Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Silky Terrier Versus Sussex Spaniel: Introduction
- Silky Terrier versus Sussex Spaniel: Overview
- Silky Terrier versus Sussex Spaniel: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Silky Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel
- The Similarities Between the Silky Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel
- Size (Weight and Height) of Silky Terrier versus Sussex Spaniel
- Lifespan of Silky Terrier versus Sussex Spaniel
- Temperament of the Sussex Spaniel Versus the Silky Terrier
- The Popularity of Silky Terrier versus Popularity of Sussex Spaniel
- Tolerates Being Alone: Silky Terrier versus Sussex Spaniel
- Do Silky Terriers shed more than Sussex Spaniels?
- Which one drools more, the Silky Terrier or the Sussex Spaniel
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Silky Terrier or the Sussex Spaniel?
- Does the Silky Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Sussex Spaniel?
- Do Silky Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Sussex Spaniels?
- Can Silky Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Silky Terrier vs. Sussex Spaniel
- Can Silky Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Silky Terrier or the Sussex Spaniel?
- Are Silky Terriers good family dogs? What about Sussex Spaniels?
- How Kid-friendly are Silky Terriers and Sussex Spaniels?
- Is the Silky Terrier Easier to Train than the Sussex Spaniel?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Silky Terrier
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Sussex Spaniel
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Silky Terrier versus Sussex Spaniel. Which One is a Better Pet?
Silky Terrier Versus Sussex Spaniel: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Silky Terrier 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 Silky Terrier 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 Silky Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Silky Terrier 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 Silky Terrier 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 Silky Terrier 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 Silky Terrier or the Sussex Spaniel.
Silky Terrier versus Sussex Spaniel: Overview
A very important difference between the Silky Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Silky Terrier is a tiny-sized dog while the Sussex Spaniel is a small-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Silky Terrier belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.
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.
Silky Terrier versus Sussex Spaniel: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Silky Terrier 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 Silky Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel
| Factor | Silky Terrier | Sussex Spaniel |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 11 to 14 years |
| Dog Friendly | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Easygoing | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Weight | 8 to 10 pounds | 35 to 45 pounds |
| Height | 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder | 1 foot, 1 inch to 1 foot, 3 inches tall at the sho |
| Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 12.5 years |
| Average Price | $1890 | No Data |
| Price Range | $1425 – $2075 | No Data |
| Temperament Score | 73.7 percent | 100.0 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
No Data |
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 103 | 171 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Silky Terrier 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 Silky Terrier is 80 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 Silky Terrier. 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 Silky Terrier 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 Silky Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel
Below is a list of where the Silky Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel are most different:
The Similarities Between the Silky Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel
The Silky Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Silky Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Silky Terrier versus Sussex Spaniel
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Silky Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel.
Silky Terriers weigh 8 to 10 pounds when fully grown. Silky Terriers are 9 to 10 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 Silky Terrier versus Sussex Spaniel
The lifespan of Silky Terriers is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Silky Terriers is 13.5 years.
The lifespan of Sussex Spaniels is between 11 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Sussex Spaniels is 12.5 years.
Silky Terriers live longer than Sussex Spaniels.
Temperament of the Sussex Spaniel Versus the Silky Terrier
The Sussex Spaniel has a better temperament than the Silky Terrier.
This is because the temperament score for the Sussex Spaniel is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Silky Terrier is 73.7 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 73.7 percent, the Silky Terrier 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 Silky Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel by measuring the temperaments of 19 Silky Terriers and 4 Sussex Spaniels.
The Popularity of Silky Terrier 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 Silky Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Silky Terrier is more popular with dog owners than the Sussex Spaniel. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Silky Terrier is 103 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Sussex Spaniel is 171 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Silky Terrier
Popularity of Sussex Spaniel
| Year | Silky Terrier Popularity Rank | Sussex Spaniel Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 92 | 162 |
| 2014 | 101 | 175 |
| 2015 | 102 | 173 |
| 2016 | 100 | 172 |
| 2017 | 106 | 161 |
| 2018 | 112 | 180 |
| 2019 | 109 | 176 |
| 2020 | 108 | 172 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Silky Terrier versus Sussex Spaniel
Silky Terriers can be left alone only for a short time.
Sussex Spaniels do not like to be left alone.
Do Silky Terriers shed more than Sussex Spaniels?
Silky Terriers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Sussex Spaniels shed moderately.
Which one drools more, the Silky Terrier or the Sussex Spaniel
Silky Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Sussex Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Silky Terrier or the Sussex Spaniel?
Silky Terriers are very easy to groom.
Sussex Spaniels are very easy to groom.
Does the Silky Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Sussex Spaniel?
Silky Terriers 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 Silky Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Sussex Spaniels?
Silky Terriers 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 Silky Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?
Silky Terriers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Sussex Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Silky Terrier vs. Sussex Spaniel
Silky Terriers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get 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 Silky Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?
Silky Terriers can tolerate hot weather.
Sussex Spaniels can tolerate hot weather.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Silky Terrier or the Sussex Spaniel?
Silky Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.
Sussex Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.
Are Silky Terriers good family dogs? What about Sussex Spaniels?
Silky Terriers 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 Silky Terriers and Sussex Spaniels?
Silky Terriers get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.
Sussex Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Silky Terrier Easier to Train than the Sussex Spaniel?
Silky Terriers are very easy to train.
Sussex Spaniels are fairly easy to train.
Is the Silky Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Sussex Spaniel?
Silky Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.
Sussex Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Silky Terrier or the Sussex Spaniel?
Silky Terriers are OK for new dog owners.
Sussex Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Silky Terrier
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Silky Terrier 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 Silky Terrier:
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:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Silky Terrier and how the Sussex Spaniel compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Silky Terrier and of the Sussex Spaniel to other breeds:
Silky Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds
Silky Terrier versus Jack Russell Terrier Silky Terrier versus Whoodle Silky Terrier versus Bernese Mountain Dog Silky Terrier versus Lhasa Apso Silky Terrier versus Cocker Spaniel Silky Terrier versus Standard Poodle Silky Terrier versus Havanese Silky Terrier versus Bichon Frise Silky Terrier versus Welsh Terrier Silky Terrier versus Lowchen Silky Terrier versus Coton de Tulear Silky Terrier versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog Silky Terrier versus Japanese Spitz Silky Terrier versus Stabyhoun Silky Terrier versus Goldendoodle Silky Terrier versus Bracco Italiano Silky Terrier versus Boykin Spaniel Silky Terrier versus Lagotto Romagnolo Silky Terrier versus Komondor Silky Terrier versus Carolina Dog Silky Terrier versus German Shorthaired Pointer Silky Terrier versus Yorkshire Terrier Silky Terrier versus Stabyhoun Silky Terrier versus Maltipoo
Sussex Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds
Sussex Spaniel versus Labrador Retriever Sussex Spaniel versus Standard Poodle Sussex Spaniel versus Karelian Bear Dog Sussex Spaniel versus Bordoodle Sussex Spaniel versus Kooikerhondje Sussex Spaniel versus Scottish Deerhound Sussex Spaniel versus Berger Picard Sussex Spaniel versus Aussiedoodle Sussex Spaniel versus Mastiff Sussex Spaniel versus Field Spaniel Sussex Spaniel versus German Pinscher Sussex Spaniel versus Sloughi Sussex Spaniel versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Sussex Spaniel versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog Sussex Spaniel versus Mountain Cur Sussex Spaniel versus Labradoodle Sussex Spaniel versus Bernedoodle Sussex Spaniel versus French Spaniel Sussex Spaniel versus Bearded Collie Sussex Spaniel versus Pekingese Sussex Spaniel versus Bouvier des Flandres Sussex Spaniel versus Mastiff Sussex Spaniel versus Norfolk Terrier Sussex Spaniel versus Shichon Sussex Spaniel versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
Conclusion: Silky Terrier 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 Silky Terrier and the Sussex Spaniel better suits you and your family.