Breed comparison
Bearded Collie vs Cocker Spaniel
How the two breeds compare on the American Kennel Club's 1 to 5 trait ratings, and which one suits which home.
4Affection with family4
5Good with young children5
5Good with other dogs5
4Openness to strangers4
4Playfulness3
4Energy level4
3Trainability4
3Mental stimulation needs3
4Adaptability4
3Watchdog / protective3
5Barking3
3Shedding3
4Coat grooming4
1Drooling2
The biggest differences
- Barking: the Bearded Collie scores 5 out of 5, the Cocker Spaniel 3.
They score the same on affection with family, good with young children, good with other dogs, openness to strangers, energy level, mental stimulation needs.
Which one should you choose?
Pick the Bearded Collie if its looks and size suit you better, since the ratings are close. Pick the Cocker Spaniel if you want a dog that is easier to train, you want a quieter dog.
Ratings are general breed tendencies from the AKC. Every dog is an individual, so meet the dog, and its parents if you can, before you decide. Not sure? Try the breed selector.
Source: American Kennel Club breed ratings (compiled February 2022). How we check.