Breed Comparison: Miniature Pinscher Versus Sussex Spaniel

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Miniature Pinscher Versus Sussex Spaniel: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Miniature Pinscher 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 Miniature Pinscher 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 Miniature Pinscher 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 Miniature Pinscher or the Sussex Spaniel.

Miniature Pinscher versus Sussex Spaniel: Overview

A very important difference between the Miniature Pinscher and the Sussex Spaniel is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Miniature Pinscher is a tiny-sized dog while the Sussex Spaniel is a small-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Miniature Pinscher 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.

Miniature Pinscher versus Sussex Spaniel: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Miniature Pinscher 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 Miniature Pinscher and the Sussex Spaniel

Factor Miniature Pinscher Sussex Spaniel
Tolerates Cold Weather 1/5 5/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Height 10 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder 1 foot, 1 inch to 1 foot, 3 inches tall at the sho
Life Span 10 to 14 years 11 to 14 years
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 1/5
Dog Friendly 2/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 4/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 4/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 5/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 3/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 5/5
General Health 3/5 4/5
Easy To Train 3/5 3/5
Intelligence 3/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 5/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 4/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 5/5
Easygoing 1/5 1/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 1/5 1/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 1/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 5/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Weight 8 to 11 pounds 35 to 45 pounds
Average Lifespan 12.0 years 12.5 years
Average Price $1470 No Data
Price Range $825 – $1500 No Data
Temperament Score 82.5 percent 100.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Clear By Parentage
  • Patellar Luxation
  • PENNGEN
  • No Data
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 67 171

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Miniature Pinscher 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 Miniature Pinscher is 73 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 Miniature Pinscher. 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 Miniature Pinscher 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 Miniature Pinscher and the Sussex Spaniel

    Below is a list of where the Miniature Pinscher and the Sussex Spaniel are most different:

  • Miniature Pinschers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold. However, Sussex Spaniels can tolerate cold weather.
  • Miniature Pinschers do not get along well with other dogs. However, Sussex Spaniels get along well with other dogs.
  • Miniature Pinschers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects. However, Sussex Spaniels do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
  • The Similarities Between the Miniature Pinscher and the Sussex Spaniel

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

  • Both the Miniature Pinscher and the Sussex Spaniel do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Miniature Pinscher and the Sussex Spaniel do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Miniature Pinscher and the Sussex Spaniel do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Miniature Pinscher and the Sussex Spaniel are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Miniature Pinscher and the Sussex Spaniel adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Miniature Pinscher 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 Miniature Pinscher and the Sussex Spaniel are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Miniature Pinscher and the Sussex Spaniel are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Miniature Pinscher and the Sussex Spaniel gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Miniature Pinscher and the Sussex Spaniel are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Miniature Pinscher and the Sussex Spaniel are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Miniature Pinscher versus Sussex Spaniel

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Miniature Pinscher and the Sussex Spaniel.

    Miniature Pinschers weigh 8 to 11 pounds when fully grown. Miniature Pinschers are 10 to 12 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 Miniature Pinscher versus Sussex Spaniel

    The lifespan of Miniature Pinschers is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Miniature Pinschers is 12.0 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 Miniature Pinschers.

    Temperament of the Miniature Pinscher Versus the Sussex Spaniel

    The Sussex Spaniel has a better temperament than the Miniature Pinscher.

    This is because the temperament score for the Sussex Spaniel is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Miniature Pinscher is 82.5 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 82.5 percent, the Miniature Pinscher 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 Miniature Pinscher and the Sussex Spaniel by measuring the temperaments of 57 Miniature Pinschers and 4 Sussex Spaniels.

    The Popularity of Miniature Pinscher 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 Miniature Pinscher and the Sussex Spaniel over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Miniature Pinscher is more popular with dog owners than the Sussex Spaniel. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Miniature Pinscher is 67 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Sussex Spaniel is 171 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Miniature Pinscher

    Popularity of Miniature Pinscher

    Popularity of Sussex Spaniel

    Popularity of Sussex Spaniel

    Year Miniature Pinscher Popularity Rank Sussex Spaniel Popularity Rank
    2013 53 162
    2014 61 175
    2015 64 173
    2016 68 172
    2017 71 161
    2018 70 180
    2019 74 176
    2020 77 172

    Tolerates Being Alone: Miniature Pinscher versus Sussex Spaniel

    Miniature Pinschers do not like to be left alone.

    Sussex Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

    Do Miniature Pinschers shed more than Sussex Spaniels?

    Miniature Pinschers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Sussex Spaniels shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Miniature Pinscher or the Sussex Spaniel

    Miniature Pinschers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Sussex Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Miniature Pinscher or the Sussex Spaniel?

    Miniature Pinschers are very easy to groom.

    Sussex Spaniels are very easy to groom.

    Does the Miniature Pinscher Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Sussex Spaniel?

    Miniature Pinschers have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and 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 Miniature Pinschers Bark and Howl? What about Sussex Spaniels?

    Miniature Pinschers 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 Miniature Pinschers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Miniature Pinschers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Sussex Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Miniature Pinscher vs. Sussex Spaniel

    Miniature Pinschers 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 Miniature Pinschers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Miniature Pinschers 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 Miniature Pinscher or the Sussex Spaniel?

    Miniature Pinschers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Sussex Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Miniature Pinschers good family dogs? What about Sussex Spaniels?

    Miniature Pinschers 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 Miniature Pinschers and Sussex Spaniels?

    Miniature Pinschers get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Miniature Pinscher Easier to Train than the Sussex Spaniel?

    Miniature Pinschers are fairly easy to train.

    Sussex Spaniels are fairly easy to train.

    Is the Miniature Pinscher Better for Apartment Owners than the Sussex Spaniel?

    Miniature Pinschers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Sussex Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Miniature Pinscher or the Sussex Spaniel?

    Miniature Pinschers are OK for new dog owners.

    Sussex Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Miniature Pinscher

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Miniature Pinscher 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 Miniature Pinscher:

  • American Hairless Terrier (75 percent match with Miniature Pinscher). Here is our comparison of the Sussex Spaniel vs American Hairless Terrier.
  • Manchester Terrier (79 percent match with Miniature Pinscher). Here is our comparison of the Sussex Spaniel vs Manchester Terrier.
  • Schipperke (75 percent match with Miniature Pinscher). Here is our comparison of the Sussex Spaniel vs Schipperke.
  • 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 Miniature Pinscher vs Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
  • Coton de Tulear (70 percent match with Sussex Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Miniature Pinscher vs Coton de Tulear.
  • Keeshond (71 percent match with Sussex Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Miniature Pinscher vs Keeshond.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Miniature Pinscher Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Miniature Pinscher versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     Miniature Pinscher versus Australian Cattle Dog     Miniature Pinscher versus Briard     Miniature Pinscher versus Fila Brasileiro     Miniature Pinscher versus Chinook     Miniature Pinscher versus Greyhound     Miniature Pinscher versus Newfoundland     Miniature Pinscher versus Doberman Pinscher     Miniature Pinscher versus Korean Jindo Dog     Miniature Pinscher versus Lowchen     Miniature Pinscher versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier     Miniature Pinscher versus Boxerdoodle     Miniature Pinscher versus Goldendoodle     Miniature Pinscher versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier     Miniature Pinscher versus Saint Berdoodle     Miniature Pinscher versus Irish Water Spaniel     Miniature Pinscher versus Flat-Coated Retriever     Miniature Pinscher versus Carolina Dog     Miniature Pinscher versus Goldendoodle     Miniature Pinscher versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi     Miniature Pinscher versus Irish Wolfhound     Miniature Pinscher versus Boxer     Miniature Pinscher versus Saint Bernard     Miniature Pinscher versus American Water Spaniel     Miniature Pinscher versus King Shepherd     

    Sussex Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Sussex Spaniel versus Westiepoo     Sussex Spaniel versus Shihpoo     Sussex Spaniel versus Gordon Setter     Sussex Spaniel versus Vizsla     Sussex Spaniel versus Chinook     Sussex Spaniel versus Sealyham Terrier     Sussex Spaniel versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne     Sussex Spaniel versus Affenhuahua     Sussex Spaniel versus Manchester Terrier     Sussex Spaniel versus Scottish Deerhound     Sussex Spaniel versus Maltese     Sussex Spaniel versus Black Russian Terrier     Sussex Spaniel versus Tibetan Terrier     Sussex Spaniel versus Alaskan Klee Kai     Sussex Spaniel versus Barbet     Sussex Spaniel versus Ibizan Hound     Sussex Spaniel versus American Water Spaniel     Sussex Spaniel versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi     Sussex Spaniel versus Stabyhoun     Sussex Spaniel versus Estrela Mountain Dog     Sussex Spaniel versus Sealyham Terrier     Sussex Spaniel versus Clumber Spaniel     Sussex Spaniel versus Sealyham Terrier     Sussex Spaniel versus Chinook     Sussex Spaniel versus Shihpoo     

    Conclusion: Miniature Pinscher 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 Miniature Pinscher and the Sussex Spaniel better suits you and your family.