Differences and Similarities between the Harrier and the Sussex Spaniel.

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Harrier Versus Sussex Spaniel: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Harrier 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 Harrier 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 Harrier 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 Harrier or the Sussex Spaniel.

Harrier versus Sussex Spaniel: Overview

A very important difference between the Harrier and the Sussex Spaniel is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Harrier is a medium-sized dog while the Sussex Spaniel is a small-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Harrier belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.

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.

Harrier versus Sussex Spaniel: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Harrier 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 Harrier and the Sussex Spaniel

Factor Harrier Sussex Spaniel
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 5/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 11 to 14 years
Height 19 to 21 inches tall at the shoulder 1 foot, 1 inch to 1 foot, 3 inches tall at the sho
Easygoing 4/5 1/5
Easy To Train 2/5 3/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 5/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 1/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 5/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Intelligence 4/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 5/5
Weight 45 to 60 pounds 35 to 45 pounds
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 4/5
General Health 5/5 4/5
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
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 12.5 years
Price Range No Data No Data
Average Price No Data No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Eye Examination- minimum age 12 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
    		•  No Data
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 183 171

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Harrier 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 Harrier is 81 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 Harrier. 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 Harrier 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 Harrier and the Sussex Spaniel

    Below is a list of where the Harrier and the Sussex Spaniel are most different:

  • Harriers do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Sussex Spaniels adapt well to apartment living.
  • Harriers 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.
  • Harriers 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.
  • Harriers 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.
  • Harriers 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.
  • Harriers 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.
  • Harriers 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 Harrier and the Sussex Spaniel

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

  • Both the Harrier and the Sussex Spaniel do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Harrier and the Sussex Spaniel are not easy to train.
  • Both the Harrier and the Sussex Spaniel can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Harrier and the Sussex Spaniel are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Harrier and the Sussex Spaniel are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Harrier and the Sussex Spaniel are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Harrier and the Sussex Spaniel get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Harrier and the Sussex Spaniel get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Harrier and the Sussex Spaniel are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Harrier and the Sussex Spaniel are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Harrier and the Sussex Spaniel are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Harrier and the Sussex Spaniel are very playful.

    • Size (Weight and Height) of Harrier versus Sussex Spaniel

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Harrier and the Sussex Spaniel.

    Harriers weigh 45 to 60 pounds when fully grown. Harriers are 19 to 21 inches tall at the shoulder 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 Harrier versus Sussex Spaniel

    The lifespan of Harriers is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Harriers is 11.0 years.

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

    Sussex Spaniels live longer than Harriers.

    The Popularity of Harrier 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 Harrier and the Sussex Spaniel over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Sussex Spaniel is more popular with dog owners than the Harrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Sussex Spaniel is 171 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Harrier is 183 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Harrier

    Popularity of Harrier

    Popularity of Sussex Spaniel

    Popularity of Sussex Spaniel

    Year Harrier Popularity Rank Sussex Spaniel Popularity Rank
    2013 173 162
    2014 181 175
    2015 183 173
    2016 186 172
    2017 183 161
    2018 189 180
    2019 186 176
    2020 190 172

    Tolerates Being Alone: Harrier versus Sussex Spaniel

    Harriers can be left alone only for a short time.

    Sussex Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

    Do Harriers shed more than Sussex Spaniels?

    Harriers shed moderately.

    Sussex Spaniels shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Harrier or the Sussex Spaniel

    Harriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Sussex Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Harrier or the Sussex Spaniel?

    Harriers are very easy to groom.

    Sussex Spaniels are very easy to groom.

    Does the Harrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Sussex Spaniel?

    Harriers 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 Harriers Bark and Howl? What about Sussex Spaniels?

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

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

    Can Harriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Harriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Sussex Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Harrier vs. Sussex Spaniel

    Harriers 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 Harriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Harriers can tolerate hot weather.

    Sussex Spaniels can tolerate hot weather.

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

    Harriers get along very well with other dogs.

    Sussex Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Harriers good family dogs? What about Sussex Spaniels?

    Harriers 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 Harriers and Sussex Spaniels?

    Harriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Harrier Easier to Train than the Sussex Spaniel?

    Harriers are not easy to train.

    Sussex Spaniels are fairly easy to train.

    Is the Harrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Sussex Spaniel?

    Harriers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Sussex Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Harriers are OK for new dog owners.

    Sussex Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Harrier

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

  • American Foxhound (82 percent match with Harrier). Here is our comparison of the Sussex Spaniel vs American Foxhound.
  • Black and Tan Coonhound (75 percent match with Harrier). Here is our comparison of the Sussex Spaniel vs Black and Tan Coonhound.
  • Black Mouth Cur (75 percent match with Harrier). Here is our comparison of the Sussex Spaniel vs Black Mouth Cur.
  • Bluetick Coonhound (75 percent match with Harrier). Here is our comparison of the Sussex Spaniel vs Bluetick Coonhound.

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

    • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Harrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Harrier versus Lakeland Terrier     Harrier versus Patterdale Terrier     Harrier versus Australian Cattle Dog     Harrier versus Afador     Harrier versus Bich Poo     Harrier versus Dalmatian     Harrier versus Saint Berdoodle     Harrier versus Flat-Coated Retriever     Harrier versus Pug     Harrier versus Curly-Coated Retriever     Harrier versus Finnish Spitz     Harrier versus Silky Terrier     Harrier versus Labrador Retriever     Harrier versus Bracco Italiano     Harrier versus Chow Chow     Harrier versus Australian Shepherd     Harrier versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen     Harrier versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     Harrier versus Australian Terrier     Harrier versus Puli     Harrier versus Catahoula Leopard Dog     Harrier versus Catahoula Bulldog     Harrier versus American Bulldog     Harrier versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     Harrier versus Spinone Italiano     

    Sussex Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Sussex Spaniel versus Finnish Spitz     Sussex Spaniel versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     Sussex Spaniel versus Italian Greyhound     Sussex Spaniel versus Chihuahua     Sussex Spaniel versus Lancashire Heeler     Sussex Spaniel versus Shih Tzu     Sussex Spaniel versus Dogo Argentino     Sussex Spaniel versus Bernedoodle     Sussex Spaniel versus Neapolitan Mastiff     Sussex Spaniel versus Tibetan Terrier     Sussex Spaniel versus Shichon     Sussex Spaniel versus Rottweiler     Sussex Spaniel versus Sheepadoodle     Sussex Spaniel versus Standard Schnauzer     Sussex Spaniel versus Affenpinscher     Sussex Spaniel versus Boxerdoodle     Sussex Spaniel versus Bull Terrier     Sussex Spaniel versus Tibetan Terrier     Sussex Spaniel versus Coton de Tulear     Sussex Spaniel versus Curly-Coated Retriever     Sussex Spaniel versus Standard Poodle     Sussex Spaniel versus Sloughi     Sussex Spaniel versus Bichon Frise     Sussex Spaniel versus Kishu Ken     Sussex Spaniel versus Manchester Terrier     

    Conclusion: Harrier 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 Harrier and the Sussex Spaniel better suits you and your family.