A Detailed Comparison of the Dalmatian and the English Toy Spaniel.

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Dalmatian Versus English Toy Spaniel: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian and the English Toy Spaniel.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian or the English Toy Spaniel

Dalmatian versus English Toy Spaniel: Overview

A very important difference between the Dalmatian and the English Toy Spaniel is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Dalmatian is a medium-sized dog while the English Toy Spaniel is a small-sized dog.

Furthermore, both the Dalmatian and the English Toy Spaniel are Companion Dogs. This means both the Dalmatian and the English Toy Spaniel 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.

Dalmatian versus English Toy Spaniel: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian English Toy Spaniel
Does NOT Drool 5/5 4/5
Life Span 13 to 16 years 10 to 12 years
Height 19 to 24 inches tall at the shoulder 10 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 2/5
Low Prey Drive 4/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 3/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 4/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 4/5
Easygoing 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 2/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 1/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 4/5
General Health 4/5 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 3/5
Easy To Train 4/5 3/5
Intelligence 4/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 4/5
Weight 48 to 55 pounds 8 to 14 pounds
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 1/5 1/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 4/5
Average Lifespan 14.5 years 11.0 years
Average Price $1410 $2350
Price Range $1000 – $1800 $2250 – $2525
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 60 134

    *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 Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian is 80 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 Dalmatian is a better pet than the English Toy Spaniel. So, you should get the Dalmatian!

    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 Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian and the English Toy Spaniel

    Below is a list of where the Dalmatian and the English Toy Spaniel are most different:

  • Dalmatians get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly. However, English Toy Spaniels do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.
  • Dalmatians require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise. However, English Toy Spaniels have low exercise needs.
  • The Similarities Between the Dalmatian and the English Toy Spaniel

    The Dalmatian and the English Toy Spaniel are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Dalmatian and the English Toy Spaniel are most similar:

  • Both the Dalmatian and the English Toy Spaniel do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the English Toy Spaniel are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the English Toy Spaniel 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 Dalmatian and the English Toy Spaniel get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the English Toy Spaniel gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the English Toy Spaniel are very easy to train.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the English Toy Spaniel are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the English Toy Spaniel do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the English Toy Spaniel are very playful.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the English Toy Spaniel are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the English Toy Spaniel shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the English Toy Spaniel are very easy to groom.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Dalmatian versus English Toy Spaniel

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Dalmatian and the English Toy Spaniel.

    Dalmatians weigh 48 to 55 pounds when fully grown. Dalmatians are 19 to 24 inches tall 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 Dalmatian versus Price of English Toy Spaniel

    The average price of the Dalmatian puppy is $1410. The price of the Dalmatian typically ranges from $1000 – $1800. However, the price of a Dalmatian can be as low as $250 and as high as $2600. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 233 Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian.

    Dalmatian English Toy Spaniel
    Average Price $1410 $2350
    Price Range $1000 to $1800 $2250 to $2525

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Dalmatian and English Toy Spaniel. For different price points, the charts show how many Dalmatian puppies or how many English Toy Spaniel puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Dalmatians. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Dalmatians. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of English Toy Spaniels

    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 Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian and the English Toy Spaniel over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Dalmatian is more popular with dog owners than the English Toy Spaniel. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Dalmatian is 60 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 Dalmatian

    Popularity of Dalmatian

    Popularity of English Toy Spaniel

    Popularity of English Toy Spaniel

    Year Dalmatian Popularity Rank English Toy Spaniel Popularity Rank
    2013 64 135
    2014 66 138
    2015 62 129
    2016 62 130
    2017 63 134
    2018 56 135
    2019 59 139
    2020 51 138

    Health Problems of Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian 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 more genetic health problems than the Dalmatian.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the English Toy Spaniel than for the Dalmatian.

    2 health tests are recommended for Dalmatian while 4 tests are recommended for the English Toy Spaniel.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Dalmatians and in English Toy Spaniels.

    Dalmatian Health Problems

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

  • Congenital Deafness
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Dalmatians 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:

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for English Toy Spaniels here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Dalmatians 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 Dalmatian Breed is Baer Hearing Test problems.

    This is because the Dalmatian ranks 1 out of 21 dog breeds for Baer Hearing Test problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 8730 Dalmatians, 1003 of them had Baer Hearing Test problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Dalmatians, and how common these diseases are in Dalmatians relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Baer Hearing Test problems: Rank 1 out of 21 Dog Breeds
  • Hyperuricosuria problems: Rank 1 out of 11 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 6 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Advanced Cardiac problems: Rank 9 out of 71 Dog Breeds
  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 10 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Dentition Database problems: Rank 11 out of 49 Dog Breeds
  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 51 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 132 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 161 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 170 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • 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:

  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 2 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 4 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 4 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Dalmatian and in English Toy Spaniel and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Dalmatian and the English Toy Spaniel:

    Disease Dalmatian Rank English Toy Spaniel Rank
    Baer Hearing Test problems 1 out of 21 dog breeds Not Common
    Hyperuricosuria problems 1 out of 11 dog breeds Not Common
    Thyroid problems 6 out of 115 dog breeds Not Common
    Advanced Cardiac problems 9 out of 71 dog breeds Not Common
    Congenital Cardiac problems 10 out of 159 dog breeds 2 out of 159 dog breeds
    Dentition Database problems 11 out of 49 dog breeds Not Common
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems 51 out of 70 dog breeds Not Common
    Elbow problems 132 out of 144 dog breeds Not Common
    Eyes problems 161 out of 182 dog breeds 4 out of 182 dog breeds
    Hips problems 170 out of 198 dog breeds Not Common
    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 Dalmatian or the English Toy Spaniel

    Dalmatians do have a very low tendency to drool.

    English Toy Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Is the Dalmatian Better for Apartment Owners than the English Toy Spaniel?

    Dalmatians do not adapt well to apartment living.

    English Toy Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.

    Does the Dalmatian Have a Higher Prey Drive than the English Toy Spaniel?

    Dalmatians 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.

    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 Dalmatians Bark and Howl? What about English Toy Spaniels?

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

    English Toy Spaniels bark and howl, but not very much.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Dalmatian or the English Toy Spaniel?

    Dalmatians are OK for new dog owners.

    English Toy Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Dalmatian versus English Toy Spaniel

    Dalmatians can be left alone only for a short time.

    English Toy Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

    Can Dalmatians Tolerate Cold Weather? And can English Toy Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Dalmatians can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    English Toy Spaniels cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Can Dalmatians Tolerate Hot Weather? Can English Toy Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Dalmatians can tolerate hot weather.

    English Toy Spaniels cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    How Kid-friendly are Dalmatians and English Toy Spaniels?

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

    English Toy Spaniels do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Dalmatian or the English Toy Spaniel?

    Dalmatians get along very well with other dogs.

    English Toy Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Is the Dalmatian Easier to Train than the English Toy Spaniel?

    Dalmatians are very easy to train.

    English Toy Spaniels are fairly easy to train.

    Wanderlust Potential: Dalmatian vs. English Toy Spaniel

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

    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.

    Are Dalmatians good family dogs? What about English Toy Spaniels?

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

    English Toy Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Do Dalmatians shed more than English Toy Spaniels?

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

    English Toy Spaniels shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Dalmatian or the English Toy Spaniel?

    Dalmatians are very easy to groom.

    English Toy Spaniels are very easy to groom.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Dalmatian

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

  • Berger Picard (78 percent match with Dalmatian). Here is our comparison of the English Toy Spaniel vs Berger Picard.
  • Golden Cocker Retriever (80 percent match with Dalmatian). Here is our comparison of the English Toy Spaniel vs Golden Cocker Retriever.
  • 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:

  • Japanese Chin (74 percent match with English Toy Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Dalmatian vs Japanese Chin.
  • Pug (73 percent match with English Toy Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Dalmatian vs Pug.
  • French Bulldog (74 percent match with English Toy Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Dalmatian vs French Bulldog.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Dalmatian Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Dalmatian versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Dalmatian versus Japanese Spitz     Dalmatian versus Pomeranian     Dalmatian versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier     Dalmatian versus Braque du Bourbonnais     Dalmatian versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Dalmatian versus Pharaoh Hound     Dalmatian versus Alaskan Malamute     Dalmatian versus French Bulldog     Dalmatian versus American Eskimo Dog     

    English Toy Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    English Toy Spaniel versus Black Mouth Cur     English Toy Spaniel versus Norwich Terrier     English Toy Spaniel versus Chinese Crested     English Toy Spaniel versus Cairn Terrier     English Toy Spaniel versus Cockapoo     English Toy Spaniel versus Portuguese Water Dog     English Toy Spaniel versus Affenhuahua     English Toy Spaniel versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen     English Toy Spaniel versus Havanese     English Toy Spaniel versus Yorkipoo     

    Conclusion: Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian and the English Toy Spaniel better suits you and your family.