Is the English Toy Spaniel Better than the Greyhound as a Pet? Answer…

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English Toy Spaniel Versus Greyhound: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the English Toy Spaniel and the Greyhound 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 Greyhound. 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 Greyhound.

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 Greyhound

English Toy Spaniel versus Greyhound: Overview

A very important difference between the English Toy Spaniel and the Greyhound is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The English Toy Spaniel is a small-sized dog while the Greyhound 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 Greyhound belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.

English Toy Spaniel versus Greyhound: Comparison Table

The table below compares the English Toy Spaniel to the Greyhound 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 Greyhound
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 1/5
Kid-Friendly 1/5 5/5
Height 10 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder 2 feet, 1 inch to 2 feet, 6 inches tall at the sho
Life Span 10 to 12 years 12 to 15 years
Tolerates Cold Weather 2/5 1/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 5/5
Does NOT Drool 4/5 1/5
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 1/5
Easy To Train 3/5 5/5
Intelligence 3/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 3/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 4/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 2/5
Easygoing 2/5 1/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 2/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 1/5 2/5
Weight 8 to 14 pounds 50 to 85 pounds
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 13.5 years
Average Price $2350 $660
Price Range $2250 – $2525 $500 – $800
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • DNA Repository
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 134 149

    *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 Greyhound. 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 Greyhound is 73 out of 125.

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

    Below is a list of where the English Toy Spaniel and the Greyhound are most different:

  • English Toy Spaniels do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly. However, Greyhounds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • English Toy Spaniels cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments. However, Greyhounds can tolerate hot weather.
  • English Toy Spaniels do not have the tendency to drool. However, Greyhounds have a very high tendency to drool.
  • 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, Greyhounds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • English Toy Spaniels have low exercise needs. However, Greyhounds require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • The Similarities Between the English Toy Spaniel and the Greyhound

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

  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Greyhound do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Greyhound cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Greyhound adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Greyhound 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 Greyhound get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Greyhound are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Greyhound are very easy to groom.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Greyhound are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Greyhound have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Greyhound are very playful.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Greyhound are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Greyhound shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of English Toy Spaniel versus Greyhound

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the English Toy Spaniel and the Greyhound.

    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, Greyhounds weigh 50 to 85 pounds when fully grown. Greyhounds are 2 feet, 1 inch to 2 feet, 6 inches tall at the sho when fully grown.

    Price of English Toy Spaniel versus Price of Greyhound

    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 Greyhound puppy is $660. The price of the Greyhound typically ranges from $500 – $800. However, the price of a Greyhound can be as low as $400 and as high as $1100. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 20 Greyhound puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The English Toy Spaniel is more expensive than the Greyhound.

    English Toy Spaniel Greyhound
    Average Price $2350 $660
    Price Range $2250 to $2525 $500 to $800

    The charts below show the price distribution for the English Toy Spaniel and Greyhound. For different price points, the charts show how many English Toy Spaniel puppies or how many Greyhound 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 Greyhounds

    A breakdown of the prices of Greyhounds

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

    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 Greyhound over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the English Toy Spaniel is more popular with dog owners than the Greyhound. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the English Toy Spaniel is 134 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Greyhound is 149 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of English Toy Spaniel

    Popularity of English Toy Spaniel

    Popularity of Greyhound

    Popularity of Greyhound

    Year English Toy Spaniel Popularity Rank Greyhound Popularity Rank
    2013 135 148
    2014 138 147
    2015 129 147
    2016 130 151
    2017 134 156
    2018 135 145
    2019 139 162
    2020 138 142

    Health Problems of English Toy Spaniel versus Health Problems of Greyhound

    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 Greyhound 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 Toy Spaniel is prone to more genetic health problems than the Greyhound.

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

    4 health tests are recommended for English Toy Spaniel while 2 tests are recommended for the Greyhound.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in English Toy Spaniels and in Greyhounds.

    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.

    Greyhound Health Problems

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

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • DNA Repository
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Greyhounds here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in English Toy Spaniels and Greyhounds

    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 Greyhound Breed is Eyes problems.

    This is because the Greyhound ranks 76 out of 182 dog breeds for Eyes problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 119 Greyhounds, 2 of them had Eyes problems.

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

  • Eyes problems: Rank 76 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 81 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 186 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in English Toy Spaniel and in Greyhound and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the English Toy Spaniel and the Greyhound:

    Disease English Toy Spaniel Rank Greyhound Rank
    Congenital Cardiac problems 2 out of 159 dog breeds Not Common
    Eyes problems 4 out of 182 dog breeds 76 out of 182 dog breeds
    Patella problems 4 out of 145 dog breeds Not Common
    Thyroid problems Not Common 81 out of 115 dog breeds
    Hips problems Not Common 186 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 Greyhound

    English Toy Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

    Greyhounds do not like to be left alone.

    How Kid-friendly are English Toy Spaniels and Greyhounds?

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

    Greyhounds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Can English Toy Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Greyhounds Tolerate Cold Weather?

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

    Greyhounds cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Can English Toy Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Greyhounds Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Greyhounds can tolerate hot weather.

    Which one drools more, the English Toy Spaniel or the Greyhound

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

    Greyhounds have a very high tendency to drool.

    Wanderlust Potential: English Toy Spaniel vs. Greyhound

    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.

    Greyhounds 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 Greyhound?

    English Toy Spaniels are fairly easy to train.

    Greyhounds are very easy to train.

    Do English Toy Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Greyhounds?

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

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

    Is the English Toy Spaniel Better for Apartment Owners than the Greyhound?

    English Toy Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.

    Greyhounds adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the English Toy Spaniel or the Greyhound?

    English Toy Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.

    Greyhounds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the English Toy Spaniel or the Greyhound?

    English Toy Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Greyhounds get along very well with other dogs.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the English Toy Spaniel or the Greyhound?

    English Toy Spaniels are very easy to groom.

    Greyhounds are very easy to groom.

    Does the English Toy Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Greyhound?

    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.

    Greyhounds 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 Greyhounds?

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

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

    Do English Toy Spaniels shed more than Greyhounds?

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

    Greyhounds shed. They are not recommended 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 Greyhound vs Japanese Chin.
  • Pug (73 percent match with English Toy Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Greyhound vs Pug.
  • French Bulldog (74 percent match with English Toy Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Greyhound vs French Bulldog.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Greyhound

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

  • German Shorthaired Pointer (70 percent match with Greyhound). Here is our comparison of the English Toy Spaniel vs German Shorthaired Pointer.
  • Bull Terrier (71 percent match with Greyhound). Here is our comparison of the English Toy Spaniel vs Bull Terrier.
  • Weimaraner (69 percent match with Greyhound). Here is our comparison of the English Toy Spaniel vs Weimaraner.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    English Toy Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    English Toy Spaniel versus Bedlington Terrier     English Toy Spaniel versus Standard Poodle     English Toy Spaniel versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne     English Toy Spaniel versus Pomeranian     English Toy Spaniel versus American Bulldog     English Toy Spaniel versus Berger Picard     English Toy Spaniel versus Japanese Chin     English Toy Spaniel versus Australian Shepherd     English Toy Spaniel versus Goldendoodle     English Toy Spaniel versus Golden Cocker Retriever     

    Greyhound Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Greyhound versus Samoyed     Greyhound versus Chi-Poo     Greyhound versus Irish Water Spaniel     Greyhound versus American Bulldog     Greyhound versus Boerboel     Greyhound versus Norfolk Terrier     Greyhound versus Miniature Pinscher     Greyhound versus King Shepherd     Greyhound versus Lagotto Romagnolo     Greyhound versus Shichon     

    Conclusion: English Toy Spaniel versus Greyhound. 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 Greyhound better suits you and your family.