Is the Sussex Spaniel Better than the Welsh Terrier as a Pet? Answer…

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Sussex Spaniel Versus Welsh Terrier: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Sussex Spaniel and the Welsh Terrier 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 Sussex Spaniel and for the Welsh Terrier. 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 Sussex Spaniel and the Welsh Terrier.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Sussex Spaniel or the Welsh Terrier.

Sussex Spaniel versus Welsh Terrier: Overview

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

Furthermore, 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.

On the other hand, the Welsh Terrier belongs to the Terrier Dogs group. Terrier Dogs were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.

Sussex Spaniel versus Welsh Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Sussex Spaniel to the Welsh Terrier 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 Sussex Spaniel and the Welsh Terrier

Factor Sussex Spaniel Welsh Terrier
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 5/5 1/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 5/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 5/5 1/5
Height 1 foot, 1 inch to 1 foot, 3 inches tall at the sho 14 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder
Life Span 11 to 14 years 10 to 14 years
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 4/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 4/5 1/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 4/5
Easy To Train 3/5 3/5
Weight 35 to 45 pounds Up to 20 pounds
Easy To Groom 4/5 2/5
General Health 4/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 5/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 3/5
Good For Novice Owners 5/5 3/5
Easygoing 1/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 5/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 1/5 3/5
Intelligence 5/5 5/5
Average Lifespan 12.5 years 12.0 years
Price Range No Data $1350 – $3834
Average Price No Data $2510
Temperament Score 100.0 percent 76.3 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Eye Examination
  • Primary Lens Luxation
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 171 108

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Sussex Spaniel 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 Welsh Terrier. 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 Sussex Spaniel is 100 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Welsh Terrier is 77 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Sussex Spaniel is a better pet than the Welsh 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 Sussex Spaniel and the Welsh Terrier so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Sussex Spaniel and the Welsh Terrier

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

  • Sussex Spaniels have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets. However, Welsh Terriers have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Sussex Spaniels do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them. However, Welsh Terriers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Sussex Spaniels do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful. However, Welsh Terriers do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Sussex Spaniels have low energy levels. They do not require a lot exercise time. However, Welsh Terriers have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Sussex Spaniels have low exercise needs. However, Welsh Terriers require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Sussex Spaniels can tolerate cold weather. However, Welsh Terriers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
  • Sussex Spaniels can tolerate hot weather. However, Welsh Terriers cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • The Similarities Between the Sussex Spaniel and the Welsh Terrier

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

  • Both the Sussex Spaniel and the Welsh Terrier do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Sussex Spaniel and the Welsh Terrier do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Sussex Spaniel and the Welsh Terrier are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Sussex Spaniel and the Welsh Terrier are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Sussex Spaniel and the Welsh Terrier are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Sussex Spaniel and the Welsh Terrier are very playful.
  • Both the Sussex Spaniel and the Welsh Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Sussex Spaniel and the Welsh Terrier get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Sussex Spaniel and the Welsh Terrier get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Sussex Spaniel and the Welsh Terrier are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Sussex Spaniel and the Welsh Terrier are highly intelligent.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Sussex Spaniel versus Welsh Terrier

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

    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.

    On the other hand, Welsh Terriers weigh Up to 20 pounds when fully grown. Welsh Terriers are 14 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Sussex Spaniel versus Welsh Terrier

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

    The lifespan of Welsh Terriers is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Welsh Terriers is 12.0 years.

    Sussex Spaniels live longer than Welsh Terriers.

    Temperament of the Welsh Terrier Versus the Sussex Spaniel

    The Sussex Spaniel has a better temperament than the Welsh Terrier.

    This is because the temperament score for the Sussex Spaniel is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Welsh Terrier is 76.3 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 100.0 percent, the Sussex Spaniel has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 76.3 percent, the Welsh Terrier has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Sussex Spaniel and the Welsh Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 4 Sussex Spaniels and 38 Welsh Terriers.

    The Popularity of Sussex Spaniel versus Popularity of Welsh Terrier

    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 Sussex Spaniel and the Welsh Terrier over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Welsh Terrier is more popular with dog owners than the Sussex Spaniel. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Welsh Terrier is 108 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Sussex Spaniel is 171 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Sussex Spaniel

    Popularity of Sussex Spaniel

    Popularity of Welsh Terrier

    Popularity of Welsh Terrier

    Year Sussex Spaniel Popularity Rank Welsh Terrier Popularity Rank
    2013 162 104
    2014 175 106
    2015 173 108
    2016 172 111
    2017 161 109
    2018 180 107
    2019 176 110
    2020 172 112

    Tolerates Being Alone: Sussex Spaniel versus Welsh Terrier

    Sussex Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

    Welsh Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Do Sussex Spaniels shed more than Welsh Terriers?

    Sussex Spaniels shed moderately.

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

    Which one drools more, the Sussex Spaniel or the Welsh Terrier

    Sussex Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Welsh Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Sussex Spaniel or the Welsh Terrier?

    Sussex Spaniels are very easy to groom.

    Welsh Terriers require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Does the Sussex Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Welsh Terrier?

    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.

    Welsh 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.

    Do Sussex Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Welsh Terriers?

    Sussex Spaniels are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Welsh Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Welsh Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Sussex Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Welsh Terriers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Wanderlust Potential: Sussex Spaniel vs. Welsh Terrier

    Sussex Spaniels do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Welsh Terriers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Welsh Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Sussex Spaniels can tolerate hot weather.

    Welsh Terriers cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

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

    Sussex Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Welsh Terriers get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Sussex Spaniels good family dogs? What about Welsh Terriers?

    Sussex Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Welsh Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Sussex Spaniels and Welsh Terriers?

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

    Welsh Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Sussex Spaniel Easier to Train than the Welsh Terrier?

    Sussex Spaniels are fairly easy to train.

    Welsh Terriers are fairly easy to train.

    Is the Sussex Spaniel Better for Apartment Owners than the Welsh Terrier?

    Sussex Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.

    Welsh Terriers adapt moderately well to apartment living.

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

    Sussex Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.

    Welsh Terriers are OK for new dog owners.

    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 Welsh Terrier vs Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
  • Coton de Tulear (70 percent match with Sussex Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Welsh Terrier vs Coton de Tulear.
  • Keeshond (71 percent match with Sussex Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Welsh Terrier vs Keeshond.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Welsh Terrier

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

  • Jack Russell Terrier (79 percent match with Welsh Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Sussex Spaniel vs Jack Russell Terrier.
  • Stabyhoun (76 percent match with Welsh Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Sussex Spaniel vs Stabyhoun.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Sussex Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Sussex Spaniel versus Boerboel     Sussex Spaniel versus Yorkipoo     Sussex Spaniel versus Belgian Sheepdog     Sussex Spaniel versus Canaan Dog     Sussex Spaniel versus Shichon     Sussex Spaniel versus Dachshund     Sussex Spaniel versus Belgian Sheepdog     Sussex Spaniel versus Affenhuahua     Sussex Spaniel versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog     Sussex Spaniel versus Airedale Terrier     Sussex Spaniel versus Shih Tzu     Sussex Spaniel versus Belgian Sheepdog     Sussex Spaniel versus Black Mouth Cur     Sussex Spaniel versus Cesky Terrier     Sussex Spaniel versus English Setter     Sussex Spaniel versus Goldador     Sussex Spaniel versus Finnish Lapphund     Sussex Spaniel versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Sussex Spaniel versus Mudi     Sussex Spaniel versus Shih Tzu     Sussex Spaniel versus Portuguese Water Dog     Sussex Spaniel versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     Sussex Spaniel versus Newfoundland     Sussex Spaniel versus Bernese Mountain Dog     Sussex Spaniel versus Bernedoodle     

    Welsh Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Welsh Terrier versus Toy Fox Terrier     Welsh Terrier versus Irish Terrier     Welsh Terrier versus Labrador Retriever     Welsh Terrier versus Bullmastiff     Welsh Terrier versus Irish Terrier     Welsh Terrier versus Belgian Malinois     Welsh Terrier versus Briard     Welsh Terrier versus Scottish Deerhound     Welsh Terrier versus Chi-Poo     Welsh Terrier versus Shiloh Shepherd     Welsh Terrier versus Bloodhound     Welsh Terrier versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     Welsh Terrier versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     Welsh Terrier versus Toy Fox Terrier     Welsh Terrier versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog     Welsh Terrier versus Japanese Chin     Welsh Terrier versus Norfolk Terrier     Welsh Terrier versus Neapolitan Mastiff     Welsh Terrier versus Pharaoh Hound     Welsh Terrier versus Cesky Terrier     Welsh Terrier versus Kai Ken     Welsh Terrier versus Samoyed     Welsh Terrier versus Saint Bernard     Welsh Terrier versus Flat-Coated Retriever     Welsh Terrier versus Australian Terrier     

    Conclusion: Sussex Spaniel versus Welsh Terrier. 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 Sussex Spaniel and the Welsh Terrier better suits you and your family.