Breed Comparison: English Toy Spaniel Versus Norwich Terrier

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English Toy Spaniel Versus Norwich Terrier: Introduction

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

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

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 Norwich Terrier

English Toy Spaniel versus Norwich Terrier: Overview

A very important difference between the English Toy Spaniel and the Norwich Terrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The English Toy Spaniel is a small-sized dog while the Norwich Terrier is a tiny-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 Norwich Terrier belongs to the Terrier Dogs group. Terrier Dogs were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.

English Toy Spaniel versus Norwich Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the English Toy Spaniel to the Norwich Terrier 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 Norwich Terrier
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 2/5
Kid-Friendly 1/5 5/5
Height 10 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder Up to 10 inches tall at the shoulder
Life Span 10 to 12 years 10 to 14 years
Tolerates Cold Weather 2/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 4/5
Does NOT Drool 4/5 5/5
General Health 2/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 4/5 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 1/5
Easy To Train 3/5 4/5
Intelligence 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 2/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 5/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 3/5
Easygoing 2/5 2/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 2/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 5/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 1/5 4/5
Weight 8 to 14 pounds Up to 12 pounds
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 12.0 years
Average Price $2350 $2140
Price Range $2250 – $2525 $1500 – $2650
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 134 102

    *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 Norwich Terrier. 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 Norwich Terrier is 83 out of 125.

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

    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 Norwich Terrier 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 Norwich Terrier

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

  • English Toy Spaniels do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly. However, Norwich Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • English Toy Spaniels shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies. However, Norwich Terriers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • The Similarities Between the English Toy Spaniel and the Norwich Terrier

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

  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Norwich Terrier do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Norwich Terrier do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Norwich Terrier adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Norwich Terrier are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Norwich Terrier 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 Norwich Terrier get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Norwich Terrier are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Norwich Terrier are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Norwich Terrier have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Norwich Terrier are very playful.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Norwich Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of English Toy Spaniel versus Norwich Terrier

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

    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, Norwich Terriers weigh Up to 12 pounds when fully grown. Norwich Terriers are Up to 10 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Price of English Toy Spaniel versus Price of Norwich Terrier

    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 Norwich Terrier puppy is $2140. The price of the Norwich Terrier typically ranges from $1500 – $2650. However, the price of a Norwich Terrier can be as low as $1200 and as high as $4500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 14 Norwich Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The English Toy Spaniel is more expensive than the Norwich Terrier.

    English Toy Spaniel Norwich Terrier
    Average Price $2350 $2140
    Price Range $2250 to $2525 $1500 to $2650

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Norwich Terriers

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

    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 Norwich Terrier over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Norwich Terrier is more popular with dog owners than the English Toy Spaniel. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Norwich Terrier is 102 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the English Toy Spaniel is 134 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of English Toy Spaniel

    Popularity of English Toy Spaniel

    Popularity of Norwich Terrier

    Popularity of Norwich Terrier

    Year English Toy Spaniel Popularity Rank Norwich Terrier Popularity Rank
    2013 135 89
    2014 138 97
    2015 129 103
    2016 130 103
    2017 134 105
    2018 135 108
    2019 139 102
    2020 138 109

    Health Problems of English Toy Spaniel versus Health Problems of Norwich Terrier

    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 Norwich Terrier 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 Norwich Terrier.

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

    4 health tests are recommended for English Toy Spaniel while 3 tests are recommended for the Norwich Terrier.

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

    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.

    Norwich Terrier Health Problems

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

  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Norwich Terriers here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in English Toy Spaniels and Norwich Terriers

    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 Norwich Terrier Breed is Dentition Database problems.

    This is because the Norwich Terrier ranks 2 out of 49 dog breeds for Dentition Database problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 64 Norwich Terriers, 27 of them had Dentition Database problems.

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

  • Dentition Database problems: Rank 2 out of 49 Dog Breeds
  • Primary Lens Luxation problems: Rank 13 out of 17 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 22 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 86 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 94 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 109 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in English Toy Spaniel and in Norwich Terrier and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the English Toy Spaniel and the Norwich Terrier:

    Disease English Toy Spaniel Rank Norwich Terrier Rank
    Congenital Cardiac problems 2 out of 159 dog breeds Not Common
    Eyes problems 4 out of 182 dog breeds 109 out of 182 dog breeds
    Patella problems 4 out of 145 dog breeds 22 out of 145 dog breeds
    Dentition Database problems Not Common 2 out of 49 dog breeds
    Primary Lens Luxation problems Not Common 13 out of 17 dog breeds
    Hips problems Not Common 86 out of 198 dog breeds
    Elbow problems Not Common 94 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 Norwich Terrier

    English Toy Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

    Norwich Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    How Kid-friendly are English Toy Spaniels and Norwich Terriers?

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

    Norwich Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Can English Toy Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Norwich Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

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

    Norwich Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Can English Toy Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Norwich Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Norwich Terriers can tolerate hot weather.

    Which one drools more, the English Toy Spaniel or the Norwich Terrier

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

    Norwich Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Wanderlust Potential: English Toy Spaniel vs. Norwich Terrier

    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.

    Norwich Terriers 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 Norwich Terrier?

    English Toy Spaniels are fairly easy to train.

    Norwich Terriers are very easy to train.

    Do English Toy Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Norwich Terriers?

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

    Norwich Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Is the English Toy Spaniel Better for Apartment Owners than the Norwich Terrier?

    English Toy Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.

    Norwich Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    English Toy Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.

    Norwich Terriers are OK for new dog owners.

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

    English Toy Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Norwich Terriers get along very well with other dogs.

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

    English Toy Spaniels are very easy to groom.

    Norwich Terriers 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 Norwich Terrier?

    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.

    Norwich Terriers have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Are English Toy Spaniels good family dogs? What about Norwich Terriers?

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

    Norwich Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Do English Toy Spaniels shed more than Norwich Terriers?

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

    Norwich Terriers do not shed a lot. They are good 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 Norwich Terrier vs Japanese Chin.
  • Pug (73 percent match with English Toy Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Norwich Terrier vs Pug.
  • French Bulldog (74 percent match with English Toy Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Norwich Terrier vs French Bulldog.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Norwich Terrier

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

  • Cavachon (78 percent match with Norwich Terrier). Here is our comparison of the English Toy Spaniel vs Cavachon.
  • English Cocker Spaniel (81 percent match with Norwich Terrier). Here is our comparison of the English Toy Spaniel vs English Cocker Spaniel.
  • Lowchen (78 percent match with Norwich Terrier). Here is our comparison of the English Toy Spaniel vs Lowchen.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    English Toy Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    English Toy Spaniel versus Kuvasz     English Toy Spaniel versus Cavachon     English Toy Spaniel versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen     English Toy Spaniel versus Pomeranian     English Toy Spaniel versus Flat-Coated Retriever     English Toy Spaniel versus Berger Picard     English Toy Spaniel versus Alaskan Klee Kai     English Toy Spaniel versus Havanese     English Toy Spaniel versus Havanese     English Toy Spaniel versus American Bulldog     

    Norwich Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Norwich Terrier versus Whoodle     Norwich Terrier versus Akita Chow     Norwich Terrier versus Lagotto Romagnolo     Norwich Terrier versus Tibetan Terrier     Norwich Terrier versus Shih Tzu     Norwich Terrier versus Whippet     Norwich Terrier versus Estrela Mountain Dog     Norwich Terrier versus Boxerdoodle     Norwich Terrier versus Lancashire Heeler     Norwich Terrier versus Whippet     

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