English Toy Spaniel versus Pug. Final Verdict on Which one is a Better Pet.

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English Toy Spaniel Versus Pug: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the English Toy Spaniel and the Pug? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the English Toy Spaniel and the Pug 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 Pug.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the English Toy Spaniel and the Pug 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 Pug. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the English Toy Spaniel and the Pug.

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 Pug.

English Toy Spaniel versus Pug: Overview

Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Pug are similar in size. The English Toy Spaniel and the Pug are both small-sized dogs.

Furthermore, both the English Toy Spaniel and the Pug are Companion Dogs. This means both the English Toy Spaniel and the Pug 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 Pug: Comparison Table

The table below compares the English Toy Spaniel to the Pug 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.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the English Toy Spaniel and the Pug

Factor English Toy Spaniel Pug
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 1/5
Kid-Friendly 1/5 4/5
Height 10 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder 10 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder
Life Span 10 to 12 years 12 to 15 years
Tolerates Cold Weather 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 1/5
Does NOT Drool 4/5 5/5
General Health 2/5 1/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 4/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 1/5
Easy To Train 3/5 3/5
Intelligence 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 2/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 5/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 5/5
Easygoing 2/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 4/5
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 1/5
Weight 8 to 14 pounds 14 to 18 pounds
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 13.5 years
Average Price $2350 $1620
Price Range $2250 – $2525 $1200 – $1875
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- Pug Dog Club of America recommends ANNUAL screening.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Pug Dog Encephalitis
  • Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency (PKD)
  • Serum Bile Acid Test
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 134 31

    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 Pug. 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 the English Toy Spaniel is 74 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Pug is 80 out of 125.

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

    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 Pug 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 Pug

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

  • English Toy Spaniels do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly. However, Pugs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • The Similarities Between the English Toy Spaniel and the Pug

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

  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Pug do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Pug cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Pug cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Pug do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Pug have the tendency to develop certain health problems.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Pug 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 Pug have low exercise needs.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Pug adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Pug are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Pug 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 Pug get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Pug are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Pug are very easy to groom.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Pug have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Pug are very playful.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Pug are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Pug shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of English Toy Spaniel versus Pug

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

    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, Pugs weigh 14 to 18 pounds when fully grown. Pugs are 10 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of English Toy Spaniel versus Pug

    The lifespan of English Toy Spaniels is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of English Toy Spaniels is 11.0 years.

    The lifespan of Pugs is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Pugs is 13.5 years.

    Pugs live longer than English Toy Spaniels.

    Price of English Toy Spaniel versus Price of Pug

    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 Pug puppy is $1620. The price of the Pug typically ranges from $1200 – $1875. However, the price of the Pug can be as low as $300 and as high as $6525. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 654 Pug puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The English Toy Spaniel is more expensive than the Pug.

    English Toy Spaniel Pug
    Average Price $2350 $1620
    Price Range $2250 to $2525 $1200 to $1875

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Pugs?

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the English Toy Spaniel puppy or the Pug 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 to buy 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 a puppy mill. Puppy mills 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 Pug

    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 Pug over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Pug is more popular with dog owners than the English Toy Spaniel. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Pug is 31 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 Pug

    Popularity of Pug

    Year English Toy Spaniel Popularity Rank Pug Popularity Rank
    2013 135 31
    2014 138 33
    2015 129 33
    2016 130 32
    2017 134 31
    2018 135 28
    2019 139 31
    2020 138 29

    Health Problems of English Toy Spaniel versus Health Problems of Pug

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.

    Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Pug 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 Pug is prone to more genetic health problems than the English Toy Spaniel.

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

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

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

    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.

    Pug Health Problems

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

  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- Pug Dog Club of America recommends ANNUAL screening.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Pug Dog Encephalitis
  • Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency (PKD)
  • Serum Bile Acid Test
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Pugs here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in English Toy Spaniels and Pugs

    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 Pug Breed is Hips problems.

    This is because the Pug ranks 1 out of 198 dog breeds for Hips problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 942 Pugs, 676 of them had Hips problems.

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

  • Hips problems: Rank 1 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Necrotizing Meningoencephalitis problems: Rank 1 out of 1 Dog Breeds
  • Tracheal Hypoplasia problems: Rank 1 out of 4 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 2 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 14 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Legg-Calve-Perthes problems: Rank 14 out of 40 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 32 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 60 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in English Toy Spaniel and in Pug and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the English Toy Spaniel and the Pug:

    Disease English Toy Spaniel Rank Pug Rank
    Congenital Cardiac problems 2 out of 159 dog breeds Not Common
    Eyes problems 4 out of 182 dog breeds 60 out of 182 dog breeds
    Patella problems 4 out of 145 dog breeds 32 out of 145 dog breeds
    Hips problems Not Common 1 out of 198 dog breeds
    Necrotizing Meningoencephalitis problems Not Common 1 out of 1 dog breeds
    Tracheal Hypoplasia problems Not Common 1 out of 4 dog breeds
    Elbow problems Not Common 2 out of 144 dog breeds
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems Not Common 14 out of 70 dog breeds
    Legg-Calve-Perthes problems Not Common 14 out of 40 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 Pug

    English Toy Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

    Pugs do not like to be left alone.

    Do English Toy Spaniels shed more than Pugs?

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

    Pugs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

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

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

    Pugs do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

    English Toy Spaniels are very easy to groom.

    Pugs are very easy to groom.

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

    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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Pugs cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Wanderlust Potential: English Toy Spaniel vs. Pug

    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.

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

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

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

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

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

    English Toy Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Pugs get along very well with other dogs.

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

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

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

    How Kid-friendly are English Toy Spaniels and Pugs?

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

    Pugs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the English Toy Spaniel Easier to Train than the Pug?

    English Toy Spaniels are fairly easy to train.

    Pugs are fairly easy to train.

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

    English Toy Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.

    Pugs adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    English Toy Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.

    Pugs are very good for new dog owners.

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

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

  • Boxer (74 percent match with Pug). Here is our comparison of the English Toy Spaniel vs Boxer.
  • French Bulldog (83 percent match with Pug). Here is our comparison of the English Toy Spaniel vs French Bulldog.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    English Toy Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    English Toy Spaniel versus Border Collie     English Toy Spaniel versus Yorkipoo     English Toy Spaniel versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon     English Toy Spaniel versus Labrador Retriever     English Toy Spaniel versus Havanese     English Toy Spaniel versus American Bulldog     English Toy Spaniel versus Kuvasz     English Toy Spaniel versus French Bulldog     English Toy Spaniel versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde     English Toy Spaniel versus Mastiff     English Toy Spaniel versus Bernedoodle     English Toy Spaniel versus Brittany     English Toy Spaniel versus Alaskan Klee Kai     English Toy Spaniel versus Bracco Italiano     English Toy Spaniel versus Dutch Shepherd     English Toy Spaniel versus German Pinscher     English Toy Spaniel versus Spanish Mastiff     English Toy Spaniel versus Black Mouth Cur     English Toy Spaniel versus Silky Terrier     English Toy Spaniel versus Briard     English Toy Spaniel versus Basenji     English Toy Spaniel versus Fila Brasileiro     English Toy Spaniel versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     English Toy Spaniel versus Chinook     English Toy Spaniel versus Akita Chow     

    Pug Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Pug versus King Shepherd     Pug versus Sheepadoodle     Pug versus Komondor     Pug versus Karelian Bear Dog     Pug versus Stabyhoun     Pug versus German Shepherd Dog     Pug versus West Highland White Terrier     Pug versus Boykin Spaniel     Pug versus Puggle     Pug versus Toy Poodle     Pug versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog     Pug versus West Highland White Terrier     Pug versus Scottish Deerhound     Pug versus Kuvasz     Pug versus Norwich Terrier     Pug versus Shihpoo     Pug versus Goldador     Pug versus Frenchton     Pug versus Vizsla     Pug versus Boykin Spaniel     Pug versus American Bulldog     Pug versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Pug versus Bernese Mountain Dog     Pug versus Dogue de Bordeaux     

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