Last Updated: May 01, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Collie Versus Sussex Spaniel: Introduction
- Collie versus Sussex Spaniel: Overview
- Collie versus Sussex Spaniel: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Collie and the Sussex Spaniel
- The Similarities Between the Collie and the Sussex Spaniel
- Size Comparison of the Collie versus Sussex Spaniel
- Lifespan of Collie versus Sussex Spaniel
- Temperament of the Sussex Spaniel Versus the Collie
- The Popularity of Collie versus Popularity of Sussex Spaniel
- Tolerates Being Alone: Collie versus Sussex Spaniel
- Do Collies shed more than Sussex Spaniels?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Collie or the Sussex Spaniel?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Collie or the Sussex Spaniel?
- Are Collies good family dogs? What about Sussex Spaniels?
- Is the Collie Easier to Train than the Sussex Spaniel?
- Which one drools more, the Collie or the Sussex Spaniel
- How Kid-friendly are Collies and Sussex Spaniels?
- Does the Collie Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Sussex Spaniel?
- Do Collies Bark and Howl? What about Sussex Spaniels?
- Can Collies Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Collie vs. Sussex Spaniel
- Can Collies Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Collie Versus Other Dog Breeds
- Conclusion: Collie versus Sussex Spaniel. Which One is a Better Pet?
Collie Versus Sussex Spaniel: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the 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 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 Collie and the Sussex Spaniel.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the 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 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 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 Collie or the Sussex Spaniel.
Note that the Collie breed comes in two varieties based on coat texture. There is the smooth collie and the rough collie. Read our article on rough collie versus smooth 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.
See this article that compares the Border Collie to the Sussex Spaniel.
Finally, just like the collie, the border collie also comes in two varieties. There is the rough border collie and the smooth border collie. To learn about the differences and similarities between them, check out our article on rough-coat border collie versus smooth-coat border collie.
Collie versus Sussex Spaniel: Overview
A very important difference between the Collie and the Sussex Spaniel is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Collie is a medium-sized dog while the Sussex Spaniel is a small-sized dog.
Furthermore, the 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.
Collie versus Sussex Spaniel: Comparison Table
The table below compares the 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 Collie and the Sussex Spaniel
| Factor | Collie | Sussex Spaniel |
|---|---|---|
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 14 years | 11 to 14 years |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Height | 22 to 26 inches all at the shoulder | 1 foot, 1 inch to 1 foot, 3 inches tall at the sho |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Weight | 50 to 70 pounds | 35 to 45 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 12.0 years | 12.5 years |
| Average Price | $1480 | No Data |
| Price Range | $1000 – $1800 | No Data |
| Temperament Score | 80.8 percent | 100.0 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | No Data | |
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 37 | 172 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the 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 Collie is 83 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 Collie is a better pet than the Sussex Spaniel.
This is because Collies are much cuter but you cannot put a score on cuteness. If you could put a score on cuteness, then the Collie will come out on top.
Also, we are biased in favor of the Collie :-). We are for the Collie. So get a Collie!
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Collie and the Sussex Spaniel
Below is a list of where the Collie and the Sussex Spaniel are most different:
The Similarities Between the Collie and the Sussex Spaniel
The Collie and the Sussex Spaniel are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Collie and the Sussex Spaniel are most similar:
Size Comparison of the Collie versus Sussex Spaniel
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Collie and the Sussex Spaniel.
The Collie weighs 50 to 70 pounds when fully grown. The Collie is 22 to 26 inches all 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 Collie versus Sussex Spaniel
The lifespan of the Collie is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of the Collie is 12.0 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 Sussex Spaniel live longer than the Collie.
Temperament of the Sussex Spaniel Versus the Collie
The Sussex Spaniel has a better temperament than the Collie.
This is because the temperament score for the Sussex Spaniel is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Collie is 80.8 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 80.8 percent, the 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 Collie and the Sussex Spaniel by measuring the temperaments of 896 Collies and 4 Sussex Spaniels.
The Popularity of 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 Collie and the Sussex Spaniel over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Collie is more popular with dog owners than the Sussex Spaniel. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Collie is 37 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Sussex Spaniel is 172 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Collie
Popularity of Sussex Spaniel
| Year | Collie Popularity Rank | Sussex Spaniel Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 35 | 162 |
| 2014 | 36 | 175 |
| 2015 | 36 | 173 |
| 2016 | 37 | 172 |
| 2017 | 40 | 161 |
| 2018 | 38 | 180 |
| 2019 | 38 | 176 |
| 2020 | 40 | 172 |
| 2021 | 38 | 177 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Collie versus Sussex Spaniel
Collies do not like to be left alone.
Sussex Spaniels do not like to be left alone.
Do Collies shed more than Sussex Spaniels?
Collies shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Sussex Spaniels shed moderately.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Collie or the Sussex Spaniel?
Collies 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 Collie or the Sussex Spaniel?
Collies get along very well with other dogs.
Sussex Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.
Are Collies good family dogs? What about Sussex Spaniels?
Collies are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Sussex Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Collie Easier to Train than the Sussex Spaniel?
Collies are very easy to train.
Sussex Spaniels are fairly easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Collie or the Sussex Spaniel
Collies do have a very low tendency to drool.
Sussex Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Collies and Sussex Spaniels?
Collies get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Sussex Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Collie Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Sussex Spaniel?
Collies 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 Collies Bark and Howl? What about Sussex Spaniels?
Collies 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 Collies Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?
Collies can very well tolerate cold weather.
Sussex Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Collie vs. Sussex Spaniel
Collies do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
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 Collies Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?
Collies can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Sussex Spaniels can tolerate hot weather.
Is the Collie Better for Apartment Owners than the Sussex Spaniel?
Collies adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Sussex Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Collie or the Sussex Spaniel?
Collies are very good for new dog owners.
Sussex Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.
Collie Versus Other Dog Breeds
You may also be interested in how the Collie compares to other breeds aside from the Sussex Spaniel. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Collie to other breeds:
Collie versus Whoodle Collie versus Australian Cattle Dog Collie versus Dachshund Collie versus Bergamasco Sheepdog Collie versus Clumber Spaniel Collie versus Labradoodle Collie versus Maltipoo Collie versus Chinese Crested Collie versus Cavapoo Collie versus American Eskimo Dog Collie versus English Cocker Spaniel Collie versus Bluetick Coonhound Collie versus Alaskan Klee Kai Collie versus WhippetConclusion: 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 Collie and the Sussex Spaniel better suits you and your family.