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 (Sussex)
Academy group
Flushing & Retrieving Gundog
Flushing & Retrieving Gundog
Life expectancy
10–12 years
11–14 years
Physical
Height range
43–50 cm (17–20 in)
33–38 cm (13–15 in)
Weight range
25–39 kg (55–85 lb)
16–20 kg (35–45 lb)
Coat type
Dense, medium-length with feathering
Rich golden liver, medium-length with feathering
Recognized colours
White with lemon or orange markings
Rich golden liver only
Shedding
High
Moderate
Grooming commitment
Moderate to high
Moderate
Daily life
Exercise commitment
Moderate
Moderate
Mental-work commitment
Moderate
Moderate
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…
Sussex Spaniels can live well with children and other pets when raised with them and managed carefully. Prey drive requires supervision. No breed should be left unsupervi…
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…
Sussex Spaniels can live well with children and other pets when raised with them and managed carefully. Prey drive requires supervision. No breed should be left unsupervi…
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…
Sussex Spaniels are trainable and willing but soft, so patient, consistent, gentle handling works best. Harsh methods can shut a sensitive dog down. Key themes include re…
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 heart conditions, and ear infections. The breed's rarity makes responsible breeding and genetic diversit…
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. The breed's rarity may affect availabil…
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
Steady, docile, sociable temperament; Lower energy than Cocker and Springer; Low-slung build and rich golden-liver coat; 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
Rarity and limited breeder access; Vocalizing while working; Prey drive and chasing despite lower energy; 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…
Sussex Spaniels may suit active homes wanting a slower, rare flushing gundog; families; and people prepared for coat care and recall work. The cooperative partnership can…
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…
Sussex Spaniels may not suit homes wanting a common, quiet companion, or those unable to manage rarity, prey drive and vocalizing. Lower energy does not equal no drive. T…
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…
Sussex Spaniel
Flushing & Retrieving Gundog
Overview
Original purpose
Flushing and retrieving upland game from cover
Country / region of origin
United Kingdom (Sussex)
Academy group
Flushing & Retrieving Gundog
Life expectancy
11–14 years
Physical
Height range
33–38 cm (13–15 in)
Weight range
16–20 kg (35–45 lb)
Coat type
Rich golden liver, medium-length with feathering
Recognized colours
Rich golden liver only
Shedding
Moderate
Grooming commitment
Moderate
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
Sussex Spaniels can live well with children and other pets when raised with them and managed carefully. Prey drive requires supervision. No breed should be left unsupervi…
Other-dog considerations
Variable
Other-pet considerations
Sussex Spaniels can live well with children and other pets when raised with them and managed carefully. Prey drive requires supervision. No breed should be left unsupervi…
Training
Training style considerations
Sussex Spaniels are trainable and willing but soft, so patient, consistent, gentle handling works best. Harsh methods can shut a sensitive dog down. Key themes include re…
Recall considerations
Variable
Health & care
Major health considerations
Commonly discussed health concerns include hip dysplasia, certain heart conditions, and ear infections. The breed's rarity makes responsible breeding and genetic diversit…
Expected financial considerations
Costs include quality food, regular veterinary care, insurance, training, professional grooming (ongoing), equipment and boarding. The breed's rarity may affect availabil…
Fit & reality
What people often love
Steady, docile, sociable temperament; Lower energy than Cocker and Springer; Low-slung build and rich golden-liver coat; Versatility as a slower family and light field dog
What can be difficult
Rarity and limited breeder access; Vocalizing while working; Prey drive and chasing despite lower energy; Coat care and ear infections
Who this breed may suit
Sussex Spaniels may suit active homes wanting a slower, rare flushing gundog; families; and people prepared for coat care and recall work. The cooperative partnership can…
Who should think carefully
Sussex Spaniels may not suit homes wanting a common, quiet companion, or those unable to manage rarity, prey drive and vocalizing. Lower energy does not equal no drive. T…
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.