Chow Chow or English Springer Spaniel? On paper they differ most on exercise need, and on the scales Chow Chow is the heavier at 45–70 lbs. Here is how the two compare on everything that shapes an ordinary week.
This is for someone already down to Chow Chow and English Springer Spaniel and deciding between them. For this pair the decision usually turns on exercise need and energy level, so those are covered first and in most detail. Anyone choosing from a flat has a clear answer here: Chow Chow rates 4/5 against 2/5. It is written for the decision rather than the breed history.
Between Chow Chow and English Springer Spaniel, exercise need is what separates them, and Chow Chow is the lower-effort dog of the two to keep.
Choose Chow Chow if you are in a flat or a smaller home, your walking routine is modest and the dog will be alone during the working day.
Choose English Springer Spaniel if this is your first dog, you do not want a standing grooming appointment and shedding is a problem in your house.
| Feature | chow chow | english springer spaniel | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size class | medium | medium | Equal |
| Weight | 45–70 lbs | 40–50 lbs | Equal |
| Height | 17–20 in | 19–20 in | Equal |
| Lifespan | 9–15 years | 12–14 years | english springer spaniel |
| Exercise need | Low (2/5) | Very high (5/5) | chow chow |
| Grooming need | Very high (5/5) | High (4/5) | english springer spaniel |
| Shedding | High (4/5) | Moderate (3/5) | english springer spaniel |
| Energy level | Low (2/5) | Very high (5/5) | Equal |
| Barking | Moderate (3/5) | Moderate (3/5) | Equal |
| Apartment suitability | High (4/5) | Low (2/5) | chow chow |
| Good for first-time owners | Low (2/5) | Moderate (3/5) | english springer spaniel |
| Tolerates being alone | Moderate (3/5) | Low (2/5) | chow chow |
| Trainability | Low (2/5) | Very high (5/5) | english springer spaniel |
| Good with kids | Moderate (3/5) | Very high (5/5) | english springer spaniel |
| Good with other dogs | Low (2/5) | High (4/5) | english springer spaniel |
| Friendly to strangers | Low (2/5) | High (4/5) | english springer spaniel |
| Cost level | High (4/5) | Moderate (3/5) | english springer spaniel |
| Coat | Thick double coat | Medium, feathered double coat | Equal |
| Origin | China | Various | Equal |
| Typical monthly cost | $120–$250 | $100–$200 | Equal |
| Typical first-year cost | $1,600–$3,000 | $1,400–$2,900 | Equal |
Weight-wise these two sit closer together than you'd expect: the Chow Chow's 45-70 lbs against the Springer's 40-50 lbs, with height nearly matching too, 17-20 inches to 19-20 inches. Where they part ways is silhouette. The Chow is a compact, heavily built dog; the Springer is longer-legged and athletic, shaped by generations of field work. That extra height on a lighter frame says something about how each dog moves, the Springer built to cover ground quickly, the Chow built to plant itself and stay put.
This pairing has the widest exercise gap in the lineup. The Springer rates a full 5/5, very high, while the Chow sits at 2/5. A Springer that doesn't get real running time, not just walks, tends to turn that energy into problem behavior indoors. The Chow has no such requirement; a couple of easy walks covers it. Think an hour or more of vigorous activity daily for the Springer, against two easy fifteen-minute walks for the Chow.
Grooming leans toward the Chow at 5/5 versus the Springer's 4/5, and shedding follows the same order, 4/5 against 3/5. Both carry double coats that need regular brushing, but the Chow's is denser and holds more undercoat, which means more frequent sessions to keep it from matting. Expect to brush the Chow several times a week year-round and daily during its seasonal coat blow, while the Springer's feathering mainly needs attention around the ears and legs.
Barking is a wash at 3/5 for both. Apartment suitability is not: the Chow rates 4/5, the Springer just 2/5. A Springer's exercise needs don't pair well with small-space living unless you're committed to daily off-leash runs elsewhere. Alone time tilts toward the Chow too, at 3/5 versus the Springer's 2/5. A Springer confined to a small apartment without a serious daily outdoor outlet is a common source of frustration for both dog and owner.
The Springer trains at a 5/5, very high, reflecting its background as a working gun dog bred to take direction. The Chow sits at 2/5, and its first-time-owner rating (2/5) is lower than the Springer's moderate 3/5. Neither is rated ideal for a total beginner, but the gap in trainability alone makes the Springer the more forgiving dog to raise.
Across kids (5/5 vs 3/5), other dogs (4/5 vs 2/5), and strangers (4/5 vs 2/5), the Springer outperforms the Chow on every social measure in the table. Its temperament words, eager, friendly, biddable, explain why. The Chow's reserved, independent nature isn't a flaw, but it does mean a busier household with lots of visitors and other pets will suit the Springer better.
The Springer's 12-14 year lifespan beats the Chow's broader 9-15 year range. Health-wise, the Springer's list of five conditions, hip dysplasia, ear infections, progressive retinal atrophy, phosphofructokinase deficiency, and elbow dysplasia, is shorter than the Chow's ten, but the two do overlap on both hip and elbow dysplasia, so joint health is worth screening for in either breed. Neither list includes cancer or major heart disease, which sets this pairing apart from a few others in this comparison batch.
Costs track close to identical patterns seen elsewhere in this comparison: $120-$250 monthly for the Chow against $100-$200 for the Springer, and first-year totals of $1,600-$3,000 versus $1,400-$2,900. The half-point difference in the cost rating (4/5 to 3/5) comes down mainly to the Chow's grooming demands rather than food or vet care. Budget a little extra for the Chow's grooming visits if you're not brushing it yourself several times a week.
Chow Chow weighs 45–70 lbs and lives 9–15 years; English Springer Spaniel weighs 40–50 lbs and lives 12–14 years. The two diverge most on exercise need, energy level and trainability and 4 other rated axes. Almost every rated axis separates them at least slightly. In the table, a "winner" means easier for an ordinary household — not better. Size, coat and origin are recorded without a verdict. Because both breeds are scored the same way, the gaps are reliable even where the absolute numbers are rough.
Close, the Chow Chow runs 45-70 lbs and 17-20 inches, the Springer 40-50 lbs and 19-20 inches. The Springer is actually a bit taller despite weighing less, since it's built leaner.
The Springer, by a wide margin, a 5/5 exercise need versus the Chow's 2/5. This is the single biggest practical difference between the two breeds and should probably decide the choice on its own for most households.
The Chow is, it rates 4/5 for apartment suitability. The Springer rates only 2/5, mostly because its high exercise need is hard to satisfy without outdoor space nearby.
The Springer, rated 5/5 for trainability against the Chow's 2/5. Springers were bred to work closely with a handler, which shows up clearly in this gap.
Neither is rated ideal, but the Springer (3/5) is a safer bet than the Chow (2/5). A first-time owner choosing the Springer should still be ready for its exercise and training commitment.
Roughly $120-$250 a month for the Chow and $100-$200 for the Springer, with first-year costs of $1,600-$3,000 and $1,400-$2,900. Both are moderate-to-high compared to many breeds.
Yes, hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia appear on both lists, making joint health the main overlapping concern despite otherwise different health profiles.
Most people should lean Springer if they can meet its exercise needs, it trains easier and scores higher with kids and other dogs. Choose the Chow if you specifically want a lower-energy, apartment-friendly dog and don't mind its independent streak.
$120-$250 for the Chow Chow, $100-$200 for the Springer Spaniel, a modest gap driven mostly by grooming.
The Springer needs serious daily exercise (5/5); the Chow needs very little (2/5). This is the sharpest contrast between the two breeds.
The Springer's 12-14 years is a tighter, longer-skewing range than the Chow's 9-15 years.
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.
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