Chinese Shar-Pei versus French Spaniel. Final Verdict on Which is a Better Pet.

Chinese Shar-Pei versus French Spaniel

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Chinese Shar-Pei Versus French Spaniel: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Chinese Shar-Pei 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 Shar-Pei 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 Shar-Pei 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 Shar-Pei or the French Spaniel

Chinese Shar-Pei versus French Spaniel: Overview

Both the Chinese Shar-Pei and the French Spaniel are similar in size. The Chinese Shar-Pei and the French Spaniel are both medium-sized dogs.

Furthermore, the Chinese Shar-Pei 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.

Chinese Shar-Pei versus French Spaniel: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Chinese Shar-Pei 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 Shar-Pei French Spaniel
Tolerates Hot Weather 1/5 2/5
Dog Friendly 1/5 4/5
General Health 1/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 5/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 1/5 4/5
Height 18 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder 21 to 24 inches.
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 4/5
Easygoing 4/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 2/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 2/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 2/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 4/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 4/5 4/5
Intelligence 2/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 4/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 4/5 1/5
Easy To Train 3/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 2/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 4/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 4/5
Weight 40 to 55 pounds 45 to 60 pounds.
Easy To Groom 5/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 1/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 1/5 4/5
Life Span 8 to 12 years 10 to 12 years.
Average Lifespan 10.0 years 11.0 years
Average Price $1620 $4250
Price Range $1100 – $2000 $3875 – $4625
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • 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 Chinese Shar-Pei 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 Shar-Pei is 68 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 Chinese Shar-Pei. 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 Chinese Shar-Pei 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 Shar-Pei and the French Spaniel

    Below is a list of where the Chinese Shar-Pei and the French Spaniel are most different:

  • Chinese Shar-Peis do not get along well with other dogs. However, French Spaniels get along well with other dogs.
  • Chinese Shar-Peis have the tendency to develop certain health problems. However, French Spaniels are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Chinese Shar-Peis not very playful. However, French Spaniels are very playful.
  • Chinese Shar-Peis are not affectionate with family. They are not good family dogs. However, French Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Chinese Shar-Peis 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 Shar-Peis are prone to nip and chew at things. However, French Spaniels are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Chinese Shar-Peis are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl. However, French Spaniels are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • The Similarities Between the Chinese Shar-Pei and the French Spaniel

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

  • Both the Chinese Shar-Pei and the French Spaniel cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the Chinese Shar-Pei and the French Spaniel do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Chinese Shar-Pei and the French Spaniel do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Chinese Shar-Pei and the French Spaniel have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Chinese Shar-Pei 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 Shar-Pei and the French Spaniel can be left alone for some time without problems.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Chinese Shar-Pei versus French Spaniel

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Chinese Shar-Pei and the French Spaniel.

    Chinese Shar-Peis weigh 40 to 55 pounds when fully grown. Chinese Shar-Peis are 18 to 20 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 Shar-Pei versus Price of French Spaniel

    The average price of the Chinese Shar-Pei puppy is $1620. The price of the Chinese Shar-Pei typically ranges from $1100 – $2000. However, the price of a Chinese Shar-Pei can be as low as $300 and as high as $5000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 238 Chinese Shar-Pei 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 Shar-Pei.

    Chinese Shar-Pei French Spaniel
    Average Price $1620 $4250
    Price Range $1100 to $2000 $3875 to $4625

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Chinese Shar-Peis. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Chinese Shar-Peis. 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 Shar-Pei 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 Shar-Pei 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 Shar-Pei 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 Shar-Pei is prone to more genetic health problems than the French Spaniel.

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

    5 health tests are recommended for Chinese Shar-Pei while 3 tests are recommended for the French Spaniel.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Chinese Shar-Peis and in French Spaniels.

    Chinese Shar-Pei Health Problems

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

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Chinese Shar-Peis 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 Shar-Peis 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 Shar-Pei Breed is Eyes problems.

    This is because the Chinese Shar-Pei ranks 2 out of 182 dog breeds for Eyes problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 98 Chinese Shar-Peis, 29 of them had Eyes problems.

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

  • Eyes problems: Rank 2 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 13 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 29 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 68 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 80 out of 115 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 Shar-Pei and in French Spaniel and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Chinese Shar-Pei and the French Spaniel:

    Disease Chinese Shar-Pei Rank French Spaniel Rank
    Eyes problems 2 out of 182 dog breeds Not Common
    Elbow problems 13 out of 144 dog breeds Not Common
    Patella problems 29 out of 145 dog breeds Not Common
    Hips problems 68 out of 198 dog breeds 125 out of 198 dog breeds
    Thyroid problems 80 out of 115 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.

    Can Chinese Shar-Peis Tolerate Hot Weather? Can French Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Chinese Shar-Peis cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

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

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

    Chinese Shar-Peis do not get along well with other dogs.

    French Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Chinese Shar-Pei or the French Spaniel?

    Chinese Shar-Peis are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    French Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.

    Can Chinese Shar-Peis Tolerate Cold Weather? And can French Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Chinese Shar-Peis cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    French Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Are Chinese Shar-Peis good family dogs? What about French Spaniels?

    Chinese Shar-Peis are not affectionate with family. They are not good family dogs.

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

    How Kid-friendly are Chinese Shar-Peis and French Spaniels?

    Chinese Shar-Peis do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

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

    Do Chinese Shar-Peis shed more than French Spaniels?

    Chinese Shar-Peis do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    French Spaniels shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Chinese Shar-Pei or the French Spaniel

    Chinese Shar-Peis do have a very low tendency to drool.

    French Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Does the Chinese Shar-Pei Have a Higher Prey Drive than the French Spaniel?

    Chinese Shar-Peis have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.

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

    Wanderlust Potential: Chinese Shar-Pei vs. French Spaniel

    Chinese Shar-Peis 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.

    Is the Chinese Shar-Pei Easier to Train than the French Spaniel?

    Chinese Shar-Peis are fairly easy to train.

    French Spaniels are very easy to train.

    Is the Chinese Shar-Pei Better for Apartment Owners than the French Spaniel?

    Chinese Shar-Peis adapt very well to apartment living.

    French Spaniels do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Chinese Shar-Pei versus French Spaniel

    Chinese Shar-Peis can be left alone for some time without problems.

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

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Chinese Shar-Pei or the French Spaniel?

    Chinese Shar-Peis are very easy to groom.

    French Spaniels are moderately easy to groom.

    Do Chinese Shar-Peis Bark and Howl? What about French Spaniels?

    Chinese Shar-Peis 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.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Chinese Shar-Pei

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Chinese Shar-Pei 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 Shar-Pei:

  • Chow Chow (63 percent match with Chinese Shar-Pei). Here is our comparison of the French Spaniel vs Chow Chow.
  • Affenhuahua (62 percent match with Chinese Shar-Pei). Here is our comparison of the French Spaniel vs Affenhuahua.
  • 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 Shar-Pei vs Dutch Shepherd.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Chinese Shar-Pei Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Chinese Shar-Pei versus Leonberger     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Aussiedoodle     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Havanese     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Bich Poo     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Fila Brasileiro     Chinese Shar-Pei versus American Staffordshire Terrier     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Finnish Lapphund     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Bordoodle     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Karelian Bear Dog     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Lhasa Apso     

    French Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    French Spaniel versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     French Spaniel versus Kuvasz     French Spaniel versus Black Russian Terrier     French Spaniel versus Barbet     French Spaniel versus Schnoodle     French Spaniel versus Finnish Spitz     French Spaniel versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     French Spaniel versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     French Spaniel versus Shiloh Shepherd     French Spaniel versus Whippet     

    Conclusion: Chinese Shar-Pei 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 Shar-Pei and the French Spaniel better suits you and your family.