Is the Dogo Argentino Better than the Welsh Springer Spaniel as a Pet? Answer…

Dogo Argentino versus Welsh Springer Spaniel

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Dogo Argentino Versus Welsh Springer Spaniel: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Dogo Argentino and the Welsh Springer 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 Dogo Argentino and the Welsh Springer 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 Dogo Argentino and the Welsh Springer Spaniel.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Dogo Argentino and the Welsh Springer 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 Dogo Argentino and for the Welsh Springer 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 Dogo Argentino and the Welsh Springer Spaniel.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Dogo Argentino or the Welsh Springer Spaniel

Dogo Argentino versus Welsh Springer Spaniel

Dogo Argentino versus Welsh Springer Spaniel: Overview

A very important difference between the Dogo Argentino and the Welsh Springer Spaniel is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Dogo Argentino is a large-sized dog while the Welsh Springer Spaniel is a medium-sized dog.

Furthermore, both the Dogo Argentino and the Welsh Springer Spaniel are Sporting Dogs. This means both the Dogo Argentino and the Welsh Springer 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.

Dogo Argentino versus Welsh Springer Spaniel: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Dogo Argentino to the Welsh Springer 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 Dogo Argentino Welsh Springer Spaniel
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 4/5
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 5/5 3/5
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 2/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 2/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 2/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 4/5 2/5
Easy To Train 2/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 1/5
Height 23 to 27 inches 17 to 19 inches tall at the shoulder
Easygoing 3/5 1/5
Does NOT Drool 3/5 5/5
General Health 3/5 4/5
Intelligence 3/5 5/5
Potential For Playfulness 3/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 1/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 1/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 3/5
Weight 80 to 100 pounds 35 to 55 pounds
Life Span 9 to 15 years 10 to 15 years
Average Lifespan 12.0 years 12.5 years
Average Price $2510 No Data
Price Range $1500 – $2500 No Data
Temperament Score 89.5 percent 100.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination by the age of 2, then at ages 5 and 7
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 93 128

    *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 Dogo Argentino 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 Welsh Springer 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 Dogo Argentino is 67 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Welsh Springer Spaniel is 79 out of 125.

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

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Dogo Argentino and the Welsh Springer Spaniel

    Below is a list of where the Dogo Argentino and the Welsh Springer Spaniel are most different:

  • Dogo Argentinos do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Welsh Springer Spaniels adapt well to apartment living.
  • Dogo Argentinos are not the best dogs for new dog owners. However, Welsh Springer Spaniels are good for new dog owners.
  • Dogo Argentinos do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly. However, Welsh Springer Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Dogo Argentinos are not easy to train. However, Welsh Springer Spaniels are very easy to train.
  • Dogo Argentinos are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl. However, Welsh Springer Spaniels are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • The Similarities Between the Dogo Argentino and the Welsh Springer Spaniel

    The Dogo Argentino and the Welsh Springer Spaniel are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Dogo Argentino and the Welsh Springer Spaniel are most similar:

  • Both the Dogo Argentino and the Welsh Springer Spaniel do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Dogo Argentino and the Welsh Springer Spaniel are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Dogo Argentino and the Welsh Springer Spaniel are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Dogo Argentino and the Welsh Springer Spaniel can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Dogo Argentino and the Welsh Springer Spaniel are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Dogo Argentino and the Welsh Springer Spaniel are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Dogo Argentino and the Welsh Springer Spaniel have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Dogo Argentino and the Welsh Springer Spaniel have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Dogo Argentino and the Welsh Springer Spaniel do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Dogo Argentino and the Welsh Springer Spaniel require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Dogo Argentino versus Welsh Springer Spaniel

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Dogo Argentino and the Welsh Springer Spaniel.

    Dogo Argentinos weigh 80 to 100 pounds when fully grown. Dogo Argentinos are 23 to 27 inches when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Welsh Springer Spaniels weigh 35 to 55 pounds when fully grown. Welsh Springer Spaniels are 17 to 19 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Temperament of the Welsh Springer Spaniel Versus the Dogo Argentino

    The Welsh Springer Spaniel has a better temperament than the Dogo Argentino.

    This is because the temperament score for the Welsh Springer Spaniel is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Dogo Argentino is 89.5 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 89.5 percent, the Dogo Argentino has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 100.0 percent, the Welsh Springer Spaniel has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Dogo Argentino and the Welsh Springer Spaniel by measuring the temperaments of 19 Dogo Argentinos and 6 Welsh Springer Spaniels.

    The Popularity of Dogo Argentino versus Popularity of Welsh Springer 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 Dogo Argentino and the Welsh Springer Spaniel over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Dogo Argentino is more popular with dog owners than the Welsh Springer Spaniel. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Dogo Argentino is 93 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Welsh Springer Spaniel is 128 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Dogo Argentino

    Popularity of Dogo Argentino

    Popularity of Welsh Springer Spaniel

    Popularity of Welsh Springer Spaniel

    Year Dogo Argentino Popularity Rank Welsh Springer Spaniel Popularity Rank
    2020 93.0 128
    2013 no data 124
    2014 no data 133
    2015 no data 128
    2016 no data 123
    2017 no data 133
    2018 no data 128
    2019 no data 130

    Health Problems of Dogo Argentino versus Health Problems of Welsh Springer 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 Dogo Argentino and the Welsh Springer 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 Welsh Springer Spaniel is prone to more genetic health problems than the Dogo Argentino.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Welsh Springer Spaniel than for the Dogo Argentino.

    3 health tests are recommended for Dogo Argentino while 4 tests are recommended for the Welsh Springer Spaniel.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Dogo Argentinos and in Welsh Springer Spaniels.

    Dogo Argentino Health Problems

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

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Dogo Argentinos here.

    Welsh Springer Spaniel Health Problems

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

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination by the age of 2, then at ages 5 and 7
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Welsh Springer Spaniels here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Dogo Argentinos and Welsh Springer 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 Dogo Argentino Breed is Baer Hearing Test problems.

    This is because the Dogo Argentino ranks 3 out of 21 dog breeds for Baer Hearing Test problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 105 Dogo Argentinos, 3 of them had Baer Hearing Test problems.

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

  • Baer Hearing Test problems: Rank 3 out of 21 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 16 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 85 out of 144 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 Welsh Springer Spaniel Breed is Thyroid problems.

    This is because the Welsh Springer Spaniel ranks 12 out of 115 dog breeds for Thyroid problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 1309 Welsh Springer Spaniels, 125 of them had Thyroid problems.

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

  • Thyroid problems: Rank 12 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 81 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 111 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 118 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Dogo Argentino and in Welsh Springer Spaniel and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Dogo Argentino and the Welsh Springer Spaniel:

    Disease Dogo Argentino Rank Welsh Springer Spaniel Rank
    Baer Hearing Test problems 3 out of 21 dog breeds Not Common
    Hips problems 16 out of 198 dog breeds 111 out of 198 dog breeds
    Elbow problems 85 out of 144 dog breeds 118 out of 144 dog breeds
    Thyroid problems Not Common 12 out of 115 dog breeds
    Eyes problems Not Common 81 out of 182 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.

    Is the Dogo Argentino Better for Apartment Owners than the Welsh Springer Spaniel?

    Dogo Argentinos do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Welsh Springer Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Dogo Argentino or the Welsh Springer Spaniel?

    Dogo Argentinos are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Welsh Springer Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.

    Do Dogo Argentinos shed more than Welsh Springer Spaniels?

    Dogo Argentinos do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Welsh Springer Spaniels shed moderately.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Dogo Argentino versus Welsh Springer Spaniel

    Dogo Argentinos do not like to be left alone.

    Welsh Springer Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

    Can Dogo Argentinos Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Welsh Springer Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Dogo Argentinos cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Welsh Springer Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.

    How Kid-friendly are Dogo Argentinos and Welsh Springer Spaniels?

    Dogo Argentinos do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

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

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Dogo Argentino or the Welsh Springer Spaniel?

    Dogo Argentinos do not get along well with other dogs.

    Welsh Springer Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Is the Dogo Argentino Easier to Train than the Welsh Springer Spaniel?

    Dogo Argentinos are not easy to train.

    Welsh Springer Spaniels are very easy to train.

    Do Dogo Argentinos Bark and Howl? What about Welsh Springer Spaniels?

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

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

    Which one drools more, the Dogo Argentino or the Welsh Springer Spaniel

    Dogo Argentinos drool moderately.

    Welsh Springer Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Can Dogo Argentinos Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Welsh Springer Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Dogo Argentinos can tolerate hot weather.

    Welsh Springer Spaniels can tolerate hot weather.

    Are Dogo Argentinos good family dogs? What about Welsh Springer Spaniels?

    Dogo Argentinos are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Welsh Springer Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Dogo Argentino or the Welsh Springer Spaniel?

    Dogo Argentinos are very easy to groom.

    Welsh Springer Spaniels are very easy to groom.

    Wanderlust Potential: Dogo Argentino vs. Welsh Springer Spaniel

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

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

    Does the Dogo Argentino Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Welsh Springer Spaniel?

    Dogo Argentinos 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.

    Welsh Springer Spaniels have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Dogo Argentino

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

  • American Bulldog (78 percent match with Dogo Argentino). Here is our comparison of the Welsh Springer Spaniel vs American Bulldog.
  • Fila Brasileiro (80 percent match with Dogo Argentino). Here is our comparison of the Welsh Springer Spaniel vs Fila Brasileiro.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Welsh Springer Spaniel

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

  • English Cocker Spaniel (78 percent match with Welsh Springer Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Dogo Argentino vs English Cocker Spaniel.
  • Finnish Lapphund (78 percent match with Welsh Springer Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Dogo Argentino vs Finnish Lapphund.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Dogo Argentino and how the Welsh Springer Spaniel compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Dogo Argentino and of the Welsh Springer Spaniel to other breeds:

    Dogo Argentino Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Dogo Argentino versus Shihpoo     Dogo Argentino versus Lowchen     Dogo Argentino versus Barbet     Dogo Argentino versus German Shorthaired Pointer     Dogo Argentino versus Sussex Spaniel     Dogo Argentino versus Komondor     Dogo Argentino versus Afador     Dogo Argentino versus Swedish Vallhund     Dogo Argentino versus Norwegian Buhund     Dogo Argentino versus English Toy Spaniel     

    Welsh Springer Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Borzoi     Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Spinone Italiano     Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Affenhuahua     Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Sheepadoodle     Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Maltese     Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Pekingese     Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Fila Brasileiro     Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Greyhound     Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Maremma Sheepdog     

    Conclusion: Dogo Argentino versus Welsh Springer 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 Dogo Argentino and the Welsh Springer Spaniel better suits you and your family.