Is the Chinese Crested Better than the French Spaniel as a Pet? Answer…

Chinese Crested versus French Spaniel

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Chinese Crested Versus French Spaniel: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Chinese Crested 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 Chinese Crested 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 Chinese Crested 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 Chinese Crested or the French Spaniel

Chinese Crested versus French Spaniel: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Chinese Crested 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.

Chinese Crested versus French Spaniel: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Chinese Crested 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 Chinese Crested French Spaniel
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 1/5 4/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 5/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 5/5 3/5
Life Span 10 to 14 years 10 to 12 years.
Height 11 to 13 inches tall at the shoulder 21 to 24 inches.
Does NOT Shed 4/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 4/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 4/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 4/5 2/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 2/5
Intelligence 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
Dog Friendly 4/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 4/5
Easy To Train 4/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 4/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 2/5
Easygoing 1/5 2/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 4/5
General Health 5/5 4/5
Weight Up to 12 pounds 45 to 60 pounds.
Average Lifespan 12.0 years 11.0 years
Average Price $1430 $4250
Price Range $1000 – $1600 $3875 – $4625
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Eye Examination- Yearly Exams Recommended
  • Hip Dysplasia/Legg-Calve-Perthes
  • Patellar Luxation
  • prcd-PRA DNA Test
  • Primary Lens Luxation
  • RCD3-PRA DNA Test
  • 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 Chinese Crested 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 Chinese Crested is 87 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a French Spaniel is 85 out of 125.

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

    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 Chinese Crested 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 Chinese Crested and the French Spaniel

    Below is a list of where the Chinese Crested and the French Spaniel are most different:

  • Chinese Cresteds cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold. However, French Spaniels can tolerate cold weather.
  • Chinese Cresteds 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.
  • Chinese Cresteds adapt well to apartment living. However, French Spaniels do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • The Similarities Between the Chinese Crested and the French Spaniel

    The Chinese Crested and the French Spaniel are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Chinese Crested and the French Spaniel are most similar:

  • Both the Chinese Crested and the French Spaniel do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Chinese Crested 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 Chinese Crested and the French Spaniel do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Chinese Crested and the French Spaniel require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Chinese Crested and the French Spaniel are not prone to gaining weight easily.
  • Both the Chinese Crested and the French Spaniel are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Chinese Crested and the French Spaniel get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Chinese Crested and the French Spaniel are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Chinese Crested and the French Spaniel are very easy to train.
  • Both the Chinese Crested 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 Chinese Crested and the French Spaniel get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Chinese Crested and the French Spaniel are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Chinese Crested versus French Spaniel

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Chinese Crested and the French Spaniel.

    Chinese Cresteds weigh Up to 12 pounds when fully grown. Chinese Cresteds are 11 to 13 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 Chinese Crested versus Price of French Spaniel

    The average price of the Chinese Crested puppy is $1430. The price of the Chinese Crested typically ranges from $1000 – $1600. However, the price of a Chinese Crested can be as low as $500 and as high as $4000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 157 Chinese Crested 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 Chinese Crested.

    Chinese Crested French Spaniel
    Average Price $1430 $4250
    Price Range $1000 to $1600 $3875 to $4625

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Chinese Cresteds. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Chinese Cresteds. 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 Chinese Crested 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 Chinese Crested 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 Chinese Crested 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 Chinese Crested is prone to more genetic health problems than the French Spaniel.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Chinese Crested than for the French Spaniel.

    8 health tests are recommended for Chinese Crested while 3 tests are recommended for the French Spaniel.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Chinese Cresteds and in French Spaniels.

    Chinese Crested Health Problems

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

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Eye Examination- Yearly Exams Recommended
  • Hip Dysplasia/Legg-Calve-Perthes
  • Patellar Luxation
  • prcd-PRA DNA Test
  • Primary Lens Luxation
  • RCD3-PRA DNA Test
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Chinese Cresteds 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 Chinese Cresteds 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 Chinese Crested Breed is Primary Lens Luxation problems.

    This is because the Chinese Crested ranks 7 out of 17 dog breeds for Primary Lens Luxation problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 1982 Chinese Cresteds, 23 of them had Primary Lens Luxation problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Chinese Cresteds, and how common these diseases are in Chinese Cresteds relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Primary Lens Luxation problems: Rank 7 out of 17 Dog Breeds
  • Baer Hearing Test problems: Rank 12 out of 21 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 53 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 54 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 147 out of 182 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 Chinese Crested and in French Spaniel and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Chinese Crested and the French Spaniel:

    Disease Chinese Crested Rank French Spaniel Rank
    Primary Lens Luxation problems 7 out of 17 dog breeds Not Common
    Baer Hearing Test problems 12 out of 21 dog breeds Not Common
    Patella problems 53 out of 145 dog breeds Not Common
    Congenital Cardiac problems 54 out of 159 dog breeds Not Common
    Eyes problems 147 out of 182 dog breeds Not Common
    Hips problems Not Common 125 out of 198 dog breeds

    *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: Chinese Crested versus French Spaniel

    Chinese Cresteds do not like to be left alone.

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

    Can Chinese Cresteds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can French Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Chinese Cresteds cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    French Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Which one drools more, the Chinese Crested or the French Spaniel

    Chinese Cresteds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    French Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Wanderlust Potential: Chinese Crested vs. French Spaniel

    Chinese Cresteds 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.

    Do Chinese Cresteds shed more than French Spaniels?

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

    French Spaniels shed moderately.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Chinese Crested or the French Spaniel?

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

    French Spaniels are moderately easy to groom.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Chinese Crested or the French Spaniel?

    Chinese Cresteds are OK for new dog owners.

    French Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.

    Can Chinese Cresteds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can French Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Chinese Cresteds can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

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

    Does the Chinese Crested Have a Higher Prey Drive than the French Spaniel?

    Chinese Cresteds 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 Chinese Cresteds Bark and Howl? What about French Spaniels?

    Chinese Cresteds bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    Are Chinese Cresteds good family dogs? What about French Spaniels?

    Chinese Cresteds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

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

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Chinese Crested or the French Spaniel?

    Chinese Cresteds get along very well with other dogs.

    French Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Is the Chinese Crested Easier to Train than the French Spaniel?

    Chinese Cresteds are very easy to train.

    French Spaniels are very easy to train.

    Is the Chinese Crested Better for Apartment Owners than the French Spaniel?

    Chinese Cresteds adapt very well to apartment living.

    French Spaniels do not adapt well to apartment living.

    How Kid-friendly are Chinese Cresteds and French Spaniels?

    Chinese Cresteds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Chinese Crested

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Chinese Crested 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 Chinese Crested:

  • Bolognese (75 percent match with Chinese Crested). Here is our comparison of the French Spaniel vs Bolognese.
  • Japanese Chin (75 percent match with Chinese Crested). Here is our comparison of the French Spaniel vs Japanese Chin.
  • 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 Chinese Crested vs Dutch Shepherd.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Chinese Crested Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Chinese Crested versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     Chinese Crested versus Spanish Mastiff     Chinese Crested versus Frenchton     Chinese Crested versus Afghan Hound     Chinese Crested versus Shih Tzu     Chinese Crested versus Coton de Tulear     Chinese Crested versus Cockalier     Chinese Crested versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi     Chinese Crested versus Sussex Spaniel     Chinese Crested versus Affenpinscher     

    French Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    French Spaniel versus Glen of Imaal Terrier     French Spaniel versus Basset Hound     French Spaniel versus Beaglier     French Spaniel versus Miniature Pinscher     French Spaniel versus Stabyhoun     French Spaniel versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog     French Spaniel versus Norwegian Lundehund     French Spaniel versus Sheepadoodle     French Spaniel versus Australian Terrier     French Spaniel versus Glen of Imaal Terrier     

    Conclusion: Chinese Crested 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 Chinese Crested and the French Spaniel better suits you and your family.