Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Sussex Spaniel Versus Whippet: Introduction
- Sussex Spaniel versus Whippet: Overview
- Sussex Spaniel versus Whippet: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Sussex Spaniel and the Whippet
- The Similarities Between the Sussex Spaniel and the Whippet
- Size (Weight and Height) of Sussex Spaniel versus Whippet
- Lifespan of Sussex Spaniel versus Whippet
- Temperament of the Sussex Spaniel Versus the Whippet
- The Popularity of Sussex Spaniel versus Popularity of Whippet
- Tolerates Being Alone: Sussex Spaniel versus Whippet
- Do Sussex Spaniels shed more than Whippets?
- Which one drools more, the Sussex Spaniel or the Whippet
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Sussex Spaniel or the Whippet?
- Does the Sussex Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Whippet?
- Do Sussex Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Whippets?
- Can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Whippets Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Sussex Spaniel vs. Whippet
- Can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Whippets Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Sussex Spaniel or the Whippet?
- Are Sussex Spaniels good family dogs? What about Whippets?
- How Kid-friendly are Sussex Spaniels and Whippets?
- Is the Sussex Spaniel Easier to Train than the Whippet?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Sussex Spaniel
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Whippet
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Sussex Spaniel versus Whippet. Which One is a Better Pet?
Sussex Spaniel Versus Whippet: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Sussex Spaniel and the Whippet? 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 Whippet 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 Whippet.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Sussex Spaniel and the Whippet 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 Whippet. 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 Whippet.
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 Whippet.
Sussex Spaniel versus Whippet: Overview
A very important difference between the Sussex Spaniel and the Whippet is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Sussex Spaniel is a small-sized dog while the Whippet is a medium-sized dog.
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 Whippet 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.
Sussex Spaniel versus Whippet: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Sussex Spaniel to the Whippet 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 Whippet
| Factor | Sussex Spaniel | Whippet |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 4/5 |
| Height | 1 foot, 1 inch to 1 foot, 3 inches tall at the sho | 18 to 22 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Life Span | 11 to 14 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Does NOT chew on things | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| 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 | 4/5 |
| Weight | 35 to 45 pounds | 18 to 48 pounds |
| Easy To Groom | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 5/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 12.5 years | 13.5 years |
| Price Range | No Data | $1600 – $2600 |
| Average Price | No Data | $2120 |
| Temperament Score | 100.0 percent | 86.2 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | No Data |
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 171 | 58 |
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 Whippet. 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 Whippet is 86 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Sussex Spaniel is a better pet than the Whippet. 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 Whippet 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 Whippet
Below is a list of where the Sussex Spaniel and the Whippet are most different:
The Similarities Between the Sussex Spaniel and the Whippet
The Sussex Spaniel and the Whippet are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Sussex Spaniel and the Whippet are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Sussex Spaniel versus Whippet
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Sussex Spaniel and the Whippet.
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, Whippets weigh 18 to 48 pounds when fully grown. Whippets are 18 to 22 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Lifespan of Sussex Spaniel versus Whippet
The lifespan of Sussex Spaniels is between 11 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Sussex Spaniels is 12.5 years.
The lifespan of Whippets is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Whippets is 13.5 years.
Whippets live longer than Sussex Spaniels.
Temperament of the Sussex Spaniel Versus the Whippet
The Sussex Spaniel has a better temperament than the Whippet.
This is because the temperament score for the Sussex Spaniel is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Whippet is 86.2 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 86.2 percent, the Whippet has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Sussex Spaniel and the Whippet by measuring the temperaments of 4 Sussex Spaniels and 203 Whippets.
The Popularity of Sussex Spaniel versus Popularity of Whippet
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 Whippet over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Whippet is more popular with dog owners than the Sussex Spaniel. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Whippet is 58 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 Whippet
| Year | Sussex Spaniel Popularity Rank | Whippet Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 162 | 59 |
| 2014 | 175 | 56 |
| 2015 | 173 | 57 |
| 2016 | 172 | 60 |
| 2017 | 161 | 61 |
| 2018 | 180 | 61 |
| 2019 | 176 | 57 |
| 2020 | 172 | 59 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Sussex Spaniel versus Whippet
Sussex Spaniels do not like to be left alone.
Whippets do not like to be left alone.
Do Sussex Spaniels shed more than Whippets?
Sussex Spaniels shed moderately.
Whippets do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Which one drools more, the Sussex Spaniel or the Whippet
Sussex Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.
Whippets do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Sussex Spaniel or the Whippet?
Sussex Spaniels are very easy to groom.
Whippets are very easy to groom.
Does the Sussex Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Whippet?
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.
Whippets 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 Whippets?
Sussex Spaniels are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Whippets are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Whippets Tolerate Cold Weather?
Sussex Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.
Whippets cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Wanderlust Potential: Sussex Spaniel vs. Whippet
Sussex Spaniels do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Whippets have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Whippets Tolerate Hot Weather?
Sussex Spaniels can tolerate hot weather.
Whippets can tolerate hot weather.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Sussex Spaniel or the Whippet?
Sussex Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.
Whippets get along very well with other dogs.
Are Sussex Spaniels good family dogs? What about Whippets?
Sussex Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Whippets are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Sussex Spaniels and Whippets?
Sussex Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Whippets get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Sussex Spaniel Easier to Train than the Whippet?
Sussex Spaniels are fairly easy to train.
Whippets are very easy to train.
Is the Sussex Spaniel Better for Apartment Owners than the Whippet?
Sussex Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.
Whippets adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Sussex Spaniel or the Whippet?
Sussex Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.
Whippets 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:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Whippet
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Whippet 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 Whippet:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Sussex Spaniel and how the Whippet compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Sussex Spaniel and of the Whippet to other breeds:
Sussex Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds
Sussex Spaniel versus Toy Poodle Sussex Spaniel versus Bloodhound Sussex Spaniel versus Icelandic Sheepdog Sussex Spaniel versus Lhasa Apso Sussex Spaniel versus Neapolitan Mastiff Sussex Spaniel versus Ibizan Hound Sussex Spaniel versus Bergamasco Sheepdog Sussex Spaniel versus Akbash Sussex Spaniel versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog Sussex Spaniel versus Pekingese Sussex Spaniel versus Lakeland Terrier Sussex Spaniel versus Miniature Pinscher Sussex Spaniel versus Pomchi Sussex Spaniel versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog Sussex Spaniel versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle Sussex Spaniel versus Australian Kelpie Sussex Spaniel versus Irish Terrier Sussex Spaniel versus Akita Chow Sussex Spaniel versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Sussex Spaniel versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Sussex Spaniel versus Papipoo Sussex Spaniel versus Scottish Terrier Sussex Spaniel versus Miniature Pinscher Sussex Spaniel versus Alaskan Klee Kai Sussex Spaniel versus Yorkipoo
Whippet Versus Other Dog Breeds
Whippet versus French Spaniel Whippet versus English Setter Whippet versus Stabyhoun Whippet versus Morkie Whippet versus Shiba Inu Whippet versus Shiba Inu Whippet versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog Whippet versus Hovawart Whippet versus Spinone Italiano Whippet versus German Wirehaired Pointer Whippet versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Whippet versus Portuguese Water Dog Whippet versus Shihpoo Whippet versus Alaskan Klee Kai Whippet versus Boxerdoodle Whippet versus Collie Whippet versus Borzoi Whippet versus Cavapoo Whippet versus Boston Terrier Whippet versus Bracco Italiano Whippet versus English Cocker Spaniel Whippet versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog Whippet versus Dogo Argentino Whippet versus Westiepoo Whippet versus Whoodle
Conclusion: Sussex Spaniel versus Whippet. 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 Whippet better suits you and your family.