Last Updated: May 01, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Miniature Schnauzer Versus Sussex Spaniel: Introduction
- Miniature Schnauzer versus Sussex Spaniel: Overview
- Miniature Schnauzer versus Sussex Spaniel: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Miniature Schnauzer and the Sussex Spaniel
- The Similarities Between the Miniature Schnauzer and the Sussex Spaniel
- Size Comparison of the Miniature Schnauzer versus Sussex Spaniel
- Lifespan of Miniature Schnauzer versus Sussex Spaniel
- Temperament of the Sussex Spaniel Versus the Miniature Schnauzer
- The Popularity of Miniature Schnauzer versus Popularity of Sussex Spaniel
- Tolerates Being Alone: Miniature Schnauzer versus Sussex Spaniel
- Do Miniature Schnauzers shed more than Sussex Spaniels?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Miniature Schnauzer or the Sussex Spaniel?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Miniature Schnauzer or the Sussex Spaniel?
- Are Miniature Schnauzers good family dogs? What about Sussex Spaniels?
- Is the Miniature Schnauzer Easier to Train than the Sussex Spaniel?
- Which one drools more, the Miniature Schnauzer or the Sussex Spaniel
- How Kid-friendly are Miniature Schnauzers and Sussex Spaniels?
- Does the Miniature Schnauzer Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Sussex Spaniel?
- Do Miniature Schnauzers Bark and Howl? What about Sussex Spaniels?
- Can Miniature Schnauzers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Miniature Schnauzer vs. Sussex Spaniel
- Can Miniature Schnauzers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Miniature Schnauzer Versus Other Dog Breeds
- Conclusion: Miniature Schnauzer versus Sussex Spaniel. Which One is a Better Pet?
Miniature Schnauzer Versus Sussex Spaniel: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Miniature Schnauzer 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 Miniature Schnauzer 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 Miniature Schnauzer and the Sussex Spaniel.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Miniature Schnauzer 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 Miniature Schnauzer 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 Miniature Schnauzer 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 Miniature Schnauzer or the Sussex Spaniel.
Miniature Schnauzer versus Sussex Spaniel: Overview
Both the Miniature Schnauzer and the Sussex Spaniel are similar in size. The Miniature Schnauzer and the Sussex Spaniel are both small-sized dogs.
Furthermore, the Miniature Schnauzer belongs to the Terrier Dogs group. Terrier Dogs were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.
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.
Miniature Schnauzer versus Sussex Spaniel: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Miniature Schnauzer 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 Miniature Schnauzer and the Sussex Spaniel
| Factor | Miniature Schnauzer | Sussex Spaniel |
|---|---|---|
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Weight | 11 to 20 pounds | 35 to 45 pounds |
| Life Span | 12 to 14 years | 11 to 14 years |
| Height | 13 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder | 1 foot, 1 inch to 1 foot, 3 inches tall at the sho |
| Does NOT Shed | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 5/5 | 1/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 13.0 years | 12.5 years |
| Average Price | $1950 | No Data |
| Price Range | $1400 – $2500 | No Data |
| Temperament Score | 79.3 percent | 100.0 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | No Data | |
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 17 | 172 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Miniature Schnauzer 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 Miniature Schnauzer is 82 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 Miniature Schnauzer is a better pet than the Sussex Spaniel.
This is because Miniature Schnauzers are much cuter but you cannot put a score on cuteness. If you could put a score on cuteness, then the Miniature Schnauzer will come out on top.
Also, we are biased in favor of the Miniature Schnauzer :-). We are for the Miniature Schnauzer. So get a Miniature Schnauzer!
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Miniature Schnauzer and the Sussex Spaniel
Below is a list of where the Miniature Schnauzer and the Sussex Spaniel are most different:
The Similarities Between the Miniature Schnauzer and the Sussex Spaniel
The Miniature Schnauzer and the Sussex Spaniel are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Miniature Schnauzer and the Sussex Spaniel are most similar:
Size Comparison of the Miniature Schnauzer versus Sussex Spaniel
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Miniature Schnauzer and the Sussex Spaniel.
The Miniature Schnauzer weighs 11 to 20 pounds when fully grown. The Miniature Schnauzer is 13 to 14 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 Miniature Schnauzer versus Sussex Spaniel
The lifespan of the Miniature Schnauzer is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of the Miniature Schnauzer is 13.0 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 Miniature Schnauzer live longer than the Sussex Spaniel.
Temperament of the Sussex Spaniel Versus the Miniature Schnauzer
The Sussex Spaniel has a better temperament than the Miniature Schnauzer.
This is because the temperament score for the Sussex Spaniel is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Miniature Schnauzer is 79.3 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 79.3 percent, the Miniature Schnauzer 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 Miniature Schnauzer and the Sussex Spaniel by measuring the temperaments of 116 Miniature Schnauzers and 4 Sussex Spaniels.
The Popularity of Miniature Schnauzer 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 Miniature Schnauzer and the Sussex Spaniel over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Miniature Schnauzer is more popular with dog owners than the Sussex Spaniel. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Miniature Schnauzer is 17 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Sussex Spaniel is 172 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Miniature Schnauzer
Popularity of Sussex Spaniel
| Year | Miniature Schnauzer Popularity Rank | Sussex Spaniel Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 17 | 162 |
| 2014 | 16 | 175 |
| 2015 | 16 | 173 |
| 2016 | 17 | 172 |
| 2017 | 18 | 161 |
| 2018 | 19 | 180 |
| 2019 | 18 | 176 |
| 2020 | 19 | 172 |
| 2021 | 18 | 177 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Miniature Schnauzer versus Sussex Spaniel
Miniature Schnauzers can be left alone for some time without problems.
Sussex Spaniels do not like to be left alone.
Do Miniature Schnauzers shed more than Sussex Spaniels?
Miniature Schnauzers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Sussex Spaniels shed moderately.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Miniature Schnauzer or the Sussex Spaniel?
Miniature Schnauzers 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 Miniature Schnauzer or the Sussex Spaniel?
Miniature Schnauzers get along fairly well with other dogs.
Sussex Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.
Are Miniature Schnauzers good family dogs? What about Sussex Spaniels?
Miniature Schnauzers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Sussex Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Miniature Schnauzer Easier to Train than the Sussex Spaniel?
Miniature Schnauzers are very easy to train.
Sussex Spaniels are fairly easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Miniature Schnauzer or the Sussex Spaniel
Miniature Schnauzers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Sussex Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Miniature Schnauzers and Sussex Spaniels?
Miniature Schnauzers get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.
Sussex Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Miniature Schnauzer Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Sussex Spaniel?
Miniature Schnauzers 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 Miniature Schnauzers Bark and Howl? What about Sussex Spaniels?
Miniature Schnauzers bark and howl, but not very much.
Sussex Spaniels are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Miniature Schnauzers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?
Miniature Schnauzers can very well tolerate cold weather.
Sussex Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Miniature Schnauzer vs. Sussex Spaniel
Miniature Schnauzers 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 Miniature Schnauzers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?
Miniature Schnauzers can tolerate hot weather.
Sussex Spaniels can tolerate hot weather.
Is the Miniature Schnauzer Better for Apartment Owners than the Sussex Spaniel?
Miniature Schnauzers adapt very well to apartment living.
Sussex Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Miniature Schnauzer or the Sussex Spaniel?
Miniature Schnauzers are OK for new dog owners.
Sussex Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.
Miniature Schnauzer Versus Other Dog Breeds
You may also be interested in how the Miniature Schnauzer compares to other breeds aside from the Sussex Spaniel. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Miniature Schnauzer to other breeds:
Miniature Schnauzer versus Fila Brasileiro Miniature Schnauzer versus Bich Poo Miniature Schnauzer versus Pug Miniature Schnauzer versus Jack Russell Terrier Miniature Schnauzer versus Dalmatian Miniature Schnauzer versus Cesky Terrier Miniature Schnauzer versus Chi-Poo Miniature Schnauzer versus Cockapoo Miniature Schnauzer versus Black Mouth Cur Miniature Schnauzer versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier Miniature Schnauzer versus Lancashire Heeler Miniature Schnauzer versus Cairn Terrier Miniature Schnauzer versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle Miniature Schnauzer versus French Bulldog Miniature Schnauzer versus Borzoi Miniature Schnauzer versus Beagle
Conclusion: Miniature Schnauzer 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 Miniature Schnauzer and the Sussex Spaniel better suits you and your family.