A Detailed Comparison of the English Cocker Spaniel and the Komondor.

English Cocker Spaniel versus Komondor

Quick Links: Table of Contents

English Cocker Spaniel Versus Komondor: Introduction

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

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

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 Komondor

English Cocker Spaniel versus Komondor: Overview

A very important difference between the English Cocker Spaniel and the Komondor is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The English Cocker Spaniel is a small-sized dog while the Komondor is a large-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 Komondor 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 Komondor: Comparison Table

The table below compares the English Cocker Spaniel to the Komondor 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 Komondor
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 25 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder
Life Span 12 to 14 years 10 to 12 years
Weight 26 to 34 pounds 80 to 100 pounds
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 5/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 4/5
General Health 4/5 2/5
Easy To Train 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 1/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 2/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 2/5
Easygoing 1/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 1/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 1/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 1/5 3/5
Intelligence 5/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Average Lifespan 13.0 years 11.0 years
Average Price $1500 $840
Price Range $1200 – $1800 $550 – $800
Temperament Score 93.3 percent 90.0 percent
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
  • Dentition
  • Eye Examination- min age 9 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 55 170

    *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 Komondor. 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 Komondor is 70 out of 125.

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

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

  • English Cocker Spaniels are good for new dog owners. However, Komondors are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • English Cocker Spaniels adapt well to apartment living. However, Komondors do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • English Cocker Spaniels get along well with other dogs. However, Komondors do not get along well with other dogs.
  • English Cocker Spaniels are very friendly towards strangers. However, Komondors are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • English Cocker Spaniels have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets. However, Komondors have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • English Cocker Spaniels have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy. However, Komondors have low energy levels. They do not require a lot exercise time.
  • The Similarities Between the English Cocker Spaniel and the Komondor

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

  • Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the Komondor do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the Komondor do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the Komondor can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the Komondor are very easy to train.
  • Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the Komondor are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the Komondor have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the Komondor require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the Komondor are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
  • Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the Komondor are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the Komondor are highly intelligent.
  • Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the Komondor are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of English Cocker Spaniel versus Komondor

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

    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, Komondors weigh 80 to 100 pounds when fully grown. Komondors are 25 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Temperament of the Komondor Versus the English Cocker Spaniel

    The English Cocker Spaniel has a better temperament than the Komondor.

    This is because the temperament score for the English Cocker Spaniel is 93.3 percent while the temperament score for the Komondor is 90.0 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 90.0 percent, the Komondor has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the English Cocker Spaniel and the Komondor by measuring the temperaments of 75 English Cocker Spaniels and 10 Komondors.

    Price of English Cocker Spaniel versus Price of Komondor

    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 Komondor puppy is $840. The price of the Komondor typically ranges from $550 – $800. However, the price of a Komondor can be as low as $500 and as high as $1800. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 17 Komondor puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The English Cocker Spaniel is more expensive than the Komondor.

    English Cocker Spaniel Komondor
    Average Price $1500 $840
    Price Range $1200 to $1800 $550 to $800

    The charts below show the price distribution for the English Cocker Spaniel and Komondor. For different price points, the charts show how many English Cocker Spaniel puppies or how many Komondor 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 Cocker Spaniels. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Komondors

    A breakdown of the prices of Komondors

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the English Cocker Spaniel puppy or the Komondor 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 Komondor

    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 Komondor over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the English Cocker Spaniel is more popular with dog owners than the Komondor. 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 Komondor is 170 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of English Cocker Spaniel

    Popularity of English Cocker Spaniel

    Popularity of Komondor

    Popularity of Komondor

    Year English Cocker Spaniel Popularity Rank Komondor Popularity Rank
    2013 62 159
    2014 62 168
    2015 60 163
    2016 56 177
    2017 52 163
    2018 52 173
    2019 50 181
    2020 47 178

    Health Problems of English Cocker Spaniel versus Health Problems of Komondor

    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 Komondor 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 Komondor.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the English Cocker Spaniel than for the Komondor.

    5 health tests are recommended for English Cocker Spaniel while 3 tests are recommended for the Komondor.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in English Cocker Spaniels and in Komondors.

    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:

  • BAER Test
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • OFA/U of MO Adult Onset Neuropathy
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for English Cocker Spaniels here.

    Komondor Health Problems

    Komondors are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Komondor 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 Komondor puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Komondor 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 Komondors for:

  • Dentition
  • Eye Examination- min age 9 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Komondors here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in English Cocker Spaniels and Komondors

    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:

  • Adult Onset Neuropathy problems: Rank 1 out of 2 Dog Breeds
  • Baer Hearing Test problems: Rank 7 out of 21 Dog Breeds
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems: Rank 8 out of 32 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 27 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 65 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 82 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 137 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 155 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • 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 Komondor Breed is Eyes problems.

    This is because the Komondor ranks 19 out of 182 dog breeds for Eyes problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 54 Komondors, 1 of them had Eyes problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Komondors, and how common these diseases are in Komondors relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Eyes problems: Rank 19 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 30 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 90 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in English Cocker Spaniel and in Komondor and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the English Cocker Spaniel and the Komondor:

    Disease English Cocker Spaniel Rank Komondor 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 19 out of 182 dog breeds
    Patella problems 82 out of 145 dog breeds Not Common
    Elbow problems 137 out of 144 dog breeds Not Common
    Hips problems 155 out of 198 dog breeds 90 out of 198 dog breeds
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems Not Common 30 out of 70 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 Komondor

    English Cocker Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

    Komondors do not like to be left alone.

    Which one drools more, the English Cocker Spaniel or the Komondor

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

    Komondors do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Can English Cocker Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Komondors Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Komondors can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Do English Cocker Spaniels shed more than Komondors?

    English Cocker Spaniels shed moderately.

    Komondors shed moderately.

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

    English Cocker Spaniels are moderately easy to groom.

    Komondors 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 Komondor?

    English Cocker Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.

    Komondors are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Can English Cocker Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Komondors Tolerate Cold Weather?

    English Cocker Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Komondors can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Is the English Cocker Spaniel Easier to Train than the Komondor?

    English Cocker Spaniels are very easy to train.

    Komondors are very easy to train.

    Do English Cocker Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Komondors?

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

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

    Wanderlust Potential: English Cocker Spaniel vs. Komondor

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

    Komondors 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 Komondor?

    English Cocker Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.

    Komondors do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Are English Cocker Spaniels good family dogs? What about Komondors?

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

    Komondors are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are English Cocker Spaniels and Komondors?

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

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

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

    English Cocker Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Komondors do not get along well with other dogs.

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

    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.

    Komondors 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.

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

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

  • Belgian Tervuren (70 percent match with Komondor). Here is our comparison of the English Cocker Spaniel vs Belgian Tervuren.
  • Black Russian Terrier (70 percent match with Komondor). Here is our comparison of the English Cocker Spaniel vs Black Russian Terrier.
  • Giant Schnauzer (72 percent match with Komondor). Here is our comparison of the English Cocker Spaniel vs Giant Schnauzer.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    English Cocker Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    English Cocker Spaniel versus Bouvier des Flandres     English Cocker Spaniel versus Yorkipoo     English Cocker Spaniel versus Havanese     English Cocker Spaniel versus Glen of Imaal Terrier     English Cocker Spaniel versus Shichon     English Cocker Spaniel versus Great Pyrenees     English Cocker Spaniel versus Westiepoo     English Cocker Spaniel versus Finnish Lapphund     English Cocker Spaniel versus Labradoodle     English Cocker Spaniel versus German Pinscher     

    Komondor Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Komondor versus Papillon     Komondor versus Bedlington Terrier     Komondor versus Pyrenean Mastiff     Komondor versus Shihpoo     Komondor versus Redbone Coonhound     Komondor versus Mountain Cur     Komondor versus Shiba Inu     Komondor versus English Cocker Spaniel     Komondor versus Alaskan Malamute     Komondor versus Finnish Spitz     

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