| Breed |  Labrador Retriever |  Boykin Spaniel |
|---|
| Origin | United Kingdom (Newfoundland roots) | United States (South Carolina) |
|---|
| Group | Gundog | Gundog |
|---|
| Size | Large | Medium |
|---|
| Coat | Short, dense double coat | Medium-length, wavy to curly liver coat |
|---|
| Weight | 25 to 36 kg | 11 to 18 kg |
|---|
| Height | 54 to 57 cm | 36 to 46 cm |
|---|
| Lifespan | 10 to 12 yrs | 12 to 15 yrs |
|---|
| Exercise need | 8/10 | 8/10 |
|---|
| Affection | 9/10 | 9/10 |
|---|
| Grooming needs | 3/10 | 5/10 |
|---|
| Barking | 4/10 | 4/10 |
|---|
| Good with children | 9/10 | 9/10 |
|---|
| Good with other dogs | 9/10 | 8/10 |
|---|
| Trainability | 9/10 | 8/10 |
|---|
| Prey drive | 5/10 | 7/10 |
|---|
| Copes alone | 4/10 | 3/10 |
|---|
| Drool | 4/10 | 2/10 |
|---|
| Shedding | 8/10 | 5/10 |
|---|
| Flat fit | 4/10 | 5/10 |
|---|
| Running cost | €215 / month | €88 / month |
|---|
Labrador Retriever verdict
Britain's most popular family dog: biddable, food driven and built for an active household.
Get one if
- · Active families with children
- · First time owners ready to train consistently
- · Households with a garden or nearby open space
Think again if
- · Owners wanting a quiet, low energy dog
- · Households unable to manage a boisterous adolescent phase
- · Very house proud owners who dislike shedding
Boykin Spaniel verdict
The compact water spaniel from South Carolina
Get one if
- · Active families with children
- · People who walk near lakes, rivers or the coast
- · Owners interested in gundog training or dock diving
Think again if
- · Sedentary households
- · Long hours alone every day
- · Very house-proud owners who dislike wet dogs
