Which is Better between the Spinone Italiano and the Sussex Spaniel? A Very Detailed Review.

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Spinone Italiano Versus Sussex Spaniel: Introduction

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

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

Spinone Italiano versus Sussex Spaniel: Overview

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

Furthermore, both the Spinone Italiano and the Sussex Spaniel are Sporting Dogs. This means both the Spinone Italiano and the Sussex Spaniel 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.

Spinone Italiano versus Sussex Spaniel: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Spinone Italiano 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 Spinone Italiano and the Sussex Spaniel

Factor Spinone Italiano Sussex Spaniel
Life Span 10 to 14 years 11 to 14 years
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 1/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 4/5 1/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 5/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 5/5
Height 22 to 28 inches 1 foot, 1 inch to 1 foot, 3 inches tall at the sho
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 3/5
General Health 3/5 4/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 5/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 5/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 5/5
Does NOT Drool 2/5 5/5
Easy To Train 4/5 3/5
Intelligence 4/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 4/5
Easygoing 1/5 1/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 5/5
Weight 61 to 86 pounds 35 to 45 pounds
Average Lifespan 12.0 years 12.5 years
Average Price $1180 No Data
Price Range $1000 – $1000 No Data
Temperament Score 50.0 percent 100.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- Recommend annual exams beginning at 1 year of age
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • No Data
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 112 171

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Spinone Italiano 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 Spinone Italiano is 86 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 Spinone Italiano. 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 Spinone Italiano 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 Spinone Italiano and the Sussex Spaniel

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

  • Spinone Italianos are not prone to gaining weight easily. However, Sussex Spaniels gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Spinone Italianos have a very high tendency to drool. However, Sussex Spaniels do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Spinone Italianos 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.
  • The Similarities Between the Spinone Italiano and the Sussex Spaniel

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

  • Both the Spinone Italiano and the Sussex Spaniel do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Spinone Italiano and the Sussex Spaniel are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Spinone Italiano 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 Spinone Italiano and the Sussex Spaniel do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • Both the Spinone Italiano and the Sussex Spaniel adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Spinone Italiano and the Sussex Spaniel are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the Spinone Italiano and the Sussex Spaniel can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Spinone Italiano and the Sussex Spaniel are very easy to train.
  • Both the Spinone Italiano and the Sussex Spaniel are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Spinone Italiano and the Sussex Spaniel are very playful.
  • Both the Spinone Italiano 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 Spinone Italiano and the Sussex Spaniel are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Spinone Italiano and the Sussex Spaniel get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Spinone Italiano and the Sussex Spaniel get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Spinone Italiano and the Sussex Spaniel are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Spinone Italiano versus Sussex Spaniel

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

    Spinone Italianos weigh 61 to 86 pounds when fully grown. Spinone Italianos are 22 to 28 inches 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 Spinone Italiano versus Sussex Spaniel

    The lifespan of Spinone Italianos is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Spinone Italianos is 12.0 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 Spinone Italianos.

    Temperament of the Sussex Spaniel Versus the Spinone Italiano

    The Sussex Spaniel has a better temperament than the Spinone Italiano.

    This is because the temperament score for the Sussex Spaniel is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Spinone Italiano is 50.0 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 50.0 percent, the Spinone Italiano 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 Spinone Italiano and the Sussex Spaniel by measuring the temperaments of 6 Spinone Italianos and 4 Sussex Spaniels.

    The Popularity of Spinone Italiano 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 Spinone Italiano and the Sussex Spaniel over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Spinone Italiano is more popular with dog owners than the Sussex Spaniel. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Spinone Italiano is 112 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Sussex Spaniel is 171 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Spinone Italiano

    Popularity of Spinone Italiano

    Popularity of Sussex Spaniel

    Popularity of Sussex Spaniel

    Year Spinone Italiano Popularity Rank Sussex Spaniel Popularity Rank
    2013 117 162
    2014 118 175
    2015 112 173
    2016 105 172
    2017 111 161
    2018 109 180
    2019 116 176
    2020 110 172

    Tolerates Being Alone: Spinone Italiano versus Sussex Spaniel

    Spinone Italianos do not like to be left alone.

    Sussex Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

    Do Spinone Italianos shed more than Sussex Spaniels?

    Spinone Italianos shed moderately.

    Sussex Spaniels shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Spinone Italiano or the Sussex Spaniel

    Spinone Italianos have a very high tendency to drool.

    Sussex Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Spinone Italiano or the Sussex Spaniel?

    Spinone Italianos require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Sussex Spaniels are very easy to groom.

    Does the Spinone Italiano Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Sussex Spaniel?

    Spinone Italianos 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 Spinone Italianos Bark and Howl? What about Sussex Spaniels?

    Spinone Italianos 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 Spinone Italianos Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Spinone Italianos can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Sussex Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Spinone Italiano vs. Sussex Spaniel

    Spinone Italianos 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 Spinone Italianos Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Spinone Italianos 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 Spinone Italiano or the Sussex Spaniel?

    Spinone Italianos get along very well with other dogs.

    Sussex Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Spinone Italianos good family dogs? What about Sussex Spaniels?

    Spinone Italianos 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 Spinone Italianos and Sussex Spaniels?

    Spinone Italianos get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Spinone Italiano Easier to Train than the Sussex Spaniel?

    Spinone Italianos are very easy to train.

    Sussex Spaniels are fairly easy to train.

    Is the Spinone Italiano Better for Apartment Owners than the Sussex Spaniel?

    Spinone Italianos adapt very well to apartment living.

    Sussex Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Spinone Italianos are very good for new dog owners.

    Sussex Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Spinone Italiano

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

  • Collie (75 percent match with Spinone Italiano). Here is our comparison of the Sussex Spaniel vs Collie.
  • French Spaniel (78 percent match with Spinone Italiano). Here is our comparison of the Sussex Spaniel vs French Spaniel.
  • 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 Spinone Italiano vs Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
  • Coton de Tulear (70 percent match with Sussex Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Spinone Italiano vs Coton de Tulear.
  • Keeshond (71 percent match with Sussex Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Spinone Italiano vs Keeshond.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Spinone Italiano Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Spinone Italiano versus Miniature Schnauzer     Spinone Italiano versus Tibetan Terrier     Spinone Italiano versus American Staffordshire Terrier     Spinone Italiano versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Spinone Italiano versus Papipoo     Spinone Italiano versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     Spinone Italiano versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     Spinone Italiano versus Miniature Poodle     Spinone Italiano versus Kishu Ken     Spinone Italiano versus Shiranian     Spinone Italiano versus Harrier     Spinone Italiano versus Pyrenean Mastiff     Spinone Italiano versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne     Spinone Italiano versus Neapolitan Mastiff     Spinone Italiano versus Samoyed     Spinone Italiano versus Papipoo     Spinone Italiano versus Catahoula Leopard Dog     Spinone Italiano versus Sealyham Terrier     Spinone Italiano versus American Staffordshire Terrier     Spinone Italiano versus Papipoo     Spinone Italiano versus American Eskimo Dog     Spinone Italiano versus Finnish Lapphund     Spinone Italiano versus Pointer     Spinone Italiano versus American Hairless Terrier     Spinone Italiano versus Komondor     

    Sussex Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Sussex Spaniel versus Black Mouth Cur     Sussex Spaniel versus West Highland White Terrier     Sussex Spaniel versus Chinese Shar-Pei     Sussex Spaniel versus Bull Terrier     Sussex Spaniel versus Boxerdoodle     Sussex Spaniel versus Toy Fox Terrier     Sussex Spaniel versus Redbone Coonhound     Sussex Spaniel versus Hovawart     Sussex Spaniel versus Miniature Poodle     Sussex Spaniel versus French Spaniel     Sussex Spaniel versus Samoyed     Sussex Spaniel versus Flat-Coated Retriever     Sussex Spaniel versus Briard     Sussex Spaniel versus Jack Russell Terrier     Sussex Spaniel versus German Shorthaired Pointer     Sussex Spaniel versus Chihuahua     Sussex Spaniel versus Shetland Sheepdog     Sussex Spaniel versus Whippet     Sussex Spaniel versus Irish Setter     Sussex Spaniel versus Brussels Griffon     Sussex Spaniel versus Australian Shepherd     Sussex Spaniel versus Jack Russell Terrier     Sussex Spaniel versus Tibetan Mastiff     Sussex Spaniel versus English Toy Spaniel     Sussex Spaniel versus Doberman Pinscher     

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