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

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English Toy Spaniel Versus Kuvasz: Introduction

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

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

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 Kuvasz

English Toy Spaniel versus Kuvasz: Overview

A very important difference between the English Toy Spaniel and the Kuvasz is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The English Toy Spaniel is a small-sized dog while the Kuvasz is a giant-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 Kuvasz belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

English Toy Spaniel versus Kuvasz: Comparison Table

The table below compares the English Toy Spaniel to the Kuvasz 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 Kuvasz
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 1/5
Kid-Friendly 1/5 1/5
Height 10 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder 26 to 30 inches tall at the shoulder
Life Span 10 to 12 years 10 to 12 years
Tolerates Cold Weather 2/5 5/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 4/5 3/5
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 2/5
Easy To Train 3/5 2/5
Intelligence 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 2/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 1/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 1/5
Easygoing 2/5 1/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 1/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 5/5
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 70 to 115 pounds
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 11.0 years
Average Price $2350 $1630
Price Range $2250 – $2525 $1438 – $1812
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 134 161

    *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 Kuvasz. 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 Kuvasz is 66 out of 125.

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

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

  • English Toy Spaniels cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold. However, Kuvaszs can tolerate cold weather.
  • English Toy Spaniels have low exercise needs. However, Kuvaszs require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • English Toy Spaniels adapt well to apartment living. However, Kuvaszs do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • English Toy Spaniels are good for new dog owners. However, Kuvaszs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • English Toy Spaniels are very friendly towards strangers. However, Kuvaszs are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • English Toy Spaniels are prone to nip and chew at things. However, Kuvaszs are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • English Toy Spaniels have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets. However, Kuvaszs have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • The Similarities Between the English Toy Spaniel and the Kuvasz

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

  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Kuvasz do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Kuvasz do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Kuvasz cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Kuvasz do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Kuvasz 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 Kuvasz 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 Kuvasz are very easy to groom.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Kuvasz are very playful.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Kuvasz are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Kuvasz shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of English Toy Spaniel versus Kuvasz

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

    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, Kuvaszs weigh 70 to 115 pounds when fully grown. Kuvaszs are 26 to 30 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Price of English Toy Spaniel versus Price of Kuvasz

    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 Kuvasz puppy is $1630. The price of the Kuvasz typically ranges from $1438 – $1812. However, the price of a Kuvasz can be as low as $1250 and as high as $2000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 2 Kuvasz puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The English Toy Spaniel is more expensive than the Kuvasz.

    English Toy Spaniel Kuvasz
    Average Price $2350 $1630
    Price Range $2250 to $2525 $1438 to $1812

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Kuvaszs

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

    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 Kuvasz over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the English Toy Spaniel is more popular with dog owners than the Kuvasz. 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 Kuvasz is 161 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of English Toy Spaniel

    Popularity of English Toy Spaniel

    Popularity of Kuvasz

    Popularity of Kuvasz

    Year English Toy Spaniel Popularity Rank Kuvasz Popularity Rank
    2013 135 150
    2014 138 161
    2015 129 150
    2016 130 165
    2017 134 157
    2018 135 163
    2019 139 166
    2020 138 177

    Health Problems of English Toy Spaniel versus Health Problems of Kuvasz

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

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

    4 health tests are recommended for English Toy Spaniel while 7 tests are recommended for the Kuvasz.

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

    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.

    Kuvasz Health Problems

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

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Kuvaszs here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in English Toy Spaniels and Kuvaszs

    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 Kuvasz Breed is Thyroid problems.

    This is because the Kuvasz ranks 7 out of 115 dog breeds for Thyroid problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 434 Kuvaszs, 51 of them had Thyroid problems.

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

  • Thyroid problems: Rank 7 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 25 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 52 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 64 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 124 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in English Toy Spaniel and in Kuvasz and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the English Toy Spaniel and the Kuvasz:

    Disease English Toy Spaniel Rank Kuvasz Rank
    Congenital Cardiac problems 2 out of 159 dog breeds Not Common
    Eyes problems 4 out of 182 dog breeds Not Common
    Patella problems 4 out of 145 dog breeds 124 out of 145 dog breeds
    Thyroid problems Not Common 7 out of 115 dog breeds
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems Not Common 25 out of 70 dog breeds
    Hips problems Not Common 52 out of 198 dog breeds
    Elbow problems Not Common 64 out of 144 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 Kuvasz

    English Toy Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

    Kuvaszs do not like to be left alone.

    How Kid-friendly are English Toy Spaniels and Kuvaszs?

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

    Kuvaszs do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

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

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

    Kuvaszs can very well tolerate cold weather.

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

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

    Kuvaszs cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

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

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

    Kuvaszs drool moderately.

    Wanderlust Potential: English Toy Spaniel vs. Kuvasz

    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.

    Kuvaszs 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 Kuvasz?

    English Toy Spaniels are fairly easy to train.

    Kuvaszs are not easy to train.

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

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

    Kuvaszs bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    English Toy Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.

    Kuvaszs do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    English Toy Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.

    Kuvaszs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

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

    English Toy Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Kuvaszs do not get along well with other dogs.

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

    English Toy Spaniels are very easy to groom.

    Kuvaszs are very easy to groom.

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

    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.

    Kuvaszs have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.

    Are English Toy Spaniels good family dogs? What about Kuvaszs?

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

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

    Do English Toy Spaniels shed more than Kuvaszs?

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

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

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

  • Hovawart (72 percent match with Kuvasz). Here is our comparison of the English Toy Spaniel vs Hovawart.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    English Toy Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    English Toy Spaniel versus West Highland White Terrier     English Toy Spaniel versus Boxer     English Toy Spaniel versus Pekingese     English Toy Spaniel versus Australian Shepherd     English Toy Spaniel versus Bouvier des Flandres     English Toy Spaniel versus Lakeland Terrier     English Toy Spaniel versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel     English Toy Spaniel versus Bolognese     English Toy Spaniel versus Patterdale Terrier     English Toy Spaniel versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     

    Kuvasz Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Kuvasz versus Kishu Ken     Kuvasz versus Pyrenean Mastiff     Kuvasz versus English Springer Spaniel     Kuvasz versus Brussels Griffon     Kuvasz versus Spanish Mastiff     Kuvasz versus Labrador Retriever     Kuvasz versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog     Kuvasz versus Kishu Ken     Kuvasz versus Catahoula Bulldog     Kuvasz versus Lakeland Terrier     

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