Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Chow Chow Versus French Spaniel: Introduction
- Chow Chow versus French Spaniel: Overview
- Chow Chow versus French Spaniel: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Chow Chow and the French Spaniel
- The Similarities Between the Chow Chow and the French Spaniel
- Size (Weight and Height) of Chow Chow versus French Spaniel
- Price of Chow Chow versus Price of French Spaniel
- Health Problems of Chow Chow versus Health Problems of French Spaniel
- How Kid-friendly are Chow Chows and French Spaniels?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Chow Chow or the French Spaniel?
- Do Chow Chows shed more than French Spaniels?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Chow Chow or the French Spaniel?
- Do Chow Chows Bark and Howl? What about French Spaniels?
- Can Chow Chows Tolerate Hot Weather? Can French Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Are Chow Chows good family dogs? What about French Spaniels?
- Is the Chow Chow Easier to Train than the French Spaniel?
- Does the Chow Chow Have a Higher Prey Drive than the French Spaniel?
- Wanderlust Potential: Chow Chow vs. French Spaniel
- Which one drools more, the Chow Chow or the French Spaniel
- Tolerates Being Alone: Chow Chow versus French Spaniel
- Can Chow Chows Tolerate Cold Weather? And can French Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Chow Chow
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the French Spaniel
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Chow Chow versus French Spaniel. Which One is a Better Pet?
Chow Chow Versus French Spaniel: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Chow Chow 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 Chow Chow 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 Chow Chow and the French Spaniel.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Chow Chow 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 Chow Chow 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 Chow Chow 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 Chow Chow or the French Spaniel
Chow Chow versus French Spaniel: Overview
A very important difference between the Chow Chow and the French Spaniel is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Chow Chow is a large-sized dog while the French Spaniel is a medium-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Chow Chow 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.
Chow Chow versus French Spaniel: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Chow Chow 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 | Chow Chow | French Spaniel |
|---|---|---|
| Kid-Friendly | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 10 to 12 years. |
| Height | 17 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 Hot Weather | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Train | 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 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Weight | 40 to 70 pounds | 45 to 60 pounds. |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 11.0 years |
| Average Price | $1750 | $4250 |
| Price Range | $1000 – $2500 | $3875 – $4625 |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
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*Data from dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (the American Temperament Test Society)
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Chow Chow 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 Chow Chow 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 Chow Chow. 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 Chow Chow 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 Chow Chow and the French Spaniel
Below is a list of where the Chow Chow and the French Spaniel are most different:
The Similarities Between the Chow Chow and the French Spaniel
The Chow Chow and the French Spaniel are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Chow Chow and the French Spaniel are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Chow Chow versus French Spaniel
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Chow Chow and the French Spaniel.
Chow Chows weigh 40 to 70 pounds when fully grown. Chow Chows are 17 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 Chow Chow versus Price of French Spaniel
The average price of the Chow Chow puppy is $1750. The price of the Chow Chow typically ranges from $1000 – $2500. However, the price of a Chow Chow can be as low as $400 and as high as $4125. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 156 Chow Chow 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 Chow Chow.
| Chow Chow | French Spaniel | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1750 | $4250 |
| Price Range | $1000 to $2500 | $3875 to $4625 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Chow Chow and French Spaniel. For different price points, the charts show how many Chow Chow puppies or how many French Spaniel puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Chow Chows. The typical price range is shaded Green.
A breakdown of the prices of French Spaniels
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Chow Chow 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 Chow Chow 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 Chow Chow 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 Chow Chow is prone to more genetic health problems than the French Spaniel.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Chow Chow than for the French Spaniel.
6 health tests are recommended for Chow Chow while 3 tests are recommended for the French Spaniel.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Chow Chows and in French Spaniels.
Chow Chow Health Problems
Chow Chows are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Chow Chow 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 Chow Chow puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Chow Chow 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 Chow Chows for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Chow Chows here.
French Spaniel Health Problems
French Spaniels are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing French Spaniel puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a French Spaniel puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your French Spaniel breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen French Spaniels for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for French Spaniels here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Chow Chows 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 Chow Chow Breed is Elbow problems.
This is because the Chow Chow ranks 1 out of 144 dog breeds for Elbow problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 1393 Chow Chows, 693 of them had Elbow problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Chow Chows, and how common these diseases are in Chow Chows relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the French Spaniel Breed is Hips problems.
This is because the French Spaniel ranks 125 out of 198 dog breeds for Hips problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 254 French Spaniels, 23 of them had Hips problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in French Spaniels, and how common these diseases are in French Spaniels relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Chow Chow and in French Spaniel and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Chow Chow and the French Spaniel:
| Disease | Chow Chow Rank | French Spaniel Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Elbow problems | 1 out of 144 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Eyes problems | 3 out of 182 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Patella problems | 15 out of 145 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Hips problems | 36 out of 198 dog breeds | 125 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Thyroid problems | 88 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.
How Kid-friendly are Chow Chows and French Spaniels?
Chow Chows 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 Chow Chow or the French Spaniel?
Chow Chows do not get along well with other dogs.
French Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.
Do Chow Chows shed more than French Spaniels?
Chow Chows do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
French Spaniels shed moderately.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Chow Chow or the French Spaniel?
Chow Chows require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
French Spaniels are moderately easy to groom.
Do Chow Chows Bark and Howl? What about French Spaniels?
Chow Chows 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.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Chow Chow or the French Spaniel?
Chow Chows are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
French Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.
Can Chow Chows Tolerate Hot Weather? Can French Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?
Chow Chows cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
French Spaniels cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Are Chow Chows good family dogs? What about French Spaniels?
Chow Chows are not affectionate with family. They are not good family dogs.
French Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Chow Chow Easier to Train than the French Spaniel?
Chow Chows are not easy to train.
French Spaniels are very easy to train.
Does the Chow Chow Have a Higher Prey Drive than the French Spaniel?
Chow Chows 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: Chow Chow vs. French Spaniel
Chow Chows 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 Chow Chow Better for Apartment Owners than the French Spaniel?
Chow Chows adapt moderately well to apartment living.
French Spaniels do not adapt well to apartment living.
Which one drools more, the Chow Chow or the French Spaniel
Chow Chows drool moderately.
French Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.
Tolerates Being Alone: Chow Chow versus French Spaniel
Chow Chows can be left alone for some time without problems.
French Spaniels can be left alone only for a short time.
Can Chow Chows Tolerate Cold Weather? And can French Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?
Chow Chows can very well tolerate cold weather.
French Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Chow Chow
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Chow Chow 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 Chow Chow:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the French Spaniel
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the French Spaniel that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.
We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the French Spaniel:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Chow Chow and how the French Spaniel compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Chow Chow and of the French Spaniel to other breeds:
Chow Chow Versus Other Dog Breeds
Chow Chow versus Treeing Walker Coonhound Chow Chow versus Vizsla Chow Chow versus Field Spaniel Chow Chow versus King Shepherd Chow Chow versus Greyhound Chow Chow versus Harrier Chow Chow versus Field Spaniel Chow Chow versus Akita Chow Chow Chow versus Irish Water Spaniel Chow Chow versus Cesky Terrier
French Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds
French Spaniel versus Chinese Crested French Spaniel versus Welsh Springer Spaniel French Spaniel versus Hovawart French Spaniel versus Boston Terrier French Spaniel versus Portuguese Pointer French Spaniel versus Miniature Schnauzer French Spaniel versus Labradoodle French Spaniel versus Beaglier French Spaniel versus Peek A Poo French Spaniel versus Bearded Collie
Conclusion: Chow Chow 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 Chow Chow and the French Spaniel better suits you and your family.