Sussex Spaniel versus Yorkshire Terrier. Final Verdict on Which one is a Better Pet.

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Sussex Spaniel Versus Yorkshire Terrier: Introduction

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

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

Sussex Spaniel versus Yorkshire Terrier: Overview

A very important difference between the Sussex Spaniel and the Yorkshire Terrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Sussex Spaniel is a small-sized dog while the Yorkshire Terrier is a tiny-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 Yorkshire 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.

Sussex Spaniel versus Yorkshire Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Sussex Spaniel to the Yorkshire 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 Yorkshire Terrier

Factor Sussex Spaniel Yorkshire Terrier
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 5/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 5/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 5/5 2/5
Height 1 foot, 1 inch to 1 foot, 3 inches tall at the sho 8 to 9 inches tall at the shoulder
Life Span 11 to 14 years 12 to 15 years
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 4/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 4/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 4/5
Easy To Train 3/5 3/5
Weight 35 to 45 pounds 4 to 6 pounds
Easy To Groom 4/5 2/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 5/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 5/5
Good For Novice Owners 5/5 4/5
Easygoing 1/5 1/5
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 2/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 1/5 4/5
Intelligence 5/5 3/5
Average Lifespan 12.5 years 13.5 years
Price Range No Data $1600 – $2950
Average Price No Data $2420
Temperament Score 100.0 percent 83.7 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cornell DNA Bank
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination- Prior to the onset of breeding, recommend evaluations at 1, 3, and 6 Years of Age.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Legg-Calve-Perthes
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 171 9

    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 Yorkshire 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 Yorkshire Terrier is 76 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Sussex Spaniel is a better pet than the Yorkshire 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 Yorkshire 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 Yorkshire Terrier

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

  • Sussex Spaniels do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful. However, Yorkshire 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, Yorkshire Terriers have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Sussex Spaniels can tolerate cold weather. However, Yorkshire Terriers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
  • Sussex Spaniels can tolerate hot weather. However, Yorkshire Terriers cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Sussex Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly. However, Yorkshire Terriers do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.
  • Sussex Spaniels are very friendly towards strangers. However, Yorkshire Terriers are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Sussex Spaniels gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them. However, Yorkshire Terriers are not prone to gaining weight easily.
  • The Similarities Between the Sussex Spaniel and the Yorkshire Terrier

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

  • Both the Sussex Spaniel and the Yorkshire Terrier do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Sussex Spaniel and the Yorkshire Terrier do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Sussex Spaniel and the Yorkshire Terrier have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Sussex Spaniel and the Yorkshire Terrier are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Sussex Spaniel and the Yorkshire 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 Yorkshire Terrier are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Sussex Spaniel and the Yorkshire Terrier are very playful.
  • Both the Sussex Spaniel and the Yorkshire Terrier adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Sussex Spaniel and the Yorkshire Terrier are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the Sussex Spaniel and the Yorkshire Terrier 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 Sussex Spaniel and the Yorkshire Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Sussex Spaniel versus Yorkshire Terrier

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Sussex Spaniel and the Yorkshire 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, Yorkshire Terriers weigh 4 to 6 pounds when fully grown. Yorkshire Terriers are 8 to 9 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Sussex Spaniel versus Yorkshire 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 Yorkshire Terriers is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Yorkshire Terriers is 13.5 years.

    Yorkshire Terriers live longer than Sussex Spaniels.

    Temperament of the Yorkshire Terrier Versus the Sussex Spaniel

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

    This is because the temperament score for the Sussex Spaniel is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Yorkshire Terrier is 83.7 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 100.0 percent, the Sussex Spaniel has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 83.7 percent, the Yorkshire Terrier has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Sussex Spaniel and the Yorkshire Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 4 Sussex Spaniels and 43 Yorkshire Terriers.

    The Popularity of Sussex Spaniel versus Popularity of Yorkshire 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 Yorkshire Terrier over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Yorkshire Terrier is more popular with dog owners than the Sussex Spaniel. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Yorkshire Terrier is 9 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 Yorkshire Terrier

    Popularity of Yorkshire Terrier

    Year Sussex Spaniel Popularity Rank Yorkshire Terrier Popularity Rank
    2013 162 6
    2014 175 6
    2015 173 7
    2016 172 9
    2017 161 9
    2018 180 10
    2019 176 12
    2020 172 13

    Tolerates Being Alone: Sussex Spaniel versus Yorkshire Terrier

    Sussex Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

    Yorkshire Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Do Sussex Spaniels shed more than Yorkshire Terriers?

    Sussex Spaniels shed moderately.

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

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

    Sussex Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Yorkshire Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

    Sussex Spaniels are very easy to groom.

    Yorkshire 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 Yorkshire 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.

    Yorkshire Terriers 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 Sussex Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Yorkshire Terriers?

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

    Yorkshire Terriers bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    Sussex Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.

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

    Wanderlust Potential: Sussex Spaniel vs. Yorkshire 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.

    Yorkshire Terriers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

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

    Sussex Spaniels can tolerate hot weather.

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

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

    Sussex Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Yorkshire Terriers get along fairly well with other dogs.

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

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

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

    How Kid-friendly are Sussex Spaniels and Yorkshire Terriers?

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

    Yorkshire Terriers do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

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

    Sussex Spaniels are fairly easy to train.

    Yorkshire Terriers are fairly easy to train.

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

    Sussex Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.

    Yorkshire Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Sussex Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.

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

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

  • Affenpinscher (74 percent match with Yorkshire Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Sussex Spaniel vs Affenpinscher.
  • Lhasa Apso (75 percent match with Yorkshire Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Sussex Spaniel vs Lhasa Apso.
  • Lhasapoo (75 percent match with Yorkshire Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Sussex Spaniel vs Lhasapoo.
  • Chorkie (83 percent match with Yorkshire Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Sussex Spaniel vs Chorkie.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Sussex Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Sussex Spaniel versus Chow Chow     Sussex Spaniel versus Boxerdoodle     Sussex Spaniel versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne     Sussex Spaniel versus Bich Poo     Sussex Spaniel versus Boxer     Sussex Spaniel versus Boston Terrier     Sussex Spaniel versus Black Russian Terrier     Sussex Spaniel versus Kerry Blue Terrier     Sussex Spaniel versus Bullmastiff     Sussex Spaniel versus Labrador Retriever     Sussex Spaniel versus Komondor     Sussex Spaniel versus Pointer     Sussex Spaniel versus Lagotto Romagnolo     Sussex Spaniel versus Cavachon     Sussex Spaniel versus Basset Hound     Sussex Spaniel versus Goldador     Sussex Spaniel versus Leonberger     Sussex Spaniel versus Shiloh Shepherd     Sussex Spaniel versus Bergamasco Sheepdog     Sussex Spaniel versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     Sussex Spaniel versus Akbash     Sussex Spaniel versus Whippet     Sussex Spaniel versus Brittany     Sussex Spaniel versus Belgian Sheepdog     Sussex Spaniel versus Redbone Coonhound     

    Yorkshire Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Yorkshire Terrier versus Maltipoo     Yorkshire Terrier versus Glen of Imaal Terrier     Yorkshire Terrier versus Shiranian     Yorkshire Terrier versus Lowchen     Yorkshire Terrier versus Catahoula Leopard Dog     Yorkshire Terrier versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde     Yorkshire Terrier versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     Yorkshire Terrier versus Bloodhound     Yorkshire Terrier versus Mastiff     Yorkshire Terrier versus Australian Terrier     Yorkshire Terrier versus Bracco Italiano     Yorkshire Terrier versus Australian Cattle Dog     Yorkshire Terrier versus Border Terrier     Yorkshire Terrier versus Bich Poo     Yorkshire Terrier versus Stabyhoun     Yorkshire Terrier versus Scottish Terrier     Yorkshire Terrier versus Bordoodle     Yorkshire Terrier versus Catahoula Bulldog     Yorkshire Terrier versus Schipperke     Yorkshire Terrier versus Bearded Collie     Yorkshire Terrier versus Affenhuahua     Yorkshire Terrier versus West Highland White Terrier     Yorkshire Terrier versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon     Yorkshire Terrier versus Pyredoodle     Yorkshire Terrier versus Bloodhound     

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