A Detailed Comparison of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the French Spaniel.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus French Spaniel

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Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Versus French Spaniel: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the French Spaniel.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or the French Spaniel

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus French Spaniel: Overview

A very important difference between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the French Spaniel is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a small-sized dog while the French Spaniel is a medium-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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.

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.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus French Spaniel: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel French Spaniel
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 4/5
Height 12 to 13 inches at the shoulder 21 to 24 inches.
Weight 13 to 18 pounds 45 to 60 pounds.
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 1/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 3/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 4/5
Easy To Train 4/5 4/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 2/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 2/5
Good For Novice Owners 5/5 4/5
Easygoing 1/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Life Span 9 to 15 years 10 to 12 years.
Average Lifespan 12.0 years 11.0 years
Average Price $2440 $4250
Price Range $1800 – $3000 $3875 – $4625
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination;
  • 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is 91 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a French Spaniel is 85 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a better pet than the French Spaniel. So, you should get the Cavalier King Charles 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the French Spaniel

    Below is a list of where the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the French Spaniel are most different:

  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniels adapt well to apartment living. However, French Spaniels do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • The Similarities Between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the French Spaniel

    The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the French Spaniel are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the French Spaniel are most similar:

  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the French Spaniel do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the French Spaniel cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the French Spaniel are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the French Spaniel do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the French Spaniel are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the French Spaniel are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the French Spaniel are very easy to train.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the French Spaniel are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the French Spaniel require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the French Spaniel are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the French Spaniel are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the French Spaniel are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the French Spaniel get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the French Spaniel get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the French Spaniel are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the French Spaniel are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus French Spaniel

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the French Spaniel.

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels weigh 13 to 18 pounds when fully grown. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are 12 to 13 inches 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Price of French Spaniel

    The average price of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy is $2440. The price of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel typically ranges from $1800 – $3000. However, the price of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel can be as low as $300 and as high as $29550. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 1217 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniel French Spaniel
    Average Price $2440 $4250
    Price Range $1800 to $3000 $3875 to $4625

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is prone to more genetic health problems than the French Spaniel.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel than for the French Spaniel.

    4 health tests are recommended for Cavalier King Charles Spaniel while 3 tests are recommended for the French Spaniel.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and in French Spaniels.

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Health Problems

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Cavalier King Charles 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Cavalier King Charles 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels for:

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination;
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Cavalier King Charles Spaniels 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.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Breed is Episodic Falling problems.

    This is because the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel ranks 1 out of 1 dog breeds for Episodic Falling problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 454 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, 3 of them had Episodic Falling problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, and how common these diseases are in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Episodic Falling problems: Rank 1 out of 1 Dog Breeds
  • Basic Cardiac problems: Rank 3 out of 16 Dog Breeds
  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 4 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 13 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Advanced Cardiac problems: Rank 16 out of 71 Dog Breeds
  • Dentition Database problems: Rank 19 out of 49 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 73 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 79 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 101 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 115 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • 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:

  • Hips problems: Rank 125 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and in French Spaniel and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the French Spaniel:

    Disease Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Rank French Spaniel Rank
    Episodic Falling problems 1 out of 1 dog breeds Not Common
    Basic Cardiac problems 3 out of 16 dog breeds Not Common
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems 4 out of 70 dog breeds Not Common
    Congenital Cardiac problems 13 out of 159 dog breeds Not Common
    Advanced Cardiac problems 16 out of 71 dog breeds Not Common
    Dentition Database problems 19 out of 49 dog breeds Not Common
    Patella problems 73 out of 145 dog breeds Not Common
    Hips problems 79 out of 198 dog breeds 125 out of 198 dog breeds
    Eyes problems 101 out of 182 dog breeds Not Common
    Elbow problems 115 out of 144 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: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus French Spaniel

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

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

    Which one drools more, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or the French Spaniel

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

    French Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Can Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can French Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

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

    Do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about French Spaniels?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

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

    Wanderlust Potential: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs. French Spaniel

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels 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.

    Can Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can French Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    French Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels shed more than French Spaniels?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels shed moderately.

    French Spaniels shed moderately.

    Does the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the French Spaniel?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels 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.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or the French Spaniel?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are very easy to groom.

    French Spaniels are moderately easy to groom.

    Is the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Easier to Train than the French Spaniel?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are very easy to train.

    French Spaniels are very easy to train.

    Is the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Better for Apartment Owners than the French Spaniel?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.

    French Spaniels do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or the French Spaniel?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.

    French Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.

    Are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels good family dogs? What about French Spaniels?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and French Spaniels?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or the French Spaniel?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    French Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Cavalier King Charles 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel:

  • Cavachon (84 percent match with Cavalier King Charles Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the French Spaniel vs Cavachon.
  • Cockalier (81 percent match with Cavalier King Charles Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the French Spaniel vs Cockalier.
  • 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs Dutch Shepherd.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and how the French Spaniel compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and of the French Spaniel to other breeds:

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Chihuahua     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Saint Bernard     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Shihpoo     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Doberman Pinscher     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Chorkie     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Scottish Deerhound     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Sealyham Terrier     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Lancashire Heeler     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Sloughi     

    French Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    French Spaniel versus Neapolitan Mastiff     French Spaniel versus Bedlington Terrier     French Spaniel versus Schnoodle     French Spaniel versus Norwich Terrier     French Spaniel versus Pug     French Spaniel versus Shiranian     French Spaniel versus Pomeranian     French Spaniel versus Chihuahua     French Spaniel versus Cavapoo     French Spaniel versus Pomsky     

    Conclusion: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the French Spaniel better suits you and your family.