English Toy Spaniel versus Kai Ken. Final Verdict on Which is a Better Pet.

Quick Links: Table of Contents

English Toy Spaniel Versus Kai Ken: Introduction

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

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

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 Kai Ken

English Toy Spaniel versus Kai Ken: Overview

A very important difference between the English Toy Spaniel and the Kai Ken is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The English Toy Spaniel is a small-sized dog while the Kai Ken is a medium-sized dog.

Furthermore, both the English Toy Spaniel and the Kai Ken are Companion Dogs. This means both the English Toy Spaniel and the Kai Ken 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.

English Toy Spaniel versus Kai Ken: Comparison Table

The table below compares the English Toy Spaniel to the Kai Ken 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 Kai Ken
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 1/5 4/5
Height 10 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder 17 to 22 inches
Life Span 10 to 12 years 12 to 16 years
Tolerates Cold Weather 2/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 4/5 4/5
General Health 2/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 4/5 1/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Easy To Train 3/5 3/5
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 2/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 2/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 2/5
Easygoing 2/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 1/5 2/5
Weight 8 to 14 pounds 25 to 45 pounds
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 14.0 years
Average Price $2350 No Data
Price Range $2250 – $2525 No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • *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 Kai Ken. 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 Kai Ken is 73 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the English Toy Spaniel is a better pet than the Kai Ken. 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 Kai Ken 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 Kai Ken

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

  • English Toy Spaniels do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly. However, Kai Kens get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • English Toy Spaniels have low exercise needs. However, Kai Kens require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • The Similarities Between the English Toy Spaniel and the Kai Ken

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

  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Kai Ken cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Kai Ken do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Kai Ken do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Kai Ken get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Kai Ken have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Kai Ken are very playful.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Kai Ken are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Kai Ken shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of English Toy Spaniel versus Kai Ken

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

    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, Kai Kens weigh 25 to 45 pounds when fully grown. Kai Kens are 17 to 22 inches when fully grown.

    Health Problems of English Toy Spaniel versus Health Problems of Kai Ken

    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 Kai Ken 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 Kai Ken.

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

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

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

    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.

    Kai Ken Health Problems

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

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Kai Kens here.

    Tolerates Being Alone: English Toy Spaniel versus Kai Ken

    English Toy Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

    Kai Kens can be left alone only for a short time.

    How Kid-friendly are English Toy Spaniels and Kai Kens?

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

    Kai Kens get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Can English Toy Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Kai Kens Tolerate Cold Weather?

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

    Kai Kens can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Can English Toy Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Kai Kens Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Kai Kens can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Which one drools more, the English Toy Spaniel or the Kai Ken

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

    Kai Kens do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Wanderlust Potential: English Toy Spaniel vs. Kai Ken

    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.

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

    Is the English Toy Spaniel Easier to Train than the Kai Ken?

    English Toy Spaniels are fairly easy to train.

    Kai Kens are fairly easy to train.

    Do English Toy Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Kai Kens?

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

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

    Is the English Toy Spaniel Better for Apartment Owners than the Kai Ken?

    English Toy Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.

    Kai Kens do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    English Toy Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.

    Kai Kens are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

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

    English Toy Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Kai Kens get along fairly well with other dogs.

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

    English Toy Spaniels are very easy to groom.

    Kai Kens 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 Kai Ken?

    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.

    Kai Kens 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 Kai Kens?

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

    Kai Kens are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Do English Toy Spaniels shed more than Kai Kens?

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

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

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

  • Icelandic Sheepdog (78 percent match with Kai Ken). Here is our comparison of the English Toy Spaniel vs Icelandic Sheepdog.
  • Kishu Ken (79 percent match with Kai Ken). Here is our comparison of the English Toy Spaniel vs Kishu Ken.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    English Toy Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    English Toy Spaniel versus Cavachon     English Toy Spaniel versus Curly-Coated Retriever     English Toy Spaniel versus Mountain Cur     English Toy Spaniel versus Bracco Italiano     English Toy Spaniel versus Goldendoodle     English Toy Spaniel versus Pomeranian     English Toy Spaniel versus Standard Poodle     English Toy Spaniel versus Bullmastiff     English Toy Spaniel versus Beagle     English Toy Spaniel versus Tibetan Spaniel     

    Kai Ken Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Kai Ken versus Miniature Poodle     Kai Ken versus Pug     Kai Ken versus Doberman Pinscher     Kai Ken versus Bichon Frise     Kai Ken versus Cockapoo     Kai Ken versus French Spaniel     Kai Ken versus Lancashire Heeler     Kai Ken versus Boykin Spaniel     Kai Ken versus Mal Shi     Kai Ken versus Mountain Cur     

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