Which is Better between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the American Foxhound?

Last Updated: Jun 14, 2022

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Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Versus American Foxhound: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the American Foxhound? 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the American Foxhound 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the American Foxhound.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the American Foxhound 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and for the American Foxhound. 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the American Foxhound.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or the American Foxhound.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus American Foxhound

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus American Foxhound: Overview

A very important difference between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the American Foxhound is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a small-sized dog while the American Foxhound is a medium-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.

On the other hand, the American Foxhound belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus American Foxhound: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel to the American Foxhound 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the American Foxhound

FactorCavalier King Charles SpanielAmerican Foxhound
Tolerates Being Alone1/51/5
Does NOT Drool5/55/5
Height12 to 13 inches at the shoulder21 to 25 inches tall at the shoulder
Weight13 to 18 pounds40 to 60 pounds
Tolerates Hot Weather2/54/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl4/51/5
Tendency NOT to Wander4/51/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor4/52/5
Tolerates Cold Weather3/54/5
Does NOT Shed3/53/5
Does NOT chew on things3/53/5
Low Prey Drive3/52/5
NOT Rambunctious3/51/5
Easy To Groom4/55/5
General Health4/55/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight2/51/5
Easy To Train4/52/5
Intelligence4/53/5
Minimal Exercise Needs2/51/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living5/51/5
Good For Novice Owners5/52/5
Easygoing1/54/5
Affectionate With Family5/54/5
Kid-Friendly5/55/5
Dog Friendly5/55/5
Friendly Toward Strangers5/54/5
Potential For Playfulness5/55/5
Life Span9 to 15 years12 to 13 years
Average Lifespan12.0 years12.5 years
Average Price$2410$560
Price Range$1800 – $3000$425 – $600
Temperament Score85.5 percent100.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination;
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • No Data
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds17186
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds)4446
    *Data from AKC.org (The American Kennel Club),dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (The American Temperament Test Society)

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 American Foxhound. 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is 91 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the American Foxhound is 74 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a better pet than the American Foxhound. So, you should get a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel!

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus American Foxhound

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the American Foxhound

    Below is a list of where the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the American Foxhound are most different:

  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl. However, American Foxhounds are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniels do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them. However, American Foxhounds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniels adapt well to apartment living. However, American Foxhounds do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are good for new dog owners. However, American Foxhounds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone. However, American Foxhounds are not very sensitive to their enviroment. They can tolerate noisy environments. They are also not very sensitive to the tone of your voice, firm or gentle.
  • The Similarities Between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the American Foxhound

    The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the American Foxhound are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the American Foxhound are most similar:

  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the American Foxhound do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the American Foxhound do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the American Foxhound are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the American Foxhound are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the American Foxhound gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the American Foxhound are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the American Foxhound require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the American Foxhound are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the American Foxhound get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the American Foxhound get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the American Foxhound are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the American Foxhound are very playful.
  • Size Comparison of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus American Foxhound

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the American Foxhound.

    The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel weighs 13 to 18 pounds when fully grown. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is 12 to 13 inches at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, the American Foxhound weighs 40 to 60 pounds when fully grown. The American Foxhound is 21 to 25 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Size of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Size of American Foxhound

    Appearance (Colors) of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the American Foxhound

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Colors

    The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel comes in the following beautiful primary colors:

    • Brown / Chocolate
    • Bicolor
    • Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
    • Apricot / Beige
    • Red / Chestnut / Orange
    • White / Cream
    • Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
    • Black

    The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:

    • White / Cream
    • Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
    • Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
    • Red / Chestnut / Orange
    • Gray / Blue / Silver
    • Brown / Chocolate

    American Foxhound Colors

    The American Foxhound comes in the following beautiful primary colors:

    • White / Cream
    • Red / Chestnut / Orange
    • Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
    • Golden
    • Gray / Blue / Silver
    • Brindle

    The American Foxhound comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:

    • Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
    • Black
    • White / Cream

    Lifespan of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus American Foxhound

    The lifespan of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is between 9 to 15 years. The average lifespan of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is 12.0 years.

    The lifespan of the American Foxhound is between 12 to 13 years. The average lifespan of the American Foxhound is 12.5 years.

    The American Foxhound live longer than the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus American Foxhound

    Temperament of the American Foxhound Versus the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

    The American Foxhound has a better temperament than the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

    This is because the temperament score for the American Foxhound is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is 85.5 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 85.5 percent, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 100.0 percent, the American Foxhound has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the American Foxhound by measuring the temperaments of 62 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and 2 American Foxhounds.

    Price of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Price of American Foxhound

    The average price of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy is $2410. The price of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel typically ranges from $1800 – $3000. However, the price of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel can be as low as $300 and as high as $7995. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 1216 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the American Foxhound puppy is $560. The price of the American Foxhound typically ranges from $425 – $600. However, the price of the American Foxhound can be as low as $400 and as high as $950. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 30 American Foxhound puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is more expensive than the American Foxhound.

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniel American Foxhound
    Average Price $2410 $560
    Price Range $1800 to $3000 $425 to $600

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and American Foxhound. For different price points, the charts show how many Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppies or how many American Foxhound puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of American Foxhounds

    A breakdown of the prices of American Foxhounds

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy or the American Foxhound puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.

    Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus American Foxhound

    Adopting the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Adopting the American Foxhound

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and many American Foxhounds are currently available for adoption.

    These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.

    Below is an adorable Male Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Drew that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Cavalier King Charles Spaniels like Drew on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, American Foxhounds are also available for adoption. For example, Bo (Formerly Lincoln) is a Male American Foxhound that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more American Foxhounds like Bo (Formerly Lincoln) that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the American Foxhound can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Finley – Pmd is the name of another Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    Also, Oscar is an adorable Male American Foxhound on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and American Foxhounds are always available for adoption. Images and image labels from petfinder.com

    You can find more Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and American Foxhounds that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    The Intelligence of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus the Intelligence of the American Foxhound

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniel American Foxhound
    Intelligence Rank 44 out of 130 dog breeds 46 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 Repetitions Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 Repetitions

    Professor Stanley Coren, the famous psychology/neuropsychological professor and, dog lover/trainer measured and ranked the intelligence of about 130 different dog breeds.

    According to Prof. Stanley Coren, the total intelligence that a dog demonstrates is the addition of three types of intelligence. These intelligence types are:

  • Instinctive Intelligence: This is the natural intelligence a dog has because of what the dog was bred for. This type of intelligence comes from instinct. For example, dog breeds that were bred for guarding will have high `guarding` instinctive intelligence, while dog breeds that were bred for hunting will what high `hunting` instinctive intelligence. However, you cannot compare the intelligence of dog breeds based on instinctive intelligence because such a comparison will not make sense.
  • Adaptive Intelligence (learning and problem-solving ability): This indicates what a dog can learn to do for himself or herself. It includes learning and benefiting from experience with his environment, solving new problems, and so forth. Adaptive intelligence is specific to each dog, and not breed specific. Thus, two dogs can have remarkably different levels of adaptive intelligence even if they are of the same breed.
  • Working/Obedience Intelligence: This intelligence is the closest to what we might call school-learning ability and it is based upon what the dog can learn to do when instructed by humans. Importantly, different dog breeds have different learning abilities. Also, science has shown that some dog breeds can learn faster than some other breeds. This means certain dog breeds tend to have higher working/obedience intelligence than some other breeds. Dogs with high Working/Obedience Intelligence are smart and easy to train.

  • Prof. Coren showed that the Working/Obedience Intelligence of different dog breeds can be measured reliably. Thus, he was able to rank different dog breeds based on their Working/Obedience Intelligence.

    This is important because according to Prof. Coren, 51 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from its genes while 49 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from the dog`s environmental circumstances.

    To rank the intelligence of dog breeds, Prof. Coren employed the help of 208 dog obedience judges in North America to fill out a detailed survey on dog obedience. This number represented more than half of all of these judges in North America at the time. He also employed 63 veterinarians and 14 guard dog experts to collect data on the personality of different dog breeds.

    Prof. Coren found that the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has an obedience intelligence rank of 44 out of 130 dog breeds. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Cavalier King Charles Spaniels tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 repetitions.

    The American Foxhound has an obedience intelligence rank of 46 out of 130 dog breeds. The American Foxhound belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that American Foxhounds tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 repetitions.

    The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is more intelligent than the American Foxhound.

    However, Prof. Coren noted that a dog should not be judged based on its intelligence alone, that other factors such as sociability, adorability, and compatibility with the owner are other very important factors that new dog owners need to consider when deciding on a new dog.

    The Popularity of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Popularity of American Foxhound

    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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the American Foxhound over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is more popular with dog owners than the American Foxhound. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is 17 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the American Foxhound is 186 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

    Popularity of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

    Popularity of American Foxhound

    Popularity of American Foxhound

    Year Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Popularity Rank American Foxhound Popularity Rank
    2013 18 176
    2014 19 180
    2015 18 181
    2016 19 189
    2017 19 187
    2018 18 186
    2019 16 189
    2020 17 192
    2021 15 195

    Tolerates Being Alone: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus American Foxhound

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

    American Foxhounds do not like to be left alone.

    Do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels shed more than American Foxhounds?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels shed moderately.

    American Foxhounds shed moderately.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or the American Foxhound?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are very easy to groom.

    American Foxhounds are very easy to groom.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or the American Foxhound?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    American Foxhounds get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels good family dogs? What about American Foxhounds?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    American Foxhounds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Is the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Easier to Train than the American Foxhound?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are very easy to train.

    American Foxhounds are not easy to train.

    Which one drools more, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or the American Foxhound

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

    American Foxhounds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    How Kid-friendly are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and American Foxhounds?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    American Foxhounds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Does the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the American Foxhound?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    American Foxhounds 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.

    Do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about American Foxhounds?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    American Foxhounds are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can American Foxhounds Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    American Foxhounds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs. American Foxhound

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    American Foxhounds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can American Foxhounds Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    American Foxhounds can tolerate hot weather.

    Is the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Better for Apartment Owners than the American Foxhound?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.

    American Foxhounds do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or the American Foxhound?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.

    American Foxhounds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    You may also be interested in how the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel compares to other breeds aside from the American Foxhound. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel to other breeds:

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Spinone Italiano     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Japanese Spitz     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Akita Chow     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Dutch Shepherd     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Westiepoo     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Dachshund     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Pekingese     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Dogo Argentino     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Schnoodle     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Estrela Mountain Dog     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Silky Terrier     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Shihpoo     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Spanish Mastiff     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus American Foxhound     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Peek A Poo     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Irish Water Spaniel     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Afghan Hound     

    Conclusion: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus American Foxhound. 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the American Foxhound better suits you and your family.