← Back to australian shepherd|Back to english springer spaniel →

Australian Shepherd vs English Springer Spaniel: Which Suits Your Home?

Australian Shepherd or English Springer Spaniel? On paper they differ most on friendly to strangers, and on the scales Australian Shepherd is the heavier at 40–65 lbs. Here is how the two compare on everything that shapes an ordinary week.

This is for someone already down to Australian Shepherd and English Springer Spaniel and deciding between them. For this pair the decision usually turns on friendly to strangers, so those are covered first and in most detail. Anyone choosing from a flat has a clear answer here: English Springer Spaniel rates 2/5 against 1/5. The focus throughout is on daily consequences rather than breed background.

Quick verdict

Between Australian Shepherd and English Springer Spaniel, friendly to strangers is what separates them, and English Springer Spaniel is the lower-effort dog of the two to keep.

Choose australian shepherd if...

Choose Australian Shepherd if you do not want a standing grooming appointment and you want a dog that is more watchful with visitors.

Choose english springer spaniel if...

Choose English Springer Spaniel if this is your first dog, shedding is a problem in your house and there are young children at home.

Head-to-head comparison

Feature	australian shepherd	english springer spaniel	Winner
Size class	medium	medium	Equal
Weight	40–65 lbs	40–50 lbs	Equal
Height	18–23 in	19–20 in	Equal
Lifespan	12–15 years	12–14 years	australian shepherd
Exercise need	Very high (5/5)	Very high (5/5)	Equal
Grooming need	Moderate (3/5)	High (4/5)	australian shepherd
Shedding	High (4/5)	Moderate (3/5)	english springer spaniel
Energy level	Very high (5/5)	Very high (5/5)	Equal
Barking	Moderate (3/5)	Moderate (3/5)	Equal
Apartment suitability	Very low (1/5)	Low (2/5)	english springer spaniel
Good for first-time owners	Low (2/5)	Moderate (3/5)	english springer spaniel
Tolerates being alone	Low (2/5)	Low (2/5)	Equal
Trainability	Very high (5/5)	Very high (5/5)	Equal
Good with kids	High (4/5)	Very high (5/5)	english springer spaniel
Good with other dogs	High (4/5)	High (4/5)	Equal
Friendly to strangers	Low (2/5)	High (4/5)	english springer spaniel
Cost level	Moderate (3/5)	Moderate (3/5)	Equal
Coat	Medium-length double coat	Medium, feathered double coat	Equal
Origin	United States	Various	Equal
Typical monthly cost	$100–$200	$100–$200	Equal
Typical first-year cost	$1,500–$2,800	$1,400–$2,900	Equal

Deep dive

Size and build

Weight and height come in almost even here -- 40-65 lbs and 18-23 inches for the Aussie against 40-50 lbs and 19-20 inches for the English Springer Spaniel. Of every match-up on this page, this is one of the closest in raw size, which puts more weight on temperament and grooming differences than on the scale.

Energy and exercise

These two are exercise twins: both rate a very high 5/5 for exercise need, and both tie at 5/5 for energy level too. If you were hoping one spaniel breed might be the lower-effort option compared to the Aussie, the English Springer isn't it -- it's a genuine field and gundog breed built for long days of work.

Grooming and shedding

The Springer edges ahead on grooming demand, rating a high 4/5 against the Aussie's moderate 3/5, owing to its medium, feathered double coat that needs regular brushing and trimming. Shedding runs the other way, moderate (3/5) for the Springer against high (4/5) for the Aussie -- less fur on the floor, more time with a brush in hand.

Apartment living, noise and time alone

Neither breed suits small spaces well, but the Springer is marginally better -- 2/5 for apartment suitability against the Aussie's very low 1/5. Barking ties at a moderate 3/5. Given that both need a full 5/5 of daily exercise, apartment living is a stretch for either dog regardless of which score is technically higher.

Training and owner experience

Both breeds train at the top of the scale, tying at a very high 5/5 for trainability. The gap shows up in owner-friendliness instead: the Springer rates a moderate 3/5 for first-time owners against the Aussie's low 2/5. Neither is a truly beginner-friendly breed, but the Springer offers a bit more margin for error.

Kids, other dogs and visitors

The Springer rates very high with kids (5/5 versus the Aussie's 4/5) and high with strangers (4/5 versus a low 2/5), while both tie on compatibility with other dogs at 4/5. Its eager, friendly, biddable temperament leans more outgoing than the Aussie's work-focused, reserved disposition, which matters if your household sees a lot of visitors.

Health and lifespan

The Aussie's lifespan edges out the Springer's slightly, 12-15 years against 12-14. Three conditions overlap directly -- hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, and elbow dysplasia -- the heaviest overlap of any spaniel comparison in this set. The Springer's shorter five-item list adds ear infections and a rare metabolic condition, phosphofructokinase deficiency, not shared with the Aussie.

Cost to keep

Cost is close to a wash between these two: both rate a moderate 3/5, both run $100-$200 monthly, and their first-year ranges nearly overlap ($1,400-$2,900 for the Springer versus $1,500-$2,800 for the Aussie). With size, exercise, and cost all this close, the deciding factor here is really temperament, not budget.

Australian Shepherd vs English Springer Spaniel at a glance

Australian Shepherd weighs 40–65 lbs and lives 12–15 years; English Springer Spaniel weighs 40–50 lbs and lives 12–14 years. The two diverge most on friendly to strangers. They are level on tolerates being alone, barking and cost level, so those cannot decide it. The table below marks a winner only where one breed is genuinely easier for a typical owner; size and origin are facts rather than merits and stay level. Ratings come from one source applied to both breeds, so they are meaningful against each other rather than as absolute scores.

Frequently asked questions

Which breed is bigger?

They're close -- the Aussie runs 40-65 lbs and 18-23 inches, the English Springer Spaniel 40-50 lbs and 19-20 inches. This is one of the tightest size match-ups on this site.

Do both breeds need the same amount of exercise?

Yes, exactly -- both rate a very high 5/5 for exercise need. Neither is a lower-effort alternative to the other on this front.

Which needs more grooming?

The English Springer Spaniel, rated a high 4/5 against the Aussie's moderate 3/5, due to its feathered double coat.

Is either a good apartment dog?

Not really -- the Springer rates a low 2/5 for apartment suitability and the Aussie an even lower 1/5. Both need far more space and exercise than a typical apartment easily provides.

Which is friendlier with strangers?

The Springer, clearly -- a high 4/5 against the Aussie's low 2/5, matching its eager, friendly temperament profile.

Do the breeds share health risks?

Yes, three: hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, and elbow dysplasia all appear on both lists.

How do their costs compare?

Almost identically -- both run $100-$200 monthly, with first-year costs within $100 of each other.

Quick answers

View more answers

Behavior

Which breed should you pick overall?

With size, exercise, and cost nearly tied, this one comes down to temperament: the Springer is more outgoing and beginner-friendly, the Aussie more reserved and work-driven.

Costs

What's the monthly cost?

Both run $100-$200 a month -- essentially no cost difference between them.

Living

How much exercise does each need?

Tied at the top of the scale -- both rate a very high 5/5 for exercise need.

Health

Which one lives longer?

The Aussie edges ahead slightly, 12-15 years against the Springer's 12-14.

Related DogBreedCompass guides

Australian Shepherd breed guide – Readers comparing the two usually want the full profile of Australian Shepherd before deciding.
English Springer Spaniel breed guide – The same for English Springer Spaniel, so the comparison can be checked against the detail.
Australian Shepherd vs German Shorthaired Pointer – German Shorthaired Pointer is the closest breed to Australian Shepherd on the measured axes, so it is the natural next comparison.
English Springer Spaniel vs Labradoodle – Labradoodle sits closest to English Springer Spaniel, which makes it the alternative worth ruling out.
Australian Shepherd vs Labradoodle – Labradoodle is the other breed English Springer Spaniel is most often weighed against.
English Springer Spaniel health problems – The health pages set out what each breed is actually screened for.

Related guides

Guide

Important reminder

Health information here is general and is not veterinary advice. If your dog shows pain, sudden behaviour change, or worsening symptoms, consult a licensed veterinarian.

Some links on this site are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you, and we only suggest products we believe are helpful for dog owners.

Find Your Perfect Breed

Match your lifestyle to the right dog.

Take quiz

Find your match

Not sure which breed is right for you? Take our 2-minute quiz to find out.

Take the quiz