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Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Poodle Versus Sussex Spaniel: Introduction
- Poodle versus Sussex Spaniel: Overview
- Poodle versus Sussex Spaniel: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Poodle and the Sussex Spaniel
- The Similarities Between the Poodle and the Sussex Spaniel
- Temperament of the Poodle Versus the Sussex Spaniel
- The Popularity of Poodle versus Popularity of Sussex Spaniel
- Tolerates Being Alone: Poodle versus Sussex Spaniel
- Do Poodles shed more than Sussex Spaniels?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Poodle or the Sussex Spaniel?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Poodle or the Sussex Spaniel?
- Are Poodles good family dogs? What about Sussex Spaniels?
- Is the Poodle Easier to Train than the Sussex Spaniel?
- Which one drools more, the Poodle or the Sussex Spaniel
- How Kid-friendly are Poodles and Sussex Spaniels?
- Does the Poodle Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Sussex Spaniel?
- Do Poodles Bark and Howl? What about Sussex Spaniels?
- Can Poodles Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Poodle vs. Sussex Spaniel
- Can Poodles Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Poodle Versus Other Dog Breeds
- Conclusion: Poodle versus Sussex Spaniel. Which One is a Better Pet?
Poodle Versus Sussex Spaniel: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Poodle 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 Poodle 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 Poodle and the Sussex Spaniel.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Poodle 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 Poodle 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 Poodle 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 Poodle or the Sussex Spaniel.
Note that there are 3 types of Poodles:
However, these 3 poodle `types` are basically the same. The only difference between them is size. Standard Poodles are big, toy poodles are small, and miniature poodles are medium-sized.
Read more about the subtle differences between the standard poodle vs. miniature poodle here and the toy poodle versus miniature poodle here.
In addition, we have articles on the detailed comparisons of the poodle to every other dog breed. Check out our articles on poodle versus other dog breeds here.
Poodle versus Sussex Spaniel: Overview
A very important difference between the Poodle and the Sussex Spaniel is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Poodle is a large-sized dog while the Sussex Spaniel is a small-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Poodle 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.
Poodle versus Sussex Spaniel: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Poodle 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 Poodle and the Sussex Spaniel
| Factor | Poodle | Sussex Spaniel |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 11 to 14 years |
| General Health | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Weight | 35 to 45 pounds | |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Height | 1 foot, 1 inch to 1 foot, 3 inches tall at the sho | |
| Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 12.5 years |
| Average Price | No Data | |
| Price Range | No Data | |
| Temperament Score | 87.2 percent | 100.0 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | No Data | |
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 6 | 172 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Poodle 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 Poodle is 88 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Sussex Spaniel is 100 out of 125.
Despite the higher Better-Pet score of the Sussex Spaniel, we still believe that the Poodle is a better pet than the Sussex Spaniel.
This is because Poodles are much cuter but you cannot put a score on cuteness. If you could put a score on cuteness, then the Poodle will come out on top.
Also, we are biased in favor of the Poodle :-). We are for the Poodle. So get a Poodle!
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Poodle and the Sussex Spaniel
Below is a list of where the Poodle and the Sussex Spaniel are most different:
The Similarities Between the Poodle and the Sussex Spaniel
The Poodle and the Sussex Spaniel are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Poodle and the Sussex Spaniel are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Poodle versus Sussex Spaniel
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Poodle and the Sussex Spaniel.
Poodles come in three main size categories. These three size categories are referred to as the three varieties of the poodle. Poodles of different varieties are basically the same except for their size differences. The poodle varieties based on size categorization are:
There is another variety of poodle that is not recognized in the USA but is recognized in Europe. This poodle size variety is called the Moyen Poodle. In size, the Moyen Poodle is smaller than the Standard poodle but bigger than the miniature poodle.
See below the figure that compares the different poodle sizes:
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.
Temperament of the Poodle Versus the Sussex Spaniel
The Sussex Spaniel has a better temperament than the Poodle.
This is because the temperament score for the Sussex Spaniel is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Poodle is 87.2 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 87.2 percent, the Poodle has an above-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 Poodle and the Sussex Spaniel by measuring the temperaments of 266 Poodles and 4 Sussex Spaniels.
The Popularity of Poodle 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 Poodle and the Sussex Spaniel over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Poodle is more popular with dog owners than the Sussex Spaniel. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Poodle is 6 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Sussex Spaniel is 172 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Poodle
Popularity of Sussex Spaniel
| Year | Standard Poodle Popularity Rank | Sussex Spaniel Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 8 | 162 |
| 2014 | 7 | 175 |
| 2015 | 8 | 173 |
| 2016 | 7 | 172 |
| 2017 | 7 | 161 |
| 2018 | 7 | 180 |
| 2019 | 6 | 176 |
| 2020 | 6 | 172 |
| 2021 | 5 | 177 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Poodle versus Sussex Spaniel
Poodles do not like to be left alone.
Poodles, by nature, are companion dogs. They like and thrive on human companionship more than most dog breeds. Poodles do not like to be left alone. Leaving a poodle alone for more than 4 hours day after day will cause separation anxiety and isolation distress in a poodle. If you plan to get a poodle, make sure you can be around your poodle most of the time, or arrange for a dog walker.
See our article on how long you can leave a poodle alone.
Sussex Spaniels do not like to be left alone.
Do Poodles shed more than Sussex Spaniels?
Poodles do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Although all dogs shed, and poodles are no different in this regard. But poodles shed less than many other breeds of dogs. However, if you own a poodle, you will not have the problem of having balls of dog hair on your couch and over your house. This is because the curly coat of the poodle traps the hair and other things that the poodle sheds. Therefore, people that are allergic to dogs tend to tolerate poodles better.
Check out our articles to learn more on why poodles do not shed, and on standard poodle shedding, and on shedding in toy poodles
Sussex Spaniels shed moderately.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Poodle or the Sussex Spaniel?
Poodles require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
To learn more about how to properly groom a poodle, check out our article on how to groom a poodle.
Learn more on how to take care of a poodle here.
Sussex Spaniels are very easy to groom.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Poodle or the Sussex Spaniel?
Poodles get along very well with other dogs.
Poodles get along very well with other dogs. Poodles are very friendly. However, it is up to the other dog to reciprocate the friendliness. Some dog breeds are just unfriendly and aggressive.
Read this article to learn about the dog breeds that get along well with poodle and the dog breeds that do not along with poodles.
Sussex Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.
Are Poodles good family dogs? What about Sussex Spaniels?
Poodles are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Poodles make a good addition to a family. They love kids and kids love them.
Learn about standard poodles as family dogs here, and about how family-friendly are toy poodles here..
Sussex Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Poodle Easier to Train than the Sussex Spaniel?
Poodles are very easy to train.
Poodles are easy to train because they are intelligent and eager to please their owners. However, it is important that you begin training a poodle to make the most out of their natural intelligence. Moreover, training your Poodle should be based on positive reinforcement and repetition. Be sure to give your Poodle praise when he obeys a command and ignores your poodle`s bad behavior.
To learn more, check out our article on how to train a poodle.
Sussex Spaniels are fairly easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Poodle or the Sussex Spaniel
Poodles do have a very low tendency to drool.
Sussex Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Poodles and Sussex Spaniels?
Poodles get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Sussex Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Poodle Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Sussex Spaniel?
Poodles 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.
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 Poodles Bark and Howl? What about Sussex Spaniels?
Poodles 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 Poodles Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?
Poodles can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Sussex Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Poodle vs. Sussex Spaniel
Poodles 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 Poodles Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?
Poodles can tolerate hot weather.
Sussex Spaniels can tolerate hot weather.
Is the Poodle Better for Apartment Owners than the Sussex Spaniel?
Poodles adapt very well to apartment living.
Sussex Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Poodle or the Sussex Spaniel?
Poodles are very good for new dog owners.
Sussex Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.
Poodle Versus Other Dog Breeds
You may also be interested in how the poodle compares to other breeds aside from the Sussex Spaniel. So, see below the links to the comparison of the poodle to other breeds:
poodle versus Miniature Pinscher poodle versus Skye Terrier poodle versus Border Terrier poodle versus Afghan Hound poodle versus Morkie poodle versus King Shepherd poodle versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde poodle versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog poodle versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi poodle versus Tibetan TerrierConclusion: Poodle 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 Poodle and the Sussex Spaniel better suits you and your family.
