Last Updated: Jun 20, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- German Shorthaired Pointer Versus Sussex Spaniel: Introduction
- German Shorthaired Pointer versus Sussex Spaniel: Overview
- German Shorthaired Pointer versus Sussex Spaniel: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Sussex Spaniel
- The Similarities Between the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Sussex Spaniel
- Size Comparison of the German Shorthaired Pointer versus Sussex Spaniel
- Lifespan of German Shorthaired Pointer versus Sussex Spaniel
- Temperament of the Sussex Spaniel Versus the German Shorthaired Pointer
- The Popularity of German Shorthaired Pointer versus Popularity of Sussex Spaniel
- Tolerates Being Alone: German Shorthaired Pointer versus Sussex Spaniel
- Do German Shorthaired Pointers shed more than Sussex Spaniels?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the German Shorthaired Pointer or the Sussex Spaniel?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the German Shorthaired Pointer or the Sussex Spaniel?
- Are German Shorthaired Pointers good family dogs? What about Sussex Spaniels?
- Is the German Shorthaired Pointer Easier to Train than the Sussex Spaniel?
- Which one drools more, the German Shorthaired Pointer or the Sussex Spaniel
- How Kid-friendly are German Shorthaired Pointers and Sussex Spaniels?
- Does the German Shorthaired Pointer Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Sussex Spaniel?
- Do German Shorthaired Pointers Bark and Howl? What about Sussex Spaniels?
- Can German Shorthaired Pointers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: German Shorthaired Pointer vs. Sussex Spaniel
- Can German Shorthaired Pointers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?
- German Shorthaired Pointer Versus Other Dog Breeds
- Conclusion: German Shorthaired Pointer versus Sussex Spaniel. Which One is a Better Pet?
German Shorthaired Pointer Versus Sussex Spaniel: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the German Shorthaired Pointer 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 German Shorthaired Pointer 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 German Shorthaired Pointer and the Sussex Spaniel.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the German Shorthaired Pointer 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 German Shorthaired Pointer 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 German Shorthaired Pointer 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 German Shorthaired Pointer or the Sussex Spaniel.
German Shorthaired Pointer versus Sussex Spaniel: Overview
A very important difference between the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Sussex Spaniel is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The German Shorthaired Pointer is a medium-sized dog while the Sussex Spaniel is a small-sized dog.
Furthermore, both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Sussex Spaniel are Sporting Dogs. This means both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Sussex Spaniel 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.
German Shorthaired Pointer versus Sussex Spaniel: Comparison Table
The table below compares the German Shorthaired Pointer 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 German Shorthaired Pointer and the Sussex Spaniel
| Factor | German Shorthaired Pointer | Sussex Spaniel |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Height | 1 foot, 9 inches to 2 feet, 1 inch tall at the sho | 1 foot, 1 inch to 1 foot, 3 inches tall at the sho |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 11 to 14 years |
| Good For Novice Owners | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Weight | 45 to 70 pounds | 35 to 45 pounds |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 1/5 | 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 | $1140 | No Data |
| Price Range | $800 – $1300 | No Data |
| Temperament Score | 78.1 percent | 100.0 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | No Data | |
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 10 | 172 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the German Shorthaired Pointer 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 German Shorthaired Pointer is 75 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 German Shorthaired Pointer is a better pet than the Sussex Spaniel.
This is because German Shorthaired Pointers are much cuter but you cannot put a score on cuteness. If you could put a score on cuteness, then the German Shorthaired Pointer will come out on top.
Also, we are biased in favor of the German Shorthaired Pointer :-). We are for the German Shorthaired Pointer. So get a German Shorthaired Pointer!
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Sussex Spaniel
Below is a list of where the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Sussex Spaniel are most different:
The Similarities Between the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Sussex Spaniel
The German Shorthaired Pointer and the Sussex Spaniel are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Sussex Spaniel are most similar:
Size Comparison of the German Shorthaired Pointer versus Sussex Spaniel
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Sussex Spaniel.
The German Shorthaired Pointer weighs 45 to 70 pounds when fully grown. The German Shorthaired Pointer is 1 foot, 9 inches to 2 feet, 1 inch tall at the sho 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 German Shorthaired Pointer versus Sussex Spaniel
The lifespan of the German Shorthaired Pointer is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of the German Shorthaired Pointer 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 German Shorthaired Pointer lives longer than the Sussex Spaniel.
Temperament of the Sussex Spaniel Versus the German Shorthaired Pointer
The Sussex Spaniel has a better temperament than the German Shorthaired Pointer.
This is because the temperament score for the Sussex Spaniel is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the German Shorthaired Pointer is 78.1 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 78.1 percent, the German Shorthaired Pointer 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 German Shorthaired Pointer and the Sussex Spaniel by measuring the temperaments of 137 German Shorthaired Pointers and 4 Sussex Spaniels.
The Popularity of German Shorthaired Pointer 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 German Shorthaired Pointer and the Sussex Spaniel over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the German Shorthaired Pointer is more popular with dog owners than the Sussex Spaniel. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the German Shorthaired Pointer is 10 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Sussex Spaniel is 172 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of German Shorthaired Pointer
Popularity of Sussex Spaniel
| Year | German Shorthaired Pointer Popularity Rank | Sussex Spaniel Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 13 | 162 |
| 2014 | 12 | 175 |
| 2015 | 11 | 173 |
| 2016 | 11 | 172 |
| 2017 | 10 | 161 |
| 2018 | 9 | 180 |
| 2019 | 9 | 176 |
| 2020 | 9 | 172 |
| 2021 | 9 | 177 |
Tolerates Being Alone: German Shorthaired Pointer versus Sussex Spaniel
German Shorthaired Pointers do not like to be left alone.
Sussex Spaniels do not like to be left alone.
Do German Shorthaired Pointers shed more than Sussex Spaniels?
German Shorthaired Pointers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Sussex Spaniels shed moderately.
Which is Easier to Groom, the German Shorthaired Pointer or the Sussex Spaniel?
German Shorthaired Pointers are very easy to groom.
Sussex Spaniels are very easy to groom.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the German Shorthaired Pointer or the Sussex Spaniel?
German Shorthaired Pointers get along very well with other dogs.
Sussex Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.
Are German Shorthaired Pointers good family dogs? What about Sussex Spaniels?
German Shorthaired Pointers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Sussex Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the German Shorthaired Pointer Easier to Train than the Sussex Spaniel?
German Shorthaired Pointers are very easy to train.
Sussex Spaniels are fairly easy to train.
Which one drools more, the German Shorthaired Pointer or the Sussex Spaniel
German Shorthaired Pointers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Sussex Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are German Shorthaired Pointers and Sussex Spaniels?
German Shorthaired Pointers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Sussex Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the German Shorthaired Pointer Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Sussex Spaniel?
German Shorthaired Pointers 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 German Shorthaired Pointers Bark and Howl? What about Sussex Spaniels?
German Shorthaired Pointers bark and howl, but not very much.
Sussex Spaniels are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can German Shorthaired Pointers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?
German Shorthaired Pointers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Sussex Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: German Shorthaired Pointer vs. Sussex Spaniel
German Shorthaired Pointers 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 German Shorthaired Pointers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Sussex Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?
German Shorthaired Pointers can tolerate hot weather.
Sussex Spaniels can tolerate hot weather.
Is the German Shorthaired Pointer Better for Apartment Owners than the Sussex Spaniel?
German Shorthaired Pointers do not adapt well to apartment living.
Sussex Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the German Shorthaired Pointer or the Sussex Spaniel?
German Shorthaired Pointers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Sussex Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.
German Shorthaired Pointer Versus Other Dog Breeds
You may also be interested in how the German Shorthaired Pointer compares to other breeds aside from the Sussex Spaniel. So, see below the links to the comparison of the German Shorthaired Pointer to other breeds:
German Shorthaired Pointer versus Saint Bernard German Shorthaired Pointer versus Lhasa Apso German Shorthaired Pointer versus Bullmastiff German Shorthaired Pointer versus Newfoundland German Shorthaired Pointer versus Irish Wolfhound German Shorthaired Pointer versus Puli German Shorthaired Pointer versus Bolognese German Shorthaired Pointer versus Maltese German Shorthaired Pointer versus Braque du Bourbonnais German Shorthaired Pointer versus Lagotto Romagnolo German Shorthaired Pointer versus Tibetan Spaniel German Shorthaired Pointer versus Puggle German Shorthaired Pointer versus Mal Shi German Shorthaired Pointer versus Boerboel German Shorthaired Pointer versus Skye Terrier German Shorthaired Pointer versus Estrela Mountain Dog German Shorthaired Pointer versus Bull Terrier
Conclusion: German Shorthaired Pointer 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 German Shorthaired Pointer and the Sussex Spaniel better suits you and your family.