Which is Better between the English Cocker Spaniel and the German Longhaired Pointer? A Very Detailed Review.

English Cocker Spaniel versus German Longhaired Pointer

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English Cocker Spaniel Versus German Longhaired Pointer: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the English Cocker Spaniel and the German Longhaired Pointer? 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 German Longhaired Pointer 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 German Longhaired Pointer.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the English Cocker Spaniel and the German Longhaired Pointer 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 German Longhaired Pointer. 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 German Longhaired Pointer.

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 German Longhaired Pointer

English Cocker Spaniel versus German Longhaired Pointer

English Cocker Spaniel versus German Longhaired Pointer: Overview

A very important difference between the English Cocker Spaniel and the German Longhaired Pointer is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The English Cocker Spaniel is a small-sized dog while the German Longhaired Pointer is a large-sized dog.

Furthermore, both the English Cocker Spaniel and the German Longhaired Pointer are Sporting Dogs. This means both the English Cocker Spaniel and the German Longhaired Pointer 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.

English Cocker Spaniel versus German Longhaired Pointer: Comparison Table

The table below compares the English Cocker Spaniel to the German Longhaired Pointer 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 German Longhaired Pointer
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 3/5
Height 1 foot, 3 inches to 1 foot, 5 inches tall at the s 23 to 28 inches
Life Span 12 to 14 years 11 to 14 years
Weight 26 to 34 pounds 60 to 71 pounds
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 3/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 3/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Easy To Train 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 1/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 2/5
Easygoing 1/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 1/5 2/5
Intelligence 5/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 3/5
Average Lifespan 13.0 years 12.5 years
Average Price $1500 No Data
Price Range $1200 – $1800 No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • BAER Test
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • OFA/U of MO Adult Onset Neuropathy
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • No Data

    *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 German Longhaired Pointer. 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 German Longhaired Pointer is 78 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the English Cocker Spaniel is a better pet than the German Longhaired Pointer. 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 German Longhaired Pointer so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    English Cocker Spaniel versus German Longhaired Pointer

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the English Cocker Spaniel and the German Longhaired Pointer

    Below is a list of where the English Cocker Spaniel and the German Longhaired Pointer are most different:

  • English Cocker Spaniels adapt well to apartment living. However, German Longhaired Pointers do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • The Similarities Between the English Cocker Spaniel and the German Longhaired Pointer

    The English Cocker Spaniel and the German Longhaired Pointer are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the English Cocker Spaniel and the German Longhaired Pointer are most similar:

  • Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the German Longhaired Pointer can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the German Longhaired Pointer are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the German Longhaired Pointer are very easy to train.
  • Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the German Longhaired Pointer are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the German Longhaired Pointer have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the German Longhaired Pointer require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the German Longhaired Pointer are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the German Longhaired Pointer get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the German Longhaired Pointer get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the German Longhaired Pointer are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the German Longhaired Pointer gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the German Longhaired Pointer are highly intelligent.
  • Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the German Longhaired Pointer have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of English Cocker Spaniel versus German Longhaired Pointer

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the English Cocker Spaniel and the German Longhaired Pointer.

    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, German Longhaired Pointers weigh 60 to 71 pounds when fully grown. German Longhaired Pointers are 23 to 28 inches when fully grown.

    English Cocker Spaniel versus German Longhaired Pointer
    English Cocker Spaniel versus German Longhaired Pointer

    Tolerates Being Alone: English Cocker Spaniel versus German Longhaired Pointer

    English Cocker Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

    German Longhaired Pointers can be left alone only for a short time.

    Which one drools more, the English Cocker Spaniel or the German Longhaired Pointer

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

    German Longhaired Pointers drool moderately.

    Can English Cocker Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can German Longhaired Pointers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    English Cocker Spaniels can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    German Longhaired Pointers cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Do English Cocker Spaniels shed more than German Longhaired Pointers?

    English Cocker Spaniels shed moderately.

    German Longhaired Pointers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the English Cocker Spaniel or the German Longhaired Pointer?

    English Cocker Spaniels are moderately easy to groom.

    German Longhaired Pointers are very easy to groom.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the English Cocker Spaniel or the German Longhaired Pointer?

    English Cocker Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.

    German Longhaired Pointers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Can English Cocker Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can German Longhaired Pointers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    English Cocker Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.

    German Longhaired Pointers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Is the English Cocker Spaniel Easier to Train than the German Longhaired Pointer?

    English Cocker Spaniels are very easy to train.

    German Longhaired Pointers are very easy to train.

    Do English Cocker Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about German Longhaired Pointers?

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

    German Longhaired Pointers bark and howl, but not very much.

    Wanderlust Potential: English Cocker Spaniel vs. German Longhaired Pointer

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

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

    Is the English Cocker Spaniel Better for Apartment Owners than the German Longhaired Pointer?

    English Cocker Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.

    German Longhaired Pointers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Are English Cocker Spaniels good family dogs? What about German Longhaired Pointers?

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

    German Longhaired Pointers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are English Cocker Spaniels and German Longhaired Pointers?

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

    German Longhaired Pointers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the English Cocker Spaniel or the German Longhaired Pointer?

    English Cocker Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    German Longhaired Pointers get along very well with other dogs.

    Does the English Cocker Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the German Longhaired Pointer?

    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.

    German Longhaired Pointers have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and 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:

  • Cavachon (82 percent match with English Cocker Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the German Longhaired Pointer vs Cavachon.
  • Norwich Terrier (81 percent match with English Cocker Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the German Longhaired Pointer vs Norwich Terrier.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the German Longhaired Pointer

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the German Longhaired Pointer 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 German Longhaired Pointer:

  • Aussiedoodle (78 percent match with German Longhaired Pointer). Here is our comparison of the English Cocker Spaniel vs Aussiedoodle.
  • Black Mouth Cur (77 percent match with German Longhaired Pointer). Here is our comparison of the English Cocker Spaniel vs Black Mouth Cur.
  • Boxerdoodle (77 percent match with German Longhaired Pointer). Here is our comparison of the English Cocker Spaniel vs Boxerdoodle.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the English Cocker Spaniel and how the German Longhaired Pointer compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the English Cocker Spaniel and of the German Longhaired Pointer to other breeds:

    English Cocker Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    English Cocker Spaniel versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     English Cocker Spaniel versus Sussex Spaniel     English Cocker Spaniel versus Bouvier des Flandres     English Cocker Spaniel versus Greyhound     English Cocker Spaniel versus Shichon     English Cocker Spaniel versus Mal Shi     English Cocker Spaniel versus Sloughi     English Cocker Spaniel versus Whippet     English Cocker Spaniel versus Silky Terrier     

    German Longhaired Pointer Versus Other Dog Breeds

    German Longhaired Pointer versus Bichon Frise     German Longhaired Pointer versus Borzoi     German Longhaired Pointer versus American Water Spaniel     German Longhaired Pointer versus Cavachon     German Longhaired Pointer versus Australian Cattle Dog     German Longhaired Pointer versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     German Longhaired Pointer versus Golden Retriever     German Longhaired Pointer versus Doberman Pinscher     German Longhaired Pointer versus Bolognese     German Longhaired Pointer versus American Bulldog     

    Conclusion: English Cocker Spaniel versus German Longhaired Pointer. 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 German Longhaired Pointer better suits you and your family.