Differences and Similarities between the English Cocker Spaniel and the Shiloh Shepherd.

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English Cocker Spaniel Versus Shiloh Shepherd: Introduction

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

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

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 Shiloh Shepherd

English Cocker Spaniel versus Shiloh Shepherd: Overview

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

The table below compares the English Cocker Spaniel to the Shiloh Shepherd 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 Shiloh Shepherd
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 3/5
Height 1 foot, 3 inches to 1 foot, 5 inches tall at the s 26 to 30 inches
Life Span 12 to 14 years 9 to 14 years
Weight 26 to 34 pounds 80 to 130 pounds
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 2/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 5/5
General Health 4/5 3/5
Easy To Train 4/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 2/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 1/5
Easygoing 1/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 1/5 2/5
Intelligence 5/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Average Lifespan 13.0 years 11.5 years
Average Price $1500 No Data
Price Range $1200 – $1800 No Data
Temperament Score 93.3 percent 80.8 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
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • *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 Shiloh Shepherd. 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 Shiloh Shepherd is 82 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Shiloh Shepherd is not better or worse than the English Cocker Spaniel. So, you can get the Shiloh Shepherd or 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 Shiloh Shepherd 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 Shiloh Shepherd

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

  • English Cocker Spaniels adapt well to apartment living. However, Shiloh Shepherds do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • English Cocker Spaniels have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets. However, Shiloh Shepherds have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • The Similarities Between the English Cocker Spaniel and the Shiloh Shepherd

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

  • Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the Shiloh Shepherd do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the Shiloh Shepherd can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the Shiloh Shepherd 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 Shiloh Shepherd are very easy to train.
  • Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the Shiloh Shepherd are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the Shiloh Shepherd have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the Shiloh Shepherd require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the Shiloh Shepherd 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 Shiloh Shepherd are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the Shiloh Shepherd get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the Shiloh Shepherd get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the Shiloh Shepherd are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the Shiloh Shepherd gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the Shiloh Shepherd are highly intelligent.
  • Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the Shiloh Shepherd have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the Shiloh Shepherd are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of English Cocker Spaniel versus Shiloh Shepherd

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

    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, Shiloh Shepherds weigh 80 to 130 pounds when fully grown. Shiloh Shepherds are 26 to 30 inches when fully grown.

    Temperament of the English Cocker Spaniel Versus the Shiloh Shepherd

    The English Cocker Spaniel has a better temperament than the Shiloh Shepherd.

    This is because the temperament score for the English Cocker Spaniel is 93.3 percent while the temperament score for the Shiloh Shepherd is 80.8 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 80.8 percent, the Shiloh Shepherd has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the English Cocker Spaniel and the Shiloh Shepherd by measuring the temperaments of 75 English Cocker Spaniels and 26 Shiloh Shepherds.

    Health Problems of English Cocker Spaniel versus Health Problems of Shiloh Shepherd

    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 Shiloh Shepherd 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 Shiloh Shepherd.

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

    5 health tests are recommended for English Cocker Spaniel while 4 tests are recommended for the Shiloh Shepherd.

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

    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.

    Shiloh Shepherd Health Problems

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

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Shiloh Shepherds here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in English Cocker Spaniels and Shiloh Shepherds

    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 Shiloh Shepherd Breed is Congenital Cardiac problems.

    This is because the Shiloh Shepherd ranks 39 out of 159 dog breeds for Congenital Cardiac problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 740 Shiloh Shepherds, 3 of them had Congenital Cardiac problems.

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

  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 39 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 40 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 42 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 52 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 97 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in English Cocker Spaniel and in Shiloh Shepherd and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the English Cocker Spaniel and the Shiloh Shepherd:

    Disease English Cocker Spaniel Rank Shiloh Shepherd 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 97 out of 115 dog breeds
    Eyes problems 65 out of 182 dog breeds Not Common
    Patella problems 82 out of 145 dog breeds Not Common
    Elbow problems 137 out of 144 dog breeds 52 out of 144 dog breeds
    Hips problems 155 out of 198 dog breeds 42 out of 198 dog breeds
    Congenital Cardiac problems Not Common 39 out of 159 dog breeds
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems Not Common 40 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 Shiloh Shepherd

    English Cocker Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

    Shiloh Shepherds do not like to be left alone.

    Which one drools more, the English Cocker Spaniel or the Shiloh Shepherd

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

    Shiloh Shepherds drool moderately.

    Can English Cocker Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shiloh Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Shiloh Shepherds can tolerate hot weather.

    Do English Cocker Spaniels shed more than Shiloh Shepherds?

    English Cocker Spaniels shed moderately.

    Shiloh Shepherds shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

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

    English Cocker Spaniels are moderately easy to groom.

    Shiloh Shepherds are very easy to groom.

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

    English Cocker Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.

    Shiloh Shepherds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Can English Cocker Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shiloh Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather?

    English Cocker Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Shiloh Shepherds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Is the English Cocker Spaniel Easier to Train than the Shiloh Shepherd?

    English Cocker Spaniels are very easy to train.

    Shiloh Shepherds are very easy to train.

    Do English Cocker Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Shiloh Shepherds?

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

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

    Wanderlust Potential: English Cocker Spaniel vs. Shiloh Shepherd

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

    Shiloh Shepherds have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Is the English Cocker Spaniel Better for Apartment Owners than the Shiloh Shepherd?

    English Cocker Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.

    Shiloh Shepherds do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Are English Cocker Spaniels good family dogs? What about Shiloh Shepherds?

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

    Shiloh Shepherds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are English Cocker Spaniels and Shiloh Shepherds?

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

    Shiloh Shepherds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    English Cocker Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Shiloh Shepherds get along very well with other dogs.

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

    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.

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

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

  • Flat-Coated Retriever (78 percent match with Shiloh Shepherd). Here is our comparison of the English Cocker Spaniel vs Flat-Coated Retriever.
  • Labrador Retriever (79 percent match with Shiloh Shepherd). Here is our comparison of the English Cocker Spaniel vs Labrador Retriever.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    English Cocker Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    English Cocker Spaniel versus Standard Poodle     English Cocker Spaniel versus Azawakh     English Cocker Spaniel versus Portuguese Pointer     English Cocker Spaniel versus Neapolitan Mastiff     English Cocker Spaniel versus Boston Terrier     English Cocker Spaniel versus Labradoodle     English Cocker Spaniel versus Goldendoodle     English Cocker Spaniel versus Miniature Schnauzer     English Cocker Spaniel versus Schipperke     English Cocker Spaniel versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     

    Shiloh Shepherd Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Shiloh Shepherd versus King Shepherd     Shiloh Shepherd versus Shih Tzu     Shiloh Shepherd versus Estrela Mountain Dog     Shiloh Shepherd versus Norwegian Lundehund     Shiloh Shepherd versus Alaskan Klee Kai     Shiloh Shepherd versus Patterdale Terrier     Shiloh Shepherd versus Irish Wolfhound     Shiloh Shepherd versus Scottish Terrier     Shiloh Shepherd versus Chihuahua     Shiloh Shepherd versus American Foxhound     

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