Quick Links: Table of Contents
- English Cocker Spaniel Versus English Toy Spaniel: Introduction
- English Cocker Spaniel versus English Toy Spaniel: Overview
- English Cocker Spaniel versus English Toy Spaniel: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the English Cocker Spaniel and the English Toy Spaniel
- The Similarities Between the English Cocker Spaniel and the English Toy Spaniel
- Size (Weight and Height) of English Cocker Spaniel versus English Toy Spaniel
- Price of English Cocker Spaniel versus Price of English Toy Spaniel
- The Popularity of English Cocker Spaniel versus Popularity of English Toy Spaniel
- Health Problems of English Cocker Spaniel versus Health Problems of English Toy Spaniel
- Tolerates Being Alone: English Cocker Spaniel versus English Toy Spaniel
- Which one drools more, the English Cocker Spaniel or the English Toy Spaniel
- Can English Cocker Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can English Toy Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Do English Cocker Spaniels shed more than English Toy Spaniels?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the English Cocker Spaniel or the English Toy Spaniel?
- Can English Cocker Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can English Toy Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Is the English Cocker Spaniel Easier to Train than the English Toy Spaniel?
- Do English Cocker Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about English Toy Spaniels?
- Wanderlust Potential: English Cocker Spaniel vs. English Toy Spaniel
- Are English Cocker Spaniels good family dogs? What about English Toy Spaniels?
- How Kid-friendly are English Cocker Spaniels and English Toy Spaniels?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the English Cocker Spaniel or the English Toy Spaniel?
- Does the English Cocker Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the English Toy Spaniel?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the English Cocker Spaniel
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the English Toy Spaniel
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: English Cocker Spaniel versus English Toy Spaniel. Which One is a Better Pet?
English Cocker Spaniel Versus English Toy Spaniel: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the English Cocker Spaniel 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 English Cocker Spaniel 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 English Cocker Spaniel and the English Toy Spaniel.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the English Cocker Spaniel 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 English Cocker Spaniel 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 English Cocker Spaniel 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 English Cocker Spaniel or the English Toy Spaniel
English Cocker Spaniel versus English Toy Spaniel: Overview
Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the English Toy Spaniel are similar in size. The English Cocker Spaniel and the English Toy Spaniel are both small-sized dogs.
Furthermore, the English Cocker 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.
On the other hand, the English Toy Spaniel belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs 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.
English Cocker Spaniel versus English Toy Spaniel: Comparison Table
The table below compares the English Cocker Spaniel 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 | English Cocker Spaniel | English Toy Spaniel |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Height | 1 foot, 3 inches to 1 foot, 5 inches tall at the s | 10 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Life Span | 12 to 14 years | 10 to 12 years |
| Weight | 26 to 34 pounds | 8 to 14 pounds |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 1/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 13.0 years | 11.0 years |
| Average Price | $1500 | $2350 |
| Price Range | $1200 – $1800 | $2250 – $2525 |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 55 | 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 English Cocker Spaniel 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 English Cocker Spaniel is 82 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 English Cocker Spaniel is a better pet than the English Toy Spaniel. So, you should get the English Cocker 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 English Cocker Spaniel 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 English Cocker Spaniel and the English Toy Spaniel
Below is a list of where the English Cocker Spaniel and the English Toy Spaniel are most different:
The Similarities Between the English Cocker Spaniel and the English Toy Spaniel
The English Cocker Spaniel and the English Toy Spaniel are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the English Cocker Spaniel and the English Toy Spaniel are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of English Cocker Spaniel versus English Toy Spaniel
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the English Cocker Spaniel and the English Toy Spaniel.
English Cocker Spaniels weigh 26 to 34 pounds when fully grown. English Cocker Spaniels are 1 foot, 3 inches to 1 foot, 5 inches tall at the s 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 English Cocker Spaniel versus Price of English Toy Spaniel
The average price of the English Cocker Spaniel puppy is $1500. The price of the English Cocker Spaniel typically ranges from $1200 – $1800. However, the price of a English Cocker Spaniel can be as low as $650 and as high as $3000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 90 English Cocker Spaniel 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 English Cocker Spaniel.
| English Cocker Spaniel | English Toy Spaniel | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1500 | $2350 |
| Price Range | $1200 to $1800 | $2250 to $2525 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the English Cocker Spaniel and English Toy Spaniel. For different price points, the charts show how many English Cocker Spaniel puppies or how many English Toy Spaniel puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of English Cocker Spaniels. The typical price range is shaded Green.
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 English Cocker Spaniel 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 English Cocker Spaniel 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 English Cocker Spaniel and the English Toy Spaniel over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the English Cocker Spaniel is more popular with dog owners than the English Toy Spaniel. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the English Cocker Spaniel is 55 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 English Cocker Spaniel
Popularity of English Toy Spaniel
| Year | English Cocker Spaniel Popularity Rank | English Toy Spaniel Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 62 | 135 |
| 2014 | 62 | 138 |
| 2015 | 60 | 129 |
| 2016 | 56 | 130 |
| 2017 | 52 | 134 |
| 2018 | 52 | 135 |
| 2019 | 50 | 139 |
| 2020 | 47 | 138 |
Health Problems of English Cocker Spaniel 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 English Cocker Spaniel 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 Cocker Spaniel is prone to more genetic health problems than the English Toy Spaniel.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the English Cocker Spaniel than for the English Toy Spaniel.
5 health tests are recommended for English Cocker Spaniel while 4 tests are recommended for the English Toy Spaniel.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in English Cocker Spaniels and in English Toy Spaniels.
English Cocker Spaniel Health Problems
English Cocker Spaniels are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing English Cocker 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 Cocker Spaniel puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your English Cocker 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 Cocker Spaniels for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for English Cocker Spaniels 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:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for English Toy Spaniels here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in English Cocker Spaniels 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 English Cocker Spaniel Breed is Adult Onset Neuropathy problems.
This is because the English Cocker Spaniel ranks 1 out of 2 dog breeds for Adult Onset Neuropathy problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 2373 English Cocker Spaniels, 71 of them had Adult Onset Neuropathy problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in English Cocker Spaniels, and how common these diseases are in English Cocker Spaniels 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 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:
The table below lists the common health problems in English Cocker Spaniel and in English Toy Spaniel and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the English Cocker Spaniel and the English Toy Spaniel:
| Disease | English Cocker Spaniel Rank | English Toy Spaniel Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Adult Onset Neuropathy problems | 1 out of 2 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Baer Hearing Test problems | 7 out of 21 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems | 8 out of 32 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Thyroid problems | 27 out of 115 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Eyes problems | 65 out of 182 dog breeds | 4 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Patella problems | 82 out of 145 dog breeds | 4 out of 145 dog breeds |
| Elbow problems | 137 out of 144 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Hips problems | 155 out of 198 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | Not Common | 2 out of 159 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.
Tolerates Being Alone: English Cocker Spaniel versus English Toy Spaniel
English Cocker Spaniels do not like to be left alone.
English Toy Spaniels do not like to be left alone.
Which one drools more, the English Cocker Spaniel or the English Toy Spaniel
English Cocker Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.
English Toy Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.
Can English Cocker Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can English Toy Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?
English Cocker Spaniels can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
English Toy Spaniels cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Do English Cocker Spaniels shed more than English Toy Spaniels?
English Cocker Spaniels shed moderately.
English Toy Spaniels shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Which is Easier to Groom, the English Cocker Spaniel or the English Toy Spaniel?
English Cocker Spaniels are moderately easy to groom.
English Toy Spaniels are very easy to groom.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the English Cocker Spaniel or the English Toy Spaniel?
English Cocker Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.
English Toy Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.
Can English Cocker Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can English Toy Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?
English Cocker Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.
English Toy Spaniels cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Is the English Cocker Spaniel Easier to Train than the English Toy Spaniel?
English Cocker Spaniels are very easy to train.
English Toy Spaniels are fairly easy to train.
Do English Cocker Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about English Toy Spaniels?
English Cocker Spaniels are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
English Toy Spaniels bark and howl, but not very much.
Wanderlust Potential: English Cocker Spaniel vs. English Toy Spaniel
English Cocker Spaniels 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.
Is the English Cocker Spaniel Better for Apartment Owners than the English Toy Spaniel?
English Cocker Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.
English Toy Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.
Are English Cocker Spaniels good family dogs? What about English Toy Spaniels?
English Cocker Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
English Toy Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are English Cocker Spaniels and English Toy Spaniels?
English Cocker Spaniels 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 English Cocker Spaniel or the English Toy Spaniel?
English Cocker Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.
English Toy Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.
Does the English Cocker Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the English Toy Spaniel?
English Cocker 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.
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.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the English Cocker Spaniel
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the English Cocker 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 Cocker Spaniel:
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:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the English Cocker Spaniel and how the English Toy Spaniel compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the English Cocker Spaniel and of the English Toy Spaniel to other breeds:
English Cocker Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds
English Cocker Spaniel versus Cockalier English Cocker Spaniel versus Berger Picard English Cocker Spaniel versus Maremma Sheepdog English Cocker Spaniel versus Norwegian Lundehund English Cocker Spaniel versus Pomeranian English Cocker Spaniel versus Kishu Ken English Cocker Spaniel versus English Setter English Cocker Spaniel versus Norfolk Terrier English Cocker Spaniel versus Shiranian English Cocker Spaniel versus American Bulldog
English Toy Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds
English Toy Spaniel versus Schnoodle English Toy Spaniel versus Black Russian Terrier English Toy Spaniel versus Cavachon English Toy Spaniel versus Japanese Spitz English Toy Spaniel versus Carolina Dog English Toy Spaniel versus Akita Chow English Toy Spaniel versus Saint Bernard English Toy Spaniel versus Lancashire Heeler English Toy Spaniel versus Affenpinscher English Toy Spaniel versus Field Spaniel
Conclusion: English Cocker Spaniel 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 English Cocker Spaniel and the English Toy Spaniel better suits you and your family.