Quick Links: Table of Contents
- English Setter Versus Welsh Springer Spaniel: Introduction
- English Setter versus Welsh Springer Spaniel: Overview
- English Setter versus Welsh Springer Spaniel: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the English Setter and the Welsh Springer Spaniel
- The Similarities Between the English Setter and the Welsh Springer Spaniel
- Size (Weight and Height) of English Setter versus Welsh Springer Spaniel
- Temperament of the Welsh Springer Spaniel Versus the English Setter
- The Intelligence of the English Setter versus the Intelligence of the Welsh Springer Spaniel
- The Popularity of English Setter versus Popularity of Welsh Springer Spaniel
- Health Problems of English Setter versus Health Problems of Welsh Springer Spaniel
- Tolerates Being Alone: English Setter versus Welsh Springer Spaniel
- Which one drools more, the English Setter or the Welsh Springer Spaniel
- Can English Setters Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Welsh Springer Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Do English Setters shed more than Welsh Springer Spaniels?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the English Setter or the Welsh Springer Spaniel?
- Is the English Setter Easier to Train than the Welsh Springer Spaniel?
- Can English Setters Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Welsh Springer Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Do English Setters Bark and Howl? What about Welsh Springer Spaniels?
- Are English Setters good family dogs? What about Welsh Springer Spaniels?
- How Kid-friendly are English Setters and Welsh Springer Spaniels?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the English Setter or the Welsh Springer Spaniel?
- Does the English Setter Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Welsh Springer Spaniel?
- Wanderlust Potential: English Setter vs. Welsh Springer Spaniel
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the English Setter
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Welsh Springer Spaniel
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: English Setter versus Welsh Springer Spaniel. Which One is a Better Pet?
English Setter Versus Welsh Springer Spaniel: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the English Setter and the Welsh Springer Spaniel? 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 Setter and the Welsh Springer Spaniel 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 Setter and the Welsh Springer Spaniel.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the English Setter and the Welsh Springer Spaniel 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 Setter and for the Welsh Springer Spaniel. 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 Setter and the Welsh Springer Spaniel.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the English Setter or the Welsh Springer Spaniel
English Setter versus Welsh Springer Spaniel: Overview
Both the English Setter and the Welsh Springer Spaniel are similar in size. The English Setter and the Welsh Springer Spaniel are both medium-sized dogs.
Furthermore, both the English Setter and the Welsh Springer Spaniel are Sporting Dogs. This means both the English Setter and the Welsh Springer Spaniel 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.
English Setter versus Welsh Springer Spaniel: Comparison Table
The table below compares the English Setter to the Welsh Springer Spaniel 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 Setter | Welsh Springer Spaniel |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Height | 1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the | 17 to 19 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Life Span | 11 to 15 years | 10 to 15 years |
| Does NOT Drool | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Train | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Weight | 45 to 80 pounds | 35 to 55 pounds |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 13.0 years | 12.5 years |
| Average Price | $1020 | No Data |
| Price Range | $800 – $1200 | No Data |
| Temperament Score | 81.3 percent | 100.0 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 95 | 128 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 37 | 31 |
*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 Setter 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 Welsh Springer Spaniel. 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 Setter is 74 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Welsh Springer Spaniel is 79 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Welsh Springer Spaniel is a better pet than the English Setter. So, you should get the Welsh Springer 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 Setter and the Welsh Springer Spaniel so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the English Setter and the Welsh Springer Spaniel
Below is a list of where the English Setter and the Welsh Springer Spaniel are most different:
The Similarities Between the English Setter and the Welsh Springer Spaniel
The English Setter and the Welsh Springer Spaniel are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the English Setter and the Welsh Springer Spaniel are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of English Setter versus Welsh Springer Spaniel
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the English Setter and the Welsh Springer Spaniel.
English Setters weigh 45 to 80 pounds when fully grown. English Setters are 1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the when fully grown.
On the other hand, Welsh Springer Spaniels weigh 35 to 55 pounds when fully grown. Welsh Springer Spaniels are 17 to 19 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Temperament of the Welsh Springer Spaniel Versus the English Setter
The Welsh Springer Spaniel has a better temperament than the English Setter.
This is because the temperament score for the Welsh Springer Spaniel is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the English Setter is 81.3 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 81.3 percent, the English Setter has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
With its temperament score of 100.0 percent, the Welsh Springer Spaniel has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the English Setter and the Welsh Springer Spaniel by measuring the temperaments of 32 English Setters and 6 Welsh Springer Spaniels.
The Intelligence of the English Setter versus the Intelligence of the Welsh Springer Spaniel
| English Setter | Welsh Springer Spaniel | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 37 out of 130 dog breeds | 31 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 15 To 25 Repetitions | Tend To Learn New Commands After 15 To 25 Repetitions |
Professor Stanley Coren, the famous psychology/neuropsychological professor and, dog lover/trainer measured and ranked the intelligence of about 130 different dog breeds.
According to Prof. Stanley Coren, the total intelligence that a dog demonstrates is the addition of three types of intelligence. These intelligence types are:
Prof. Coren showed that the Working/Obedience Intelligence of different dog breeds can be measured reliably. Thus, he was able to rank different dog breeds based on their Working/Obedience Intelligence.
This is important because according to Prof. Coren, 51 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from its genes while 49 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from the dog`s environmental circumstances.
To rank the intelligence of dog breeds, Prof. Coren employed the help of 208 dog obedience judges in North America to fill out a detailed survey on dog obedience. This number represented more than half of all of these judges in North America at the time. He also employed 63 veterinarians and 14 guard dog experts to collect data on the personality of different dog breeds.
Prof. Coren found that the English Setter has an obedience intelligence rank of 37 out of 130 dog breeds. The English Setter belongs to the `Above Average Working Dogs` category. This means that English Setters tend to learn new commands after 15 to 25 repetitions.
The Welsh Springer Spaniel has an obedience intelligence rank of 31 out of 130 dog breeds. The Welsh Springer Spaniel belongs to the `Above Average Working Dogs` category. This means that Welsh Springer Spaniels tend to learn new commands after 15 to 25 repetitions.
The Welsh Springer Spaniel is more intelligent than the English Setter.
However, Prof. Coren noted that a dog should not be judged based on its intelligence alone, that other factors such as sociability, adorability, and compatibility with the owner are other very important factors that new dog owners need to consider when deciding on a new dog.
The Popularity of English Setter versus Popularity of Welsh Springer Spaniel
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 Setter and the Welsh Springer Spaniel over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the English Setter is more popular with dog owners than the Welsh Springer Spaniel. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the English Setter is 95 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Welsh Springer Spaniel is 128 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of English Setter
Popularity of Welsh Springer Spaniel
| Year | English Setter Popularity Rank | Welsh Springer Spaniel Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 91 | 124 |
| 2014 | 89 | 133 |
| 2015 | 96 | 128 |
| 2016 | 102 | 123 |
| 2017 | 95 | 133 |
| 2018 | 94 | 128 |
| 2019 | 98 | 130 |
| 2020 | 101 | 128 |
Health Problems of English Setter versus Health Problems of Welsh Springer Spaniel
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 Setter and the Welsh Springer Spaniel 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 Welsh Springer Spaniel is prone to the same number of genetic health problems as the English Setter.
4 health tests are recommended for English Setter while 4 tests are recommended for the Welsh Springer Spaniel.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in English Setters and in Welsh Springer Spaniels.
English Setter Health Problems
English Setters are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing English Setter 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 Setter puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your English Setter 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 Setters for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for English Setters here.
Welsh Springer Spaniel Health Problems
Welsh Springer Spaniels are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Welsh Springer 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 Welsh Springer Spaniel puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Welsh Springer 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 Welsh Springer Spaniels for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Welsh Springer Spaniels here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in English Setters and Welsh Springer Spaniels
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 Setter Breed is Baer Hearing (Es) problems.
This is because the English Setter ranks 1 out of 1 dog breeds for Baer Hearing (Es) problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 4303 English Setters, 4 of them had Baer Hearing (Es) problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in English Setters, and how common these diseases are in English Setters relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
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 Welsh Springer Spaniel Breed is Thyroid problems.
This is because the Welsh Springer Spaniel ranks 12 out of 115 dog breeds for Thyroid problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 1309 Welsh Springer Spaniels, 125 of them had Thyroid problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Welsh Springer Spaniels, and how common these diseases are in Welsh Springer Spaniels relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in English Setter and in Welsh Springer Spaniel and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the English Setter and the Welsh Springer Spaniel:
| Disease | English Setter Rank | Welsh Springer Spaniel Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Baer Hearing (Es) problems | 1 out of 1 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Thyroid problems | 1 out of 115 dog breeds | 12 out of 115 dog breeds |
| Baer Hearing Test problems | 4 out of 21 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Elbow problems | 28 out of 144 dog breeds | 118 out of 144 dog breeds |
| Hips problems | 70 out of 198 dog breeds | 111 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Eyes problems | Not Common | 81 out of 182 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.
Is the English Setter Better for Apartment Owners than the Welsh Springer Spaniel?
English Setters do not adapt well to apartment living.
Welsh Springer Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.
Tolerates Being Alone: English Setter versus Welsh Springer Spaniel
English Setters do not like to be left alone.
Welsh Springer Spaniels do not like to be left alone.
Which one drools more, the English Setter or the Welsh Springer Spaniel
English Setters do have a very low tendency to drool.
Welsh Springer Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the English Setter or the Welsh Springer Spaniel?
English Setters are OK for new dog owners.
Welsh Springer Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.
Can English Setters Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Welsh Springer Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?
English Setters can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Welsh Springer Spaniels can tolerate hot weather.
Do English Setters shed more than Welsh Springer Spaniels?
English Setters shed moderately.
Welsh Springer Spaniels shed moderately.
Which is Easier to Groom, the English Setter or the Welsh Springer Spaniel?
English Setters are moderately easy to groom.
Welsh Springer Spaniels are very easy to groom.
Is the English Setter Easier to Train than the Welsh Springer Spaniel?
English Setters are fairly easy to train.
Welsh Springer Spaniels are very easy to train.
Can English Setters Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Welsh Springer Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?
English Setters can very well tolerate cold weather.
Welsh Springer Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.
Do English Setters Bark and Howl? What about Welsh Springer Spaniels?
English Setters are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Welsh Springer Spaniels are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Are English Setters good family dogs? What about Welsh Springer Spaniels?
English Setters are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Welsh Springer Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are English Setters and Welsh Springer Spaniels?
English Setters get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Welsh Springer Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the English Setter or the Welsh Springer Spaniel?
English Setters get along very well with other dogs.
Welsh Springer Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.
Does the English Setter Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Welsh Springer Spaniel?
English Setters 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.
Welsh Springer Spaniels have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Wanderlust Potential: English Setter vs. Welsh Springer Spaniel
English Setters have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Welsh Springer Spaniels have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the English Setter
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the English Setter 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 Setter:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Welsh Springer Spaniel
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Welsh Springer 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 Welsh Springer Spaniel:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the English Setter and how the Welsh Springer Spaniel compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the English Setter and of the Welsh Springer Spaniel to other breeds:
English Setter Versus Other Dog Breeds
English Setter versus Gordon Setter English Setter versus Coton de Tulear English Setter versus Standard Poodle English Setter versus French Spaniel English Setter versus Xoloitzcuintli English Setter versus Kuvasz English Setter versus Weimaraner English Setter versus Afghan Hound English Setter versus Boerboel English Setter versus Great Dane
Welsh Springer Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds
Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Spinone Italiano Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Lhasapoo Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Brittany Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Italian Greyhound Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Komondor Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Bulldog Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Belgian Sheepdog Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Borzoi Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Ibizan Hound
Conclusion: English Setter versus Welsh Springer Spaniel. 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 Setter and the Welsh Springer Spaniel better suits you and your family.