Which is Better between the Estrela Mountain Dog and the Sussex Spaniel? A Very Detailed Review.

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Estrela Mountain Dog Versus Sussex Spaniel: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Estrela Mountain Dog and the Sussex Spaniel? 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 Estrela Mountain Dog and the Sussex Spaniel 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 Estrela Mountain Dog and the Sussex Spaniel.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Estrela Mountain Dog and the Sussex Spaniel 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 Estrela Mountain Dog and for the Sussex Spaniel. 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 Estrela Mountain Dog and the Sussex Spaniel.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Estrela Mountain Dog or the Sussex Spaniel

Estrela Mountain Dog versus Sussex Spaniel: Overview

A very important difference between the Estrela Mountain Dog and the Sussex Spaniel is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Estrela Mountain Dog is a large-sized dog while the Sussex Spaniel is a small-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Estrela Mountain Dog belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.

On the other hand, the Sussex Spaniel belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.

Estrela Mountain Dog versus Sussex Spaniel: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Estrela Mountain Dog to the Sussex Spaniel 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 Estrela Mountain Dog Sussex Spaniel
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 5/5 5/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 5/5 5/5
Life Span 11 to 15 years 11 to 14 years
Easygoing 4/5 1/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 4/5
Height 24 to 30 inches 1 foot, 1 inch to 1 foot, 3 inches tall at the sho
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 5/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 5/5
Does NOT Drool 3/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 1/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 5/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 3/5 4/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 3/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Easy To Train 4/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Intelligence 5/5 5/5
Weight 75 to 130 pounds 35 to 45 pounds
Average Lifespan 13.0 years 12.5 years
Average Price $2000 No Data
Price Range $2000 – $2000 No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
    		•  No Data

    *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 Estrela Mountain Dog 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 Sussex Spaniel. 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 Estrela Mountain Dog is 85 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Sussex Spaniel is 100 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Sussex Spaniel is a better pet than the Estrela Mountain Dog. So, you should get the Sussex Spaniel!

    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 Estrela Mountain Dog and the Sussex Spaniel so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Estrela Mountain Dog and the Sussex Spaniel

    Below is a list of where the Estrela Mountain Dog and the Sussex Spaniel are most different:

  • Estrela Mountain Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Sussex Spaniels adapt well to apartment living.
  • Estrela Mountain Dogs are not very sensitive to their enviroment. They can tolerate noisy environments. They are also not very sensitive to the tone of your voice, firm or gentle. However, Sussex Spaniels 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.
  • Estrela Mountain Dogs are not very friendly towards strangers. However, Sussex Spaniels are very friendly towards strangers.

    • The Similarities Between the Estrela Mountain Dog and the Sussex Spaniel

    The Estrela Mountain Dog and the Sussex Spaniel are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Estrela Mountain Dog and the Sussex Spaniel are most similar:

  • Both the Estrela Mountain Dog and the Sussex Spaniel have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Estrela Mountain Dog and the Sussex Spaniel do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
  • Both the Estrela Mountain Dog and the Sussex Spaniel are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Estrela Mountain Dog and the Sussex Spaniel can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Estrela Mountain Dog and the Sussex Spaniel shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Estrela Mountain Dog and the Sussex Spaniel are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Estrela Mountain Dog and the Sussex Spaniel are very easy to train.
  • Both the Estrela Mountain Dog and the Sussex Spaniel are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Estrela Mountain Dog and the Sussex Spaniel get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Estrela Mountain Dog and the Sussex Spaniel are highly intelligent.

    • Size (Weight and Height) of Estrela Mountain Dog versus Sussex Spaniel

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Estrela Mountain Dog and the Sussex Spaniel.

    Estrela Mountain Dogs weigh 75 to 130 pounds when fully grown. Estrela Mountain Dogs are 24 to 30 inches when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Sussex Spaniels weigh 35 to 45 pounds when fully grown. Sussex Spaniels are 1 foot, 1 inch to 1 foot, 3 inches tall at the sho when fully grown.

    Is the Estrela Mountain Dog Better for Apartment Owners than the Sussex Spaniel?

    Estrela Mountain Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Sussex Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.

    Does the Estrela Mountain Dog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Sussex Spaniel?

    Estrela Mountain Dogs 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.

    Sussex Spaniels 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.

    Wanderlust Potential: Estrela Mountain Dog vs. Sussex Spaniel

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

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

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Estrela Mountain Dog or the Sussex Spaniel?

    Estrela Mountain Dogs require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Sussex Spaniels are very easy to groom.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Estrela Mountain Dog or the Sussex Spaniel?

    Estrela Mountain Dogs are OK for new dog owners.

    Sussex Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Estrela Mountain Dog versus Sussex Spaniel

    Estrela Mountain Dogs can be left alone only for a short time.

    Sussex Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

    Can Estrela Mountain Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Estrela Mountain Dogs can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Sussex Spaniels can tolerate hot weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Estrela Mountain Dog or the Sussex Spaniel?

    Estrela Mountain Dogs get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Sussex Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Which one drools more, the Estrela Mountain Dog or the Sussex Spaniel

    Estrela Mountain Dogs drool moderately.

    Sussex Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Do Estrela Mountain Dogs Bark and Howl? What about Sussex Spaniels?

    Estrela Mountain Dogs bark and howl, but not very much.

    Sussex Spaniels are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can Estrela Mountain Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Estrela Mountain Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Sussex Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Do Estrela Mountain Dogs shed more than Sussex Spaniels?

    Estrela Mountain Dogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Sussex Spaniels shed moderately.

    Is the Estrela Mountain Dog Easier to Train than the Sussex Spaniel?

    Estrela Mountain Dogs are very easy to train.

    Sussex Spaniels are fairly easy to train.

    Are Estrela Mountain Dogs good family dogs? What about Sussex Spaniels?

    Estrela Mountain Dogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Sussex Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Estrela Mountain Dogs and Sussex Spaniels?

    Estrela Mountain Dogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Sussex Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Estrela Mountain Dog

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Estrela Mountain Dog 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 Estrela Mountain Dog:

  • Akbash (81 percent match with Estrela Mountain Dog). Here is our comparison of the Sussex Spaniel vs Akbash.
  • Dutch Shepherd (75 percent match with Estrela Mountain Dog). Here is our comparison of the Sussex Spaniel vs Dutch Shepherd.
  • Pyrenean Mastiff (75 percent match with Estrela Mountain Dog). Here is our comparison of the Sussex Spaniel vs Pyrenean Mastiff.

    • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Sussex Spaniel

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

  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (71 percent match with Sussex Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Estrela Mountain Dog vs Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
  • Coton de Tulear (70 percent match with Sussex Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Estrela Mountain Dog vs Coton de Tulear.
  • Keeshond (71 percent match with Sussex Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Estrela Mountain Dog vs Keeshond.

    • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Estrela Mountain Dog and how the Sussex Spaniel compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Estrela Mountain Dog and of the Sussex Spaniel to other breeds:

    Estrela Mountain Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Estrela Mountain Dog versus Miniature Schnauzer     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Akita Chow     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Rottweiler     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Lhasapoo     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Catahoula Leopard Dog     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Bichon Frise     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Flat-Coated Retriever     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Samoyed     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen     

    Sussex Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Sussex Spaniel versus Spinone Italiano     Sussex Spaniel versus Pomeranian     Sussex Spaniel versus Alaskan Klee Kai     Sussex Spaniel versus Flat-Coated Retriever     Sussex Spaniel versus Chinese Crested     Sussex Spaniel versus Carolina Dog     Sussex Spaniel versus Papillon     Sussex Spaniel versus Kerry Blue Terrier     Sussex Spaniel versus Portuguese Pointer     Sussex Spaniel versus Black Mouth Cur     

    Conclusion: Estrela Mountain Dog versus Sussex Spaniel. 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 Estrela Mountain Dog and the Sussex Spaniel better suits you and your family.