Breed Comparison: Pyrenean Shepherd Versus Sussex Spaniel

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Pyrenean Shepherd Versus Sussex Spaniel: Introduction

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

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

Pyrenean Shepherd versus Sussex Spaniel: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Pyrenean Shepherd 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.

Pyrenean Shepherd versus Sussex Spaniel: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Pyrenean Shepherd 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 Pyrenean Shepherd and the Sussex Spaniel

Factor Pyrenean Shepherd Sussex Spaniel
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 1/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 15 to 17 years 11 to 14 years
Height 15 to 21 inches tall at the shoulder 1 foot, 1 inch to 1 foot, 3 inches tall at the sho
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 2/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 5/5
General Health 2/5 4/5
Easy To Train 2/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 5/5
Weight 25 to 30 pounds 35 to 45 pounds
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 1/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 4/5
Easygoing 2/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 5/5
Intelligence 4/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 4/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 5/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 1/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 1/5 5/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Average Lifespan 16.0 years 12.5 years
Price Range No Data No Data
Average Price No Data No Data
Temperament Score 75.0 percent 100.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • No Data
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 178 171

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Pyrenean Shepherd 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 Pyrenean Shepherd 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 Pyrenean Shepherd. 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 Pyrenean Shepherd 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 Pyrenean Shepherd and the Sussex Spaniel

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

  • Pyrenean Shepherds are not the best dogs for new dog owners. However, Sussex Spaniels are good for new dog owners.
  • Pyrenean Shepherds do not get along well with other dogs. However, Sussex Spaniels get along well with other dogs.
  • Pyrenean Shepherds are not very friendly towards strangers. However, Sussex Spaniels are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Pyrenean Shepherds 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.
  • Pyrenean Shepherds 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.
  • Pyrenean Shepherds 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 Pyrenean Shepherd and the Sussex Spaniel

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

  • Both the Pyrenean Shepherd and the Sussex Spaniel do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Pyrenean Shepherd and the Sussex Spaniel do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Pyrenean Shepherd and the Sussex Spaniel are not easy to train.
  • Both the Pyrenean Shepherd 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 Pyrenean Shepherd 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 Pyrenean Shepherd and the Sussex Spaniel can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Pyrenean Shepherd and the Sussex Spaniel are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Pyrenean Shepherd and the Sussex Spaniel adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Pyrenean Shepherd and the Sussex Spaniel are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Pyrenean Shepherd and the Sussex Spaniel get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Pyrenean Shepherd and the Sussex Spaniel are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Pyrenean Shepherd and the Sussex Spaniel are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Pyrenean Shepherd versus Sussex Spaniel

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

    Pyrenean Shepherds weigh 25 to 30 pounds when fully grown. Pyrenean Shepherds are 15 to 21 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 Pyrenean Shepherd versus Sussex Spaniel

    The lifespan of Pyrenean Shepherds is between 15 to 17 years. The average lifespan of Pyrenean Shepherds is 16.0 years.

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

    Pyrenean Shepherds live longer than Sussex Spaniels.

    Temperament of the Pyrenean Shepherd Versus the Sussex Spaniel

    The Sussex Spaniel has a better temperament than the Pyrenean Shepherd.

    This is because the temperament score for the Sussex Spaniel is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Pyrenean Shepherd is 75.0 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 75.0 percent, the Pyrenean Shepherd 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 Pyrenean Shepherd and the Sussex Spaniel by measuring the temperaments of 4 Pyrenean Shepherds and 4 Sussex Spaniels.

    The Popularity of Pyrenean Shepherd 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 Pyrenean Shepherd and the Sussex Spaniel over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Sussex Spaniel is more popular with dog owners than the Pyrenean Shepherd. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Sussex Spaniel is 171 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Pyrenean Shepherd is 178 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Pyrenean Shepherd

    Popularity of Pyrenean Shepherd

    Popularity of Sussex Spaniel

    Popularity of Sussex Spaniel

    Year Pyrenean Shepherd Popularity Rank Sussex Spaniel Popularity Rank
    2013 169 162
    2014 178 175
    2015 176 173
    2016 176 172
    2017 180 161
    2018 181 180
    2019 182 176
    2020 182 172

    Tolerates Being Alone: Pyrenean Shepherd versus Sussex Spaniel

    Pyrenean Shepherds do not like to be left alone.

    Sussex Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

    Do Pyrenean Shepherds shed more than Sussex Spaniels?

    Pyrenean Shepherds shed moderately.

    Sussex Spaniels shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Pyrenean Shepherd or the Sussex Spaniel

    Pyrenean Shepherds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Sussex Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Pyrenean Shepherd or the Sussex Spaniel?

    Pyrenean Shepherds are moderately easy to groom.

    Sussex Spaniels are very easy to groom.

    Does the Pyrenean Shepherd Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Sussex Spaniel?

    Pyrenean Shepherds 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 Pyrenean Shepherds Bark and Howl? What about Sussex Spaniels?

    Pyrenean Shepherds 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 Pyrenean Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Pyrenean Shepherds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Sussex Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Pyrenean Shepherd vs. Sussex Spaniel

    Pyrenean Shepherds 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 Pyrenean Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Pyrenean Shepherds 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 Pyrenean Shepherd or the Sussex Spaniel?

    Pyrenean Shepherds do not get along well with other dogs.

    Sussex Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Pyrenean Shepherds good family dogs? What about Sussex Spaniels?

    Pyrenean Shepherds 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 Pyrenean Shepherds and Sussex Spaniels?

    Pyrenean Shepherds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Pyrenean Shepherd Easier to Train than the Sussex Spaniel?

    Pyrenean Shepherds are not easy to train.

    Sussex Spaniels are fairly easy to train.

    Is the Pyrenean Shepherd Better for Apartment Owners than the Sussex Spaniel?

    Pyrenean Shepherds adapt very well to apartment living.

    Sussex Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Pyrenean Shepherds 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 Pyrenean Shepherd

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

  • Cairn Terrier (73 percent match with Pyrenean Shepherd). Here is our comparison of the Sussex Spaniel vs Cairn Terrier.
  • Lakeland Terrier (73 percent match with Pyrenean Shepherd). Here is our comparison of the Sussex Spaniel vs Lakeland Terrier.
  • Pomsky (73 percent match with Pyrenean Shepherd). Here is our comparison of the Sussex Spaniel vs Pomsky.
  • 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 Pyrenean Shepherd vs Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
  • Coton de Tulear (70 percent match with Sussex Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Pyrenean Shepherd vs Coton de Tulear.
  • Keeshond (71 percent match with Sussex Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Pyrenean Shepherd vs Keeshond.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Pyrenean Shepherd Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Pyrenean Shepherd versus Goldendoodle     Pyrenean Shepherd versus Black Russian Terrier     Pyrenean Shepherd versus Sheepadoodle     Pyrenean Shepherd versus Aussiedoodle     Pyrenean Shepherd versus Akbash     Pyrenean Shepherd versus Catahoula Leopard Dog     Pyrenean Shepherd versus Maltese     Pyrenean Shepherd versus Patterdale Terrier     Pyrenean Shepherd versus Spinone Italiano     Pyrenean Shepherd versus Azawakh     Pyrenean Shepherd versus Westiepoo     Pyrenean Shepherd versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog     Pyrenean Shepherd versus Afador     Pyrenean Shepherd versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog     Pyrenean Shepherd versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     Pyrenean Shepherd versus Cesky Terrier     Pyrenean Shepherd versus Lakeland Terrier     Pyrenean Shepherd versus Lhasapoo     Pyrenean Shepherd versus Tibetan Mastiff     Pyrenean Shepherd versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     Pyrenean Shepherd versus Valley Bulldog     Pyrenean Shepherd versus Standard Poodle     Pyrenean Shepherd versus Cesky Terrier     Pyrenean Shepherd versus American Water Spaniel     

    Sussex Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Sussex Spaniel versus Swedish Vallhund     Sussex Spaniel versus Pomapoo     Sussex Spaniel versus Norwegian Buhund     Sussex Spaniel versus Saint Berdoodle     Sussex Spaniel versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     Sussex Spaniel versus Giant Schnauzer     Sussex Spaniel versus Karelian Bear Dog     Sussex Spaniel versus Pug     Sussex Spaniel versus Kuvasz     Sussex Spaniel versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     Sussex Spaniel versus Shichon     Sussex Spaniel versus Shiba Inu     Sussex Spaniel versus American Pit Bull Terrier     Sussex Spaniel versus Golden Retriever     Sussex Spaniel versus Golden Retriever     Sussex Spaniel versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog     Sussex Spaniel versus Afghan Hound     Sussex Spaniel versus Boykin Spaniel     Sussex Spaniel versus Welsh Terrier     Sussex Spaniel versus Manchester Terrier     Sussex Spaniel versus Mudi     Sussex Spaniel versus Rottweiler     Sussex Spaniel versus Cavachon     Sussex Spaniel versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     Sussex Spaniel versus Saluki     

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