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

Quick Links: Table of Contents

English Toy Spaniel Versus Maremma 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 Maremma 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 Maremma 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 Maremma Sheepdog.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the English Toy Spaniel and the Maremma 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 Maremma 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 Maremma 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 Maremma Sheepdog

English Toy Spaniel versus Maremma Sheepdog: Overview

A very important difference between the English Toy Spaniel and the Maremma Sheepdog is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The English Toy Spaniel is a small-sized dog while the Maremma Sheepdog 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 Maremma Sheepdog 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 Maremma Sheepdog: Comparison Table

The table below compares the English Toy Spaniel to the Maremma 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 Maremma Sheepdog
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 2/5
Kid-Friendly 1/5 4/5
Height 10 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder 23.5 to 28.5 inches
Life Span 10 to 12 years 11 to 13 years
Tolerates Cold Weather 2/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 4/5 3/5
General Health 2/5 5/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 4/5 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 1/5
Easy To Train 3/5 1/5
Intelligence 3/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 4/5
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 2/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 1/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 5/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 1/5 1/5
Weight 8 to 14 pounds 65 to 100 pounds
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 12.0 years
Average Price $2350 $1160
Price Range $2250 – $2525 $495 – $1500
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Shoulders
  • *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 Maremma 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 Maremma Sheepdog is 68 out of 125.

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

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

  • English Toy Spaniels do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly. However, Maremma Sheepdogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • English Toy Spaniels have the tendency to develop certain health problems. However, Maremma Sheepdogs are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • English Toy Spaniels adapt well to apartment living. However, Maremma Sheepdogs do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • English Toy Spaniels are good for new dog owners. However, Maremma Sheepdogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • English Toy Spaniels are very friendly towards strangers. However, Maremma Sheepdogs are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • English Toy Spaniels have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets. However, Maremma Sheepdogs have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • The Similarities Between the English Toy Spaniel and the Maremma Sheepdog

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

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

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the English Toy Spaniel and the Maremma 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, Maremma Sheepdogs weigh 65 to 100 pounds when fully grown. Maremma Sheepdogs are 23.5 to 28.5 inches when fully grown.

    Price of English Toy Spaniel versus Price of Maremma Sheepdog

    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 Maremma Sheepdog puppy is $1160. The price of the Maremma Sheepdog typically ranges from $495 – $1500. However, the price of a Maremma Sheepdog can be as low as $300 and as high as $4135. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 41 Maremma Sheepdog puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The English Toy Spaniel is more expensive than the Maremma Sheepdog.

    English Toy Spaniel Maremma Sheepdog
    Average Price $2350 $1160
    Price Range $2250 to $2525 $495 to $1500

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Maremma Sheepdogs

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

    Health Problems of English Toy Spaniel versus Health Problems of Maremma 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 Maremma 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 Maremma 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 Maremma Sheepdog than for the English Toy Spaniel.

    4 health tests are recommended for English Toy Spaniel while 5 tests are recommended for the Maremma Sheepdog.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in English Toy Spaniels and in Maremma 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:

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

    Maremma Sheepdog Health Problems

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

  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Shoulders
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Maremma Sheepdogs here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in English Toy Spaniels and Maremma 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:

  • 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 Maremma Sheepdog Breed is Hips problems.

    This is because the Maremma Sheepdog ranks 59 out of 198 dog breeds for Hips problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 159 Maremma Sheepdogs, 27 of them had Hips problems.

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

  • Hips problems: Rank 59 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in English Toy Spaniel and in Maremma Sheepdog and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the English Toy Spaniel and the Maremma Sheepdog:

    Disease English Toy Spaniel Rank Maremma Sheepdog 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 Not Common
    Hips problems Not Common 59 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 Maremma Sheepdog

    English Toy Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

    Maremma Sheepdogs do not like to be left alone.

    How Kid-friendly are English Toy Spaniels and Maremma Sheepdogs?

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

    Maremma Sheepdogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Can English Toy Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Maremma Sheepdogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

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

    Maremma Sheepdogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Can English Toy Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Maremma Sheepdogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Maremma Sheepdogs cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Which one drools more, the English Toy Spaniel or the Maremma Sheepdog

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

    Maremma Sheepdogs drool moderately.

    Wanderlust Potential: English Toy Spaniel vs. Maremma 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.

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

    Is the English Toy Spaniel Easier to Train than the Maremma Sheepdog?

    English Toy Spaniels are fairly easy to train.

    Maremma Sheepdogs are not easy to train.

    Do English Toy Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Maremma Sheepdogs?

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

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

    Is the English Toy Spaniel Better for Apartment Owners than the Maremma Sheepdog?

    English Toy Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.

    Maremma Sheepdogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    English Toy Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.

    Maremma Sheepdogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

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

    English Toy Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Maremma Sheepdogs get along very well with other dogs.

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

    English Toy Spaniels are very easy to groom.

    Maremma 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 Maremma 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.

    Maremma Sheepdogs 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 Maremma Sheepdogs?

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

    Maremma Sheepdogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Do English Toy Spaniels shed more than Maremma Sheepdogs?

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

    Maremma 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:

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

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

  • Central Asian Shepherd Dog (75 percent match with Maremma Sheepdog). Here is our comparison of the English Toy Spaniel vs Central Asian Shepherd Dog.
  • Hovawart (72 percent match with Maremma Sheepdog). 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 Maremma Sheepdog compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the English Toy Spaniel and of the Maremma Sheepdog to other breeds:

    English Toy Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    English Toy Spaniel versus Pomeranian     English Toy Spaniel versus Bordoodle     English Toy Spaniel versus Field Spaniel     English Toy Spaniel versus Keeshond     English Toy Spaniel versus Azawakh     English Toy Spaniel versus Miniature Pinscher     English Toy Spaniel versus German Wirehaired Pointer     English Toy Spaniel versus American Staffordshire Terrier     English Toy Spaniel versus Berger Picard     English Toy Spaniel versus Italian Greyhound     

    Maremma Sheepdog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Maremma Sheepdog versus Great Pyrenees     Maremma Sheepdog versus Bich Poo     Maremma Sheepdog versus Korean Jindo Dog     Maremma Sheepdog versus Yorkipoo     Maremma Sheepdog versus Australian Shepherd     Maremma Sheepdog versus Japanese Spitz     Maremma Sheepdog versus Bullmastiff     Maremma Sheepdog versus Coton de Tulear     Maremma Sheepdog versus Australian Kelpie     Maremma Sheepdog versus Bernese Mountain Dog     

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