A Detailed Comparison of the Dutch Shepherd and the Sussex Spaniel.

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Dutch Shepherd Versus Sussex Spaniel: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Dutch Shepherd and the Sussex Spaniel? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Dutch Shepherd 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 Dutch Shepherd and the Sussex Spaniel.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Dutch Shepherd 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 Dutch Shepherd 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 with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Dutch Shepherd 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 Dutch Shepherd or the Sussex Spaniel.

Dutch Shepherd versus Sussex Spaniel: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Dutch Shepherd 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 Sussex 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.

Dutch Shepherd versus Sussex Spaniel: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Dutch Shepherd 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.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Dutch Shepherd and the Sussex Spaniel

Factor Dutch Shepherd Sussex Spaniel
Life Span 12 to 15 years 11 to 14 years
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 1/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 5/5
Does NOT Drool 4/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 4/5 1/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 5/5
Height 21 to 25 inches 1 foot, 1 inch to 1 foot, 3 inches tall at the sho
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 3/5 5/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 5/5
Easygoing 3/5 1/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 5/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 5/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 5/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 5/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 3/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Intelligence 4/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 4/5
Easy To Train 5/5 3/5
Weight 50 to 70 pounds 35 to 45 pounds
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 12.5 years
Average Price $1590 No Data
Price Range $900 – $2000 No Data
Temperament Score 96.2 percent 100.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data No Data

Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Dutch Shepherd 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 the Dutch Shepherd is 85 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Sussex Spaniel is 100 out of 125.

Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Sussex Spaniel is a better pet than the Dutch Shepherd. 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 Dutch Shepherd 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 Dutch Shepherd and the Sussex Spaniel

Below is a list of where the Dutch Shepherd and the Sussex Spaniel are most different:

  • Dutch Shepherds are not very friendly towards strangers. However, Sussex Spaniels are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Dutch Shepherds are not prone to gaining weight easily. However, Sussex Spaniels gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • The Similarities Between the Dutch Shepherd and the Sussex Spaniel

    The Dutch Shepherd and the Sussex Spaniel are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Dutch Shepherd and the Sussex Spaniel are most similar:

  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Sussex Spaniel do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Sussex Spaniel do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Sussex Spaniel are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Sussex Spaniel do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Sussex Spaniel can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Sussex Spaniel can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Sussex Spaniel are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Sussex Spaniel get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Sussex Spaniel get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Sussex Spaniel shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Sussex Spaniel are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Sussex Spaniel are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Sussex Spaniel are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Dutch Shepherd versus Sussex Spaniel

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Dutch Shepherd and the Sussex Spaniel.

    Dutch Shepherds weigh 50 to 70 pounds when fully grown. Dutch Shepherds are 21 to 25 inches 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.

    Lifespan of Dutch Shepherd versus Sussex Spaniel

    The lifespan of Dutch Shepherds is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Dutch Shepherds is 13.5 years.

    The lifespan of Sussex Spaniels is between 11 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Sussex Spaniels is 12.5 years.

    Dutch Shepherds live longer than Sussex Spaniels.

    Temperament of the Dutch Shepherd Versus the Sussex Spaniel

    The Sussex Spaniel has a better temperament than the Dutch Shepherd.

    This is because the temperament score for the Sussex Spaniel is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Dutch Shepherd is 96.2 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 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 96.2 percent, the Dutch Shepherd has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

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

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Dutch Shepherd and the Sussex Spaniel by measuring the temperaments of 26 Dutch Shepherds and 4 Sussex Spaniels.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Dutch Shepherd versus Sussex Spaniel

    Dutch Shepherds do not like to be left alone.

    Sussex Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

    Do Dutch Shepherds shed more than Sussex Spaniels?

    Dutch Shepherds shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Sussex Spaniels shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Dutch Shepherd or the Sussex Spaniel

    Dutch Shepherds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Sussex Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Dutch Shepherd or the Sussex Spaniel?

    Dutch Shepherds are moderately easy to groom.

    Sussex Spaniels are very easy to groom.

    Does the Dutch Shepherd Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Sussex Spaniel?

    Dutch Shepherds have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and 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.

    Do Dutch Shepherds Bark and Howl? What about Sussex Spaniels?

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

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

    Can Dutch Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Dutch Shepherds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Sussex Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Dutch Shepherd vs. Sussex Spaniel

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

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

    Can Dutch Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Dutch Shepherds can tolerate hot weather.

    Sussex Spaniels can tolerate hot weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Dutch Shepherd or the Sussex Spaniel?

    Dutch Shepherds get along very well with other dogs.

    Sussex Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Dutch Shepherds good family dogs? What about Sussex Spaniels?

    Dutch Shepherds 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 Dutch Shepherds and Sussex Spaniels?

    Dutch Shepherds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Dutch Shepherd Easier to Train than the Sussex Spaniel?

    Dutch Shepherds are very easy to train.

    Sussex Spaniels are fairly easy to train.

    Is the Dutch Shepherd Better for Apartment Owners than the Sussex Spaniel?

    Dutch Shepherds adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Sussex Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Dutch Shepherd or the Sussex Spaniel?

    Dutch Shepherds are OK for new dog owners.

    Sussex Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Dutch Shepherd

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

  • French Spaniel (80 percent match with Dutch Shepherd). Here is our comparison of the Sussex Spaniel vs French Spaniel.
  • Japanese Spitz (79 percent match with Dutch Shepherd). Here is our comparison of the Sussex Spaniel vs Japanese Spitz.
  • 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 Dutch Shepherd vs Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
  • Coton de Tulear (70 percent match with Sussex Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Dutch Shepherd vs Coton de Tulear.
  • Keeshond (71 percent match with Sussex Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Dutch Shepherd vs Keeshond.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Dutch Shepherd and how the Sussex Spaniel compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Dutch Shepherd and of the Sussex Spaniel to other breeds:

    Dutch Shepherd Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Dutch Shepherd versus Biewer Terrier     Dutch Shepherd versus Affenpinscher     Dutch Shepherd versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     Dutch Shepherd versus Cane Corso     Dutch Shepherd versus Basset Hound     Dutch Shepherd versus Kishu Ken     Dutch Shepherd versus Pomchi     Dutch Shepherd versus Estrela Mountain Dog     Dutch Shepherd versus French Spaniel     Dutch Shepherd versus Pharaoh Hound     Dutch Shepherd versus Sussex Spaniel     Dutch Shepherd versus Alaskan Malamute     Dutch Shepherd versus Bearded Collie     Dutch Shepherd versus Australian Shepherd     Dutch Shepherd versus Labradoodle     Dutch Shepherd versus Pomeranian     Dutch Shepherd versus Mudi     Dutch Shepherd versus Berger Picard     Dutch Shepherd versus Italian Greyhound     Dutch Shepherd versus Bichon Frise     Dutch Shepherd versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     Dutch Shepherd versus Borzoi     Dutch Shepherd versus Papillon     Dutch Shepherd versus Pomeranian     Dutch Shepherd versus Australian Shepherd     

    Sussex Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Sussex Spaniel versus Samoyed     Sussex Spaniel versus Norwegian Buhund     Sussex Spaniel versus Sheepadoodle     Sussex Spaniel versus Swedish Vallhund     Sussex Spaniel versus Spanish Mastiff     Sussex Spaniel versus Kai Ken     Sussex Spaniel versus Bull Terrier     Sussex Spaniel versus Fila Brasileiro     Sussex Spaniel versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     Sussex Spaniel versus Black and Tan Coonhound     Sussex Spaniel versus Boerboel     Sussex Spaniel versus Bichon Frise     Sussex Spaniel versus Cairn Terrier     Sussex Spaniel versus Tibetan Spaniel     Sussex Spaniel versus Havanese     Sussex Spaniel versus Canaan Dog     Sussex Spaniel versus Flat-Coated Retriever     Sussex Spaniel versus Shiba Inu     Sussex Spaniel versus Scottish Deerhound     Sussex Spaniel versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     Sussex Spaniel versus Chi-Poo     Sussex Spaniel versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi     Sussex Spaniel versus Chorkie     Sussex Spaniel versus Shih Tzu     Sussex Spaniel versus Silky Terrier     

    Conclusion: Dutch Shepherd 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 Dutch Shepherd and the Sussex Spaniel better suits you and your family.