Last Updated: Jun 16, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Australian Shepherd Versus Sussex Spaniel: Introduction
- Australian Shepherd versus Sussex Spaniel: Overview
- Australian Shepherd versus Sussex Spaniel: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Australian Shepherd and the Sussex Spaniel
- The Similarities Between the Australian Shepherd and the Sussex Spaniel
- Size Comparison of the Australian Shepherd versus Sussex Spaniel
- Lifespan of Australian Shepherd versus Sussex Spaniel
- Temperament of the Sussex Spaniel Versus the Australian Shepherd
- The Popularity of Australian Shepherd versus Popularity of Sussex Spaniel
- Tolerates Being Alone: Australian Shepherd versus Sussex Spaniel
- Do Australian Shepherds shed more than Sussex Spaniels?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Australian Shepherd or the Sussex Spaniel?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Australian Shepherd or the Sussex Spaniel?
- Are Australian Shepherds good family dogs? What about Sussex Spaniels?
- Is the Australian Shepherd Easier to Train than the Sussex Spaniel?
- Which one drools more, the Australian Shepherd or the Sussex Spaniel
- How Kid-friendly are Australian Shepherds and Sussex Spaniels?
- Does the Australian Shepherd Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Sussex Spaniel?
- Do Australian Shepherds Bark and Howl? What about Sussex Spaniels?
- Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Australian Shepherd vs. Sussex Spaniel
- Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Australian Shepherd Versus Other Dog Breeds
- Conclusion: Australian Shepherd versus Sussex Spaniel. Which One is a Better Pet?
Australian Shepherd Versus Sussex Spaniel: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Australian Shepherd 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 Australian Shepherd 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 Australian Shepherd and the Sussex Spaniel.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Australian Shepherd 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 Australian Shepherd 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 Australian Shepherd 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 Australian Shepherd or the Sussex Spaniel.
Australian Shepherd versus Sussex Spaniel: Overview
A very important difference between the Australian Shepherd and the Sussex Spaniel is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Australian Shepherd is a medium-sized dog while the Sussex Spaniel is a small-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Australian Shepherd belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.
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.
Australian Shepherd versus Sussex Spaniel: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Australian Shepherd 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 Australian Shepherd and the Sussex Spaniel
| Factor | Australian Shepherd | Sussex Spaniel |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 11 to 14 years |
| Height | 18 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder | 1 foot, 1 inch to 1 foot, 3 inches tall at the sho |
| Good For Novice Owners | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| General Health | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Weight | 40 to 65 pounds | 35 to 45 pounds |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 12.5 years |
| Average Price | $1180 | No Data |
| Price Range | $800 – $1500 | No Data |
| Temperament Score | 82.2 percent | 100.0 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | No Data | |
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 15 | 172 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Australian Shepherd 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 Australian Shepherd is 70 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 Australian Shepherd is a better pet than the Sussex Spaniel.
This is because Australian Shepherds are much cuter but you cannot put a score on cuteness. If you could put a score on cuteness, then the Australian Shepherd will come out on top.
Also, we are biased in favor of the Australian Shepherd :-). We are for the Australian Shepherd. So get a Australian Shepherd!
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Australian Shepherd and the Sussex Spaniel
Below is a list of where the Australian Shepherd and the Sussex Spaniel are most different:
The Similarities Between the Australian Shepherd and the Sussex Spaniel
The Australian Shepherd and the Sussex Spaniel are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Australian Shepherd and the Sussex Spaniel are most similar:
Size Comparison of the Australian Shepherd versus Sussex Spaniel
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Australian Shepherd and the Sussex Spaniel.
The Australian Shepherd weighs 40 to 65 pounds when fully grown. The Australian Shepherd is 18 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
On the other hand, the Sussex Spaniel weighs 35 to 45 pounds when fully grown. The Sussex Spaniel is 1 foot, 1 inch to 1 foot, 3 inches tall at the sho when fully grown.
Lifespan of Australian Shepherd versus Sussex Spaniel
The lifespan of the Australian Shepherd is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of the Australian Shepherd is 13.5 years.
The lifespan of the Sussex Spaniel is between 11 to 14 years. The average lifespan of the Sussex Spaniel is 12.5 years.
The Australian Shepherd live longer than the Sussex Spaniel.
Temperament of the Sussex Spaniel Versus the Australian Shepherd
The Sussex Spaniel has a better temperament than the Australian Shepherd.
This is because the temperament score for the Sussex Spaniel is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Australian Shepherd is 82.2 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 82.2 percent, the Australian Shepherd 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 Australian Shepherd and the Sussex Spaniel by measuring the temperaments of 702 Australian Shepherds and 4 Sussex Spaniels.
The Popularity of Australian Shepherd 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 Australian Shepherd and the Sussex Spaniel over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Australian Shepherd is more popular with dog owners than the Sussex Spaniel. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Australian Shepherd is 15 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Sussex Spaniel is 172 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Australian Shepherd
Popularity of Sussex Spaniel
| Year | Australian Shepherd Popularity Rank | Sussex Spaniel Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 20 | 162 |
| 2014 | 18 | 175 |
| 2015 | 17 | 173 |
| 2016 | 16 | 172 |
| 2017 | 17 | 161 |
| 2018 | 15 | 180 |
| 2019 | 13 | 176 |
| 2020 | 12 | 172 |
| 2021 | 12 | 177 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Australian Shepherd versus Sussex Spaniel
Australian Shepherds do not like to be left alone.
Sussex Spaniels do not like to be left alone.
Do Australian Shepherds shed more than Sussex Spaniels?
Australian Shepherds shed moderately.
Sussex Spaniels shed moderately.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Australian Shepherd or the Sussex Spaniel?
Australian Shepherds require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Sussex Spaniels are very easy to groom.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Australian Shepherd or the Sussex Spaniel?
Australian Shepherds get along very well with other dogs.
Sussex Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.
Are Australian Shepherds good family dogs? What about Sussex Spaniels?
Australian Shepherds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Sussex Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Australian Shepherd Easier to Train than the Sussex Spaniel?
Australian Shepherds are very easy to train.
Sussex Spaniels are fairly easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Australian Shepherd or the Sussex Spaniel
Australian Shepherds do have a very low tendency to drool.
Sussex Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Australian Shepherds and Sussex Spaniels?
Australian Shepherds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Sussex Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Australian Shepherd Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Sussex Spaniel?
Australian Shepherds 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 Australian Shepherds Bark and Howl? What about Sussex Spaniels?
Australian Shepherds are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Sussex Spaniels are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?
Australian Shepherds can very well tolerate cold weather.
Sussex Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Australian Shepherd vs. Sussex Spaniel
Australian Shepherds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily 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 Australian Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?
Australian Shepherds can tolerate hot weather.
Sussex Spaniels can tolerate hot weather.
Is the Australian Shepherd Better for Apartment Owners than the Sussex Spaniel?
Australian Shepherds do not adapt well to apartment living.
Sussex Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Australian Shepherd or the Sussex Spaniel?
Australian Shepherds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Sussex Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.
Australian Shepherd Versus Other Dog Breeds
You may also be interested in how the Australian Shepherd compares to other breeds aside from the Sussex Spaniel. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Australian Shepherd to other breeds:
Australian Shepherd versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle Australian Shepherd versus Schipperke Australian Shepherd versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog Australian Shepherd versus Sussex Spaniel Australian Shepherd versus Curly-Coated Retriever Australian Shepherd versus Catahoula Leopard Dog Australian Shepherd versus Cavapoo Australian Shepherd versus Scottish Terrier Australian Shepherd versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Australian Shepherd versus Patterdale Terrier Australian Shepherd versus Keeshond Australian Shepherd versus Bedlington Terrier Australian Shepherd versus Beaglier Australian Shepherd versus Bolognese Australian Shepherd versus Labrador Retriever Australian Shepherd versus Belgian Tervuren Australian Shepherd versus American Hairless Terrier Australian Shepherd versus Siberian Husky
Conclusion: Australian Shepherd 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 Australian Shepherd and the Sussex Spaniel better suits you and your family.