English Toy Spaniel versus Shiloh Shepherd. Final Verdict on Which is a Better Pet.

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English Toy Spaniel Versus Shiloh Shepherd: Introduction

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

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

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 Shiloh Shepherd

English Toy Spaniel versus Shiloh Shepherd: Overview

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

The table below compares the English Toy Spaniel to the Shiloh Shepherd 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 Shiloh Shepherd
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 2/5
Kid-Friendly 1/5 5/5
Height 10 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder 26 to 30 inches
Life Span 10 to 12 years 9 to 14 years
Tolerates Cold Weather 2/5 5/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 4/5
Does NOT Drool 4/5 3/5
General Health 2/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 4/5 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 2/5
Easy To Train 3/5 5/5
Intelligence 3/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 2/5
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 2/5
Easygoing 2/5 2/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 2/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 5/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 5/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 1/5 2/5
Weight 8 to 14 pounds 80 to 130 pounds
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 11.5 years
Average Price $2350 No Data
Price Range $2250 – $2525 No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • *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 Shiloh Shepherd. 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 Shiloh Shepherd is 82 out of 125.

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

    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 Shiloh Shepherd 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 Shiloh Shepherd

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

  • English Toy Spaniels do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly. However, Shiloh Shepherds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • English Toy Spaniels cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold. However, Shiloh Shepherds can tolerate cold weather.
  • English Toy Spaniels adapt well to apartment living. However, Shiloh Shepherds do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • English Toy Spaniels have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets. However, Shiloh Shepherds have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • The Similarities Between the English Toy Spaniel and the Shiloh Shepherd

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

  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Shiloh Shepherd do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Shiloh Shepherd do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Shiloh Shepherd have the tendency to develop certain health problems.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Shiloh Shepherd 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 Shiloh Shepherd 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 Shiloh Shepherd get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Shiloh Shepherd are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Shiloh Shepherd are very easy to groom.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Shiloh Shepherd are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Shiloh Shepherd are very playful.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Shiloh Shepherd are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Shiloh Shepherd shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of English Toy Spaniel versus Shiloh Shepherd

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

    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, Shiloh Shepherds weigh 80 to 130 pounds when fully grown. Shiloh Shepherds are 26 to 30 inches when fully grown.

    Health Problems of English Toy Spaniel versus Health Problems of Shiloh Shepherd

    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 Shiloh Shepherd 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 Shiloh Shepherd is prone to the same number of genetic health problems as the English Toy Spaniel.

    4 health tests are recommended for English Toy Spaniel while 4 tests are recommended for the Shiloh Shepherd.

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

    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.

    Shiloh Shepherd Health Problems

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

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Shiloh Shepherds here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in English Toy Spaniels and Shiloh Shepherds

    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 Shiloh Shepherd Breed is Congenital Cardiac problems.

    This is because the Shiloh Shepherd ranks 39 out of 159 dog breeds for Congenital Cardiac problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 740 Shiloh Shepherds, 3 of them had Congenital Cardiac problems.

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

  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 39 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 40 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 42 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 52 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 97 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in English Toy Spaniel and in Shiloh Shepherd and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the English Toy Spaniel and the Shiloh Shepherd:

    Disease English Toy Spaniel Rank Shiloh Shepherd Rank
    Congenital Cardiac problems 2 out of 159 dog breeds 39 out of 159 dog breeds
    Eyes problems 4 out of 182 dog breeds Not Common
    Patella problems 4 out of 145 dog breeds Not Common
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems Not Common 40 out of 70 dog breeds
    Hips problems Not Common 42 out of 198 dog breeds
    Elbow problems Not Common 52 out of 144 dog breeds
    Thyroid problems Not Common 97 out of 115 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 Shiloh Shepherd

    English Toy Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

    Shiloh Shepherds do not like to be left alone.

    How Kid-friendly are English Toy Spaniels and Shiloh Shepherds?

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

    Shiloh Shepherds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Can English Toy Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shiloh Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather?

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

    Shiloh Shepherds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Can English Toy Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shiloh Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Shiloh Shepherds can tolerate hot weather.

    Which one drools more, the English Toy Spaniel or the Shiloh Shepherd

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

    Shiloh Shepherds drool moderately.

    Wanderlust Potential: English Toy Spaniel vs. Shiloh Shepherd

    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.

    Shiloh Shepherds have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Is the English Toy Spaniel Easier to Train than the Shiloh Shepherd?

    English Toy Spaniels are fairly easy to train.

    Shiloh Shepherds are very easy to train.

    Do English Toy Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Shiloh Shepherds?

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

    Shiloh Shepherds are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Is the English Toy Spaniel Better for Apartment Owners than the Shiloh Shepherd?

    English Toy Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.

    Shiloh Shepherds do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    English Toy Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.

    Shiloh Shepherds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

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

    English Toy Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Shiloh Shepherds get along very well with other dogs.

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

    English Toy Spaniels are very easy to groom.

    Shiloh Shepherds are very easy to groom.

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

    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.

    Shiloh Shepherds 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 Shiloh Shepherds?

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

    Shiloh Shepherds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Do English Toy Spaniels shed more than Shiloh Shepherds?

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

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

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

  • Flat-Coated Retriever (78 percent match with Shiloh Shepherd). Here is our comparison of the English Toy Spaniel vs Flat-Coated Retriever.
  • Labrador Retriever (79 percent match with Shiloh Shepherd). Here is our comparison of the English Toy Spaniel vs Labrador Retriever.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    English Toy Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    English Toy Spaniel versus Beagle     English Toy Spaniel versus Bernese Mountain Dog     English Toy Spaniel versus Boston Terrier     English Toy Spaniel versus Weimaraner     English Toy Spaniel versus Papipoo     English Toy Spaniel versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     English Toy Spaniel versus Welsh Terrier     English Toy Spaniel versus Cairn Terrier     English Toy Spaniel versus Labradoodle     English Toy Spaniel versus Bulldog     

    Shiloh Shepherd Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Shiloh Shepherd versus Dachshund     Shiloh Shepherd versus Standard Poodle     Shiloh Shepherd versus Cavachon     Shiloh Shepherd versus American Hairless Terrier     Shiloh Shepherd versus Saint Berdoodle     Shiloh Shepherd versus King Shepherd     Shiloh Shepherd versus Golden Retriever     Shiloh Shepherd versus Briard     Shiloh Shepherd versus Lagotto Romagnolo     Shiloh Shepherd versus Bull Terrier     

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