Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Icelandic Sheepdog Versus Sussex Spaniel: Introduction
- Icelandic Sheepdog versus Sussex Spaniel: Overview
- Icelandic Sheepdog versus Sussex Spaniel: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Icelandic Sheepdog and the Sussex Spaniel
- The Similarities Between the Icelandic Sheepdog and the Sussex Spaniel
- Size (Weight and Height) of Icelandic Sheepdog versus Sussex Spaniel
- Lifespan of Icelandic Sheepdog versus Sussex Spaniel
- Temperament of the Sussex Spaniel Versus the Icelandic Sheepdog
- The Popularity of Icelandic Sheepdog versus Popularity of Sussex Spaniel
- Tolerates Being Alone: Icelandic Sheepdog versus Sussex Spaniel
- Do Icelandic Sheepdogs shed more than Sussex Spaniels?
- Which one drools more, the Icelandic Sheepdog or the Sussex Spaniel
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Icelandic Sheepdog or the Sussex Spaniel?
- Does the Icelandic Sheepdog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Sussex Spaniel?
- Do Icelandic Sheepdogs Bark and Howl? What about Sussex Spaniels?
- Can Icelandic Sheepdogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Icelandic Sheepdog vs. Sussex Spaniel
- Can Icelandic Sheepdogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Icelandic Sheepdog or the Sussex Spaniel?
- Are Icelandic Sheepdogs good family dogs? What about Sussex Spaniels?
- How Kid-friendly are Icelandic Sheepdogs and Sussex Spaniels?
- Is the Icelandic Sheepdog Easier to Train than the Sussex Spaniel?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Icelandic Sheepdog
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Sussex Spaniel
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Icelandic Sheepdog versus Sussex Spaniel. Which One is a Better Pet?
Icelandic Sheepdog Versus Sussex Spaniel: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Icelandic Sheepdog 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 Icelandic Sheepdog 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 Icelandic Sheepdog and the Sussex Spaniel.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Icelandic Sheepdog 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 Icelandic Sheepdog 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 Icelandic Sheepdog 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 Icelandic Sheepdog or the Sussex Spaniel.
Icelandic Sheepdog versus Sussex Spaniel: Overview
A very important difference between the Icelandic Sheepdog and the Sussex Spaniel is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Icelandic Sheepdog is a medium-sized dog while the Sussex Spaniel is a small-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Icelandic Sheepdog 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.
Icelandic Sheepdog versus Sussex Spaniel: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Icelandic Sheepdog 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 Icelandic Sheepdog and the Sussex Spaniel
| Factor | Icelandic Sheepdog | Sussex Spaniel |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Life Span | 14 to 15 years | 11 to 14 years |
| Height | 16 to 18 inchestall at the shoulder | 1 foot, 1 inch to 1 foot, 3 inches tall at the sho |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Weight | 20 to 30 pounds | 35 to 45 pounds |
| Easygoing | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Easy To Train | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 14.5 years | 12.5 years |
| Price Range | No Data | No Data |
| Average Price | No Data | No Data |
| Temperament Score | 100.0 percent | 100.0 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
No Data |
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 145 | 171 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Icelandic Sheepdog 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 Icelandic Sheepdog is 68 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 Icelandic Sheepdog. 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 Icelandic Sheepdog 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 Icelandic Sheepdog and the Sussex Spaniel
Below is a list of where the Icelandic Sheepdog and the Sussex Spaniel are most different:
The Similarities Between the Icelandic Sheepdog and the Sussex Spaniel
The Icelandic Sheepdog and the Sussex Spaniel are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Icelandic Sheepdog and the Sussex Spaniel are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Icelandic Sheepdog versus Sussex Spaniel
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Icelandic Sheepdog and the Sussex Spaniel.
Icelandic Sheepdogs weigh 20 to 30 pounds when fully grown. Icelandic Sheepdogs are 16 to 18 inchestall 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 Icelandic Sheepdog versus Sussex Spaniel
The lifespan of Icelandic Sheepdogs is between 14 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Icelandic Sheepdogs is 14.5 years.
The lifespan of Sussex Spaniels is between 11 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Sussex Spaniels is 12.5 years.
Icelandic Sheepdogs live longer than Sussex Spaniels.
Temperament of the Sussex Spaniel Versus the Icelandic Sheepdog
The Icelandic Sheepdog has the same temperament score as the Sussex Spaniel.
This is because the temperament score for the Icelandic Sheepdog is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Sussex Spaniel is 100.0 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 100.0 percent, the Icelandic Sheepdog has an above-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 Icelandic Sheepdog and the Sussex Spaniel by measuring the temperaments of 10 Icelandic Sheepdogs and 4 Sussex Spaniels.
The Popularity of Icelandic Sheepdog 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 Icelandic Sheepdog and the Sussex Spaniel over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Icelandic Sheepdog is more popular with dog owners than the Sussex Spaniel. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Icelandic Sheepdog is 145 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Sussex Spaniel is 171 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Icelandic Sheepdog
Popularity of Sussex Spaniel
| Year | Icelandic Sheepdog Popularity Rank | Sussex Spaniel Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 142 | 162 |
| 2014 | 146 | 175 |
| 2015 | 140 | 173 |
| 2016 | 153 | 172 |
| 2017 | 144 | 161 |
| 2018 | 155 | 180 |
| 2019 | 132 | 176 |
| 2020 | 154 | 172 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Icelandic Sheepdog versus Sussex Spaniel
Icelandic Sheepdogs do not like to be left alone.
Sussex Spaniels do not like to be left alone.
Do Icelandic Sheepdogs shed more than Sussex Spaniels?
Icelandic Sheepdogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Sussex Spaniels shed moderately.
Which one drools more, the Icelandic Sheepdog or the Sussex Spaniel
Icelandic Sheepdogs do have a very low tendency to drool.
Sussex Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Icelandic Sheepdog or the Sussex Spaniel?
Icelandic Sheepdogs require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Sussex Spaniels are very easy to groom.
Does the Icelandic Sheepdog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Sussex Spaniel?
Icelandic Sheepdogs 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 Icelandic Sheepdogs Bark and Howl? What about Sussex Spaniels?
Icelandic Sheepdogs 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 Icelandic Sheepdogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?
Icelandic Sheepdogs can very well tolerate cold weather.
Sussex Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Icelandic Sheepdog vs. Sussex Spaniel
Icelandic Sheepdogs 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 Icelandic Sheepdogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?
Icelandic Sheepdogs 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 Icelandic Sheepdog or the Sussex Spaniel?
Icelandic Sheepdogs do not get along well with other dogs.
Sussex Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.
Are Icelandic Sheepdogs good family dogs? What about Sussex Spaniels?
Icelandic Sheepdogs 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 Icelandic Sheepdogs and Sussex Spaniels?
Icelandic Sheepdogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Sussex Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Icelandic Sheepdog Easier to Train than the Sussex Spaniel?
Icelandic Sheepdogs are fairly easy to train.
Sussex Spaniels are fairly easy to train.
Is the Icelandic Sheepdog Better for Apartment Owners than the Sussex Spaniel?
Icelandic Sheepdogs do not adapt well to apartment living.
Sussex Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Icelandic Sheepdog or the Sussex Spaniel?
Icelandic Sheepdogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Sussex Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Icelandic Sheepdog
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Icelandic Sheepdog 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 Icelandic Sheepdog:
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:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Icelandic Sheepdog and how the Sussex Spaniel compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Icelandic Sheepdog and of the Sussex Spaniel to other breeds:
Icelandic Sheepdog Versus Other Dog Breeds
Icelandic Sheepdog versus Berger Picard Icelandic Sheepdog versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Icelandic Sheepdog versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle Icelandic Sheepdog versus Scottish Deerhound Icelandic Sheepdog versus Miniature Pinscher Icelandic Sheepdog versus Australian Kelpie Icelandic Sheepdog versus Kai Ken Icelandic Sheepdog versus Finnish Lapphund Icelandic Sheepdog versus Tibetan Terrier Icelandic Sheepdog versus Cavapoo Icelandic Sheepdog versus Sheepadoodle Icelandic Sheepdog versus American Pit Bull Terrier Icelandic Sheepdog versus Glen of Imaal Terrier Icelandic Sheepdog versus Afador Icelandic Sheepdog versus English Cocker Spaniel Icelandic Sheepdog versus English Cocker Spaniel Icelandic Sheepdog versus Catahoula Leopard Dog Icelandic Sheepdog versus Great Pyrenees Icelandic Sheepdog versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi Icelandic Sheepdog versus Cairn Terrier Icelandic Sheepdog versus Fila Brasileiro Icelandic Sheepdog versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi Icelandic Sheepdog versus Beagle Icelandic Sheepdog versus Mastiff Icelandic Sheepdog versus Canaan Dog
Sussex Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds
Sussex Spaniel versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle Sussex Spaniel versus Cavapoo Sussex Spaniel versus Borzoi Sussex Spaniel versus Chihuahua Sussex Spaniel versus Havanese Sussex Spaniel versus Beagle Sussex Spaniel versus Catahoula Leopard Dog Sussex Spaniel versus Golden Retriever Sussex Spaniel versus Boykin Spaniel Sussex Spaniel versus Welsh Springer Spaniel Sussex Spaniel versus American Staffordshire Terrier Sussex Spaniel versus German Shorthaired Pointer Sussex Spaniel versus Affenpinscher Sussex Spaniel versus Belgian Sheepdog Sussex Spaniel versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Sussex Spaniel versus Miniature Pinscher Sussex Spaniel versus Black Mouth Cur Sussex Spaniel versus German Wirehaired Pointer Sussex Spaniel versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier Sussex Spaniel versus German Shepherd Dog Sussex Spaniel versus Braque du Bourbonnais Sussex Spaniel versus Komondor Sussex Spaniel versus Scottish Deerhound Sussex Spaniel versus Havanese Sussex Spaniel versus Giant Schnauzer
Conclusion: Icelandic Sheepdog 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 Icelandic Sheepdog and the Sussex Spaniel better suits you and your family.