Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Irish Terrier Versus Sussex Spaniel: Introduction
- Irish Terrier versus Sussex Spaniel: Overview
- Irish Terrier versus Sussex Spaniel: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Irish Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel
- The Similarities Between the Irish Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel
- Size (Weight and Height) of Irish Terrier versus Sussex Spaniel
- Lifespan of Irish Terrier versus Sussex Spaniel
- Temperament of the Sussex Spaniel Versus the Irish Terrier
- The Popularity of Irish Terrier versus Popularity of Sussex Spaniel
- Tolerates Being Alone: Irish Terrier versus Sussex Spaniel
- Do Irish Terriers shed more than Sussex Spaniels?
- Which one drools more, the Irish Terrier or the Sussex Spaniel
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Irish Terrier or the Sussex Spaniel?
- Does the Irish Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Sussex Spaniel?
- Do Irish Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Sussex Spaniels?
- Can Irish Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Irish Terrier vs. Sussex Spaniel
- Can Irish Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Irish Terrier or the Sussex Spaniel?
- Are Irish Terriers good family dogs? What about Sussex Spaniels?
- How Kid-friendly are Irish Terriers and Sussex Spaniels?
- Is the Irish Terrier Easier to Train than the Sussex Spaniel?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Irish Terrier
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Sussex Spaniel
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Irish Terrier versus Sussex Spaniel. Which One is a Better Pet?
Irish Terrier Versus Sussex Spaniel: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Irish Terrier 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 Irish Terrier 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 Irish Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Irish Terrier 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 Irish Terrier 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 Irish Terrier 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 Irish Terrier or the Sussex Spaniel.
Irish Terrier versus Sussex Spaniel: Overview
A very important difference between the Irish Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Irish Terrier is a medium-sized dog while the Sussex Spaniel is a small-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Irish Terrier belongs to the Terrier Dogs group. Terrier Dogs were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.
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.
Irish Terrier versus Sussex Spaniel: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Irish Terrier 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 Irish Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel
| Factor | Irish Terrier | Sussex Spaniel |
|---|---|---|
| Dog Friendly | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Train | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 16 years | 11 to 14 years |
| Height | 18 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder | 1 foot, 1 inch to 1 foot, 3 inches tall at the sho |
| Good For Novice Owners | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Weight | 25 to 27 pounds | 35 to 45 pounds |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Easygoing | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 14.0 years | 12.5 years |
| Average Price | $1280 | No Data |
| Price Range | $1000 – $1500 | No Data |
| Temperament Score | 80.0 percent | 100.0 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | No Data | No Data |
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 118 | 171 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Irish Terrier 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 Irish Terrier is 78 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 Irish Terrier. 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 Irish Terrier 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 Irish Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel
Below is a list of where the Irish Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel are most different:
The Similarities Between the Irish Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel
The Irish Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Irish Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Irish Terrier versus Sussex Spaniel
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Irish Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel.
Irish Terriers weigh 25 to 27 pounds when fully grown. Irish Terriers are 18 to 20 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 Irish Terrier versus Sussex Spaniel
The lifespan of Irish Terriers is between 12 to 16 years. The average lifespan of Irish Terriers is 14.0 years.
The lifespan of Sussex Spaniels is between 11 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Sussex Spaniels is 12.5 years.
Irish Terriers live longer than Sussex Spaniels.
Temperament of the Sussex Spaniel Versus the Irish Terrier
The Sussex Spaniel has a better temperament than the Irish Terrier.
This is because the temperament score for the Sussex Spaniel is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Irish Terrier is 80.0 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 80.0 percent, the Irish Terrier 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 Irish Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel by measuring the temperaments of 10 Irish Terriers and 4 Sussex Spaniels.
The Popularity of Irish Terrier 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 Irish Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Irish Terrier is more popular with dog owners than the Sussex Spaniel. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Irish Terrier is 118 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Sussex Spaniel is 171 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Irish Terrier
Popularity of Sussex Spaniel
| Year | Irish Terrier Popularity Rank | Sussex Spaniel Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 123 | 162 |
| 2014 | 125 | 175 |
| 2015 | 113 | 173 |
| 2016 | 115 | 172 |
| 2017 | 114 | 161 |
| 2018 | 116 | 180 |
| 2019 | 119 | 176 |
| 2020 | 120 | 172 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Irish Terrier versus Sussex Spaniel
Irish Terriers do not like to be left alone.
Sussex Spaniels do not like to be left alone.
Do Irish Terriers shed more than Sussex Spaniels?
Irish Terriers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Sussex Spaniels shed moderately.
Which one drools more, the Irish Terrier or the Sussex Spaniel
Irish Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Sussex Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Irish Terrier or the Sussex Spaniel?
Irish Terriers require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Sussex Spaniels are very easy to groom.
Does the Irish Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Sussex Spaniel?
Irish Terriers 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.
Do Irish Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Sussex Spaniels?
Irish Terriers 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 Irish Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?
Irish Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.
Sussex Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Irish Terrier vs. Sussex Spaniel
Irish Terriers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get 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 Irish Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?
Irish Terriers can tolerate hot weather.
Sussex Spaniels can tolerate hot weather.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Irish Terrier or the Sussex Spaniel?
Irish Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.
Sussex Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.
Are Irish Terriers good family dogs? What about Sussex Spaniels?
Irish Terriers 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 Irish Terriers and Sussex Spaniels?
Irish Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Sussex Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Irish Terrier Easier to Train than the Sussex Spaniel?
Irish Terriers are not easy to train.
Sussex Spaniels are fairly easy to train.
Is the Irish Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Sussex Spaniel?
Irish Terriers adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Sussex Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Irish Terrier or the Sussex Spaniel?
Irish Terriers 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 Irish Terrier
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Irish Terrier 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 Irish Terrier:
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 Irish Terrier and how the Sussex Spaniel compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Irish Terrier and of the Sussex Spaniel to other breeds:
Irish Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds
Irish Terrier versus Cavapoo Irish Terrier versus Goldador Irish Terrier versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog Irish Terrier versus Dalmatian Irish Terrier versus Bernese Mountain Dog Irish Terrier versus Affenpinscher Irish Terrier versus Welsh Terrier Irish Terrier versus Norwich Terrier Irish Terrier versus Tibetan Mastiff Irish Terrier versus Cesky Terrier Irish Terrier versus Affenhuahua Irish Terrier versus Dachshund Irish Terrier versus Spinone Italiano Irish Terrier versus Whippet Irish Terrier versus Pyredoodle Irish Terrier versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde Irish Terrier versus French Spaniel Irish Terrier versus Clumber Spaniel Irish Terrier versus Welsh Terrier Irish Terrier versus Airedale Terrier Irish Terrier versus American Pit Bull Terrier Irish Terrier versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Irish Terrier versus Glen of Imaal Terrier Irish Terrier versus Bergamasco Sheepdog Irish Terrier versus Afghan Hound
Sussex Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds
Sussex Spaniel versus German Shepherd Dog Sussex Spaniel versus Dalmatian Sussex Spaniel versus Estrela Mountain Dog Sussex Spaniel versus Welsh Springer Spaniel Sussex Spaniel versus Field Spaniel Sussex Spaniel versus Fila Brasileiro Sussex Spaniel versus Boerboel Sussex Spaniel versus Catahoula Leopard Dog Sussex Spaniel versus Akita Chow Sussex Spaniel versus Westiepoo Sussex Spaniel versus Gordon Setter Sussex Spaniel versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Sussex Spaniel versus Akita Sussex Spaniel versus Papillon Sussex Spaniel versus Dogue de Bordeaux Sussex Spaniel versus Welsh Springer Spaniel Sussex Spaniel versus Collie Sussex Spaniel versus Tibetan Mastiff Sussex Spaniel versus Welsh Springer Spaniel Sussex Spaniel versus Bloodhound Sussex Spaniel versus Schipperke Sussex Spaniel versus Bullmastiff Sussex Spaniel versus Gordon Setter Sussex Spaniel versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Sussex Spaniel versus Maltese
Conclusion: Irish Terrier 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 Irish Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel better suits you and your family.