Is the Barbet Better than the Papillon as a Pet? Our Answer.

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Barbet Versus Papillon: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Barbet and the Papillon? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Barbet and the Papillon better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Barbet and the Papillon.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Barbet and the Papillon is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Barbet and for the Papillon. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Barbet and the Papillon.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Barbet or the Papillon.

Barbet versus Papillon: Overview

A very important difference between the Barbet and the Papillon is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Barbet is a medium-sized dog while the Papillon is a tiny-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Barbet belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.

On the other hand, the Papillon belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.

Barbet versus Papillon: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Barbet to the Papillon based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Barbet and the Papillon

Factor Barbet Papillon
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 1/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 1/5 3/5
Life Span 13 to 15 years 12 to 16 years
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 4/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 3/5
Height 20 to 25 inches tall at the shoulder 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 3/5 5/5
Easygoing 3/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 5/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 1/5
Weight 37 to 62 pounds 4 to 9 pounds
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 4/5
General Health 4/5 3/5
Easy To Train 4/5 5/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 5/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Average Lifespan 14.0 years 14.0 years
Price Range No Data $1400 – $2000
Average Price No Data $1800
Temperament Score 100.0 percent 82.3 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • AKC or UKC DNA Profile
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- minimum age 12 months, recommend CAER eye exam prior to onset of breeding and then periodically thereafter
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
    		•
  • Eye Examination- recommend screening every 2 years
  • Patellar Luxation
    		•

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Barbet in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Papillon. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for the Barbet is 82 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Papillon is 89 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Papillon is a better pet than the Barbet. So, you should get the Papillon!

    Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Barbet and the Papillon so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Barbet and the Papillon

    Below is a list of where the Barbet and the Papillon are most different:

    • Barbets are not the best dogs for new dog owners. However, Papillons are good for new dog owners.

    The Similarities Between the Barbet and the Papillon

    The Barbet and the Papillon are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Barbet and the Papillon are most similar:

    • Both the Barbet and the Papillon do not like to be left alone.
    • Both the Barbet and the Papillon do not have the tendency to drool.
    • Both the Barbet and the Papillon do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
    • Both the Barbet and the Papillon are not prone to nip and chew at things.
    • Both the Barbet and the Papillon can tolerate hot weather.
    • Both the Barbet and the Papillon get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
    • Both the Barbet and the Papillon get along well with other dogs.
    • Both the Barbet and the Papillon are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
    • Both the Barbet and the Papillon are very easy to train.
    • Both the Barbet and the Papillon are highly intelligent.
    • Both the Barbet and the Papillon are very playful.
    • Both the Barbet and the Papillon are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the Barbet and the Papillon have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.

    Size Comparison of Barbet versus Papillon

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Barbet and the Papillon.

    Barbets weigh 37 to 62 pounds when fully grown. Barbets are 20 to 25 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Papillons weigh 4 to 9 pounds when fully grown. Papillons are 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Barbet versus Papillon

    The lifespan of Barbets is between 13 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Barbets is 14.0 years.

    The lifespan of Papillons is between 12 to 16 years. The average lifespan of Papillons is 14.0 years.

    Temperament of the Barbet Versus the Papillon

    The Barbet has a better temperament than the Papillon.

    This is because the temperament score for the Barbet is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Papillon is 82.3 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).

    The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.

    Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.

    The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.

    With its temperament score of 100.0 percent, the Barbet has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 82.3 percent, the Papillon has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Barbet and the Papillon by measuring the temperaments of 1 Barbets and 96 Papillons.

    Health Problems of Barbet versus Health Problems of Papillon

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.

    Both the Barbet and the Papillon are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.

    The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.

    Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Barbet is prone to more genetic health problems than the Papillon.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Barbet than for the Papillon.

    5 health tests are recommended for Barbet while 2 tests are recommended for the Papillon.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Barbets and in Papillons.

    Barbet Health Problems

    Barbets are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Barbet puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Barbet puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Barbet breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Barbets for:

  • AKC or UKC DNA Profile
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- minimum age 12 months, recommend CAER eye exam prior to onset of breeding and then periodically thereafter
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test

    • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Barbets here.

    Papillon Health Problems

    Papillons are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Papillon puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Papillon puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Papillon breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Papillons for:

  • Eye Examination- recommend screening every 2 years
  • Patellar Luxation

    • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Papillons here.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Barbet versus Papillon

    Barbets do not like to be left alone.

    Papillons do not like to be left alone.

    Do Barbets shed more than Papillons?

    Barbets do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Papillons do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Barbet or the Papillon

    Barbets do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Papillons do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Barbet or the Papillon?

    Barbets require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Papillons are moderately easy to groom.

    Does the Barbet Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Papillon?

    Barbets have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Papillons have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Do Barbets Bark and Howl? What about Papillons?

    Barbets bark and howl, but not very much.

    Papillons are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can Barbets Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Papillons Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Barbets can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Papillons cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Wanderlust Potential: Barbet vs. Papillon

    Barbets have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Papillons do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Can Barbets Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Papillons Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Barbets can tolerate hot weather.

    Papillons can tolerate hot weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Barbet or the Papillon?

    Barbets get along very well with other dogs.

    Papillons get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Barbets good family dogs? What about Papillons?

    Barbets are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Papillons are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Barbets and Papillons?

    Barbets get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Papillons get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

    Is the Barbet Easier to Train than the Papillon?

    Barbets are very easy to train.

    Papillons are very easy to train.

    Is the Barbet Better for Apartment Owners than the Papillon?

    Barbets adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Papillons adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Barbet or the Papillon?

    Barbets are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Papillons are very good for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Barbet versus Papillon. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Barbet and the Papillon better suits you and your family.