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

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English Cocker Spaniel Versus Mudi: Introduction

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

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

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 Mudi

English Cocker Spaniel versus Mudi: Overview

Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the Mudi are similar in size. The English Cocker Spaniel and the Mudi 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 Mudi belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.

English Cocker Spaniel versus Mudi: Comparison Table

The table below compares the English Cocker Spaniel to the Mudi 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 Mudi
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 14 to 20 inches
Life Span 12 to 14 years 12 to 14 years
Weight 26 to 34 pounds 18 to 29 pounds
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 4/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 4/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 3/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Easy To Train 4/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 2/5
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 4/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 2/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 1/5 4/5
Intelligence 5/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Average Lifespan 13.0 years 13.0 years
Average Price $1500 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
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Clear By Parentage
  • DNA Repository
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Multiple Drug Sensitivity
  • Patellar Luxation
  • WSU VCPL
  • *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 Mudi. 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 Mudi is 76 out of 125.

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

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

  • English Cocker Spaniels adapt well to apartment living. However, Mudis do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • English Cocker Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly. However, Mudis do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.
  • English Cocker Spaniels get along well with other dogs. However, Mudis do not get along well with other dogs.
  • English Cocker Spaniels are very friendly towards strangers. However, Mudis are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • English Cocker Spaniels gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them. However, Mudis are not prone to gaining weight easily.
  • The Similarities Between the English Cocker Spaniel and the Mudi

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

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

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

    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, Mudis weigh 18 to 29 pounds when fully grown. Mudis are 14 to 20 inches when fully grown.

    Health Problems of English Cocker Spaniel versus Health Problems of Mudi

    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 Mudi 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 Mudi is prone to more genetic health problems than the English Cocker Spaniel.

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

    5 health tests are recommended for English Cocker Spaniel while 10 tests are recommended for the Mudi.

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

    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.

    Mudi Health Problems

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

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Clear By Parentage
  • DNA Repository
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Multiple Drug Sensitivity
  • Patellar Luxation
  • WSU VCPL
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Mudis here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in English Cocker Spaniels and Mudis

    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 Mudi Breed is Patella problems.

    This is because the Mudi ranks 38 out of 145 dog breeds for Patella problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 87 Mudis, 4 of them had Patella problems.

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

  • Patella problems: Rank 38 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 99 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 145 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in English Cocker Spaniel and in Mudi and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the English Cocker Spaniel and the Mudi:

    Disease English Cocker Spaniel Rank Mudi 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 Not Common
    Patella problems 82 out of 145 dog breeds 38 out of 145 dog breeds
    Elbow problems 137 out of 144 dog breeds 99 out of 144 dog breeds
    Hips problems 155 out of 198 dog breeds 145 out of 198 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 Mudi

    English Cocker Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

    Mudis do not like to be left alone.

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

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

    Mudis do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

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

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

    Do English Cocker Spaniels shed more than Mudis?

    English Cocker Spaniels shed moderately.

    Mudis shed moderately.

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

    English Cocker Spaniels are moderately easy to groom.

    Mudis are very easy to groom.

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

    English Cocker Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.

    Mudis are very good for new dog owners.

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

    English Cocker Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Mudis can moderately tolerate cold weather.

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

    English Cocker Spaniels are very easy to train.

    Mudis are very easy to train.

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

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

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

    Wanderlust Potential: English Cocker Spaniel vs. Mudi

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

    Mudis 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 Mudi?

    English Cocker Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.

    Mudis do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

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

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

    How Kid-friendly are English Cocker Spaniels and Mudis?

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

    Mudis do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

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

    English Cocker Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Mudis do not get along well with other dogs.

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

    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.

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

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

  • Alaskan Klee Kai (79 percent match with Mudi). Here is our comparison of the English Cocker Spaniel vs Alaskan Klee Kai.
  • Australian Kelpie (78 percent match with Mudi). Here is our comparison of the English Cocker Spaniel vs Australian Kelpie.
  • German Pinscher (79 percent match with Mudi). Here is our comparison of the English Cocker Spaniel vs German Pinscher.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    English Cocker Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    English Cocker Spaniel versus Belgian Tervuren     English Cocker Spaniel versus Affenhuahua     English Cocker Spaniel versus Hovawart     English Cocker Spaniel versus Brussels Griffon     English Cocker Spaniel versus Portuguese Pointer     English Cocker Spaniel versus Boerboel     English Cocker Spaniel versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     English Cocker Spaniel versus Cane Corso     English Cocker Spaniel versus Schnoodle     English Cocker Spaniel versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog     

    Mudi Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Mudi versus Shiba Inu     Mudi versus Australian Terrier     Mudi versus American Bulldog     Mudi versus Finnish Lapphund     Mudi versus Kuvasz     Mudi versus Australian Shepherd     Mudi versus American Eskimo Dog     Mudi versus Maremma Sheepdog     Mudi versus Schipperke     Mudi versus Cockalier     

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