A Detailed Comparison of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the French Spaniel.

Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus French Spaniel

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Caucasian Shepherd Dog Versus French Spaniel: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Caucasian Shepherd Dog 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the French Spaniel.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog or the French Spaniel

Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus French Spaniel: Overview

A very important difference between the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the French Spaniel is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Caucasian Shepherd Dog is a giant-sized dog while the French Spaniel is a medium-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Caucasian Shepherd Dog belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

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.

Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus French Spaniel: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Caucasian Shepherd Dog 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog French Spaniel
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 4/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 10 to 12 years.
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 2/5
Easygoing 4/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 2/5
Kid-Friendly 2/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 2/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 3/5
Easy To Train 2/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 4/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 4/5 2/5
Height 24 to 34 inches 21 to 24 inches.
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 3/5
General Health 3/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 3/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 2/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 4/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 4/5
Weight 80 to 220 pounds 45 to 60 pounds.
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 11.0 years
Average Price $2110 $4250
Price Range $1500 – $2500 $3875 – $4625
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Dentition
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye examination, results registered with the OFA.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • *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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog is 69 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a French Spaniel is 85 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the French Spaniel is a better pet than the Caucasian Shepherd Dog. So, you should get the French Spaniel!

    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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the French Spaniel

    Below is a list of where the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the French Spaniel are most different:

  • Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners. However, French Spaniels are good for new dog owners.
  • Caucasian Shepherd Dogs have low energy levels. They do not require a lot exercise time. However, French Spaniels have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • The Similarities Between the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the French Spaniel

    The Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the French Spaniel are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the French Spaniel are most similar:

  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the French Spaniel do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the French Spaniel cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the French Spaniel require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the French Spaniel do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the French Spaniel are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the French Spaniel shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the French Spaniel are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the French Spaniel do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the French Spaniel can tolerate cold weather.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus French Spaniel

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the French Spaniel.

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs weigh 80 to 220 pounds when fully grown. Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are 24 to 34 inches 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Price of French Spaniel

    The average price of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog puppy is $2110. The price of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog typically ranges from $1500 – $2500. However, the price of a Caucasian Shepherd Dog can be as low as $1000 and as high as $4000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 56 Caucasian Shepherd Dog 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog.

    Caucasian Shepherd Dog French Spaniel
    Average Price $2110 $4250
    Price Range $1500 to $2500 $3875 to $4625

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and French Spaniel. For different price points, the charts show how many Caucasian Shepherd Dog puppies or how many French Spaniel puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Caucasian Shepherd Dogs. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Caucasian Shepherd Dogs. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of French Spaniels

    A breakdown of the prices of French Spaniels

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Caucasian Shepherd Dog 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog is prone to more genetic health problems than the French Spaniel.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Caucasian Shepherd Dog than for the French Spaniel.

    7 health tests are recommended for Caucasian Shepherd Dog while 3 tests are recommended for the French Spaniel.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Caucasian Shepherd Dogs and in French Spaniels.

    Caucasian Shepherd Dog Health Problems

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Caucasian Shepherd Dog 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Caucasian Shepherd Dog 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dogs for:

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Dentition
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye examination, results registered with the OFA.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Caucasian Shepherd Dogs 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:

  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for French Spaniels here.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Caucasian Shepherd Dog or the French Spaniel?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    French Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.

    Is the Caucasian Shepherd Dog Better for Apartment Owners than the French Spaniel?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    French Spaniels do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Can Caucasian Shepherd Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can French Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    French Spaniels cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    How Kid-friendly are Caucasian Shepherd Dogs and French Spaniels?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

    French Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Caucasian Shepherd Dog or the French Spaniel?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs do not get along well with other dogs.

    French Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Caucasian Shepherd Dog or the French Spaniel?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    French Spaniels are moderately easy to groom.

    Is the Caucasian Shepherd Dog Easier to Train than the French Spaniel?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are not easy to train.

    French Spaniels are very easy to train.

    Wanderlust Potential: Caucasian Shepherd Dog vs. French Spaniel

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

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

    Tolerates Being Alone: Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus French Spaniel

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs can be left alone only for a short time.

    French Spaniels can be left alone only for a short time.

    Does the Caucasian Shepherd Dog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the French Spaniel?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

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

    Do Caucasian Shepherd Dogs Bark and Howl? What about French Spaniels?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    Are Caucasian Shepherd Dogs good family dogs? What about French Spaniels?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    French Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Do Caucasian Shepherd Dogs shed more than French Spaniels?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    French Spaniels shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Caucasian Shepherd Dog or the French Spaniel

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs have a very high tendency to drool.

    French Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Can Caucasian Shepherd Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can French Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    French Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Caucasian Shepherd Dog

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Caucasian Shepherd Dog 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog:

  • Afador (76 percent match with Caucasian Shepherd Dog). Here is our comparison of the French Spaniel vs Afador.
  • Akbash (73 percent match with Caucasian Shepherd Dog). Here is our comparison of the French Spaniel vs Akbash.
  • Mastiff (72 percent match with Caucasian Shepherd Dog). Here is our comparison of the French Spaniel vs Mastiff.
  • Boerboel (71 percent match with Caucasian Shepherd Dog). Here is our comparison of the French Spaniel vs Boerboel.
  • 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:

  • Dutch Shepherd (80 percent match with French Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog vs Dutch Shepherd.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and how the French Spaniel compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and of the French Spaniel to other breeds:

    Caucasian Shepherd Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Giant Schnauzer     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Schnoodle     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Toy Fox Terrier     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Whippet     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Azawakh     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Swedish Vallhund     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Canaan Dog     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Borzoi     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Standard Poodle     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Pekingese     

    French Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    French Spaniel versus Lakeland Terrier     French Spaniel versus Lhasa Apso     French Spaniel versus Pointer     French Spaniel versus Siberian Husky     French Spaniel versus Field Spaniel     French Spaniel versus American Hairless Terrier     French Spaniel versus West Highland White Terrier     French Spaniel versus Newfoundland     French Spaniel versus Sussex Spaniel     French Spaniel versus Bullmastiff     

    Conclusion: Caucasian Shepherd Dog 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the French Spaniel better suits you and your family.