Differences and Similarities between the Italian Greyhound and the Sussex Spaniel.

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Italian Greyhound Versus Sussex Spaniel: Introduction

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

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

Italian Greyhound versus Sussex Spaniel: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Italian Greyhound 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.

Italian Greyhound versus Sussex Spaniel: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Italian Greyhound 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 Italian Greyhound and the Sussex Spaniel

Factor Italian Greyhound Sussex Spaniel
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 1/5 5/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Height 13 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder 1 foot, 1 inch to 1 foot, 3 inches tall at the sho
Life Span 14 to 15 years 11 to 14 years
Does NOT Shed 4/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 4/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 5/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 5/5
General Health 3/5 4/5
Easy To Train 3/5 3/5
Intelligence 3/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 4/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 5/5
Good For Novice Owners 5/5 5/5
Easygoing 1/5 1/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 5/5
Weight 6 to 15 pounds 35 to 45 pounds
Average Lifespan 14.5 years 12.5 years
Average Price $1930 No Data
Price Range $1500 – $2250 No Data
Temperament Score 81.5 percent 100.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Eye Examination at 36 months, recommend annual testing to age 10
  • Hip Dysplasia/Legg-Calve-Perthes
  • Patellar Luxation
  • No Data
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 70 171

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Italian Greyhound 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 Italian Greyhound 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 Italian Greyhound. 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 Italian Greyhound 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 Italian Greyhound and the Sussex Spaniel

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

  • Italian Greyhounds cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold. However, Sussex Spaniels can tolerate cold weather.
  • Italian Greyhounds are not prone to gaining weight easily. However, Sussex Spaniels gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Italian Greyhounds 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 Italian Greyhound and the Sussex Spaniel

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

  • Both the Italian Greyhound and the Sussex Spaniel do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Italian Greyhound and the Sussex Spaniel do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Italian Greyhound and the Sussex Spaniel do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Italian Greyhound and the Sussex Spaniel do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • Both the Italian Greyhound and the Sussex Spaniel get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Italian Greyhound and the Sussex Spaniel are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Italian Greyhound and the Sussex Spaniel are very playful.
  • Both the Italian Greyhound and the Sussex Spaniel adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Italian Greyhound and the Sussex Spaniel are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the Italian Greyhound 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 Italian Greyhound and the Sussex Spaniel are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Italian Greyhound and the Sussex Spaniel get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Italian Greyhound and the Sussex Spaniel are very easy to groom.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Italian Greyhound versus Sussex Spaniel

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

    Italian Greyhounds weigh 6 to 15 pounds when fully grown. Italian Greyhounds are 13 to 15 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 Italian Greyhound versus Sussex Spaniel

    The lifespan of Italian Greyhounds is between 14 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Italian Greyhounds 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.

    Italian Greyhounds live longer than Sussex Spaniels.

    Temperament of the Italian Greyhound Versus the Sussex Spaniel

    The Sussex Spaniel has a better temperament than the Italian Greyhound.

    This is because the temperament score for the Sussex Spaniel is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Italian Greyhound is 81.5 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 81.5 percent, the Italian Greyhound 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 Italian Greyhound and the Sussex Spaniel by measuring the temperaments of 54 Italian Greyhounds and 4 Sussex Spaniels.

    The Popularity of Italian Greyhound 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 Italian Greyhound and the Sussex Spaniel over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Italian Greyhound is more popular with dog owners than the Sussex Spaniel. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Italian Greyhound is 70 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Sussex Spaniel is 171 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Italian Greyhound

    Popularity of Italian Greyhound

    Popularity of Sussex Spaniel

    Popularity of Sussex Spaniel

    Year Italian Greyhound Popularity Rank Sussex Spaniel Popularity Rank
    2013 66 162
    2014 74 175
    2015 71 173
    2016 72 172
    2017 74 161
    2018 73 180
    2019 67 176
    2020 69 172

    Tolerates Being Alone: Italian Greyhound versus Sussex Spaniel

    Italian Greyhounds do not like to be left alone.

    Sussex Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

    Do Italian Greyhounds shed more than Sussex Spaniels?

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

    Sussex Spaniels shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Italian Greyhound or the Sussex Spaniel

    Italian Greyhounds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Sussex Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Italian Greyhound or the Sussex Spaniel?

    Italian Greyhounds are very easy to groom.

    Sussex Spaniels are very easy to groom.

    Does the Italian Greyhound Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Sussex Spaniel?

    Italian Greyhounds 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 Italian Greyhounds Bark and Howl? What about Sussex Spaniels?

    Italian Greyhounds bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    Can Italian Greyhounds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Italian Greyhounds cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Sussex Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Italian Greyhound vs. Sussex Spaniel

    Italian Greyhounds 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 Italian Greyhounds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Italian Greyhounds 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 Italian Greyhound or the Sussex Spaniel?

    Italian Greyhounds get along very well with other dogs.

    Sussex Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Italian Greyhounds good family dogs? What about Sussex Spaniels?

    Italian Greyhounds 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 Italian Greyhounds and Sussex Spaniels?

    Italian Greyhounds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Italian Greyhound Easier to Train than the Sussex Spaniel?

    Italian Greyhounds are fairly easy to train.

    Sussex Spaniels are fairly easy to train.

    Is the Italian Greyhound Better for Apartment Owners than the Sussex Spaniel?

    Italian Greyhounds adapt very well to apartment living.

    Sussex Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Italian Greyhounds are very good for new dog owners.

    Sussex Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Italian Greyhound

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

  • Whippet (78 percent match with Italian Greyhound). Here is our comparison of the Sussex Spaniel vs Whippet.
  • 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 Italian Greyhound vs Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
  • Coton de Tulear (70 percent match with Sussex Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Italian Greyhound vs Coton de Tulear.
  • Keeshond (71 percent match with Sussex Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Italian Greyhound vs Keeshond.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Italian Greyhound Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Italian Greyhound versus Peek A Poo     Italian Greyhound versus Japanese Chin     Italian Greyhound versus Border Terrier     Italian Greyhound versus Schipperke     Italian Greyhound versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog     Italian Greyhound versus Affenhuahua     Italian Greyhound versus Tibetan Terrier     Italian Greyhound versus Bearded Collie     Italian Greyhound versus Chow Chow     Italian Greyhound versus Standard Poodle     Italian Greyhound versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     Italian Greyhound versus Cesky Terrier     Italian Greyhound versus Irish Terrier     Italian Greyhound versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon     Italian Greyhound versus Sussex Spaniel     Italian Greyhound versus Fila Brasileiro     Italian Greyhound versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog     Italian Greyhound versus Sheepadoodle     Italian Greyhound versus Belgian Malinois     Italian Greyhound versus Saint Bernard     Italian Greyhound versus Bluetick Coonhound     Italian Greyhound versus Basenji     Italian Greyhound versus Japanese Spitz     Italian Greyhound versus French Bulldog     Italian Greyhound versus Collie     

    Sussex Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Sussex Spaniel versus Cockalier     Sussex Spaniel versus Canaan Dog     Sussex Spaniel versus Bullmastiff     Sussex Spaniel versus Azawakh     Sussex Spaniel versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     Sussex Spaniel versus Scottish Terrier     Sussex Spaniel versus Spanish Mastiff     Sussex Spaniel versus Beaglier     Sussex Spaniel versus Toy Fox Terrier     Sussex Spaniel versus Redbone Coonhound     Sussex Spaniel versus German Longhaired Pointer     Sussex Spaniel versus Standard Schnauzer     Sussex Spaniel versus Mudi     Sussex Spaniel versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     Sussex Spaniel versus Miniature Pinscher     Sussex Spaniel versus American Staffordshire Terrier     Sussex Spaniel versus Gordon Setter     Sussex Spaniel versus Schipperke     Sussex Spaniel versus Goldador     Sussex Spaniel versus Affenhuahua     Sussex Spaniel versus Akita Chow     Sussex Spaniel versus Norwegian Buhund     Sussex Spaniel versus Finnish Spitz     Sussex Spaniel versus Saluki     

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