Quick Links: Table of Contents
- English Cocker Spaniel Versus Havanese: Introduction
- English Cocker Spaniel versus Havanese: Overview
- English Cocker Spaniel versus Havanese: Comparison Table
- The Similarities Between the English Cocker Spaniel and the Havanese
- Size (Weight and Height) of English Cocker Spaniel versus Havanese
- Temperament of the Havanese Versus the English Cocker Spaniel
- Price of English Cocker Spaniel versus Price of Havanese
- Adopting the English Cocker Spaniel versus Adopting the Havanese
- The Popularity of English Cocker Spaniel versus Popularity of Havanese
- Health Problems of English Cocker Spaniel versus Health Problems of Havanese
- Tolerates Being Alone: English Cocker Spaniel versus Havanese
- Which one drools more, the English Cocker Spaniel or the Havanese
- Can English Cocker Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Havaneses Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Do English Cocker Spaniels shed more than Havaneses?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the English Cocker Spaniel or the Havanese?
- Can English Cocker Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Havaneses Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Is the English Cocker Spaniel Easier to Train than the Havanese?
- Do English Cocker Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Havaneses?
- Wanderlust Potential: English Cocker Spaniel vs. Havanese
- Are English Cocker Spaniels good family dogs? What about Havaneses?
- How Kid-friendly are English Cocker Spaniels and Havaneses?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the English Cocker Spaniel or the Havanese?
- Does the English Cocker Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Havanese?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the English Cocker Spaniel
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Havanese
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: English Cocker Spaniel versus Havanese. Which One is a Better Pet?
English Cocker Spaniel Versus Havanese: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the English Cocker Spaniel and the Havanese? 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 Havanese 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 Havanese.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the English Cocker Spaniel and the Havanese 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 Havanese. 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 Havanese.
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 Havanese
English Cocker Spaniel versus Havanese: Overview
Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the Havanese are similar in size. The English Cocker Spaniel and the Havanese 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 Havanese 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 Havanese: Comparison Table
The table below compares the English Cocker Spaniel to the Havanese 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 | Havanese |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Height | 1 foot, 3 inches to 1 foot, 5 inches tall at the s | 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Life Span | 12 to 14 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Weight | 26 to 34 pounds | 7 to 13 pounds |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 13.0 years | 13.5 years |
| Average Price | $1500 | $2180 |
| Price Range | $1200 – $1800 | $1700 – $2750 |
| Temperament Score | 93.3 percent | 81.8 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 55 | 23 |
*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 Havanese. 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 Havanese is 91 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Havanese is a better pet than the English Cocker Spaniel. So, you should get the Havanese!
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 Havanese so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Similarities Between the English Cocker Spaniel and the Havanese
The English Cocker Spaniel and the Havanese are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the English Cocker Spaniel and the Havanese are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of English Cocker Spaniel versus Havanese
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the English Cocker Spaniel and the Havanese.
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, Havaneses weigh 7 to 13 pounds when fully grown. Havaneses are 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Temperament of the Havanese Versus the English Cocker Spaniel
The English Cocker Spaniel has a better temperament than the Havanese.
This is because the temperament score for the English Cocker Spaniel is 93.3 percent while the temperament score for the Havanese is 81.8 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 93.3 percent, the English Cocker Spaniel has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
With its temperament score of 81.8 percent, the Havanese has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the English Cocker Spaniel and the Havanese by measuring the temperaments of 75 English Cocker Spaniels and 11 Havaneses.
Price of English Cocker Spaniel versus Price of Havanese
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 Havanese puppy is $2180. The price of the Havanese typically ranges from $1700 – $2750. However, the price of a Havanese can be as low as $600 and as high as $4550. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 647 Havanese puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Havanese is more expensive than the English Cocker Spaniel.
| English Cocker Spaniel | Havanese | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1500 | $2180 |
| Price Range | $1200 to $1800 | $1700 to $2750 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the English Cocker Spaniel and Havanese. For different price points, the charts show how many English Cocker Spaniel puppies or how many Havanese 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 Havaneses
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the English Cocker Spaniel puppy or the Havanese 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.
Adopting the English Cocker Spaniel versus Adopting the Havanese
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many English Cocker Spaniels and many Havaneses are currently available for adoption.
These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.
Below is an adorable Male English Cocker Spaniel named Rascal that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable English Cocker Spaniels like Rascal on pefinder.com.
Also, like English Cocker Spaniels, Havaneses are also available for adoption. For example, Tom is a Male Havanese that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Havaneses like Tom that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Also Ted In Norcal – Applications Closed, an adorable Male Havanese on petfinder.com that you can adopt.
You can find more English Cocker Spaniels and Havaneses that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Popularity of English Cocker Spaniel versus Popularity of Havanese
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 Havanese over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Havanese is more popular with dog owners than the English Cocker Spaniel. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Havanese is 23 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the English Cocker Spaniel is 55 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of English Cocker Spaniel
Popularity of Havanese
| Year | English Cocker Spaniel Popularity Rank | Havanese Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 62 | 25 |
| 2014 | 62 | 25 |
| 2015 | 60 | 24 |
| 2016 | 56 | 23 |
| 2017 | 52 | 23 |
| 2018 | 52 | 24 |
| 2019 | 50 | 22 |
| 2020 | 47 | 24 |
Health Problems of English Cocker Spaniel versus Health Problems of Havanese
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 Havanese 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 Havanese.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the English Cocker Spaniel than for the Havanese.
5 health tests are recommended for English Cocker Spaniel while 4 tests are recommended for the Havanese.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in English Cocker Spaniels and in Havaneses.
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.
Havanese Health Problems
Havaneses are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Havanese 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 Havanese puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Havanese 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 Havaneses for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Havaneses here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in English Cocker Spaniels and Havaneses
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 Havanese Breed is Dentition Database problems.
This is because the Havanese ranks 3 out of 49 dog breeds for Dentition Database problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 371 Havaneses, 106 of them had Dentition Database problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Havaneses, and how common these diseases are in Havaneses relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in English Cocker Spaniel and in Havanese and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the English Cocker Spaniel and the Havanese:
| Disease | English Cocker Spaniel Rank | Havanese Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Adult Onset Neuropathy problems | 1 out of 2 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Baer Hearing Test problems | 7 out of 21 dog breeds | 18 out of 21 dog breeds |
| Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems | 8 out of 32 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Thyroid problems | 27 out of 115 dog breeds | 20 out of 115 dog breeds |
| Eyes problems | 65 out of 182 dog breeds | 111 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Patella problems | 82 out of 145 dog breeds | 59 out of 145 dog breeds |
| Elbow problems | 137 out of 144 dog breeds | 55 out of 144 dog breeds |
| Hips problems | 155 out of 198 dog breeds | 123 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Dentition Database problems | Not Common | 3 out of 49 dog breeds |
| Advanced Cardiac problems | Not Common | 38 out of 71 dog breeds |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | Not Common | 70 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 Havanese
English Cocker Spaniels do not like to be left alone.
Havaneses do not like to be left alone.
Which one drools more, the English Cocker Spaniel or the Havanese
English Cocker Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.
Havaneses do have a very low tendency to drool.
Can English Cocker Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Havaneses Tolerate Hot Weather?
English Cocker Spaniels can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Havaneses can tolerate hot weather.
Do English Cocker Spaniels shed more than Havaneses?
English Cocker Spaniels shed moderately.
Havaneses do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Which is Easier to Groom, the English Cocker Spaniel or the Havanese?
English Cocker Spaniels are moderately easy to groom.
Havaneses require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the English Cocker Spaniel or the Havanese?
English Cocker Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.
Havaneses are very good for new dog owners.
Can English Cocker Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Havaneses Tolerate Cold Weather?
English Cocker Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.
Havaneses can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Is the English Cocker Spaniel Easier to Train than the Havanese?
English Cocker Spaniels are very easy to train.
Havaneses are very easy to train.
Do English Cocker Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Havaneses?
English Cocker Spaniels are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Havaneses are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Wanderlust Potential: English Cocker Spaniel vs. Havanese
English Cocker Spaniels have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Havaneses 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 Havanese?
English Cocker Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.
Havaneses adapt very well to apartment living.
Are English Cocker Spaniels good family dogs? What about Havaneses?
English Cocker Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Havaneses are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are English Cocker Spaniels and Havaneses?
English Cocker Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Havaneses get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the English Cocker Spaniel or the Havanese?
English Cocker Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.
Havaneses get along very well with other dogs.
Does the English Cocker Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Havanese?
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.
Havaneses 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 Havanese
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Havanese 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 Havanese:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the English Cocker Spaniel and how the Havanese compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the English Cocker Spaniel and of the Havanese to other breeds:
English Cocker Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds
English Cocker Spaniel versus Brittany English Cocker Spaniel versus Bullmastiff English Cocker Spaniel versus Frenchton English Cocker Spaniel versus Bernedoodle English Cocker Spaniel versus Toy Fox Terrier English Cocker Spaniel versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog English Cocker Spaniel versus Shetland Sheepdog English Cocker Spaniel versus Shih Tzu English Cocker Spaniel versus Mountain Cur English Cocker Spaniel versus English Setter
Havanese Versus Other Dog Breeds
Havanese versus Airedale Terrier Havanese versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Havanese versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle Havanese versus Saluki Havanese versus Australian Terrier Havanese versus Akita Havanese versus Doberman Pinscher Havanese versus Westiepoo Havanese versus Silky Terrier Havanese versus Collie
Conclusion: English Cocker Spaniel versus Havanese. 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 Havanese better suits you and your family.