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

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English Cocker Spaniel Versus Shihpoo: Introduction

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

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

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 Shihpoo

English Cocker Spaniel versus Shihpoo: Overview

A very important difference between the English Cocker Spaniel and the Shihpoo is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The English Cocker Spaniel is a small-sized dog while the Shihpoo is a tiny-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 Shihpoo belongs to the Mixed Breed Dogs group. Mixed Breed Dogs are not purebred dogs.

English Cocker Spaniel versus Shihpoo: Comparison Table

The table below compares the English Cocker Spaniel to the Shihpoo 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 Shihpoo
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 8 to 18 inches
Life Span 12 to 14 years 13 to 17 years
Weight 26 to 34 pounds 8 to 18 pounds
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 5/5
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 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 3/5
General Health 4/5 3/5
Easy To Train 4/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 4/5
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 3/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 1/5 2/5
Intelligence 5/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Average Lifespan 13.0 years 15.0 years
Average Price $1500 $1590
Price Range $1200 – $1800 $1200 – $2000
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 Shihpoo. 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 Shihpoo is 84 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Shihpoo is a better pet than the English Cocker Spaniel. So, you should get the Shihpoo!

    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 Shihpoo 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 Shihpoo

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

  • English Cocker Spaniels get along well with other dogs. However, Shihpoos do not get along well with other dogs.
  • English Cocker Spaniels have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets. However, Shihpoos have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.

    • The Similarities Between the English Cocker Spaniel and the Shihpoo

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

  • Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the Shihpoo do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the Shihpoo do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the Shihpoo can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the Shihpoo 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 Shihpoo adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the Shihpoo 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 Shihpoo are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the Shihpoo are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the Shihpoo gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the Shihpoo are highly intelligent.
  • Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the Shihpoo are very playful.

    • Size (Weight and Height) of English Cocker Spaniel versus Shihpoo

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

    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, Shihpoos weigh 8 to 18 pounds when fully grown. Shihpoos are 8 to 18 inches when fully grown.

    Price of English Cocker Spaniel versus Price of Shihpoo

    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 Shihpoo puppy is $1590. The price of the Shihpoo typically ranges from $1200 – $2000. However, the price of a Shihpoo can be as low as $300 and as high as $4325. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 283 Shihpoo puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Shihpoo is more expensive than the English Cocker Spaniel.

    English Cocker Spaniel Shihpoo
    Average Price $1500 $1590
    Price Range $1200 to $1800 $1200 to $2000

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Shihpoos

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

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

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

    Also Polo, an adorable Male Shihpoo on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

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

    Tolerates Being Alone: English Cocker Spaniel versus Shihpoo

    English Cocker Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

    Shihpoos do not like to be left alone.

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

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

    Shihpoos do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

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

    Shihpoos cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Do English Cocker Spaniels shed more than Shihpoos?

    English Cocker Spaniels shed moderately.

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

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

    English Cocker Spaniels are moderately easy to groom.

    Shihpoos 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 Shihpoo?

    English Cocker Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.

    Shihpoos are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

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

    English Cocker Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Shihpoos can moderately tolerate cold weather.

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

    English Cocker Spaniels are very easy to train.

    Shihpoos are not easy to train.

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

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

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

    Wanderlust Potential: English Cocker Spaniel vs. Shihpoo

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

    Shihpoos 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 Shihpoo?

    English Cocker Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.

    Shihpoos adapt very well to apartment living.

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

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

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

    How Kid-friendly are English Cocker Spaniels and Shihpoos?

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

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

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

    English Cocker Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Shihpoos do not get along well with other dogs.

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

    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.

    Shihpoos 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 Shihpoo vs Cavachon.
  • Norwich Terrier (81 percent match with English Cocker Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Shihpoo vs Norwich Terrier.

    • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Shihpoo

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

  • Dandie Dinmont Terrier (75 percent match with Shihpoo). Here is our comparison of the English Cocker Spaniel vs Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
  • Japanese Chin (75 percent match with Shihpoo). Here is our comparison of the English Cocker Spaniel vs Japanese Chin.
  • Shiranian (76 percent match with Shihpoo). Here is our comparison of the English Cocker Spaniel vs Shiranian.

    • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    English Cocker Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    English Cocker Spaniel versus Saluki     English Cocker Spaniel versus Brittany     English Cocker Spaniel versus Italian Greyhound     English Cocker Spaniel versus Alaskan Malamute     English Cocker Spaniel versus Dachshund     English Cocker Spaniel versus Kuvasz     English Cocker Spaniel versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     English Cocker Spaniel versus Kishu Ken     English Cocker Spaniel versus Miniature Poodle     English Cocker Spaniel versus King Shepherd     

    Shihpoo Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Shihpoo versus American Staffordshire Terrier     Shihpoo versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Shihpoo versus Irish Water Spaniel     Shihpoo versus Akita     Shihpoo versus American Eskimo Dog     Shihpoo versus Sloughi     Shihpoo versus Clumber Spaniel     Shihpoo versus Dutch Shepherd     Shihpoo versus Shiloh Shepherd     Shihpoo versus Cane Corso     

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