Which is Better between the Mudi and the Sussex Spaniel? A Very Detailed Review.

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Mudi Versus Sussex Spaniel: Introduction

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

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

Mudi versus Sussex Spaniel: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Mudi belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.

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.

Mudi versus Sussex Spaniel: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Mudi 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 Mudi and the Sussex Spaniel

Factor Mudi Sussex Spaniel
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 12 to 14 years 11 to 14 years
Height 14 to 20 inches 1 foot, 1 inch to 1 foot, 3 inches tall at the sho
Weight 18 to 29 pounds 35 to 45 pounds
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 5/5
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 1/5
Kid-Friendly 2/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 2/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 4/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 5/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 5/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 4/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 5/5
Easygoing 2/5 1/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 4/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Intelligence 4/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 4/5
Easy To Train 5/5 3/5
Average Lifespan 13.0 years 12.5 years
Price Range No Data No Data
Average Price No Data No Data
Temperament Score 40.0 percent 100.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Clear By Parentage
  • DNA Repository
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Multiple Drug Sensitivity
  • Patellar Luxation
  • WSU VCPL
  • No Data

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Mudi 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 Mudi is 76 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 Mudi. 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 Mudi 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 Mudi and the Sussex Spaniel

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

  • Mudis do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Sussex Spaniels adapt well to apartment living.
  • Mudis do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly. However, Sussex Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Mudis do not get along well with other dogs. However, Sussex Spaniels get along well with other dogs.
  • Mudis are not very friendly towards strangers. However, Sussex Spaniels are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Mudis are not prone to gaining weight easily. However, Sussex Spaniels gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Mudis 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.
  • Mudis 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 Mudi and the Sussex Spaniel

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

  • Both the Mudi and the Sussex Spaniel do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Mudi and the Sussex Spaniel do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Mudi and the Sussex Spaniel do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • Both the Mudi and the Sussex Spaniel are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the Mudi 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 Mudi and the Sussex Spaniel are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Mudi and the Sussex Spaniel are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Mudi and the Sussex Spaniel are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Mudi and the Sussex Spaniel are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Mudi and the Sussex Spaniel are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Mudi and the Sussex Spaniel are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Mudi versus Sussex Spaniel

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

    Mudis weigh 18 to 29 pounds when fully grown. Mudis are 14 to 20 inches 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 Mudi versus Sussex Spaniel

    The lifespan of Mudis is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Mudis is 13.0 years.

    The lifespan of Sussex Spaniels is between 11 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Sussex Spaniels is 12.5 years.

    Mudis live longer than Sussex Spaniels.

    Temperament of the Mudi Versus the Sussex Spaniel

    The Sussex Spaniel has a better temperament than the Mudi.

    This is because the temperament score for the Sussex Spaniel is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Mudi is 40.0 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 40.0 percent, the Mudi 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 Mudi and the Sussex Spaniel by measuring the temperaments of 5 Mudis and 4 Sussex Spaniels.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Mudi versus Sussex Spaniel

    Mudis do not like to be left alone.

    Sussex Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

    Do Mudis shed more than Sussex Spaniels?

    Mudis shed moderately.

    Sussex Spaniels shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Mudi or the Sussex Spaniel

    Mudis do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Sussex Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Mudi or the Sussex Spaniel?

    Mudis are very easy to groom.

    Sussex Spaniels are very easy to groom.

    Does the Mudi Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Sussex Spaniel?

    Mudis 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 Mudis Bark and Howl? What about Sussex Spaniels?

    Mudis 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 Mudis Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Mudis can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Sussex Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Mudi vs. Sussex Spaniel

    Mudis 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 Mudis Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Mudis 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 Mudi or the Sussex Spaniel?

    Mudis do not get along well with other dogs.

    Sussex Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Mudis good family dogs? What about Sussex Spaniels?

    Mudis 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 Mudis and Sussex Spaniels?

    Mudis do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Mudi Easier to Train than the Sussex Spaniel?

    Mudis are very easy to train.

    Sussex Spaniels are fairly easy to train.

    Is the Mudi Better for Apartment Owners than the Sussex Spaniel?

    Mudis do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Sussex Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Mudis are very good for new dog owners.

    Sussex Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Mudi

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

  • Alaskan Klee Kai (79 percent match with Mudi). Here is our comparison of the Sussex Spaniel vs Alaskan Klee Kai.
  • Australian Kelpie (78 percent match with Mudi). Here is our comparison of the Sussex Spaniel vs Australian Kelpie.
  • German Pinscher (79 percent match with Mudi). Here is our comparison of the Sussex Spaniel vs German Pinscher.
  • 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 Mudi vs Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
  • Coton de Tulear (70 percent match with Sussex Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Mudi vs Coton de Tulear.
  • Keeshond (71 percent match with Sussex Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Mudi vs Keeshond.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Mudi Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Mudi versus Flat-Coated Retriever     Mudi versus Icelandic Sheepdog     Mudi versus Peek A Poo     Mudi versus Cockapoo     Mudi versus Chihuahua     Mudi versus Tibetan Mastiff     Mudi versus Weimaraner     Mudi versus Norwegian Buhund     Mudi versus Kerry Blue Terrier     Mudi versus German Shepherd Dog     Mudi versus Lancashire Heeler     Mudi versus Berger Picard     Mudi versus Sussex Spaniel     Mudi versus Chow Chow     Mudi versus Keeshond     Mudi versus Cavapoo     Mudi versus Papillon     Mudi versus Rottweiler     Mudi versus Lhasa Apso     Mudi versus Aussiedoodle     Mudi versus Cairn Terrier     Mudi versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     Mudi versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Mudi versus Yorkipoo     Mudi versus Chinook     

    Sussex Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Sussex Spaniel versus Catahoula Bulldog     Sussex Spaniel versus Bouvier des Flandres     Sussex Spaniel versus Portuguese Pointer     Sussex Spaniel versus Boston Terrier     Sussex Spaniel versus Norwegian Buhund     Sussex Spaniel versus Azawakh     Sussex Spaniel versus Shiloh Shepherd     Sussex Spaniel versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde     Sussex Spaniel versus Chinese Shar-Pei     Sussex Spaniel versus Goldador     Sussex Spaniel versus Sealyham Terrier     Sussex Spaniel versus Labradoodle     Sussex Spaniel versus Labradoodle     Sussex Spaniel versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog     Sussex Spaniel versus Siberian Husky     Sussex Spaniel versus Goldador     Sussex Spaniel versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     Sussex Spaniel versus Japanese Chin     Sussex Spaniel versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier     Sussex Spaniel versus Dutch Shepherd     Sussex Spaniel versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog     Sussex Spaniel versus Schnoodle     Sussex Spaniel versus Toy Fox Terrier     Sussex Spaniel versus Miniature Poodle     Sussex Spaniel versus Newfoundland     

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