Which is Better between the English Cocker Spaniel and the Mountain Cur? A Very Detailed Review.

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English Cocker Spaniel Versus Mountain Cur: Introduction

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

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

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 Mountain Cur

English Cocker Spaniel versus Mountain Cur: Overview

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

The table below compares the English Cocker Spaniel to the Mountain Cur 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 Mountain Cur
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Height 1 foot, 3 inches to 1 foot, 5 inches tall at the s 16 to 26 inches
Life Span 12 to 14 years 10 to 16 years
Weight 26 to 34 pounds 30 to 60 pounds
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 2/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 4/5
General Health 4/5 5/5
Easy To Train 4/5 2/5
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 1/5
Easygoing 1/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 1/5 5/5
Intelligence 5/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 1/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Average Lifespan 13.0 years 13.0 years
Average Price $1500 $550
Price Range $1200 – $1800 $350 – $800
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 Mountain Cur. 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 Mountain Cur is 76 out of 125.

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

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

  • English Cocker Spaniels are good for new dog owners. However, Mountain Curs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • English Cocker Spaniels adapt well to apartment living. However, Mountain Curs do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • English Cocker Spaniels are very friendly towards strangers. However, Mountain Curs are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • English Cocker Spaniels gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them. However, Mountain Curs are not prone to gaining weight easily.
  • The Similarities Between the English Cocker Spaniel and the Mountain Cur

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

  • Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the Mountain Cur do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the Mountain Cur do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the Mountain Cur can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the Mountain Cur 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 Mountain Cur are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the Mountain Cur have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the Mountain Cur require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the Mountain Cur are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the Mountain Cur get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the Mountain Cur are highly intelligent.
  • Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the Mountain Cur have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the Mountain Cur have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the Mountain Cur are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of English Cocker Spaniel versus Mountain Cur

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

    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, Mountain Curs weigh 30 to 60 pounds when fully grown. Mountain Curs are 16 to 26 inches when fully grown.

    Price of English Cocker Spaniel versus Price of Mountain Cur

    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 Mountain Cur puppy is $550. The price of the Mountain Cur typically ranges from $350 – $800. However, the price of a Mountain Cur can be as low as $100 and as high as $1000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 40 Mountain Cur puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The English Cocker Spaniel is more expensive than the Mountain Cur.

    English Cocker Spaniel Mountain Cur
    Average Price $1500 $550
    Price Range $1200 to $1800 $350 to $800

    The charts below show the price distribution for the English Cocker Spaniel and Mountain Cur. For different price points, the charts show how many English Cocker Spaniel puppies or how many Mountain Cur 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 Mountain Curs

    A breakdown of the prices of Mountain Curs

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

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many English Cocker Spaniels and many Mountain Curs 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, Mountain Curs are also available for adoption. For example, Peanut is a Male Mountain Cur that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Mountain Curs like Peanut that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The English Cocker Spaniel and the Mountain Cur can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Also Tucker, an adorable Male Mountain Cur on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

    You can find more English Cocker Spaniels and Mountain Curs that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    Tolerates Being Alone: English Cocker Spaniel versus Mountain Cur

    English Cocker Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

    Mountain Curs do not like to be left alone.

    Which one drools more, the English Cocker Spaniel or the Mountain Cur

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

    Mountain Curs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Can English Cocker Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Mountain Curs Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Mountain Curs can tolerate hot weather.

    Do English Cocker Spaniels shed more than Mountain Curs?

    English Cocker Spaniels shed moderately.

    Mountain Curs do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

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

    English Cocker Spaniels are moderately easy to groom.

    Mountain Curs are very easy to groom.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the English Cocker Spaniel or the Mountain Cur?

    English Cocker Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.

    Mountain Curs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Can English Cocker Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Mountain Curs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    English Cocker Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Mountain Curs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Is the English Cocker Spaniel Easier to Train than the Mountain Cur?

    English Cocker Spaniels are very easy to train.

    Mountain Curs are not easy to train.

    Do English Cocker Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Mountain Curs?

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

    Mountain Curs bark and howl, but not very much.

    Wanderlust Potential: English Cocker Spaniel vs. Mountain Cur

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

    Mountain Curs 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 Mountain Cur?

    English Cocker Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.

    Mountain Curs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Are English Cocker Spaniels good family dogs? What about Mountain Curs?

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

    Mountain Curs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are English Cocker Spaniels and Mountain Curs?

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

    Mountain Curs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    English Cocker Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Mountain Curs get along fairly well with other dogs.

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

    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.

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

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

  • Black Mouth Cur (80 percent match with Mountain Cur). Here is our comparison of the English Cocker Spaniel vs Black Mouth Cur.
  • Karelian Bear Dog (77 percent match with Mountain Cur). Here is our comparison of the English Cocker Spaniel vs Karelian Bear Dog.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    English Cocker Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    English Cocker Spaniel versus Shetland Sheepdog     English Cocker Spaniel versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne     English Cocker Spaniel versus Akita Chow     English Cocker Spaniel versus Akita Chow     English Cocker Spaniel versus Spinone Italiano     English Cocker Spaniel versus Irish Water Spaniel     English Cocker Spaniel versus Curly-Coated Retriever     English Cocker Spaniel versus Lakeland Terrier     English Cocker Spaniel versus Labradoodle     English Cocker Spaniel versus Chinese Shar-Pei     

    Mountain Cur Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Mountain Cur versus Standard Poodle     Mountain Cur versus Plott     Mountain Cur versus Japanese Chin     Mountain Cur versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog     Mountain Cur versus American Pit Bull Terrier     Mountain Cur versus Shih Tzu     Mountain Cur versus Great Dane     Mountain Cur versus Chinese Shar-Pei     Mountain Cur versus Frenchton     

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