Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Cairn Terrier Versus French Spaniel: Introduction
- Cairn Terrier versus French Spaniel: Overview
- Cairn Terrier versus French Spaniel: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Cairn Terrier and the French Spaniel
- The Similarities Between the Cairn Terrier and the French Spaniel
- Size (Weight and Height) of Cairn Terrier versus French Spaniel
- Price of Cairn Terrier versus Price of French Spaniel
- Health Problems of Cairn Terrier versus Health Problems of French Spaniel
- Tolerates Being Alone: Cairn Terrier versus French Spaniel
- Which one drools more, the Cairn Terrier or the French Spaniel
- Is the Cairn Terrier Easier to Train than the French Spaniel?
- Do Cairn Terriers shed more than French Spaniels?
- Wanderlust Potential: Cairn Terrier vs. French Spaniel
- Can Cairn Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can French Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Can Cairn Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can French Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Cairn Terrier or the French Spaniel?
- Does the Cairn Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the French Spaniel?
- Do Cairn Terriers Bark and Howl? What about French Spaniels?
- Are Cairn Terriers good family dogs? What about French Spaniels?
- How Kid-friendly are Cairn Terriers and French Spaniels?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Cairn Terrier or the French Spaniel?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Cairn Terrier
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the French Spaniel
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Cairn Terrier versus French Spaniel. Which One is a Better Pet?
Cairn Terrier Versus French Spaniel: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Cairn Terrier and the French Spaniel? Well, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will provide you a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Cairn Terrier and the French Spaniel 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 Cairn Terrier and the French Spaniel.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Cairn Terrier and the French Spaniel 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 Cairn Terrier and for the French Spaniel. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Cairn Terrier and the French Spaniel.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Cairn Terrier or the French Spaniel
Cairn Terrier versus French Spaniel: Overview
A very important difference between the Cairn Terrier and the French Spaniel is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Cairn Terrier is a tiny-sized dog while the French Spaniel is a medium-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Cairn Terrier belongs to the Terrier Dogs group. Terrier Dogs were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.
On the other hand, the French Spaniel 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.
Cairn Terrier versus French Spaniel: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Cairn Terrier to the French Spaniel 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.
| Factor | Cairn Terrier | French Spaniel |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 10 to 12 years. |
| Weight | 13 to 14 pounds | 45 to 60 pounds. |
| Easy To Train | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Easygoing | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Height | 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder | 21 to 24 inches. |
| Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 11.0 years |
| Average Price | $1600 | $4250 |
| Price Range | $1475 – $1750 | $3875 – $4625 |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
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*Data from dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (the American Temperament Test Society)
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Cairn Terrier 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 French Spaniel. 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 a Cairn Terrier is 86 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a French Spaniel is 85 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Cairn Terrier is a better pet than the French Spaniel. So, you should get the Cairn Terrier!
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 Cairn Terrier and the French Spaniel so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Cairn Terrier and the French Spaniel
Below is a list of where the Cairn Terrier and the French Spaniel are most different:
The Similarities Between the Cairn Terrier and the French Spaniel
The Cairn Terrier and the French Spaniel are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Cairn Terrier and the French Spaniel are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Cairn Terrier versus French Spaniel
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Cairn Terrier and the French Spaniel.
Cairn Terriers weigh 13 to 14 pounds when fully grown. Cairn Terriers are 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
On the other hand, French Spaniels weigh 45 to 60 pounds. when fully grown. French Spaniels are 21 to 24 inches. when fully grown.
Price of Cairn Terrier versus Price of French Spaniel
The average price of the Cairn Terrier puppy is $1600. The price of the Cairn Terrier typically ranges from $1475 – $1750. However, the price of a Cairn Terrier can be as low as $650 and as high as $3500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 132 Cairn Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The average price of the French Spaniel puppy is $4250. The price of the French Spaniel typically ranges from $3875 – $4625. However, the price of a French Spaniel can be as low as $3500 and as high as $5000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 2 French Spaniel puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The French Spaniel is more expensive than the Cairn Terrier.
| Cairn Terrier | French Spaniel | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1600 | $4250 |
| Price Range | $1475 to $1750 | $3875 to $4625 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Cairn Terrier and French Spaniel. For different price points, the charts show how many Cairn Terrier puppies or how many French Spaniel puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Cairn Terriers. The typical price range is shaded Green.
A breakdown of the prices of French Spaniels
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Cairn Terrier puppy or the French Spaniel puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.
Nevertheless, when looking from a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from one of those puppy mills that mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.
You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.
Health Problems of Cairn Terrier versus Health Problems of French Spaniel
Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. Therefore, there is nothing like a perfect puppy.
Both the Cairn Terrier and the French Spaniel 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 Cairn Terrier is prone to more genetic health problems than the French Spaniel.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Cairn Terrier than for the French Spaniel.
4 health tests are recommended for Cairn Terrier while 3 tests are recommended for the French Spaniel.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Cairn Terriers and in French Spaniels.
Cairn Terrier Health Problems
Cairn Terriers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Cairn Terrier 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 Cairn Terrier puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Cairn Terrier 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 Cairn Terriers for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Cairn Terriers here.
French Spaniel Health Problems
French Spaniels are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing French Spaniel 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 French Spaniel puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your French Spaniel 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 French Spaniels for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for French Spaniels here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Cairn Terriers and French Spaniels
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Cairn Terrier Breed is Patella problems.
This is because the Cairn Terrier ranks 47 out of 145 dog breeds for Patella problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 282 Cairn Terriers, 9 of them had Patella problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Cairn Terriers, and how common these diseases are in Cairn Terriers relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the French Spaniel Breed is Hips problems.
This is because the French Spaniel ranks 125 out of 198 dog breeds for Hips problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 254 French Spaniels, 23 of them had Hips problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in French Spaniels, and how common these diseases are in French Spaniels relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Cairn Terrier and in French Spaniel and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Cairn Terrier and the French Spaniel:
| Disease | Cairn Terrier Rank | French Spaniel Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Patella problems | 47 out of 145 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Thyroid problems | 87 out of 115 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Hips problems | 118 out of 198 dog breeds | 125 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Eyes problems | 146 out of 182 dog breeds | Not Common |
*To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.
Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.
Tolerates Being Alone: Cairn Terrier versus French Spaniel
Cairn Terriers do not like to be left alone.
French Spaniels can be left alone only for a short time.
Which one drools more, the Cairn Terrier or the French Spaniel
Cairn Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.
French Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.
Is the Cairn Terrier Easier to Train than the French Spaniel?
Cairn Terriers are not easy to train.
French Spaniels are very easy to train.
Do Cairn Terriers shed more than French Spaniels?
Cairn Terriers shed moderately.
French Spaniels shed moderately.
Wanderlust Potential: Cairn Terrier vs. French Spaniel
Cairn Terriers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
French Spaniels do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Cairn Terrier or the French Spaniel?
Cairn Terriers are very good for new dog owners.
French Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.
Can Cairn Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can French Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?
Cairn Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.
French Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.
Can Cairn Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can French Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?
Cairn Terriers can tolerate hot weather.
French Spaniels cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Cairn Terrier or the French Spaniel?
Cairn Terriers get along very well with other dogs.
French Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.
Does the Cairn Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the French Spaniel?
Cairn Terriers 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.
French Spaniels have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Do Cairn Terriers Bark and Howl? What about French Spaniels?
Cairn Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
French Spaniels are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Is the Cairn Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the French Spaniel?
Cairn Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.
French Spaniels do not adapt well to apartment living.
Are Cairn Terriers good family dogs? What about French Spaniels?
Cairn Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
French Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Cairn Terriers and French Spaniels?
Cairn Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
French Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Cairn Terrier or the French Spaniel?
Cairn Terriers are very easy to groom.
French Spaniels are moderately easy to groom.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Cairn Terrier
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Cairn Terrier that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.
We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Cairn Terrier:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the French Spaniel
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the French Spaniel that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.
We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the French Spaniel:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Cairn Terrier and how the French Spaniel compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Cairn Terrier and of the French Spaniel to other breeds:
Cairn Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds
Cairn Terrier versus Whippet Cairn Terrier versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Cairn Terrier versus Aussiedoodle Cairn Terrier versus German Wirehaired Pointer Cairn Terrier versus Miniature Pinscher Cairn Terrier versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Cairn Terrier versus Shih Tzu Cairn Terrier versus Australian Kelpie Cairn Terrier versus Lakeland Terrier Cairn Terrier versus Afador
French Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds
French Spaniel versus Italian Greyhound French Spaniel versus Frenchton French Spaniel versus Catahoula Leopard Dog French Spaniel versus Shiloh Shepherd French Spaniel versus Coton de Tulear French Spaniel versus Bouvier des Flandres French Spaniel versus Portuguese Water Dog French Spaniel versus Briard French Spaniel versus Scottish Deerhound French Spaniel versus Norwegian Buhund
Conclusion: Cairn Terrier versus French Spaniel. 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 Cairn Terrier and the French Spaniel better suits you and your family.