Quick Links: Table of Contents
- English Toy Spaniel Versus Saint Bernard: Introduction
- English Toy Spaniel versus Saint Bernard: Overview
- English Toy Spaniel versus Saint Bernard: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the English Toy Spaniel and the Saint Bernard
- The Similarities Between the English Toy Spaniel and the Saint Bernard
- Size (Weight and Height) of English Toy Spaniel versus Saint Bernard
- Price of English Toy Spaniel versus Price of Saint Bernard
- The Popularity of English Toy Spaniel versus Popularity of Saint Bernard
- Health Problems of English Toy Spaniel versus Health Problems of Saint Bernard
- Tolerates Being Alone: English Toy Spaniel versus Saint Bernard
- How Kid-friendly are English Toy Spaniels and Saint Bernards?
- Can English Toy Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Saint Bernards Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Can English Toy Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Saint Bernards Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which one drools more, the English Toy Spaniel or the Saint Bernard
- Wanderlust Potential: English Toy Spaniel vs. Saint Bernard
- Is the English Toy Spaniel Easier to Train than the Saint Bernard?
- Do English Toy Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Saint Bernards?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the English Toy Spaniel or the Saint Bernard?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the English Toy Spaniel or the Saint Bernard?
- Does the English Toy Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Saint Bernard?
- Are English Toy Spaniels good family dogs? What about Saint Bernards?
- Do English Toy Spaniels shed more than Saint Bernards?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the English Toy Spaniel
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Saint Bernard
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: English Toy Spaniel versus Saint Bernard. Which One is a Better Pet?
English Toy Spaniel Versus Saint Bernard: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the English Toy Spaniel and the Saint Bernard? 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 Saint Bernard 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 Saint Bernard.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the English Toy Spaniel and the Saint Bernard 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 Saint Bernard. 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 Saint Bernard.
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 Saint Bernard
English Toy Spaniel versus Saint Bernard: Overview
A very important difference between the English Toy Spaniel and the Saint Bernard is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The English Toy Spaniel is a small-sized dog while the Saint Bernard 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 Saint Bernard 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 Saint Bernard: Comparison Table
The table below compares the English Toy Spaniel to the Saint Bernard 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 | Saint Bernard |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Height | 10 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder | 2 feet, 2 inches to 2 feet, 6 inches tall at the s |
| Life Span | 10 to 12 years | 8 to 10 years |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| General Health | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| 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 | 5/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| 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 | 3/5 |
| 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 | 120 to 180 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 11.0 years | 9.0 years |
| Average Price | $2350 | $1320 |
| Price Range | $2250 – $2525 | $875 – $1525 |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 134 | 49 |
*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 Saint Bernard. 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 Saint Bernard is 81 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Saint Bernard is a better pet than the English Toy Spaniel. So, you should get the Saint Bernard!
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 Saint Bernard 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 Saint Bernard
Below is a list of where the English Toy Spaniel and the Saint Bernard are most different:
The Similarities Between the English Toy Spaniel and the Saint Bernard
The English Toy Spaniel and the Saint Bernard are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the English Toy Spaniel and the Saint Bernard are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of English Toy Spaniel versus Saint Bernard
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the English Toy Spaniel and the Saint Bernard.
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, Saint Bernards weigh 120 to 180 pounds when fully grown. Saint Bernards are 2 feet, 2 inches to 2 feet, 6 inches tall at the s when fully grown.
Price of English Toy Spaniel versus Price of Saint Bernard
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 Saint Bernard puppy is $1320. The price of the Saint Bernard typically ranges from $875 – $1525. However, the price of a Saint Bernard can be as low as $200 and as high as $3550. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 163 Saint Bernard puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The English Toy Spaniel is more expensive than the Saint Bernard.
| English Toy Spaniel | Saint Bernard | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $2350 | $1320 |
| Price Range | $2250 to $2525 | $875 to $1525 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the English Toy Spaniel and Saint Bernard. For different price points, the charts show how many English Toy Spaniel puppies or how many Saint Bernard 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 Saint Bernards
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the English Toy Spaniel puppy or the Saint Bernard 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 Saint Bernard
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 Saint Bernard over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Saint Bernard is more popular with dog owners than the English Toy Spaniel. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Saint Bernard is 49 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 Saint Bernard
| Year | English Toy Spaniel Popularity Rank | Saint Bernard Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 135 | 47 |
| 2014 | 138 | 51 |
| 2015 | 129 | 50 |
| 2016 | 130 | 49 |
| 2017 | 134 | 48 |
| 2018 | 135 | 48 |
| 2019 | 139 | 48 |
| 2020 | 138 | 52 |
Health Problems of English Toy Spaniel versus Health Problems of Saint Bernard
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 Saint Bernard 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 Saint Bernard is prone to more genetic health problems than the English Toy Spaniel.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Saint Bernard than for the English Toy Spaniel.
4 health tests are recommended for English Toy Spaniel while 6 tests are recommended for the Saint Bernard.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in English Toy Spaniels and in Saint Bernards.
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:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for English Toy Spaniels here.
Saint Bernard Health Problems
Saint Bernards are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Saint Bernard 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 Saint Bernard puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Saint Bernard 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 Saint Bernards for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Saint Bernards here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in English Toy Spaniels and Saint Bernards
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:
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 Saint Bernard Breed is Hips problems.
This is because the Saint Bernard ranks 7 out of 198 dog breeds for Hips problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 2618 Saint Bernards, 1295 of them had Hips problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Saint Bernards, and how common these diseases are in Saint Bernards relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in English Toy Spaniel and in Saint Bernard and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the English Toy Spaniel and the Saint Bernard:
| Disease | English Toy Spaniel Rank | Saint Bernard Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Congenital Cardiac problems | 2 out of 159 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Eyes problems | 4 out of 182 dog breeds | 23 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Patella problems | 4 out of 145 dog breeds | 99 out of 145 dog breeds |
| Hips problems | Not Common | 7 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Elbow problems | Not Common | 33 out of 144 dog breeds |
| Degenerative Myelopathy problems | Not Common | 45 out of 70 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 Saint Bernard
English Toy Spaniels do not like to be left alone.
Saint Bernards do not like to be left alone.
How Kid-friendly are English Toy Spaniels and Saint Bernards?
English Toy Spaniels do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.
Saint Bernards get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Can English Toy Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Saint Bernards Tolerate Cold Weather?
English Toy Spaniels cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Saint Bernards can very well tolerate cold weather.
Can English Toy Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Saint Bernards Tolerate Hot Weather?
English Toy Spaniels cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Saint Bernards cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Which one drools more, the English Toy Spaniel or the Saint Bernard
English Toy Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.
Saint Bernards have a very high tendency to drool.
Wanderlust Potential: English Toy Spaniel vs. Saint Bernard
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.
Saint Bernards 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 Saint Bernard?
English Toy Spaniels are fairly easy to train.
Saint Bernards are not easy to train.
Do English Toy Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Saint Bernards?
English Toy Spaniels bark and howl, but not very much.
Saint Bernards are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Is the English Toy Spaniel Better for Apartment Owners than the Saint Bernard?
English Toy Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.
Saint Bernards adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the English Toy Spaniel or the Saint Bernard?
English Toy Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.
Saint Bernards are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the English Toy Spaniel or the Saint Bernard?
English Toy Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.
Saint Bernards get along very well with other dogs.
Which is Easier to Groom, the English Toy Spaniel or the Saint Bernard?
English Toy Spaniels are very easy to groom.
Saint Bernards 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 Saint Bernard?
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.
Saint Bernards 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 Saint Bernards?
English Toy Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Saint Bernards are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Do English Toy Spaniels shed more than Saint Bernards?
English Toy Spaniels shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Saint Bernards 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:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Saint Bernard
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Saint Bernard 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 Saint Bernard:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the English Toy Spaniel and how the Saint Bernard compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the English Toy Spaniel and of the Saint Bernard to other breeds:
English Toy Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds
English Toy Spaniel versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle English Toy Spaniel versus Valley Bulldog English Toy Spaniel versus Portuguese Pointer English Toy Spaniel versus French Bulldog English Toy Spaniel versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon English Toy Spaniel versus West Highland White Terrier English Toy Spaniel versus Bouvier des Flandres English Toy Spaniel versus Irish Terrier English Toy Spaniel versus Pointer English Toy Spaniel versus Black Russian Terrier
Saint Bernard Versus Other Dog Breeds
Saint Bernard versus Dalmatian Saint Bernard versus Curly-Coated Retriever Saint Bernard versus Bluetick Coonhound Saint Bernard versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog Saint Bernard versus Karelian Bear Dog Saint Bernard versus Miniature Poodle Saint Bernard versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde Saint Bernard versus Chinese Crested Saint Bernard versus Bearded Collie Saint Bernard versus Golden Retriever
Conclusion: English Toy Spaniel versus Saint Bernard. 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 Saint Bernard better suits you and your family.