A Detailed Comparison of the Havanese and the Sussex Spaniel.

Quick Links: Table of Contents

Havanese Versus Sussex Spaniel: Introduction

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

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

Havanese versus Sussex Spaniel: Overview

Both the Havanese and the Sussex Spaniel are similar in size. The Havanese and the Sussex Spaniel are both small-sized dogs.

Furthermore, the Havanese 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 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.

Havanese versus Sussex Spaniel: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Havanese 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 Havanese and the Sussex Spaniel

Factor Havanese Sussex Spaniel
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 1/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 1/5 4/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 11 to 14 years
Does NOT Shed 4/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 5/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 5/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 5/5
General Health 3/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 4/5
Easygoing 2/5 1/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 1/5
Intelligence 4/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 5/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 5/5
Good For Novice Owners 5/5 5/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 5/5
Easy To Train 5/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Weight 7 to 13 pounds 35 to 45 pounds
Height 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder 1 foot, 1 inch to 1 foot, 3 inches tall at the sho
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 12.5 years
Average Price $2180 No Data
Price Range $1700 – $2750 No Data
Temperament Score 81.8 percent 100.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • No Data
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 23 171

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Havanese 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 Havanese is 91 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 Havanese. 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 Havanese 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 Havanese and the Sussex Spaniel

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

  • Havaneses require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom. However, Sussex Spaniels are very easy to groom.
  • Havaneses 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.
  • The Similarities Between the Havanese and the Sussex Spaniel

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

  • Both the Havanese and the Sussex Spaniel do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Havanese and the Sussex Spaniel do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Havanese and the Sussex Spaniel do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Havanese 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 Havanese and the Sussex Spaniel do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • Both the Havanese 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 Havanese and the Sussex Spaniel can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Havanese and the Sussex Spaniel get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Havanese and the Sussex Spaniel gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Havanese and the Sussex Spaniel are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Havanese and the Sussex Spaniel adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Havanese and the Sussex Spaniel are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the Havanese and the Sussex Spaniel are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Havanese and the Sussex Spaniel get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Havanese and the Sussex Spaniel are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Havanese and the Sussex Spaniel are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Havanese versus Sussex Spaniel

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

    Havaneses weigh 7 to 13 pounds when fully grown. Havaneses are 8 to 11 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 Havanese versus Sussex Spaniel

    The lifespan of Havaneses is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Havaneses is 13.5 years.

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

    Havaneses live longer than Sussex Spaniels.

    Temperament of the Sussex Spaniel Versus the Havanese

    The Sussex Spaniel has a better temperament than the Havanese.

    This is because the temperament score for the Sussex Spaniel is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Havanese is 81.8 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 81.8 percent, the Havanese 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 Havanese and the Sussex Spaniel by measuring the temperaments of 11 Havaneses and 4 Sussex Spaniels.

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

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Havanese is more popular with dog owners than the Sussex Spaniel. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Havanese is 23 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Sussex Spaniel is 171 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Havanese

    Popularity of Havanese

    Popularity of Sussex Spaniel

    Popularity of Sussex Spaniel

    Year Havanese Popularity Rank Sussex Spaniel Popularity Rank
    2013 25 162
    2014 25 175
    2015 24 173
    2016 23 172
    2017 23 161
    2018 24 180
    2019 22 176
    2020 24 172

    Tolerates Being Alone: Havanese versus Sussex Spaniel

    Havaneses do not like to be left alone.

    Sussex Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

    Do Havaneses shed more than Sussex Spaniels?

    Havaneses do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Sussex Spaniels shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Havanese or the Sussex Spaniel

    Havaneses do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Sussex Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

    Havaneses require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Sussex Spaniels are very easy to groom.

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

    Havaneses 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 Havaneses Bark and Howl? What about Sussex Spaniels?

    Havaneses are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

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

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

    Havaneses can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Sussex Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Havanese vs. Sussex Spaniel

    Havaneses 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.

    Can Havaneses Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Havaneses can tolerate hot weather.

    Sussex Spaniels can tolerate hot weather.

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

    Havaneses get along very well with other dogs.

    Sussex Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Havaneses good family dogs? What about Sussex Spaniels?

    Havaneses 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 Havaneses and Sussex Spaniels?

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

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

    Is the Havanese Easier to Train than the Sussex Spaniel?

    Havaneses are very easy to train.

    Sussex Spaniels are fairly easy to train.

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

    Havaneses adapt very well to apartment living.

    Sussex Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Havaneses are very good for new dog owners.

    Sussex Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Havanese

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

  • Bichon Frise (86 percent match with Havanese). Here is our comparison of the Sussex Spaniel vs Bichon Frise.
  • Cavachon (84 percent match with Havanese). Here is our comparison of the Sussex Spaniel vs Cavachon.
  • Bich Poo (85 percent match with Havanese). Here is our comparison of the Sussex Spaniel vs Bich Poo.
  • 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 Havanese vs Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
  • Coton de Tulear (70 percent match with Sussex Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Havanese vs Coton de Tulear.
  • Keeshond (71 percent match with Sussex Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Havanese vs Keeshond.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Havanese Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Havanese versus Papipoo     Havanese versus Estrela Mountain Dog     Havanese versus Chow Chow     Havanese versus Dalmatian     Havanese versus Sheepadoodle     Havanese versus Portuguese Pointer     Havanese versus Bich Poo     Havanese versus Bull Terrier     Havanese versus Bullmastiff     Havanese versus Catahoula Bulldog     Havanese versus Alaskan Klee Kai     Havanese versus Neapolitan Mastiff     Havanese versus Redbone Coonhound     Havanese versus Bergamasco Sheepdog     Havanese versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier     Havanese versus Fila Brasileiro     Havanese versus Dogo Argentino     Havanese versus Irish Setter     Havanese versus Tibetan Spaniel     Havanese versus Akbash     Havanese versus Yorkipoo     Havanese versus Skye Terrier     Havanese versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     Havanese versus Saint Berdoodle     Havanese versus Akita Chow     

    Sussex Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Sussex Spaniel versus Pug     Sussex Spaniel versus Icelandic Sheepdog     Sussex Spaniel versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Sussex Spaniel versus Affenpinscher     Sussex Spaniel versus Catahoula Bulldog     Sussex Spaniel versus Tibetan Spaniel     Sussex Spaniel versus Glen of Imaal Terrier     Sussex Spaniel versus French Spaniel     Sussex Spaniel versus Irish Wolfhound     Sussex Spaniel versus Irish Water Spaniel     Sussex Spaniel versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     Sussex Spaniel versus Plott     Sussex Spaniel versus Manchester Terrier     Sussex Spaniel versus Briard     Sussex Spaniel versus Dutch Shepherd     Sussex Spaniel versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     Sussex Spaniel versus Affenpinscher     Sussex Spaniel versus Spinone Italiano     Sussex Spaniel versus Plott     Sussex Spaniel versus Shichon     Sussex Spaniel versus Chinese Crested     Sussex Spaniel versus Maltipoo     Sussex Spaniel versus Finnish Lapphund     Sussex Spaniel versus Mal Shi     

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