    Conclusion: Curly-Coated Retriever versus Sussex 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 Curly-Coated Retriever and the Sussex Spaniel better suits you and your family.