Trying to decide between the Chow Chow and the Sussex Spaniel? Both of these dogs can be similar in some ways but are quite different in many others. Read on and find out which of these popular breeds is the perfect pup for your lifestyle!
Before getting a puppy, you should be sure that the breed you're doing to buy or rescue is a good fit for your lifestyle and home.
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While Chow Chow is a member of the Working Group, Sussex Spaniel belongs to the group of Sporting Dogs.
Despite these breeds aren't members of the same breed groups, they have some similarities and not only differences so keep reading to learn more.
Chow Chow vs Sussex Spaniel Size Comparison
Chow Chows are larger, with a typical height of 17 to 20 inches and weight of 40 to 70 pounds, while the typical height of Sussex Spaniel is 13 to 15 inches and they usually weigh 35 to 45 pounds.
We know that these numbers might be too abstract, so we made a tool to help you visualize these numbers.
The following chart compares the average breeds height with the average height of an American man and woman.
According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data, the average height of a man is 69 inches, and the height of a woman is 63.5 inches.
Dog size comparison to a human. From left, average heights of Chow Chow, Sussex Spaniel, American female, and American male.
Chow Chow vs Sussex Spaniel lifespan
No doubt, the quality of care provided to the dog is one of the main factors when it comes to canines life longevity, however, there are also other factors, especially the dog's breed.
With a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years, Chow Chows usually live longer than Sussex Spaniels.
Sussex Spaniels' lifespan is 11 to 14 years.
Read on to the following sections to better understand in detail how Chow Chow and Sussex Spaniel compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one is better for you.
When we say "dog adaptability", most people think about apartment living adaptability, so let's start with that.
All dogs are great — but not all dogs are great for or geared toward apartment living. A dog may be considered the worst dog breed for apartments for a few reasons including size, energy level, noise, smell, shedding...
Luckily, Chow Chows and Sussex Spaniels are considered to be good apartment living dogs.
While most dogs can be left home alone for 6 to 8 hours, some will do better. Check the table below to see how Chow Chows and Sussex Spaniels tolerate being left alone.
Depending on where you live, you should choose a dog that tolerates hot or cold weather well.
Sussex Spaniel tolerates hot weather better than Chow Chow.
During warm weather, be sure to provide shade and water and head out in the morning or late evening when it's cooler. Also, avoid pavements - if the ground is too hot to touch for your hand for a few seconds, it's too hot for paws.
Cold temperatures are not a problem for most dogs until they fall below 45° F, at which point some cold-averse dogs might begin to feel uncomfortable. When temperatures fall below 32° F, owners of small breed dogs, dogs with thin coats, and/or very young, old, or sick dogs should pay close attention to their pet’s well-being.
Once temperatures drop under 20° F, all owners need to be aware that their dogs could potentially develop cold-associated health problems like hypothermia and frostbite.
Luckily, both breeds tolarate cold weather well, so while you stick to the rules mentioned above, they should be fine and probably enjoy the cold weather.
It's always hard to make a general statement about the whole breed's temperament. Each dog has a different temperament, and there are a lot of factors that affect its behavior.
Looking for a perfect family dog?
While Chow Chow might be a great family pet as well, we'd suggest to stick with Sussex Spaniel. Their outgoing and friendly personality makes them a great choice for families.
Sussex Spaniel are great companion dogs, and they are highly affectionate with family, so Chow Chow puppy will immediately become a family member.
When it comes to behavior around children, Sussex Spaniel simply tends to do better.
Sussex Spaniels love children - they are usually gentle and patient with kids, but as we mentioned, temperaments can vary based on the individual dog.
Chow Chows might require a litle more time to get used to kids, but it doesn't mean they couldn't be nice with kids.
Dog guarding behavior is welcome for some owners, while others prefer a dog that's friendly towards strangers.
Speaking of friendliness toward strangers, Chow Chows and Sussex Spaniels are the complete opposite.
While Sussex Spaniels are super friendly toward strangers, Chow Chows are naturally suspicious toward strangers, so you can expect they will act protective.
All-Around Friendliness
Chow Chow
Sussex Spaniel
Affectionate With Family
Kid-Friendly
Dog Friendly
Friendly Toward Strangers
Health And Grooming Needs
The best way to optimize your pup’s health is to research reputable breeders, and then when you meet them ask to see the parents and their health certificates as described above and to see the conditions in which all the dogs are living.
Check the table below to see the general health rating for these two canines, and read full breed profile articles to read in-depth information on their health.
Also, some breeds are prone to obesity, which could cause other health conditions. Be sure to check that information as well, if the breed is prone to obesity, keep a close eye on labels and feed your dog according to the food labels.
For example, hip dysplasia is hereditary and is especially common in larger dogs. Factors such as excessive growth rate, types of exercise, and improper weight and nutrition can magnify this genetic predisposition.
What about shedding?
One of the bad parts of having a dog is definitely shedding. So be sure to take this into your consideration when choosing the right breed for you. Click here to learn how to minimize the shedding.
Sussex Spaniel shed less than Chow Chow do, but don't forget - preventing shedding is impossible, but regular brushing is necessary.
Hate drooling? Well, then you should probably skip Chow Chow and choose Sussex Spaniel instead.
Health And Grooming Needs
Chow Chow
Sussex Spaniel
Amount Of Shedding
Drooling Potential
Easy To Groom
General Health
Potential For Weight Gain
Size
Chow Chow vs Sussex Spaniel trainability
Each dog needs some kind of obedience training, but some of them are easier to train, while others are more stubborn.
Sussex Spaniels are usually easier to train than Chow Chows.
If you choose one of these dogs, remember three pillars of dog training - Patience, persistence, and consistency play a huge role in successfully training your dog.
Finally, if you think you aren't capable of training your dog on your own, you might also consider getting professional help.
Trainability
Chow Chow
Sussex Spaniel
Easy To Train
Intelligence
Potential For Mouthiness
Prey Drive
Tendency To Bark Or Howl
Wanderlust Potential
Do Chow Chow and Sussex Spaniel need a lot of physical activity?
To keep your dog healthy, calm, and happy, you have to provide it with enough physical activities. Not only your dog will be healthier and happier when it's active, but you'll also reduce or completely eliminate destructive behavior.
Some people don't think about this when selecting a breed, so we have dedicated a whole chapter to physical needs.
Both Chow Chow and Sussex Spaniel have a low exercise needs. It means they will probably require only light to moderate excercises to keep these breeds healthy and prevent them from becoming overweight and bored.
Keep in mind that most breeds will benefit from aerobic exercises - think of aerobic exercise as anything that makes your dog pant.
Physical Needs
Chow Chow
Sussex Spaniel
Energy Level
Intensity
Exercise Needs
Potential For Playfulness
Chow Chow or Sussex Spaniel: The bottom line
In this article, we tried to give you an idea of what you can expect from Chow Chows and Sussex Spaniels.
To further explore their personality, overall health, temperament, and much more, read their full breed profile.
Or, use the tool below to read the next comparison.
Note: Barking Royalty isn’t a veterinary provider. Always relay any questions you have regarding your pet’s medical condition to your veterinarian, local animal hospital or other qualified veterinary provider.