Breed Comparison: German Wirehaired Pointer Versus Sussex Spaniel

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German Wirehaired Pointer Versus Sussex Spaniel: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Sussex Spaniel? 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 German Wirehaired Pointer 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 German Wirehaired Pointer and the Sussex Spaniel.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the German Wirehaired Pointer 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 German Wirehaired Pointer 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 with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the German Wirehaired Pointer 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 German Wirehaired Pointer or the Sussex Spaniel.

German Wirehaired Pointer versus Sussex Spaniel: Overview

A very important difference between the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Sussex Spaniel is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The German Wirehaired Pointer is a large-sized dog while the Sussex Spaniel is a small-sized dog.

Furthermore, both the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Sussex Spaniel are Sporting Dogs. This means both the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Sussex Spaniel 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.

German Wirehaired Pointer versus Sussex Spaniel: Comparison Table

The table below compares the German Wirehaired Pointer 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.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Sussex Spaniel

Factor German Wirehaired Pointer Sussex Spaniel
Height 1 foot, 10 inches to 2 feet, 2 inches tall at the 1 foot, 1 inch to 1 foot, 3 inches tall at the sho
Life Span 12 to 14 years 11 to 14 years
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 5/5
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 1/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 4/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 4/5 5/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 5/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 3/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 1/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 2/5
Easygoing 2/5 1/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 4/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Easy To Train 4/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 5/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 5/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Intelligence 5/5 5/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Weight 60 to 70 pounds 35 to 45 pounds
Average Lifespan 13.0 years 12.5 years
Average Price $990 No Data
Price Range $800 – $1200 No Data
Temperament Score 77.8 percent 100.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- any age, yearly if in a breeding program
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • von Willebrand`s Disease
  • No Data
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 65 171

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the German Wirehaired Pointer 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 the German Wirehaired Pointer is 74 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Sussex Spaniel is 100 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Sussex Spaniel is a better pet than the German Wirehaired Pointer. 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 German Wirehaired Pointer 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 German Wirehaired Pointer and the Sussex Spaniel

    Below is a list of where the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Sussex Spaniel are most different:

  • German Wirehaired Pointers do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Sussex Spaniels adapt well to apartment living.
  • German Wirehaired Pointers are not very friendly towards strangers. However, Sussex Spaniels are very friendly towards strangers.
  • German Wirehaired Pointers have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets. However, Sussex Spaniels have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • German Wirehaired Pointers do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful. However, Sussex Spaniels do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • German Wirehaired Pointers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects. However, Sussex Spaniels do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
  • German Wirehaired Pointers have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy. However, Sussex Spaniels have low energy levels. They do not require a lot exercise time.
  • German Wirehaired Pointers require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise. However, Sussex Spaniels have low exercise needs.
  • The Similarities Between the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Sussex Spaniel

    The German Wirehaired Pointer and the Sussex Spaniel are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Sussex Spaniel are most similar:

  • Both the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Sussex Spaniel do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Sussex Spaniel do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Sussex Spaniel do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Sussex Spaniel 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 German Wirehaired Pointer and the Sussex Spaniel can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Sussex Spaniel are very easy to groom.
  • Both the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Sussex Spaniel are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Sussex Spaniel are very easy to train.
  • Both the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Sussex Spaniel are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Sussex Spaniel are highly intelligent.
  • Both the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Sussex Spaniel are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of German Wirehaired Pointer versus Sussex Spaniel

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Sussex Spaniel.

    German Wirehaired Pointers weigh 60 to 70 pounds when fully grown. German Wirehaired Pointers are 1 foot, 10 inches to 2 feet, 2 inches tall at the 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.

    Lifespan of German Wirehaired Pointer versus Sussex Spaniel

    The lifespan of German Wirehaired Pointers is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of German Wirehaired Pointers is 13.0 years.

    The lifespan of Sussex Spaniels is between 11 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Sussex Spaniels is 12.5 years.

    German Wirehaired Pointers live longer than Sussex Spaniels.

    Temperament of the German Wirehaired Pointer Versus the Sussex Spaniel

    The Sussex Spaniel has a better temperament than the German Wirehaired Pointer.

    This is because the temperament score for the Sussex Spaniel is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the German Wirehaired Pointer is 77.8 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).

    The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.

    Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.

    The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.

    With its temperament score of 77.8 percent, the German Wirehaired Pointer has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 100.0 percent, the Sussex Spaniel has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Sussex Spaniel by measuring the temperaments of 18 German Wirehaired Pointers and 4 Sussex Spaniels.

    The Popularity of German Wirehaired Pointer versus Popularity of Sussex Spaniel

    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 German Wirehaired Pointer and the Sussex Spaniel over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the German Wirehaired Pointer is more popular with dog owners than the Sussex Spaniel. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the German Wirehaired Pointer is 65 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Sussex Spaniel is 171 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of German Wirehaired Pointer

    Popularity of German Wirehaired Pointer

    Popularity of Sussex Spaniel

    Popularity of Sussex Spaniel

    Year German Wirehaired Pointer Popularity Rank Sussex Spaniel Popularity Rank
    2013 71 162
    2014 71 175
    2015 68 173
    2016 64 172
    2017 62 161
    2018 63 180
    2019 63 176
    2020 60 172

    Tolerates Being Alone: German Wirehaired Pointer versus Sussex Spaniel

    German Wirehaired Pointers do not like to be left alone.

    Sussex Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

    Do German Wirehaired Pointers shed more than Sussex Spaniels?

    German Wirehaired Pointers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Sussex Spaniels shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the German Wirehaired Pointer or the Sussex Spaniel

    German Wirehaired Pointers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Sussex Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the German Wirehaired Pointer or the Sussex Spaniel?

    German Wirehaired Pointers are very easy to groom.

    Sussex Spaniels are very easy to groom.

    Does the German Wirehaired Pointer Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Sussex Spaniel?

    German Wirehaired Pointers 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.

    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.

    Do German Wirehaired Pointers Bark and Howl? What about Sussex Spaniels?

    German Wirehaired Pointers bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    Can German Wirehaired Pointers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?

    German Wirehaired Pointers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Sussex Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: German Wirehaired Pointer vs. Sussex Spaniel

    German Wirehaired Pointers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

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

    Can German Wirehaired Pointers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?

    German Wirehaired Pointers can tolerate hot weather.

    Sussex Spaniels can tolerate hot weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the German Wirehaired Pointer or the Sussex Spaniel?

    German Wirehaired Pointers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Sussex Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Are German Wirehaired Pointers good family dogs? What about Sussex Spaniels?

    German Wirehaired Pointers 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 German Wirehaired Pointers and Sussex Spaniels?

    German Wirehaired Pointers get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

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

    Is the German Wirehaired Pointer Easier to Train than the Sussex Spaniel?

    German Wirehaired Pointers are very easy to train.

    Sussex Spaniels are fairly easy to train.

    Is the German Wirehaired Pointer Better for Apartment Owners than the Sussex Spaniel?

    German Wirehaired Pointers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Sussex Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the German Wirehaired Pointer or the Sussex Spaniel?

    German Wirehaired Pointers are OK for new dog owners.

    Sussex Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the German Wirehaired Pointer

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the German Wirehaired Pointer 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 German Wirehaired Pointer:

  • Australian Kelpie (81 percent match with German Wirehaired Pointer). Here is our comparison of the Sussex Spaniel vs Australian Kelpie.
  • German Pinscher (83 percent match with German Wirehaired Pointer). Here is our comparison of the Sussex Spaniel vs German Pinscher.
  • 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 German Wirehaired Pointer vs Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
  • Coton de Tulear (70 percent match with Sussex Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the German Wirehaired Pointer vs Coton de Tulear.
  • Keeshond (71 percent match with Sussex Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the German Wirehaired Pointer vs Keeshond.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the German Wirehaired Pointer and how the Sussex Spaniel compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the German Wirehaired Pointer and of the Sussex Spaniel to other breeds:

    German Wirehaired Pointer Versus Other Dog Breeds

    German Wirehaired Pointer versus Pomchi     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Australian Kelpie     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Cairn Terrier     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Scottish Deerhound     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Black Russian Terrier     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Doberman Pinscher     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Bluetick Coonhound     German Wirehaired Pointer versus American Foxhound     German Wirehaired Pointer versus German Shorthaired Pointer     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Akita Chow     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Goldendoodle     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Mal Shi     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Silky Terrier     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Finnish Lapphund     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Aussiedoodle     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Havanese     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Welsh Terrier     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Irish Setter     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Bulldog     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Mal Shi     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Bloodhound     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Saint Bernard     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Irish Setter     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Collie     

    Sussex Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Sussex Spaniel versus Australian Terrier     Sussex Spaniel versus Beaglier     Sussex Spaniel versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     Sussex Spaniel versus Beaglier     Sussex Spaniel versus Coton de Tulear     Sussex Spaniel versus Plott     Sussex Spaniel versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Sussex Spaniel versus English Toy Spaniel     Sussex Spaniel versus Sheepadoodle     Sussex Spaniel versus Norwegian Buhund     Sussex Spaniel versus Norwich Terrier     Sussex Spaniel versus Bracco Italiano     Sussex Spaniel versus Japanese Spitz     Sussex Spaniel versus Akita Chow     Sussex Spaniel versus Standard Schnauzer     Sussex Spaniel versus Tibetan Spaniel     Sussex Spaniel versus Boxer     Sussex Spaniel versus Dogo Argentino     Sussex Spaniel versus Frenchton     Sussex Spaniel versus Manchester Terrier     Sussex Spaniel versus Dutch Shepherd     Sussex Spaniel versus Peek A Poo     Sussex Spaniel versus Basset Hound     Sussex Spaniel versus Pyredoodle     Sussex Spaniel versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     

    Conclusion: German Wirehaired Pointer 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 German Wirehaired Pointer and the Sussex Spaniel better suits you and your family.