A Detailed Comparison of the English Toy Spaniel and the Toy Fox Terrier.

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English Toy Spaniel Versus Toy Fox 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 Toy Fox 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 Toy Fox 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 Toy Fox Terrier.

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

English Toy Spaniel versus Toy Fox Terrier: Overview

A very important difference between the English Toy Spaniel and the Toy Fox Terrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The English Toy Spaniel is a small-sized dog while the Toy Fox Terrier is a tiny-sized dog.

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

The table below compares the English Toy Spaniel to the Toy Fox 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 Toy Fox Terrier
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 1/5
Kid-Friendly 1/5 4/5
Height 10 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder 8 to 11 inches at the shoulder
Life Span 10 to 12 years 13 to 14 years
Tolerates Cold Weather 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 4/5 5/5
General Health 2/5 5/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 4/5 1/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 4/5
Easy To Train 3/5 3/5
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 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 1/5
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 3 to 7 pounds
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 13.5 years
Average Price $2350 $1100
Price Range $2250 – $2525 $875 – $1200
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Congenital Hypothyroidism w/Goiter
  • Legg-Calve-Perthes
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Primary Lens Luxation
  • von Willebrand`s Disease
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 134 111

    *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 Toy Fox 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 Toy Fox Terrier is 77 out of 125.

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

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

  • English Toy Spaniels do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly. However, Toy Fox Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • English Toy Spaniels have the tendency to develop certain health problems. However, Toy Fox Terriers are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • English Toy Spaniels have low exercise needs. However, Toy Fox Terriers require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • The Similarities Between the English Toy Spaniel and the Toy Fox Terrier

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

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

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the English Toy Spaniel and the Toy Fox 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, Toy Fox Terriers weigh 3 to 7 pounds when fully grown. Toy Fox Terriers are 8 to 11 inches at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Price of English Toy Spaniel versus Price of Toy Fox 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 Toy Fox Terrier puppy is $1100. The price of the Toy Fox Terrier typically ranges from $875 – $1200. However, the price of a Toy Fox Terrier can be as low as $400 and as high as $2800. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 79 Toy Fox Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.

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

    English Toy Spaniel Toy Fox Terrier
    Average Price $2350 $1100
    Price Range $2250 to $2525 $875 to $1200

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Toy Fox Terriers

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

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Toy Fox Terrier is more popular with dog owners than the English Toy Spaniel. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Toy Fox Terrier is 111 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 Toy Fox Terrier

    Popularity of Toy Fox Terrier

    Year English Toy Spaniel Popularity Rank Toy Fox Terrier Popularity Rank
    2013 135 107
    2014 138 115
    2015 129 110
    2016 130 116
    2017 134 112
    2018 135 111
    2019 139 107
    2020 138 113

    Health Problems of English Toy Spaniel versus Health Problems of Toy Fox 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 Toy Fox 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 Toy Fox Terrier is prone to more genetic health problems than the English Toy Spaniel.

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

    4 health tests are recommended for English Toy Spaniel while 5 tests are recommended for the Toy Fox Terrier.

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

    Toy Fox Terrier Health Problems

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

  • Congenital Hypothyroidism w/Goiter
  • Legg-Calve-Perthes
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Primary Lens Luxation
  • von Willebrand`s Disease
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Toy Fox Terriers here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in English Toy Spaniels and Toy Fox 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 Toy Fox Terrier Breed is Spinocerebellar Ataxia problems.

    This is because the Toy Fox Terrier ranks 3 out of 4 dog breeds for Spinocerebellar Ataxia problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 236 Toy Fox Terriers, 3 of them had Spinocerebellar Ataxia problems.

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

  • Spinocerebellar Ataxia problems: Rank 3 out of 4 Dog Breeds
  • Primary Lens Luxation problems: Rank 10 out of 17 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 21 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in English Toy Spaniel and in Toy Fox Terrier and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the English Toy Spaniel and the Toy Fox Terrier:

    Disease English Toy Spaniel Rank Toy Fox Terrier Rank
    Congenital Cardiac problems 2 out of 159 dog breeds Not Common
    Eyes problems 4 out of 182 dog breeds Not Common
    Patella problems 4 out of 145 dog breeds 21 out of 145 dog breeds
    Spinocerebellar Ataxia problems Not Common 3 out of 4 dog breeds
    Primary Lens Luxation problems Not Common 10 out of 17 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 Toy Fox Terrier

    English Toy Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

    Toy Fox Terriers do not like to be left alone.

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

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

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

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

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

    Toy Fox Terriers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

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

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

    Toy Fox Terriers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

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

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

    Toy Fox Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Wanderlust Potential: English Toy Spaniel vs. Toy Fox 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.

    Toy Fox 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 Toy Fox Terrier?

    English Toy Spaniels are fairly easy to train.

    Toy Fox Terriers are fairly easy to train.

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

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

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

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

    English Toy Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.

    Toy Fox Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    English Toy Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.

    Toy Fox Terriers are OK for new dog owners.

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

    English Toy Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Toy Fox Terriers get along fairly well with other dogs.

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

    English Toy Spaniels are very easy to groom.

    Toy Fox Terriers are very easy to groom.

    Does the English Toy Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Toy Fox 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.

    Toy Fox Terriers 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.

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

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

    Toy Fox Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Do English Toy Spaniels shed more than Toy Fox Terriers?

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

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

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

  • Cairn Terrier (78 percent match with Toy Fox Terrier). Here is our comparison of the English Toy Spaniel vs Cairn Terrier.
  • Ibizan Hound (76 percent match with Toy Fox Terrier). Here is our comparison of the English Toy Spaniel vs Ibizan Hound.
  • Lowchen (77 percent match with Toy Fox 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 Toy Fox Terrier compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the English Toy Spaniel and of the Toy Fox Terrier to other breeds:

    English Toy Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    English Toy Spaniel versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     English Toy Spaniel versus Portuguese Pointer     English Toy Spaniel versus Briard     English Toy Spaniel versus Collie     English Toy Spaniel versus Chow Chow     English Toy Spaniel versus Chi-Poo     English Toy Spaniel versus Lakeland Terrier     English Toy Spaniel versus German Pinscher     English Toy Spaniel versus Pomchi     English Toy Spaniel versus Cavachon     

    Toy Fox Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Toy Fox Terrier versus French Bulldog     Toy Fox Terrier versus Miniature Pinscher     Toy Fox Terrier versus Lancashire Heeler     Toy Fox Terrier versus Scottish Deerhound     Toy Fox Terrier versus Welsh Terrier     Toy Fox Terrier versus Toy Poodle     Toy Fox Terrier versus Sussex Spaniel     Toy Fox Terrier versus Peek A Poo     Toy Fox Terrier versus Carolina Dog     Toy Fox Terrier versus Chow Chow     

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