Breed Comparison: Plott Versus Sussex Spaniel

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Plott Versus Sussex Spaniel: Introduction

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

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

Plott versus Sussex Spaniel: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Plott belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.

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.

Plott versus Sussex Spaniel: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Plott 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 Plott and the Sussex Spaniel

Factor Plott Sussex Spaniel
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 5/5
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 5/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 5/5 2/5
Life Span 12 to 14 years 11 to 14 years
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 2/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 4/5 3/5
Height 20 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder 1 foot, 1 inch to 1 foot, 3 inches tall at the sho
Kid-Friendly 3/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 1/5
Intelligence 3/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 3/5 4/5
Easygoing 2/5 1/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 5/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Easy To Train 4/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 5/5
Weight 40 to 75 pounds 35 to 45 pounds
Dog Friendly 5/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 4/5
General Health 5/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 5/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 5/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 4/5
Average Lifespan 13.0 years 12.5 years
Average Price $600 No Data
Price Range $480 – $700 No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data No Data
Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 161 171

Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Plott 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 Plott is 74 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 Plott. 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 Plott 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 Plott and the Sussex Spaniel

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

  • Plotts do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Sussex Spaniels adapt well to apartment living.
  • Plotts are not the best dogs for new dog owners. However, Sussex Spaniels are good for new dog owners.
  • Plotts are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl. However, Sussex Spaniels are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Plotts cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold. However, Sussex Spaniels can tolerate cold weather.
  • Plotts do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful. However, Sussex Spaniels do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • Plotts 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.
  • Plotts 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.
  • Plotts require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise. However, Sussex Spaniels have low exercise needs.

    • The Similarities Between the Plott and the Sussex Spaniel

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

  • Both the Plott and the Sussex Spaniel do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Plott and the Sussex Spaniel do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Plott and the Sussex Spaniel do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Plott 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 Plott and the Sussex Spaniel can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Plott and the Sussex Spaniel are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Plott and the Sussex Spaniel are very easy to train.
  • Both the Plott and the Sussex Spaniel get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Plott and the Sussex Spaniel are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Plott and the Sussex Spaniel are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds

    • Size (Weight and Height) of Plott versus Sussex Spaniel

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

    Plotts weigh 40 to 75 pounds when fully grown. Plotts are 20 to 27 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 Plott versus Sussex Spaniel

    The lifespan of Plotts is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Plotts 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.

    Plotts live longer than Sussex Spaniels.

    The Popularity of Plott 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 Plott and the Sussex Spaniel over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Plott is more popular with dog owners than the Sussex Spaniel. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Plott is 161 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Sussex Spaniel is 171 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Plott

    Popularity of Plott

    Popularity of Sussex Spaniel

    Popularity of Sussex Spaniel

    Year Plott Popularity Rank Sussex Spaniel Popularity Rank
    2013 149 162
    2014 154 175
    2015 149 173
    2016 158 172
    2017 166 161
    2018 171 180
    2019 177 176
    2020 167 172

    Tolerates Being Alone: Plott versus Sussex Spaniel

    Plotts do not like to be left alone.

    Sussex Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

    Do Plotts shed more than Sussex Spaniels?

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

    Sussex Spaniels shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Plott or the Sussex Spaniel

    Plotts do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Sussex Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

    Plotts are very easy to groom.

    Sussex Spaniels are very easy to groom.

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

    Plotts 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 Plotts Bark and Howl? What about Sussex Spaniels?

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

    Plotts cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Sussex Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Plott vs. Sussex Spaniel

    Plotts 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 Plotts Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Plotts can tolerate hot weather.

    Sussex Spaniels can tolerate hot weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Plott or the Sussex Spaniel?

    Plotts get along very well with other dogs.

    Sussex Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Plotts good family dogs? What about Sussex Spaniels?

    Plotts 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 Plotts and Sussex Spaniels?

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

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

    Is the Plott Easier to Train than the Sussex Spaniel?

    Plotts are very easy to train.

    Sussex Spaniels are fairly easy to train.

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

    Plotts do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Sussex Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Plotts 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 Plott

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

  • Patterdale Terrier (77 percent match with Plott). Here is our comparison of the Sussex Spaniel vs Patterdale Terrier.
  • Rhodesian Ridgeback (77 percent match with Plott). Here is our comparison of the Sussex Spaniel vs Rhodesian Ridgeback.

    • 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 Plott vs Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
  • Coton de Tulear (70 percent match with Sussex Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Plott vs Coton de Tulear.
  • Keeshond (71 percent match with Sussex Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Plott vs Keeshond.

    • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Plott Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Plott versus Whoodle     Plott versus Papipoo     Plott versus Standard Schnauzer     Plott versus Affenpinscher     Plott versus Saint Bernard     Plott versus Peek A Poo     Plott versus Dogo Argentino     Plott versus Boston Terrier     Plott versus Frenchton     Plott versus Sussex Spaniel     Plott versus Standard Poodle     Plott versus Kai Ken     Plott versus Great Pyrenees     Plott versus Australian Kelpie     Plott versus Dogo Argentino     Plott versus Miniature Schnauzer     Plott versus Miniature Schnauzer     Plott versus Kai Ken     Plott versus Labradoodle     Plott versus Lhasapoo     Plott versus Kooikerhondje     Plott versus Frenchton     Plott versus Pointer     Plott versus Shiranian     Plott versus Dalmatian     

    Sussex Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Sussex Spaniel versus American Hairless Terrier     Sussex Spaniel versus German Wirehaired Pointer     Sussex Spaniel versus Miniature Schnauzer     Sussex Spaniel versus Golden Cocker Retriever     Sussex Spaniel versus Norfolk Terrier     Sussex Spaniel versus English Setter     Sussex Spaniel versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     Sussex Spaniel versus Manchester Terrier     Sussex Spaniel versus Briard     Sussex Spaniel versus Mastiff     Sussex Spaniel versus American Water Spaniel     Sussex Spaniel versus Affenhuahua     Sussex Spaniel versus Vizsla     Sussex Spaniel versus Saluki     Sussex Spaniel versus Labradoodle     Sussex Spaniel versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Sussex Spaniel versus Puli     Sussex Spaniel versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     Sussex Spaniel versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi     Sussex Spaniel versus Affenhuahua     Sussex Spaniel versus Saluki     Sussex Spaniel versus Shih Tzu     Sussex Spaniel versus Belgian Malinois     Sussex Spaniel versus Border Collie     Sussex Spaniel versus Saluki     

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