Which is Better between the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Sussex Spaniel? A Very Detailed Review.

Quick Links: Table of Contents

Pembroke Welsh Corgi Versus Sussex Spaniel: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi 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 Pembroke Welsh Corgi 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 Pembroke Welsh Corgi 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 Pembroke Welsh Corgi or the Sussex Spaniel.

Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Sussex Spaniel: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi 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.

Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Sussex Spaniel: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Pembroke Welsh Corgi 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 Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Sussex Spaniel

Factor Pembroke Welsh Corgi Sussex Spaniel
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 12 to 14 years 11 to 14 years
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 5/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 5/5
General Health 3/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 5/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 5/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 5/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 5/5
Easygoing 2/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 1/5
NOT Rambunctious 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
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 1/5 3/5
Easy To Train 5/5 3/5
Intelligence 5/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 1/5 2/5
Weight Up to 30 pounds 35 to 45 pounds
Average Lifespan 13.0 years 12.5 years
Average Price $1700 No Data
Price Range $1200 – $2000 No Data
Temperament Score 79.6 percent 100.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • No Data
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 16 171

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Pembroke Welsh Corgi 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 Pembroke Welsh Corgi is 85 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 Pembroke Welsh Corgi. 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 Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Sussex Spaniel so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Similarities Between the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Sussex Spaniel

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

  • Both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Sussex Spaniel do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Sussex Spaniel are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Sussex Spaniel do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
  • Both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Sussex Spaniel adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Sussex Spaniel are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi 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 Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Sussex Spaniel can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Sussex Spaniel get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Sussex Spaniel are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Sussex Spaniel gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Sussex Spaniel are very playful.
  • Both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Sussex Spaniel are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Sussex Spaniel are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Sussex Spaniel are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Sussex Spaniel are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Sussex Spaniel

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Sussex Spaniel.

    Pembroke Welsh Corgis weigh Up to 30 pounds when fully grown. Pembroke Welsh Corgis 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 Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Sussex Spaniel

    The lifespan of Pembroke Welsh Corgis is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Pembroke Welsh Corgis 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.

    Pembroke Welsh Corgis live longer than Sussex Spaniels.

    Temperament of the Sussex Spaniel Versus the Pembroke Welsh Corgi

    The Sussex Spaniel has a better temperament than the Pembroke Welsh Corgi.

    This is because the temperament score for the Sussex Spaniel is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is 79.6 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 79.6 percent, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi 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 Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Sussex Spaniel by measuring the temperaments of 216 Pembroke Welsh Corgis and 4 Sussex Spaniels.

    The Popularity of Pembroke Welsh Corgi 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 Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Sussex Spaniel over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is more popular with dog owners than the Sussex Spaniel. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is 16 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Sussex Spaniel is 171 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Pembroke Welsh Corgi

    Popularity of Pembroke Welsh Corgi

    Popularity of Sussex Spaniel

    Popularity of Sussex Spaniel

    Year Pembroke Welsh Corgi Popularity Rank Sussex Spaniel Popularity Rank
    2013 24 162
    2014 22 175
    2015 20 173
    2016 18 172
    2017 15 161
    2018 13 180
    2019 10 176
    2020 11 172

    Tolerates Being Alone: Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Sussex Spaniel

    Pembroke Welsh Corgis can be left alone only for a short time.

    Sussex Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

    Do Pembroke Welsh Corgis shed more than Sussex Spaniels?

    Pembroke Welsh Corgis shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Sussex Spaniels shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi or the Sussex Spaniel

    Pembroke Welsh Corgis do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Sussex Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi or the Sussex Spaniel?

    Pembroke Welsh Corgis are very easy to groom.

    Sussex Spaniels are very easy to groom.

    Does the Pembroke Welsh Corgi Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Sussex Spaniel?

    Pembroke Welsh Corgis 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 Pembroke Welsh Corgis Bark and Howl? What about Sussex Spaniels?

    Pembroke Welsh Corgis 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 Pembroke Welsh Corgis Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Pembroke Welsh Corgis can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Sussex Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Pembroke Welsh Corgi vs. Sussex Spaniel

    Pembroke Welsh Corgis 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 Pembroke Welsh Corgis Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Pembroke Welsh Corgis 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 Pembroke Welsh Corgi or the Sussex Spaniel?

    Pembroke Welsh Corgis get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Sussex Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Pembroke Welsh Corgis good family dogs? What about Sussex Spaniels?

    Pembroke Welsh Corgis 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 Pembroke Welsh Corgis and Sussex Spaniels?

    Pembroke Welsh Corgis get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Pembroke Welsh Corgi Easier to Train than the Sussex Spaniel?

    Pembroke Welsh Corgis are very easy to train.

    Sussex Spaniels are fairly easy to train.

    Is the Pembroke Welsh Corgi Better for Apartment Owners than the Sussex Spaniel?

    Pembroke Welsh Corgis adapt very well to apartment living.

    Sussex Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi or the Sussex Spaniel?

    Pembroke Welsh Corgis are very good for new dog owners.

    Sussex Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Pembroke Welsh Corgi

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Pembroke Welsh Corgi 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 Pembroke Welsh Corgi:

  • Keeshond (79 percent match with Pembroke Welsh Corgi). Here is our comparison of the Sussex Spaniel vs Keeshond.
  • Cardigan Welsh Corgi (82 percent match with Pembroke Welsh Corgi). Here is our comparison of the Sussex Spaniel vs Cardigan Welsh Corgi.
  • 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 Pembroke Welsh Corgi vs Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
  • Coton de Tulear (70 percent match with Sussex Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi vs Coton de Tulear.
  • Keeshond (71 percent match with Sussex Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi vs Keeshond.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Pembroke Welsh Corgi Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Standard Schnauzer     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Dogue de Bordeaux     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Lagotto Romagnolo     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Redbone Coonhound     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Miniature Schnauzer     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Spinone Italiano     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Cavapoo     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Affenhuahua     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Glen of Imaal Terrier     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Swedish Vallhund     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Lancashire Heeler     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Doberman Pinscher     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Akita Chow     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus German Shorthaired Pointer     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Coton de Tulear     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Harrier     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Bearded Collie     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Dachshund     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Bullmastiff     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Canaan Dog     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Dutch Shepherd     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Catahoula Bulldog     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Greyhound     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Black and Tan Coonhound     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Manchester Terrier     

    Sussex Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Sussex Spaniel versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     Sussex Spaniel versus Japanese Spitz     Sussex Spaniel versus Havanese     Sussex Spaniel versus Borzoi     Sussex Spaniel versus English Setter     Sussex Spaniel versus Kuvasz     Sussex Spaniel versus Xoloitzcuintli     Sussex Spaniel versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen     Sussex Spaniel versus Goldador     Sussex Spaniel versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     Sussex Spaniel versus Pharaoh Hound     Sussex Spaniel versus Morkie     Sussex Spaniel versus Bloodhound     Sussex Spaniel versus Redbone Coonhound     Sussex Spaniel versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     Sussex Spaniel versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     Sussex Spaniel versus Alaskan Malamute     Sussex Spaniel versus West Highland White Terrier     Sussex Spaniel versus Karelian Bear Dog     Sussex Spaniel versus Portuguese Water Dog     Sussex Spaniel versus Rottweiler     Sussex Spaniel versus Curly-Coated Retriever     Sussex Spaniel versus Belgian Tervuren     Sussex Spaniel versus American Foxhound     Sussex Spaniel versus Pyrenean Shepherd     

    Conclusion: Pembroke Welsh Corgi 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 Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Sussex Spaniel better suits you and your family.