A Detailed Comparison of the Scottish Deerhound and the Sussex Spaniel.

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Scottish Deerhound Versus Sussex Spaniel: Introduction

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

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

Scottish Deerhound versus Sussex Spaniel: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Scottish Deerhound 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.

Scottish Deerhound versus Sussex Spaniel: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Scottish Deerhound 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 Scottish Deerhound and the Sussex Spaniel

Factor Scottish Deerhound 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
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 1/5
Dog Friendly 2/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 4/5
Easy To Train 2/5 3/5
Height 28 to 32 inches tall at the shoulder 1 foot, 1 inch to 1 foot, 3 inches tall at the sho
Easygoing 3/5 1/5
General Health 3/5 4/5
Intelligence 3/5 5/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 5/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 1/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 5/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 1/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 1/5 5/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Weight 75 to 110 pounds 35 to 45 pounds
Life Span 8 to 11 years 11 to 14 years
Average Lifespan 9.5 years 12.5 years
Average Price $980 No Data
Price Range $975 – $975 No Data
Temperament Score 85.3 percent 100.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • FACTOR VII Deficiency DNA test
  • Serum Bile Acid Test
  • No Data
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 158 171

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Scottish Deerhound 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 Scottish Deerhound is 67 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 Scottish Deerhound. 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 Scottish Deerhound 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 Scottish Deerhound and the Sussex Spaniel

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

  • Scottish Deerhounds do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Sussex Spaniels adapt well to apartment living.
  • Scottish Deerhounds are not the best dogs for new dog owners. However, Sussex Spaniels are good for new dog owners.
  • Scottish Deerhounds 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.
  • Scottish Deerhounds do not get along well with other dogs. However, Sussex Spaniels get along well with other dogs.
  • Scottish Deerhounds 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.
  • Scottish Deerhounds 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.
  • Scottish Deerhounds have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy. However, Sussex Spaniels have low energy levels. They do not require a lot exercise time.
  • Scottish Deerhounds 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.
  • Scottish Deerhounds 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 Scottish Deerhound and the Sussex Spaniel

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

  • Both the Scottish Deerhound and the Sussex Spaniel do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Scottish Deerhound and the Sussex Spaniel do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Scottish Deerhound and the Sussex Spaniel are not easy to train.
  • Both the Scottish Deerhound and the Sussex Spaniel can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Scottish Deerhound and the Sussex Spaniel can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Scottish Deerhound and the Sussex Spaniel get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Scottish Deerhound and the Sussex Spaniel gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Scottish Deerhound and the Sussex Spaniel are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Scottish Deerhound and the Sussex Spaniel are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Scottish Deerhound and the Sussex Spaniel are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Scottish Deerhound versus Sussex Spaniel

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

    Scottish Deerhounds weigh 75 to 110 pounds when fully grown. Scottish Deerhounds are 28 to 32 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 Scottish Deerhound versus Sussex Spaniel

    The lifespan of Scottish Deerhounds is between 8 to 11 years. The average lifespan of Scottish Deerhounds is 9.5 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 Scottish Deerhounds.

    Temperament of the Scottish Deerhound Versus the Sussex Spaniel

    The Sussex Spaniel has a better temperament than the Scottish Deerhound.

    This is because the temperament score for the Sussex Spaniel is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Scottish Deerhound is 85.3 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 85.3 percent, the Scottish Deerhound has an above-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 Scottish Deerhound and the Sussex Spaniel by measuring the temperaments of 34 Scottish Deerhounds and 4 Sussex Spaniels.

    The Popularity of Scottish Deerhound 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 Scottish Deerhound and the Sussex Spaniel over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Scottish Deerhound is more popular with dog owners than the Sussex Spaniel. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Scottish Deerhound is 158 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Sussex Spaniel is 171 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Scottish Deerhound

    Popularity of Scottish Deerhound

    Popularity of Sussex Spaniel

    Popularity of Sussex Spaniel

    Year Scottish Deerhound Popularity Rank Sussex Spaniel Popularity Rank
    2013 165 162
    2014 157 175
    2015 152 173
    2016 154 172
    2017 168 161
    2018 158 180
    2019 149 176
    2020 166 172

    Tolerates Being Alone: Scottish Deerhound versus Sussex Spaniel

    Scottish Deerhounds do not like to be left alone.

    Sussex Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

    Do Scottish Deerhounds shed more than Sussex Spaniels?

    Scottish Deerhounds shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Sussex Spaniels shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Scottish Deerhound or the Sussex Spaniel

    Scottish Deerhounds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Sussex Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Scottish Deerhound or the Sussex Spaniel?

    Scottish Deerhounds require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Sussex Spaniels are very easy to groom.

    Does the Scottish Deerhound Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Sussex Spaniel?

    Scottish Deerhounds 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 Scottish Deerhounds Bark and Howl? What about Sussex Spaniels?

    Scottish Deerhounds 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 Scottish Deerhounds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Scottish Deerhounds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Sussex Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Scottish Deerhound vs. Sussex Spaniel

    Scottish Deerhounds 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 Scottish Deerhounds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Scottish Deerhounds can tolerate hot weather.

    Sussex Spaniels can tolerate hot weather.

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

    Scottish Deerhounds do not get along well with other dogs.

    Sussex Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Scottish Deerhounds good family dogs? What about Sussex Spaniels?

    Scottish Deerhounds 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 Scottish Deerhounds and Sussex Spaniels?

    Scottish Deerhounds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Scottish Deerhound Easier to Train than the Sussex Spaniel?

    Scottish Deerhounds are not easy to train.

    Sussex Spaniels are fairly easy to train.

    Is the Scottish Deerhound Better for Apartment Owners than the Sussex Spaniel?

    Scottish Deerhounds do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Sussex Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Scottish Deerhounds 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 Scottish Deerhound

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

  • Alaskan Malamute (70 percent match with Scottish Deerhound). Here is our comparison of the Sussex Spaniel vs Alaskan Malamute.
  • Icelandic Sheepdog (75 percent match with Scottish Deerhound). Here is our comparison of the Sussex Spaniel vs Icelandic Sheepdog.
  • Rhodesian Ridgeback (73 percent match with Scottish Deerhound). 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 Scottish Deerhound vs Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
  • Coton de Tulear (70 percent match with Sussex Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Scottish Deerhound vs Coton de Tulear.
  • Keeshond (71 percent match with Sussex Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Scottish Deerhound vs Keeshond.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Scottish Deerhound Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Scottish Deerhound versus Scottish Terrier     Scottish Deerhound versus Yorkipoo     Scottish Deerhound versus Portuguese Pointer     Scottish Deerhound versus Boerboel     Scottish Deerhound versus American Foxhound     Scottish Deerhound versus Shihpoo     Scottish Deerhound versus Mastiff     Scottish Deerhound versus Norwich Terrier     Scottish Deerhound versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier     Scottish Deerhound versus Boerboel     Scottish Deerhound versus Borzoi     Scottish Deerhound versus Norwegian Lundehund     Scottish Deerhound versus Alaskan Klee Kai     Scottish Deerhound versus American Staffordshire Terrier     Scottish Deerhound versus Borzoi     Scottish Deerhound versus Bearded Collie     Scottish Deerhound versus Catahoula Leopard Dog     Scottish Deerhound versus Biewer Terrier     Scottish Deerhound versus American Pit Bull Terrier     Scottish Deerhound versus American Staffordshire Terrier     Scottish Deerhound versus Chinook     Scottish Deerhound versus Manchester Terrier     Scottish Deerhound versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne     Scottish Deerhound versus German Shepherd Dog     Scottish Deerhound versus Bull Terrier     

    Sussex Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Sussex Spaniel versus Chi-Poo     Sussex Spaniel versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     Sussex Spaniel versus Canaan Dog     Sussex Spaniel versus Doberman Pinscher     Sussex Spaniel versus Kuvasz     Sussex Spaniel versus Brussels Griffon     Sussex Spaniel versus Australian Shepherd     Sussex Spaniel versus American Staffordshire Terrier     Sussex Spaniel versus Irish Setter     Sussex Spaniel versus Giant Schnauzer     Sussex Spaniel versus Bergamasco Sheepdog     Sussex Spaniel versus Chinook     Sussex Spaniel versus Shiloh Shepherd     Sussex Spaniel versus Clumber Spaniel     Sussex Spaniel versus Shetland Sheepdog     Sussex Spaniel versus Great Pyrenees     Sussex Spaniel versus Puli     Sussex Spaniel versus Cavachon     Sussex Spaniel versus Havanese     Sussex Spaniel versus Shiba Inu     Sussex Spaniel versus Chinese Shar-Pei     Sussex Spaniel versus Yorkipoo     Sussex Spaniel versus Dutch Shepherd     Sussex Spaniel versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog     Sussex Spaniel versus Canaan Dog     

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