Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Irish Wolfhound Versus Sussex Spaniel: Introduction
- Irish Wolfhound versus Sussex Spaniel: Overview
- Irish Wolfhound versus Sussex Spaniel: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Irish Wolfhound and the Sussex Spaniel
- The Similarities Between the Irish Wolfhound and the Sussex Spaniel
- Size (Weight and Height) of Irish Wolfhound versus Sussex Spaniel
- Lifespan of Irish Wolfhound versus Sussex Spaniel
- Temperament of the Sussex Spaniel Versus the Irish Wolfhound
- The Popularity of Irish Wolfhound versus Popularity of Sussex Spaniel
- Tolerates Being Alone: Irish Wolfhound versus Sussex Spaniel
- Do Irish Wolfhounds shed more than Sussex Spaniels?
- Which one drools more, the Irish Wolfhound or the Sussex Spaniel
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Irish Wolfhound or the Sussex Spaniel?
- Does the Irish Wolfhound Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Sussex Spaniel?
- Do Irish Wolfhounds Bark and Howl? What about Sussex Spaniels?
- Can Irish Wolfhounds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Irish Wolfhound vs. Sussex Spaniel
- Can Irish Wolfhounds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Irish Wolfhound or the Sussex Spaniel?
- Are Irish Wolfhounds good family dogs? What about Sussex Spaniels?
- How Kid-friendly are Irish Wolfhounds and Sussex Spaniels?
- Is the Irish Wolfhound Easier to Train than the Sussex Spaniel?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Irish Wolfhound
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Sussex Spaniel
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Irish Wolfhound versus Sussex Spaniel. Which One is a Better Pet?
Irish Wolfhound Versus Sussex Spaniel: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Irish Wolfhound 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 Wolfhound 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 Wolfhound and the Sussex Spaniel.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Irish Wolfhound 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 Wolfhound 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 Wolfhound 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 Wolfhound or the Sussex Spaniel.
Irish Wolfhound versus Sussex Spaniel: Overview
A very important difference between the Irish Wolfhound and the Sussex Spaniel is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Irish Wolfhound is a giant-sized dog while the Sussex Spaniel is a small-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Irish Wolfhound 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.
Irish Wolfhound versus Sussex Spaniel: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Irish Wolfhound 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 Wolfhound and the Sussex Spaniel
| Factor | Irish Wolfhound | Sussex Spaniel |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Weight | 115 to 180 pounds | 35 to 45 pounds |
| Good For Novice Owners | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Easygoing | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 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 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Height | 32 to 35 inches tall at the shoulder | 1 foot, 1 inch to 1 foot, 3 inches tall at the sho |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 6 to 8 years | 11 to 14 years |
| Average Lifespan | 7.0 years | 12.5 years |
| Average Price | $1930 | No Data |
| Price Range | $1500 – $2400 | No Data |
| Temperament Score | 90.1 percent | 100.0 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
No Data |
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 73 | 171 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Irish Wolfhound 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 Wolfhound is 82 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 Wolfhound. 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 Wolfhound 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 Wolfhound and the Sussex Spaniel
Below is a list of where the Irish Wolfhound and the Sussex Spaniel are most different:
The Similarities Between the Irish Wolfhound and the Sussex Spaniel
The Irish Wolfhound and the Sussex Spaniel are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Irish Wolfhound and the Sussex Spaniel are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Irish Wolfhound versus Sussex Spaniel
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Irish Wolfhound and the Sussex Spaniel.
Irish Wolfhounds weigh 115 to 180 pounds when fully grown. Irish Wolfhounds are 32 to 35 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 Wolfhound versus Sussex Spaniel
The lifespan of Irish Wolfhounds is between 6 to 8 years. The average lifespan of Irish Wolfhounds is 7.0 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 Irish Wolfhounds.
Temperament of the Sussex Spaniel Versus the Irish Wolfhound
The Sussex Spaniel has a better temperament than the Irish Wolfhound.
This is because the temperament score for the Sussex Spaniel is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Irish Wolfhound is 90.1 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 90.1 percent, the Irish Wolfhound 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 Irish Wolfhound and the Sussex Spaniel by measuring the temperaments of 101 Irish Wolfhounds and 4 Sussex Spaniels.
The Popularity of Irish Wolfhound 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 Wolfhound and the Sussex Spaniel over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Irish Wolfhound is more popular with dog owners than the Sussex Spaniel. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Irish Wolfhound is 73 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 Wolfhound
Popularity of Sussex Spaniel
| Year | Irish Wolfhound Popularity Rank | Sussex Spaniel Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 73 | 162 |
| 2014 | 72 | 175 |
| 2015 | 69 | 173 |
| 2016 | 73 | 172 |
| 2017 | 73 | 161 |
| 2018 | 76 | 180 |
| 2019 | 76 | 176 |
| 2020 | 74 | 172 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Irish Wolfhound versus Sussex Spaniel
Irish Wolfhounds do not like to be left alone.
Sussex Spaniels do not like to be left alone.
Do Irish Wolfhounds shed more than Sussex Spaniels?
Irish Wolfhounds shed moderately.
Sussex Spaniels shed moderately.
Which one drools more, the Irish Wolfhound or the Sussex Spaniel
Irish Wolfhounds 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 Wolfhound or the Sussex Spaniel?
Irish Wolfhounds are moderately easy to groom.
Sussex Spaniels are very easy to groom.
Does the Irish Wolfhound Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Sussex Spaniel?
Irish Wolfhounds 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 Irish Wolfhounds Bark and Howl? What about Sussex Spaniels?
Irish Wolfhounds 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 Irish Wolfhounds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?
Irish Wolfhounds can very well tolerate cold weather.
Sussex Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Irish Wolfhound vs. Sussex Spaniel
Irish Wolfhounds 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 Wolfhounds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?
Irish Wolfhounds cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Sussex Spaniels can tolerate hot weather.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Irish Wolfhound or the Sussex Spaniel?
Irish Wolfhounds get along very well with other dogs.
Sussex Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.
Are Irish Wolfhounds good family dogs? What about Sussex Spaniels?
Irish Wolfhounds 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 Wolfhounds and Sussex Spaniels?
Irish Wolfhounds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Sussex Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Irish Wolfhound Easier to Train than the Sussex Spaniel?
Irish Wolfhounds are fairly easy to train.
Sussex Spaniels are fairly easy to train.
Is the Irish Wolfhound Better for Apartment Owners than the Sussex Spaniel?
Irish Wolfhounds do not adapt well to apartment living.
Sussex Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Irish Wolfhound or the Sussex Spaniel?
Irish Wolfhounds 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 Wolfhound
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Irish Wolfhound 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 Wolfhound:
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 Wolfhound and how the Sussex Spaniel compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Irish Wolfhound and of the Sussex Spaniel to other breeds:
Irish Wolfhound Versus Other Dog Breeds
Irish Wolfhound versus Greyhound Irish Wolfhound versus Carolina Dog Irish Wolfhound versus Komondor Irish Wolfhound versus Frenchton Irish Wolfhound versus Miniature Poodle Irish Wolfhound versus Tibetan Terrier Irish Wolfhound versus Mudi Irish Wolfhound versus Cavachon Irish Wolfhound versus Boxer Irish Wolfhound versus Kuvasz Irish Wolfhound versus Irish Water Spaniel Irish Wolfhound versus Japanese Chin Irish Wolfhound versus Golden Cocker Retriever Irish Wolfhound versus Labradoodle Irish Wolfhound versus Kooikerhondje Irish Wolfhound versus Toy Poodle Irish Wolfhound versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier Irish Wolfhound versus Weimaraner Irish Wolfhound versus Welsh Terrier Irish Wolfhound versus Irish Water Spaniel Irish Wolfhound versus Sussex Spaniel Irish Wolfhound versus Akbash Irish Wolfhound versus Australian Kelpie Irish Wolfhound versus Bernedoodle Irish Wolfhound versus Redbone Coonhound
Sussex Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds
Sussex Spaniel versus Shichon Sussex Spaniel versus Border Collie Sussex Spaniel versus Boxerdoodle Sussex Spaniel versus Plott Sussex Spaniel versus German Pinscher Sussex Spaniel versus Stabyhoun Sussex Spaniel versus Welsh Springer Spaniel Sussex Spaniel versus Cane Corso Sussex Spaniel versus Shiloh Shepherd Sussex Spaniel versus German Wirehaired Pointer Sussex Spaniel versus Collie Sussex Spaniel versus Fila Brasileiro Sussex Spaniel versus Bergamasco Sheepdog Sussex Spaniel versus Shih Tzu Sussex Spaniel versus Bracco Italiano Sussex Spaniel versus Pyrenean Shepherd Sussex Spaniel versus Coton de Tulear Sussex Spaniel versus Briard Sussex Spaniel versus Maltipoo Sussex Spaniel versus American Eskimo Dog Sussex Spaniel versus Maltese Sussex Spaniel versus Belgian Malinois Sussex Spaniel versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog Sussex Spaniel versus Gordon Setter Sussex Spaniel versus Shihpoo
Conclusion: Irish Wolfhound 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 Wolfhound and the Sussex Spaniel better suits you and your family.