Last Updated: Mar 09, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Border Collie Versus Sussex Spaniel: Introduction
- Border Collie versus Sussex Spaniel: Overview
- Border Collie versus Sussex Spaniel: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Border Collie and the Sussex Spaniel
- The Similarities Between the Border Collie and the Sussex Spaniel
- Size (Weight and Height) of Border Collie versus Sussex Spaniel
- Lifespan of Border Collie versus Sussex Spaniel
- Temperament of the Sussex Spaniel Versus the Border Collie
- The Popularity of Border Collie versus Popularity of Sussex Spaniel
- Tolerates Being Alone: Border Collie versus Sussex Spaniel
- Do Border Collies shed more than Sussex Spaniels?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Border Collie or the Sussex Spaniel?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Border Collie or the Sussex Spaniel?
- Are Border Collies good family dogs? What about Sussex Spaniels?
- Is the Border Collie Easier to Train than the Sussex Spaniel?
- Which one drools more, the Border Collie or the Sussex Spaniel
- How Kid-friendly are Border Collies and Sussex Spaniels?
- Does the Border Collie Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Sussex Spaniel?
- Do Border Collies Bark and Howl? What about Sussex Spaniels?
- Can Border Collies Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Border Collie vs. Sussex Spaniel
- Can Border Collies Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Border Collie Versus Other Dog Breeds
- Conclusion: Border Collie versus Sussex Spaniel. Which One is a Better Pet?
Border Collie Versus Sussex Spaniel: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Border Collie 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 Border Collie 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 Border Collie and the Sussex Spaniel.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Border Collie 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 Border Collie 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 Border Collie 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 Border Collie or the Sussex Spaniel.
Note that the border collie breed comes in two varieties based on coat texture. There is the smooth-coat border collie and the rough-coat border collie. Read our article on rough-coat border collie versus smooth-coat border collie.
Furthermore, the border collie dog breed is very different from the collie dog breed. Learn about the differences between these two dog breeds in our border collie versus collie article.
Finally, just like the border collie, the collie also comes in two varieties. There is the rough collie and the smooth collie. To learn about the differences and similarities between them, check out our article on rough collie versus smooth collie.
Border Collie versus Sussex Spaniel: Overview
A very important difference between the Border Collie and the Sussex Spaniel is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Border Collie is a medium-sized dog while the Sussex Spaniel is a small-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Border Collie 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.
Border Collie versus Sussex Spaniel: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Border Collie 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 Border Collie and the Sussex Spaniel
| Factor | Border Collie | Sussex Spaniel |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 11 to 14 years |
| Height | 18 to 22 inches tall at the shoulder | 1 foot, 1 inch to 1 foot, 3 inches tall at the sho |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Weight | 30 to 45 pounds | 35 to 45 pounds |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 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 | $1000 | No Data |
| Price Range | $600 – $1250 | No Data |
| Temperament Score | 82.4 percent | 100.0 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | No Data | |
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 37 | 171 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Border Collie 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 Border Collie is 80 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 Border Collie is a better pet than the Sussex Spaniel.
This is because Border Collies are much cuter but you cannot put a score on cuteness. If you could put a score on cuteness, then the Border Collie will come out on top.
Also, we are biased in favor of the Border Collie :-). We are for the Border Collie. So get a Border Collie!
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Border Collie and the Sussex Spaniel
Below is a list of where the Border Collie and the Sussex Spaniel are most different:
The Similarities Between the Border Collie and the Sussex Spaniel
The Border Collie and the Sussex Spaniel are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Border Collie and the Sussex Spaniel are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Border Collie versus Sussex Spaniel
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Border Collie and the Sussex Spaniel.
Border Collies weigh 30 to 45 pounds when fully grown. Border Collies are 18 to 22 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
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.
Here is our article on Border Collie size, Border Collie growth, and Border Collie weight.
Lifespan of Border Collie versus Sussex Spaniel
The lifespan of Border Collies is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Border Collies is 13.5 years.
The lifespan of Sussex Spaniels is between 11 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Sussex Spaniels is 12.5 years.
Border Collies live longer than Sussex Spaniels.
Go to this article to learn more about Border Collie lifespan and how long Border Collie live.
Temperament of the Sussex Spaniel Versus the Border Collie
The Sussex Spaniel has a better temperament than the Border Collie.
This is because the temperament score for the Sussex Spaniel is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Border Collie is 82.4 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 82.4 percent, the Border Collie 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 Border Collie and the Sussex Spaniel by measuring the temperaments of 312 Border Collies and 4 Sussex Spaniels.
The Popularity of Border Collie 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 Border Collie and the Sussex Spaniel over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Border Collie is more popular with dog owners than the Sussex Spaniel. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Border Collie is 37 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Sussex Spaniel is 171 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Border Collie
Popularity of Sussex Spaniel
| Year | Border Collie Popularity Rank | Sussex Spaniel Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 44 | 162 |
| 2014 | 40 | 175 |
| 2015 | 38 | 173 |
| 2016 | 38 | 172 |
| 2017 | 38 | 161 |
| 2018 | 35 | 180 |
| 2019 | 33 | 176 |
| 2020 | 32 | 172 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Border Collie versus Sussex Spaniel
Border Collies do not like to be left alone.
Sussex Spaniels do not like to be left alone.
Do Border Collies shed more than Sussex Spaniels?
Border Collies shed moderately.
Check out our articles to learn more on how to minimize shedding in Border Collies, and on how to groom a Border Collie
Sussex Spaniels shed moderately.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Border Collie or the Sussex Spaniel?
Border Collies are moderately easy to groom.
To learn more about how to properly groom a Border Collie, check out our article on how to groom a Border Collie.
Learn more on how to take care of a Border Collie here.
Sussex Spaniels are very easy to groom.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Border Collie or the Sussex Spaniel?
Border Collies get along fairly well with other dogs.
Sussex Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.
Are Border Collies good family dogs? What about Sussex Spaniels?
Border Collies are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Border Collie make a good addition to a family. They love kids and kids love them.
Learn about Border Collie temperament here.
Sussex Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Border Collie Easier to Train than the Sussex Spaniel?
Border Collies are very easy to train.
Sussex Spaniels are fairly easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Border Collie or the Sussex Spaniel
Border Collies do have a very low tendency to drool.
Sussex Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Border Collies and Sussex Spaniels?
Border Collies get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Sussex Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Border Collie Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Sussex Spaniel?
Border Collies have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and 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 Border Collies Bark and Howl? What about Sussex Spaniels?
Border Collies 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 Border Collies Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?
Border Collies can very well tolerate cold weather.
Sussex Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Border Collie vs. Sussex Spaniel
Border Collies 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 Border Collies Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?
Border Collies can tolerate hot weather.
Sussex Spaniels can tolerate hot weather.
Is the Border Collie Better for Apartment Owners than the Sussex Spaniel?
Border Collies do not adapt well to apartment living.
Sussex Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Border Collie or the Sussex Spaniel?
Border Collies are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Sussex Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.
Border Collie Versus Other Dog Breeds
You may also be interested in how the Border Collie compares to other breeds aside from the Sussex Spaniel. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Border Collie to other breeds:
Border Collie versus Portuguese Water Dog Border Collie versus Hovawart Border Collie versus Yorkshire Terrier Border Collie versus Spanish Mastiff Border Collie versus American Eskimo Dog Border Collie versus Boerboel Border Collie versus Golden Retriever Border Collie versus German Shepherd Dog Border Collie versus Pekingese Border Collie versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Border Collie versus Shetland Sheepdog Border Collie versus Brittany Border Collie versus Weimaraner Border Collie versus AussiedoodleConclusion: Border Collie 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 Border Collie and the Sussex Spaniel better suits you and your family.
