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 upland game from cover
Country / region of origin
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Academy group
Flushing & Retrieving Gundog
Flushing & Retrieving Gundog
Life expectancy
10–12 years
12–14 years
Physical
Height range
43–50 cm (17–20 in)
46–51 cm (18–20 in)
Weight range
25–39 kg (55–85 lb)
18–25 kg (40–55 lb)
Coat type
Dense, medium-length with feathering
Medium-length, dense coat with feathering
Recognized colours
White with lemon or orange markings
Liver and white, black and white; tan markings allowed
Shedding
High
Moderate to high
Grooming commitment
Moderate to high
Moderate
Daily life
Exercise commitment
Moderate
High
Mental-work commitment
Moderate
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…
Springers can live well with children and other pets when raised with them and managed carefully. Size, energy 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…
Springers can live well with children and other pets when raised with them and managed carefully. Size, energy 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…
Springers are trainable and eager but high-energy and prey-driven, so clear, consistent, engaging training works best. Key themes include recall, steadiness, impulse cont…
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 hip dysplasia, certain eye conditions (including PRA), ear infections, and epilepsy in some lines. Responsible breeding with he…
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. Research current costs in your area for…
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
Eager, sociable, powerful temperament; Athleticism and field ability; Medium-large size suited to active homes; 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
High daily exercise needs; Strong prey drive and chasing; Powerful, energetic build that needs management; Coat care and ear infections
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…
Springers may suit active, field-focused homes; sport homes; and people prepared for an energetic flushing gundog with daily outlets. The eager partnership can be deeply…
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…
Springers may not suit homes wanting a calm, low-exercise companion, or those unable to manage prey drive, energy and coat care. Drive and energy require honest assessmen…
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…
English Springer 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
12–14 years
Physical
Height range
46–51 cm (18–20 in)
Weight range
18–25 kg (40–55 lb)
Coat type
Medium-length, dense coat with feathering
Recognized colours
Liver and white, black and white; tan markings allowed
Shedding
Moderate to high
Grooming commitment
Moderate
Daily life
Exercise commitment
High
Mental-work commitment
High
Training commitment
Moderate
Vocal tendency
Variable
Prey-drive tendency
Variable
Protective tendency
Variable
Household
Housing & experience
Variable
Children considerations
Springers can live well with children and other pets when raised with them and managed carefully. Size, energy and prey drive require supervision. No breed should be left…
Other-dog considerations
Variable
Other-pet considerations
Springers can live well with children and other pets when raised with them and managed carefully. Size, energy and prey drive require supervision. No breed should be left…
Training
Training style considerations
Springers are trainable and eager but high-energy and prey-driven, so clear, consistent, engaging training works best. Key themes include recall, steadiness, impulse cont…
Recall considerations
Variable
Health & care
Major health considerations
Commonly discussed health concerns include hip dysplasia, certain eye conditions (including PRA), ear infections, and epilepsy in some lines. Responsible breeding with he…
Expected financial considerations
Costs include quality food, regular veterinary care, insurance, training, professional grooming (ongoing), equipment and boarding. Research current costs in your area for…
Fit & reality
What people often love
Eager, sociable, powerful temperament; Athleticism and field ability; Medium-large size suited to active homes; Intelligence and willingness
What can be difficult
High daily exercise needs; Strong prey drive and chasing; Powerful, energetic build that needs management; Coat care and ear infections
Who this breed may suit
Springers may suit active, field-focused homes; sport homes; and people prepared for an energetic flushing gundog with daily outlets. The eager partnership can be deeply…
Who should think carefully
Springers may not suit homes wanting a calm, low-exercise companion, or those unable to manage prey drive, energy and coat care. Drive and energy require honest assessmen…
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.