A Detailed Comparison of the English Toy Spaniel and the German Wirehaired Pointer.

Quick Links: Table of Contents

English Toy Spaniel Versus German Wirehaired Pointer: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the English Toy Spaniel and the German Wirehaired Pointer? 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 Toy Spaniel and the German Wirehaired Pointer 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 Toy Spaniel and the German Wirehaired Pointer.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the English Toy Spaniel and the German Wirehaired Pointer 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 Toy Spaniel and for the German Wirehaired Pointer. 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 Toy Spaniel and the German Wirehaired Pointer.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the English Toy Spaniel or the German Wirehaired Pointer

English Toy Spaniel versus German Wirehaired Pointer: Overview

A very important difference between the English Toy Spaniel and the German Wirehaired Pointer is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The English Toy Spaniel is a small-sized dog while the German Wirehaired Pointer is a large-sized dog.

Furthermore, the English Toy Spaniel belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.

On the other hand, the German Wirehaired Pointer 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.

English Toy Spaniel versus German Wirehaired Pointer: Comparison Table

The table below compares the English Toy Spaniel to the German Wirehaired Pointer 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 Toy Spaniel German Wirehaired Pointer
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 2/5
Kid-Friendly 1/5 3/5
Height 10 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder 1 foot, 10 inches to 2 feet, 2 inches tall at the
Life Span 10 to 12 years 12 to 14 years
Tolerates Cold Weather 2/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 4/5
Does NOT Drool 4/5 4/5
General Health 2/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 4/5 1/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Easy To Train 3/5 4/5
Intelligence 3/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 2/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 2/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 3/5
Easygoing 2/5 2/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 2/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 5/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 1/5 4/5
Weight 8 to 14 pounds 60 to 70 pounds
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 13.0 years
Average Price $2350 $990
Price Range $2250 – $2525 $800 – $1200
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- any age, yearly if in a breeding program
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • von Willebrand`s Disease
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 134 65

    *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 Toy 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 German Wirehaired Pointer. 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 Toy Spaniel is 74 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a German Wirehaired Pointer is 74 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the German Wirehaired Pointer is not better or worse than the English Toy Spaniel. So, you can get the German Wirehaired Pointer or the English Toy 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 Toy Spaniel and the German Wirehaired Pointer so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the English Toy Spaniel and the German Wirehaired Pointer

    Below is a list of where the English Toy Spaniel and the German Wirehaired Pointer are most different:

  • English Toy Spaniels do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them. However, German Wirehaired Pointers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • English Toy Spaniels have low exercise needs. However, German Wirehaired Pointers require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • English Toy Spaniels shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies. However, German Wirehaired Pointers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • The Similarities Between the English Toy Spaniel and the German Wirehaired Pointer

    The English Toy Spaniel and the German Wirehaired Pointer are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the English Toy Spaniel and the German Wirehaired Pointer are most similar:

  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the German Wirehaired Pointer do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the German Wirehaired Pointer cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the German Wirehaired Pointer do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the German Wirehaired Pointer are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the German Wirehaired Pointer 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 Toy Spaniel and the German Wirehaired Pointer get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the German Wirehaired Pointer are very easy to groom.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the German Wirehaired Pointer are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the German Wirehaired Pointer have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the German Wirehaired Pointer are very playful.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the German Wirehaired Pointer are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of English Toy Spaniel versus German Wirehaired Pointer

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the English Toy Spaniel and the German Wirehaired Pointer.

    English Toy Spaniels weigh 8 to 14 pounds when fully grown. English Toy Spaniels are 10 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, German Wirehaired Pointers weigh 60 to 70 pounds when fully grown. German Wirehaired Pointers are 1 foot, 10 inches to 2 feet, 2 inches tall at the when fully grown.

    Price of English Toy Spaniel versus Price of German Wirehaired Pointer

    The average price of the English Toy Spaniel puppy is $2350. The price of the English Toy Spaniel typically ranges from $2250 – $2525. However, the price of a English Toy Spaniel can be as low as $2000 and as high as $2550. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 3 English Toy Spaniel puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the German Wirehaired Pointer puppy is $990. The price of the German Wirehaired Pointer typically ranges from $800 – $1200. However, the price of a German Wirehaired Pointer can be as low as $250 and as high as $1500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 83 German Wirehaired Pointer puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The English Toy Spaniel is more expensive than the German Wirehaired Pointer.

    English Toy Spaniel German Wirehaired Pointer
    Average Price $2350 $990
    Price Range $2250 to $2525 $800 to $1200

    The charts below show the price distribution for the English Toy Spaniel and German Wirehaired Pointer. For different price points, the charts show how many English Toy Spaniel puppies or how many German Wirehaired Pointer puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of English Toy Spaniels. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of English Toy Spaniels. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of German Wirehaired Pointers

    A breakdown of the prices of German Wirehaired Pointers

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the English Toy Spaniel puppy or the German Wirehaired Pointer 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.

    The Popularity of English Toy Spaniel versus Popularity of German Wirehaired Pointer

    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 Toy Spaniel and the German Wirehaired Pointer over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the German Wirehaired Pointer is more popular with dog owners than the English Toy Spaniel. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the German Wirehaired Pointer is 65 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the English Toy Spaniel is 134 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of English Toy Spaniel

    Popularity of English Toy Spaniel

    Popularity of German Wirehaired Pointer

    Popularity of German Wirehaired Pointer

    Year English Toy Spaniel Popularity Rank German Wirehaired Pointer Popularity Rank
    2013 135 71
    2014 138 71
    2015 129 68
    2016 130 64
    2017 134 62
    2018 135 63
    2019 139 63
    2020 138 60

    Health Problems of English Toy Spaniel versus Health Problems of German Wirehaired Pointer

    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 Toy Spaniel and the German Wirehaired Pointer 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 German Wirehaired Pointer is prone to more genetic health problems than the English Toy Spaniel.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the German Wirehaired Pointer than for the English Toy Spaniel.

    4 health tests are recommended for English Toy Spaniel while 6 tests are recommended for the German Wirehaired Pointer.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in English Toy Spaniels and in German Wirehaired Pointers.

    English Toy Spaniel Health Problems

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

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for English Toy Spaniels here.

    German Wirehaired Pointer Health Problems

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

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- any age, yearly if in a breeding program
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • von Willebrand`s Disease
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for German Wirehaired Pointers here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in English Toy Spaniels and German Wirehaired Pointers

    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 Toy Spaniel Breed is Congenital Cardiac problems.

    This is because the English Toy Spaniel ranks 2 out of 159 dog breeds for Congenital Cardiac problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 470 English Toy Spaniels, 21 of them had Congenital Cardiac problems.

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

  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 2 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 4 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 4 out of 145 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 German Wirehaired Pointer Breed is Thyroid problems.

    This is because the German Wirehaired Pointer ranks 14 out of 115 dog breeds for Thyroid problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 1161 German Wirehaired Pointers, 107 of them had Thyroid problems.

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

  • Thyroid problems: Rank 14 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 35 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Advanced Cardiac problems: Rank 37 out of 71 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 87 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 126 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 128 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in English Toy Spaniel and in German Wirehaired Pointer and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the English Toy Spaniel and the German Wirehaired Pointer:

    Disease English Toy Spaniel Rank German Wirehaired Pointer Rank
    Congenital Cardiac problems 2 out of 159 dog breeds 35 out of 159 dog breeds
    Eyes problems 4 out of 182 dog breeds 128 out of 182 dog breeds
    Patella problems 4 out of 145 dog breeds Not Common
    Thyroid problems Not Common 14 out of 115 dog breeds
    Advanced Cardiac problems Not Common 37 out of 71 dog breeds
    Elbow problems Not Common 87 out of 144 dog breeds
    Hips problems Not Common 126 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 Toy Spaniel versus German Wirehaired Pointer

    English Toy Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

    German Wirehaired Pointers do not like to be left alone.

    How Kid-friendly are English Toy Spaniels and German Wirehaired Pointers?

    English Toy Spaniels do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

    German Wirehaired Pointers get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

    Can English Toy Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can German Wirehaired Pointers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    English Toy Spaniels cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    German Wirehaired Pointers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Can English Toy Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can German Wirehaired Pointers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    English Toy Spaniels cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    German Wirehaired Pointers can tolerate hot weather.

    Which one drools more, the English Toy Spaniel or the German Wirehaired Pointer

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

    German Wirehaired Pointers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Wanderlust Potential: English Toy Spaniel vs. German Wirehaired Pointer

    English Toy Spaniels do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    German Wirehaired Pointers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Is the English Toy Spaniel Easier to Train than the German Wirehaired Pointer?

    English Toy Spaniels are fairly easy to train.

    German Wirehaired Pointers are very easy to train.

    Do English Toy Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about German Wirehaired Pointers?

    English Toy Spaniels bark and howl, but not very much.

    German Wirehaired Pointers bark and howl, but not very much.

    Is the English Toy Spaniel Better for Apartment Owners than the German Wirehaired Pointer?

    English Toy Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.

    German Wirehaired Pointers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the English Toy Spaniel or the German Wirehaired Pointer?

    English Toy Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.

    German Wirehaired Pointers are OK for new dog owners.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the English Toy Spaniel or the German Wirehaired Pointer?

    English Toy Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    German Wirehaired Pointers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the English Toy Spaniel or the German Wirehaired Pointer?

    English Toy Spaniels are very easy to groom.

    German Wirehaired Pointers are very easy to groom.

    Does the English Toy Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the German Wirehaired Pointer?

    English Toy 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.

    German Wirehaired Pointers 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.

    Are English Toy Spaniels good family dogs? What about German Wirehaired Pointers?

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

    German Wirehaired Pointers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Do English Toy Spaniels shed more than German Wirehaired Pointers?

    English Toy Spaniels shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    German Wirehaired Pointers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the English Toy Spaniel

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the English Toy 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 Toy Spaniel:

  • Japanese Chin (74 percent match with English Toy Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the German Wirehaired Pointer vs Japanese Chin.
  • Pug (73 percent match with English Toy Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the German Wirehaired Pointer vs Pug.
  • French Bulldog (74 percent match with English Toy Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the German Wirehaired Pointer vs French Bulldog.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the German Wirehaired Pointer

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the German Wirehaired Pointer 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 German Wirehaired Pointer:

  • Australian Kelpie (81 percent match with German Wirehaired Pointer). Here is our comparison of the English Toy Spaniel vs Australian Kelpie.
  • German Pinscher (83 percent match with German Wirehaired Pointer). Here is our comparison of the English Toy Spaniel vs German Pinscher.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the English Toy Spaniel and how the German Wirehaired Pointer compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the English Toy Spaniel and of the German Wirehaired Pointer to other breeds:

    English Toy Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    English Toy Spaniel versus Bolognese     English Toy Spaniel versus Scottish Deerhound     English Toy Spaniel versus Stabyhoun     English Toy Spaniel versus Beagle     English Toy Spaniel versus Patterdale Terrier     English Toy Spaniel versus Irish Setter     English Toy Spaniel versus Bernese Mountain Dog     English Toy Spaniel versus Peek A Poo     English Toy Spaniel versus American Bulldog     English Toy Spaniel versus Boykin Spaniel     

    German Wirehaired Pointer Versus Other Dog Breeds

    German Wirehaired Pointer versus King Shepherd     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Chow Chow     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Bearded Collie     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Valley Bulldog     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Cairn Terrier     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Clumber Spaniel     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Boxerdoodle     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Mudi     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Aussiedoodle     

    Conclusion: English Toy Spaniel versus German Wirehaired Pointer. 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 Toy Spaniel and the German Wirehaired Pointer better suits you and your family.