Quick Links: Table of Contents
- English Toy Spaniel Versus Icelandic Sheepdog: Introduction
- English Toy Spaniel versus Icelandic Sheepdog: Overview
- English Toy Spaniel versus Icelandic Sheepdog: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the English Toy Spaniel and the Icelandic Sheepdog
- The Similarities Between the English Toy Spaniel and the Icelandic Sheepdog
- Size (Weight and Height) of English Toy Spaniel versus Icelandic Sheepdog
- The Popularity of English Toy Spaniel versus Popularity of Icelandic Sheepdog
- Health Problems of English Toy Spaniel versus Health Problems of Icelandic Sheepdog
- Tolerates Being Alone: English Toy Spaniel versus Icelandic Sheepdog
- How Kid-friendly are English Toy Spaniels and Icelandic Sheepdogs?
- Can English Toy Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Icelandic Sheepdogs Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Can English Toy Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Icelandic Sheepdogs Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which one drools more, the English Toy Spaniel or the Icelandic Sheepdog
- Wanderlust Potential: English Toy Spaniel vs. Icelandic Sheepdog
- Is the English Toy Spaniel Easier to Train than the Icelandic Sheepdog?
- Do English Toy Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Icelandic Sheepdogs?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the English Toy Spaniel or the Icelandic Sheepdog?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the English Toy Spaniel or the Icelandic Sheepdog?
- Does the English Toy Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Icelandic Sheepdog?
- Are English Toy Spaniels good family dogs? What about Icelandic Sheepdogs?
- Do English Toy Spaniels shed more than Icelandic Sheepdogs?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the English Toy Spaniel
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Icelandic Sheepdog
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: English Toy Spaniel versus Icelandic Sheepdog. Which One is a Better Pet?
English Toy Spaniel Versus Icelandic Sheepdog: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the English Toy Spaniel and the Icelandic Sheepdog? 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 Icelandic Sheepdog 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 Icelandic Sheepdog.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the English Toy Spaniel and the Icelandic Sheepdog 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 Icelandic Sheepdog. 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 Icelandic Sheepdog.
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 Icelandic Sheepdog
English Toy Spaniel versus Icelandic Sheepdog: Overview
A very important difference between the English Toy Spaniel and the Icelandic Sheepdog is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The English Toy Spaniel is a small-sized dog while the Icelandic Sheepdog is a medium-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 Icelandic Sheepdog belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.
English Toy Spaniel versus Icelandic Sheepdog: Comparison Table
The table below compares the English Toy Spaniel to the Icelandic Sheepdog 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 | Icelandic Sheepdog |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Height | 10 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder | 16 to 18 inchestall at the shoulder |
| Life Span | 10 to 12 years | 14 to 15 years |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Weight | 8 to 14 pounds | 20 to 30 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 11.0 years | 14.5 years |
| Average Price | $2350 | No Data |
| Price Range | $2250 – $2525 | No Data |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 134 | 145 |
*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 Icelandic Sheepdog. 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 Icelandic Sheepdog is 68 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the English Toy Spaniel is a better pet than the Icelandic Sheepdog. 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 Icelandic Sheepdog 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 Icelandic Sheepdog
Below is a list of where the English Toy Spaniel and the Icelandic Sheepdog are most different:
The Similarities Between the English Toy Spaniel and the Icelandic Sheepdog
The English Toy Spaniel and the Icelandic Sheepdog are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the English Toy Spaniel and the Icelandic Sheepdog are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of English Toy Spaniel versus Icelandic Sheepdog
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the English Toy Spaniel and the Icelandic Sheepdog.
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, Icelandic Sheepdogs weigh 20 to 30 pounds when fully grown. Icelandic Sheepdogs are 16 to 18 inchestall at the shoulder when fully grown.
The Popularity of English Toy Spaniel versus Popularity of Icelandic Sheepdog
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 Icelandic Sheepdog over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the English Toy Spaniel is more popular with dog owners than the Icelandic Sheepdog. 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 Icelandic Sheepdog is 145 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of English Toy Spaniel
Popularity of Icelandic Sheepdog
| Year | English Toy Spaniel Popularity Rank | Icelandic Sheepdog Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 135 | 142 |
| 2014 | 138 | 146 |
| 2015 | 129 | 140 |
| 2016 | 130 | 153 |
| 2017 | 134 | 144 |
| 2018 | 135 | 155 |
| 2019 | 139 | 132 |
| 2020 | 138 | 154 |
Health Problems of English Toy Spaniel versus Health Problems of Icelandic Sheepdog
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 Icelandic Sheepdog 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 Icelandic Sheepdog is prone to more genetic health problems than the English Toy Spaniel.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Icelandic Sheepdog than for the English Toy Spaniel.
4 health tests are recommended for English Toy Spaniel while 8 tests are recommended for the Icelandic Sheepdog.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in English Toy Spaniels and in Icelandic Sheepdogs.
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:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for English Toy Spaniels here.
Icelandic Sheepdog Health Problems
Icelandic Sheepdogs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Icelandic Sheepdog 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 Icelandic Sheepdog puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Icelandic Sheepdog 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 Icelandic Sheepdogs for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Icelandic Sheepdogs here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in English Toy Spaniels and Icelandic Sheepdogs
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:
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 Icelandic Sheepdog Breed is Hips problems.
This is because the Icelandic Sheepdog ranks 55 out of 198 dog breeds for Hips problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 769 Icelandic Sheepdogs, 137 of them had Hips problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Icelandic Sheepdogs, and how common these diseases are in Icelandic Sheepdogs relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in English Toy Spaniel and in Icelandic Sheepdog and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the English Toy Spaniel and the Icelandic Sheepdog:
| Disease | English Toy Spaniel Rank | Icelandic Sheepdog Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Congenital Cardiac problems | 2 out of 159 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Eyes problems | 4 out of 182 dog breeds | 149 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Patella problems | 4 out of 145 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Hips problems | Not Common | 55 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 Icelandic Sheepdog
English Toy Spaniels do not like to be left alone.
Icelandic Sheepdogs do not like to be left alone.
How Kid-friendly are English Toy Spaniels and Icelandic Sheepdogs?
English Toy Spaniels do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.
Icelandic Sheepdogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Can English Toy Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Icelandic Sheepdogs Tolerate Cold Weather?
English Toy Spaniels cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Icelandic Sheepdogs can very well tolerate cold weather.
Can English Toy Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Icelandic Sheepdogs Tolerate Hot Weather?
English Toy Spaniels cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Icelandic Sheepdogs can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Which one drools more, the English Toy Spaniel or the Icelandic Sheepdog
English Toy Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.
Icelandic Sheepdogs do have a very low tendency to drool.
Wanderlust Potential: English Toy Spaniel vs. Icelandic Sheepdog
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.
Icelandic Sheepdogs 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 Icelandic Sheepdog?
English Toy Spaniels are fairly easy to train.
Icelandic Sheepdogs are fairly easy to train.
Do English Toy Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Icelandic Sheepdogs?
English Toy Spaniels bark and howl, but not very much.
Icelandic Sheepdogs are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Is the English Toy Spaniel Better for Apartment Owners than the Icelandic Sheepdog?
English Toy Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.
Icelandic Sheepdogs do not adapt well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the English Toy Spaniel or the Icelandic Sheepdog?
English Toy Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.
Icelandic Sheepdogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the English Toy Spaniel or the Icelandic Sheepdog?
English Toy Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.
Icelandic Sheepdogs do not get along well with other dogs.
Which is Easier to Groom, the English Toy Spaniel or the Icelandic Sheepdog?
English Toy Spaniels are very easy to groom.
Icelandic Sheepdogs require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Does the English Toy Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Icelandic Sheepdog?
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.
Icelandic Sheepdogs 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 Icelandic Sheepdogs?
English Toy Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Icelandic Sheepdogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Do English Toy Spaniels shed more than Icelandic Sheepdogs?
English Toy Spaniels shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Icelandic Sheepdogs 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:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Icelandic Sheepdog
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Icelandic Sheepdog 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 Icelandic Sheepdog:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the English Toy Spaniel and how the Icelandic Sheepdog compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the English Toy Spaniel and of the Icelandic Sheepdog to other breeds:
English Toy Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds
English Toy Spaniel versus Samoyed English Toy Spaniel versus Pomchi English Toy Spaniel versus Great Dane English Toy Spaniel versus Bich Poo English Toy Spaniel versus Plott English Toy Spaniel versus Canaan Dog English Toy Spaniel versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon English Toy Spaniel versus Standard Poodle English Toy Spaniel versus Bernedoodle English Toy Spaniel versus Japanese Chin
Icelandic Sheepdog Versus Other Dog Breeds
Icelandic Sheepdog versus West Highland White Terrier Icelandic Sheepdog versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen Icelandic Sheepdog versus Basenji Icelandic Sheepdog versus Italian Greyhound Icelandic Sheepdog versus Gordon Setter Icelandic Sheepdog versus Bedlington Terrier Icelandic Sheepdog versus Mal Shi Icelandic Sheepdog versus Boykin Spaniel Icelandic Sheepdog versus Cockalier Icelandic Sheepdog versus German Shepherd Dog
Conclusion: English Toy Spaniel versus Icelandic Sheepdog. 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 Icelandic Sheepdog better suits you and your family.