English Springer SpanielVSPortuguese Water Dog

The English Springer Spaniel is known for being friendly, playful, obedient, while the Portuguese Water Dog is typically described as adventurous, athletic, affectionate. These distinct personality traits mean each breed offers a different kind of companionship.

Both breeds share a similar playfulness level at 5/5, so you can expect comparable levels of fun and games from either one.

Noise-wise, the English Springer Spaniel is more vocal with a barking level of 3/5, while the Portuguese Water Dog is quieter at 2/5. If you prefer a calmer household, the Portuguese Water Dog may be the better choice.

The English Springer Spaniel is a medium breed standing 46–51 cm (18–20 in) tall and weighing 18–25 kg (40–55 lbs). In comparison, the Portuguese Water Dog is a medium breed at 43–57 cm (17–22 in) and 16–27 kg (35–60 lbs).

These two breeds are quite similar in size, so space and food requirements will be comparable for either choice.

The English Springer Spaniel has a medium coat available in liver and white, black and white, tricolor, while the Portuguese Water Dog sports a curly coat in black, white, brown, black and white. Coat type significantly impacts grooming needs and shedding, which we cover below.

The English Springer Spaniel has very high energy (5/5) with very high exercise needs (5/5). The Portuguese Water Dog has very high energy (5/5) and very high exercise needs (5/5).

Both breeds have similar exercise requirements, so your daily activity routine won't change much regardless of which you choose. Plan for regular walks and play sessions to keep either breed content.

When it comes to shedding, the English Springer Spaniel drops more fur with a shedding level of 3/5, while the Portuguese Water Dog is lighter at 1/5. If pet hair on furniture is a concern, the Portuguese Water Dog will be easier to live with.

Grooming-wise, the Portuguese Water Dog needs more upkeep (4/5) than the English Springer Spaniel (3/5). The Portuguese Water Dog's curly coat demands regular professional grooming to stay in top shape.

Annual grooming costs average around $250 for the English Springer Spaniel and $500 for the Portuguese Water Dog. Factor this into your budget when deciding between the two.

The English Springer Spaniel has a lifespan of 12–14 years, while the Portuguese Water Dog lives 11–13 years. The English Springer Spaniel tends to live longer on average.

The Portuguese Water Dog is generally the healthier breed, scoring 4/5 for health robustness versus the English Springer Spaniel's 3/5. This often translates to fewer vet visits and lower medical costs.

Common health issues for the English Springer Spaniel include hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, elbow dysplasia, ear infections. The Portuguese Water Dog is prone to hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, GM1 storage disease, juvenile dilated cardiomyopathy. Regular vet checkups and health screenings are essential for both breeds.

Annual vet costs average $450 for the English Springer Spaniel and $450 for the Portuguese Water Dog. Pet insurance is worth considering for either breed.

Both breeds are equally trainable at 5/5. Consistent, positive reinforcement methods work well with either breed.

Both breeds match in intelligence at 5/5, so expect similar learning speeds and mental stimulation needs from either choice.

Regardless of which breed you choose, early socialization and consistent positive reinforcement training are key to raising a well-behaved dog. Puppy classes are a great investment for either breed.

Both the English Springer Spaniel and Portuguese Water Dog score 5/5 for intelligence, putting them on equal footing mentally. They'll learn commands at similar speeds and need comparable amounts of mental stimulation to stay happy and well-behaved.

These breeds excel in different types of intelligence. The English Springer Spaniel leans toward adaptive intelligence — reading human emotions, adapting to new environments, and solving unfamiliar problems. The Portuguese Water Dog, on the other hand, shows strong working intelligence — thriving when given a job to do and learning structured tasks quickly.

For either breed, mental enrichment is just as important as physical exercise. Puzzle feeders, training sessions, scent work, and interactive toys keep intelligent dogs engaged and prevent the boredom that leads to chewing, digging, or excessive barking.

For families with children, the English Springer Spaniel is the stronger choice, scoring 5/5 for kid-friendliness compared to the Portuguese Water Dog's 4/5. The English Springer Spaniel's friendly nature makes it a natural fit for households with young ones.

The English Springer Spaniel is more welcoming to strangers (4/5), while the Portuguese Water Dog tends to be more reserved (3/5). If you frequently have guests, the English Springer Spaniel's sociable nature will make entertaining easier.

The initial purchase price for a English Springer Spaniel ranges from $800–$2,000, while a Portuguese Water Dog typically costs $2,000–$4,000. The Portuguese Water Dog is the more expensive breed to purchase.

Ongoing annual costs (food, vet, grooming) come to approximately $1,300 for the English Springer Spaniel and $1,550 for the Portuguese Water Dog. The Portuguese Water Dog costs more annually, largely because of grooming expenses.

Monthly food costs run about $50 for the English Springer Spaniel and $50 for the Portuguese Water Dog. Over a typical lifespan, the total cost of ownership can differ by thousands of dollars, so it's worth factoring in the long-term financial commitment.