Is the English Cocker Spaniel Better than the Kishu Ken as a Pet? Answer…

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English Cocker Spaniel Versus Kishu Ken: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the English Cocker Spaniel and the Kishu Ken 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 Kishu Ken. 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 Kishu Ken.

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 Kishu Ken

English Cocker Spaniel versus Kishu Ken: Overview

A very important difference between the English Cocker Spaniel and the Kishu Ken is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The English Cocker Spaniel is a small-sized dog while the Kishu Ken is a medium-sized dog.

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 Kishu Ken belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

English Cocker Spaniel versus Kishu Ken: Comparison Table

The table below compares the English Cocker Spaniel to the Kishu Ken 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 Kishu Ken
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 4/5
Height 1 foot, 3 inches to 1 foot, 5 inches tall at the s 17 to 22 inches
Life Span 12 to 14 years 9 to 13 years
Weight 26 to 34 pounds 30 to 60 pounds
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 3/5
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 5/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Easy To Train 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 5/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 2/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 3/5
Easygoing 1/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 1/5 3/5
Intelligence 5/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 2/5
Average Lifespan 13.0 years 11.0 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 Kishu Ken. 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 Kishu Ken is 79 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the English Cocker Spaniel is a better pet than the Kishu Ken. 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 Kishu Ken 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 Kishu Ken

    Below is a list of where the English Cocker Spaniel and the Kishu Ken are most different:

  • English Cocker Spaniels are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl. However, Kishu Kens are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • English Cocker Spaniels get along well with other dogs. However, Kishu Kens do not get along well with other dogs.
  • English Cocker Spaniels are very friendly towards strangers. However, Kishu Kens are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • English Cocker Spaniels are very playful. However, Kishu Kens not very playful.
  • The Similarities Between the English Cocker Spaniel and the Kishu Ken

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

  • Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the Kishu Ken do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the Kishu Ken can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the Kishu Ken 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 Kishu Ken are very easy to train.
  • Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the Kishu Ken require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the Kishu Ken are highly intelligent.
  • Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the Kishu Ken have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of English Cocker Spaniel versus Kishu Ken

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the English Cocker Spaniel and the Kishu Ken.

    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, Kishu Kens weigh 30 to 60 pounds when fully grown. Kishu Kens are 17 to 22 inches when fully grown.

    Tolerates Being Alone: English Cocker Spaniel versus Kishu Ken

    English Cocker Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

    Kishu Kens can be left alone only for a short time.

    Which one drools more, the English Cocker Spaniel or the Kishu Ken

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

    Kishu Kens do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Can English Cocker Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Kishu Kens Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Kishu Kens can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Do English Cocker Spaniels shed more than Kishu Kens?

    English Cocker Spaniels shed moderately.

    Kishu Kens shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the English Cocker Spaniel or the Kishu Ken?

    English Cocker Spaniels are moderately easy to groom.

    Kishu Kens are moderately easy to groom.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the English Cocker Spaniel or the Kishu Ken?

    English Cocker Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.

    Kishu Kens are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Can English Cocker Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Kishu Kens Tolerate Cold Weather?

    English Cocker Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Kishu Kens can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Is the English Cocker Spaniel Easier to Train than the Kishu Ken?

    English Cocker Spaniels are very easy to train.

    Kishu Kens are very easy to train.

    Do English Cocker Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Kishu Kens?

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

    Kishu Kens are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Wanderlust Potential: English Cocker Spaniel vs. Kishu Ken

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

    Kishu Kens 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 Kishu Ken?

    English Cocker Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.

    Kishu Kens adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Are English Cocker Spaniels good family dogs? What about Kishu Kens?

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

    Kishu Kens are good family dogs. They are affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are English Cocker Spaniels and Kishu Kens?

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

    Kishu Kens get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the English Cocker Spaniel or the Kishu Ken?

    English Cocker Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Kishu Kens do not get along well with other dogs.

    Does the English Cocker Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Kishu Ken?

    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.

    Kishu Kens 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:

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

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Kishu Ken 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 Kishu Ken:

  • Alaskan Klee Kai (76 percent match with Kishu Ken). Here is our comparison of the English Cocker Spaniel vs Alaskan Klee Kai.
  • Dutch Shepherd (78 percent match with Kishu Ken). Here is our comparison of the English Cocker Spaniel vs Dutch Shepherd.
  • Kai Ken (79 percent match with Kishu Ken). Here is our comparison of the English Cocker Spaniel vs Kai Ken.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    English Cocker Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    English Cocker Spaniel versus West Highland White Terrier     English Cocker Spaniel versus Fila Brasileiro     English Cocker Spaniel versus Boxerdoodle     English Cocker Spaniel versus Briard     English Cocker Spaniel versus Irish Terrier     English Cocker Spaniel versus Dalmatian     English Cocker Spaniel versus Boerboel     English Cocker Spaniel versus Kuvasz     English Cocker Spaniel versus Bernese Mountain Dog     English Cocker Spaniel versus Frenchton     

    Kishu Ken Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Kishu Ken versus Norwegian Buhund     Kishu Ken versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     Kishu Ken versus Bull Terrier     Kishu Ken versus German Shorthaired Pointer     Kishu Ken versus Airedale Terrier     Kishu Ken versus Kerry Blue Terrier     Kishu Ken versus Cairn Terrier     Kishu Ken versus Norwegian Lundehund     Kishu Ken versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier     Kishu Ken versus English Setter     

    Conclusion: English Cocker Spaniel versus Kishu Ken. 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 Kishu Ken better suits you and your family.