Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Mastiff Versus Sussex Spaniel: Introduction
- Mastiff versus Sussex Spaniel: Overview
- Mastiff versus Sussex Spaniel: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Mastiff and the Sussex Spaniel
- The Similarities Between the Mastiff and the Sussex Spaniel
- Size (Weight and Height) of Mastiff versus Sussex Spaniel
- Lifespan of Mastiff versus Sussex Spaniel
- Temperament of the Sussex Spaniel Versus the Mastiff
- The Popularity of Mastiff versus Popularity of Sussex Spaniel
- Tolerates Being Alone: Mastiff versus Sussex Spaniel
- Do Mastiffs shed more than Sussex Spaniels?
- Which one drools more, the Mastiff or the Sussex Spaniel
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Mastiff or the Sussex Spaniel?
- Does the Mastiff Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Sussex Spaniel?
- Do Mastiffs Bark and Howl? What about Sussex Spaniels?
- Can Mastiffs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Mastiff vs. Sussex Spaniel
- Can Mastiffs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Mastiff or the Sussex Spaniel?
- Are Mastiffs good family dogs? What about Sussex Spaniels?
- How Kid-friendly are Mastiffs and Sussex Spaniels?
- Is the Mastiff Easier to Train than the Sussex Spaniel?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Mastiff
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Sussex Spaniel
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Mastiff versus Sussex Spaniel. Which One is a Better Pet?
Mastiff Versus Sussex Spaniel: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Mastiff 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 Mastiff 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 Mastiff and the Sussex Spaniel.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Mastiff 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 Mastiff 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 Mastiff 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 Mastiff or the Sussex Spaniel.
Mastiff versus Sussex Spaniel: Overview
A very important difference between the Mastiff and the Sussex Spaniel is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Mastiff is a giant-sized dog while the Sussex Spaniel is a small-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Mastiff belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.
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.
Mastiff versus Sussex Spaniel: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Mastiff 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 Mastiff and the Sussex Spaniel
| Factor | Mastiff | Sussex Spaniel |
|---|---|---|
| Good For Novice Owners | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Weight | 130 to 220 pounds | 35 to 45 pounds |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Intelligence | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Height | 27 to 32 inches tall at the shoulder | 1 foot, 1 inch to 1 foot, 3 inches tall at the sho |
| Easygoing | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Train | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| 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 |
| Does NOT Drool | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 6 to 10 years | 11 to 14 years |
| Average Lifespan | 8.0 years | 12.5 years |
| Average Price | $1740 | No Data |
| Price Range | $1100 – $2200 | 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 | 28 | 171 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Mastiff 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 Mastiff is 72 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 Mastiff. 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 Mastiff 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 Mastiff and the Sussex Spaniel
Below is a list of where the Mastiff and the Sussex Spaniel are most different:
The Similarities Between the Mastiff and the Sussex Spaniel
The Mastiff and the Sussex Spaniel are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Mastiff and the Sussex Spaniel are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Mastiff versus Sussex Spaniel
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Mastiff and the Sussex Spaniel.
Mastiffs weigh 130 to 220 pounds when fully grown. Mastiffs are 27 to 32 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 Mastiff versus Sussex Spaniel
The lifespan of Mastiffs is between 6 to 10 years. The average lifespan of Mastiffs is 8.0 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 Mastiffs.
Temperament of the Sussex Spaniel Versus the Mastiff
The Mastiff has the same temperament score as the Sussex Spaniel.
This is because the temperament score for the Mastiff 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 Mastiff 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 Mastiff and the Sussex Spaniel by measuring the temperaments of 8 Mastiffs and 4 Sussex Spaniels.
The Popularity of Mastiff 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 Mastiff and the Sussex Spaniel over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Mastiff is more popular with dog owners than the Sussex Spaniel. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Mastiff is 28 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Sussex Spaniel is 171 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Mastiff
Popularity of Sussex Spaniel
| Year | Mastiff Popularity Rank | Sussex Spaniel Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 26 | 162 |
| 2014 | 26 | 175 |
| 2015 | 25 | 173 |
| 2016 | 28 | 172 |
| 2017 | 28 | 161 |
| 2018 | 29 | 180 |
| 2019 | 32 | 176 |
| 2020 | 33 | 172 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Mastiff versus Sussex Spaniel
Mastiffs can be left alone only for a short time.
Sussex Spaniels do not like to be left alone.
Do Mastiffs shed more than Sussex Spaniels?
Mastiffs shed moderately.
Sussex Spaniels shed moderately.
Which one drools more, the Mastiff or the Sussex Spaniel
Mastiffs have a very high tendency to drool.
Sussex Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Mastiff or the Sussex Spaniel?
Mastiffs are moderately easy to groom.
Sussex Spaniels are very easy to groom.
Does the Mastiff Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Sussex Spaniel?
Mastiffs 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 Mastiffs Bark and Howl? What about Sussex Spaniels?
Mastiffs 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 Mastiffs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?
Mastiffs can very well tolerate cold weather.
Sussex Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Mastiff vs. Sussex Spaniel
Mastiffs 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 Mastiffs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?
Mastiffs 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 Mastiff or the Sussex Spaniel?
Mastiffs do not get along well with other dogs.
Sussex Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.
Are Mastiffs good family dogs? What about Sussex Spaniels?
Mastiffs 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 Mastiffs and Sussex Spaniels?
Mastiffs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Sussex Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Mastiff Easier to Train than the Sussex Spaniel?
Mastiffs are fairly easy to train.
Sussex Spaniels are fairly easy to train.
Is the Mastiff Better for Apartment Owners than the Sussex Spaniel?
Mastiffs do not adapt well to apartment living.
Sussex Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Mastiff or the Sussex Spaniel?
Mastiffs 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 Mastiff
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Mastiff 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 Mastiff:
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 Mastiff and how the Sussex Spaniel compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Mastiff and of the Sussex Spaniel to other breeds:
Mastiff Versus Other Dog Breeds
Mastiff versus Bedlington Terrier Mastiff versus Pyrenean Mastiff Mastiff versus Pekingese Mastiff versus Pyrenean Mastiff Mastiff versus Sheepadoodle Mastiff versus Cavapoo Mastiff versus American Bulldog Mastiff versus Hovawart Mastiff versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Mastiff versus Basenji Mastiff versus Cairn Terrier Mastiff versus Puli Mastiff versus Affenpinscher Mastiff versus Cockalier Mastiff versus Kuvasz Mastiff versus Golden Cocker Retriever Mastiff versus Shih Tzu Mastiff versus Great Pyrenees Mastiff versus Keeshond Mastiff versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog Mastiff versus Bich Poo Mastiff versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne Mastiff versus Mountain Cur Mastiff versus American Water Spaniel Mastiff versus American Foxhound
Sussex Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds
Sussex Spaniel versus Whippet Sussex Spaniel versus Rhodesian Ridgeback Sussex Spaniel versus Icelandic Sheepdog Sussex Spaniel versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Sussex Spaniel versus Papipoo Sussex Spaniel versus Shetland Sheepdog Sussex Spaniel versus Black Mouth Cur Sussex Spaniel versus Bordoodle Sussex Spaniel versus Bouvier des Flandres Sussex Spaniel versus Bearded Collie Sussex Spaniel versus Kerry Blue Terrier Sussex Spaniel versus Jack Russell Terrier Sussex Spaniel versus Shih Tzu Sussex Spaniel versus Beaglier Sussex Spaniel versus American Water Spaniel Sussex Spaniel versus Icelandic Sheepdog Sussex Spaniel versus Rhodesian Ridgeback Sussex Spaniel versus Swedish Vallhund Sussex Spaniel versus Coton de Tulear Sussex Spaniel versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi Sussex Spaniel versus Italian Greyhound Sussex Spaniel versus Spinone Italiano Sussex Spaniel versus American Eskimo Dog Sussex Spaniel versus Border Collie Sussex Spaniel versus Bedlington Terrier
Conclusion: Mastiff 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 Mastiff and the Sussex Spaniel better suits you and your family.