Compare Breeds
Compare dog breeds side by side
Select 2 or 3 breeds and compare them across purpose, size, daily life, household fit, training, health and reality. This tool uses the same verified information from each breed guide — it does not assign scores, rank breeds, or declare a winner. The better fit depends on the individual dog, the owner's experience, household, environment, goals and available time.
Preset comparisons
Overview
Original purpose
Flushing and retrieving upland game from cover
Flushing and retrieving woodcock and small game
Country / region of origin
United Kingdom
United States
Academy group
Flushing & Retrieving Gundog
Flushing & Retrieving Gundog
Life expectancy
10–12 years
10–14 years
Physical
Height range
43–50 cm (17–20 in)
34–39 cm (13.5–15.5 in)
Weight range
25–39 kg (55–85 lb)
10–13 kg (22–29 lb)
Coat type
Dense, medium-length with feathering
Silky, medium-long, profuse coat with feathering
Recognized colours
White with lemon or orange markings
Black, buff, brown, particolour, roan
Shedding
High
Moderate
Grooming commitment
Moderate to high
High
Daily life
Exercise commitment
Moderate
Moderate to high
Mental-work commitment
Moderate
Moderate to high
Training commitment
Moderate
Moderate
Vocal tendency
Variable
Variable
Prey-drive tendency
Variable
Variable
Protective tendency
Variable
Variable
Household
Housing & experience
Variable
Variable
Children considerations
Clumbers can live well with children and other pets when raised with them and managed carefully. Size and prey drive require supervision. No breed should be left unsuperv…
American Cockers can live well with children and other pets when raised with them and managed carefully. Size and prey drive require supervision. No breed should be left…
Other-dog considerations
Variable
Variable
Other-pet considerations
Clumbers can live well with children and other pets when raised with them and managed carefully. Size and prey drive require supervision. No breed should be left unsuperv…
American Cockers can live well with children and other pets when raised with them and managed carefully. Size and prey drive require supervision. No breed should be left…
Training
Training style considerations
Clumbers are trainable and willing but soft and slow, so patient, consistent, gentle handling works best. Harsh methods can shut a sensitive dog down. Key themes include…
American Cockers are trainable and eager but soft, so patient, consistent, gentle handling works best. Harsh methods can shut a sensitive dog down. Key themes include rec…
Recall considerations
Variable
Variable
Health & care
Major health considerations
Commonly discussed health concerns include hip dysplasia, certain eye conditions, ear infections, and back issues related to the long, heavy build. Responsible breeding w…
Commonly discussed health concerns include certain eye conditions (including PRA), ear infections, hip dysplasia, and heart conditions in some lines. Responsible breeding…
Expected financial considerations
Costs include quality food (significant for a heavy breed), regular veterinary care, insurance, training, professional grooming (ongoing), equipment and boarding. The bre…
Costs include quality food, regular veterinary care, insurance, training, professional grooming (ongoing), equipment and boarding. Grooming is a significant recurring cos…
Fit & reality
What people often love
Slow, gentle, steady temperament; Massive, distinctive low-slung build; White-and-lemon coat and calm presence; Versatility as a slower family and light field dog
Merry, sociable, eager temperament; Smaller, compact size suited to many homes; Profuse silky coat and distinctive appearance; Intelligence and willingness
What can be difficult
Rarity and limited breeder access; Heavy shedding and drool; Massive size requiring space and joint care; Prey drive and chasing despite slow demeanor
Serious grooming commitment — professional grooming every 4–6 weeks; Frequent matting without regular brushing; Ear infections due to long, heavy ears; Spaniel energy and prey drive beneath the companion image
Who this breed may suit
Clumbers may suit active homes wanting a slow, powerful, rare flushing gundog; families with space; and people prepared for coat care and joint management. The gentle par…
American Cockers may suit active homes prepared for serious coat care; families; and people wanting a merry, sociable companion with spaniel energy. The eager partnership…
Who should think carefully
Clumbers may not suit homes wanting a clean, low-shedding companion, or those unable to manage rarity, drool and joint care. Slowness does not equal no drive. This does n…
American Cockers may not suit homes unable to commit to grooming, or those wanting a low-maintenance companion. The coat is a real commitment. This does not make the bree…
Clumber Spaniel
Flushing & Retrieving Gundog
Overview
Original purpose
Flushing and retrieving upland game from cover
Country / region of origin
United Kingdom
Academy group
Flushing & Retrieving Gundog
Life expectancy
10–12 years
Physical
Height range
43–50 cm (17–20 in)
Weight range
25–39 kg (55–85 lb)
Coat type
Dense, medium-length with feathering
Recognized colours
White with lemon or orange markings
Shedding
High
Grooming commitment
Moderate to high
Daily life
Exercise commitment
Moderate
Mental-work commitment
Moderate
Training commitment
Moderate
Vocal tendency
Variable
Prey-drive tendency
Variable
Protective tendency
Variable
Household
Housing & experience
Variable
Children considerations
Clumbers can live well with children and other pets when raised with them and managed carefully. Size and prey drive require supervision. No breed should be left unsuperv…
Other-dog considerations
Variable
Other-pet considerations
Clumbers can live well with children and other pets when raised with them and managed carefully. Size and prey drive require supervision. No breed should be left unsuperv…
Training
Training style considerations
Clumbers are trainable and willing but soft and slow, so patient, consistent, gentle handling works best. Harsh methods can shut a sensitive dog down. Key themes include…
Recall considerations
Variable
Health & care
Major health considerations
Commonly discussed health concerns include hip dysplasia, certain eye conditions, ear infections, and back issues related to the long, heavy build. Responsible breeding w…
Expected financial considerations
Costs include quality food (significant for a heavy breed), regular veterinary care, insurance, training, professional grooming (ongoing), equipment and boarding. The bre…
Fit & reality
What people often love
Slow, gentle, steady temperament; Massive, distinctive low-slung build; White-and-lemon coat and calm presence; Versatility as a slower family and light field dog
What can be difficult
Rarity and limited breeder access; Heavy shedding and drool; Massive size requiring space and joint care; Prey drive and chasing despite slow demeanor
Who this breed may suit
Clumbers may suit active homes wanting a slow, powerful, rare flushing gundog; families with space; and people prepared for coat care and joint management. The gentle par…
Who should think carefully
Clumbers may not suit homes wanting a clean, low-shedding companion, or those unable to manage rarity, drool and joint care. Slowness does not equal no drive. This does n…
American Cocker Spaniel
Flushing & Retrieving Gundog
Overview
Original purpose
Flushing and retrieving woodcock and small game
Country / region of origin
United States
Academy group
Flushing & Retrieving Gundog
Life expectancy
10–14 years
Physical
Height range
34–39 cm (13.5–15.5 in)
Weight range
10–13 kg (22–29 lb)
Coat type
Silky, medium-long, profuse coat with feathering
Recognized colours
Black, buff, brown, particolour, roan
Shedding
Moderate
Grooming commitment
High
Daily life
Exercise commitment
Moderate to high
Mental-work commitment
Moderate to high
Training commitment
Moderate
Vocal tendency
Variable
Prey-drive tendency
Variable
Protective tendency
Variable
Household
Housing & experience
Variable
Children considerations
American Cockers can live well with children and other pets when raised with them and managed carefully. Size and prey drive require supervision. No breed should be left…
Other-dog considerations
Variable
Other-pet considerations
American Cockers can live well with children and other pets when raised with them and managed carefully. Size and prey drive require supervision. No breed should be left…
Training
Training style considerations
American Cockers are trainable and eager but soft, so patient, consistent, gentle handling works best. Harsh methods can shut a sensitive dog down. Key themes include rec…
Recall considerations
Variable
Health & care
Major health considerations
Commonly discussed health concerns include certain eye conditions (including PRA), ear infections, hip dysplasia, and heart conditions in some lines. Responsible breeding…
Expected financial considerations
Costs include quality food, regular veterinary care, insurance, training, professional grooming (ongoing), equipment and boarding. Grooming is a significant recurring cos…
Fit & reality
What people often love
Merry, sociable, eager temperament; Smaller, compact size suited to many homes; Profuse silky coat and distinctive appearance; Intelligence and willingness
What can be difficult
Serious grooming commitment — professional grooming every 4–6 weeks; Frequent matting without regular brushing; Ear infections due to long, heavy ears; Spaniel energy and prey drive beneath the companion image
Who this breed may suit
American Cockers may suit active homes prepared for serious coat care; families; and people wanting a merry, sociable companion with spaniel energy. The eager partnership…
Who should think carefully
American Cockers may not suit homes unable to commit to grooming, or those wanting a low-maintenance companion. The coat is a real commitment. This does not make the bree…
This comparison explains differences. The better fit depends on the individual dog, the owner's experience, household, environment, goals and available time. No breed is ranked or scored.