Is the Coton de Tulear Better than the French Spaniel as a Pet? Answer…

Coton de Tulear versus French Spaniel

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Coton de Tulear Versus French Spaniel: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Coton de Tulear 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 Coton de Tulear 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 Coton de Tulear 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 Coton de Tulear or the French Spaniel

Coton de Tulear versus French Spaniel: Overview

A very important difference between the Coton de Tulear and the French Spaniel is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Coton de Tulear is a tiny-sized dog while the French Spaniel is a medium-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Coton de Tulear 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.

Coton de Tulear versus French Spaniel: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Coton de Tulear 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 Coton de Tulear French Spaniel
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 5/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 5/5 3/5
Life Span 14 to 16 years 10 to 12 years.
Easy To Groom 2/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 4/5
Easy To Train 3/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 2/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 4/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 2/5
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
General Health 5/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Height 8 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder 21 to 24 inches.
Weight 8 to 13 pounds 45 to 60 pounds.
Average Lifespan 15.0 years 11.0 years
Average Price $2060 $4250
Price Range $1745 – $2500 $3875 – $4625
Temperament Score
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Exam
  • Eye Examination
  • 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 Coton de Tulear 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 Coton de Tulear is 94 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a French Spaniel is 85 out of 125.

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

    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 Coton de Tulear 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 Coton de Tulear and the French Spaniel

    Below is a list of where the Coton de Tulear and the French Spaniel are most different:

  • Coton de Tulears adapt well to apartment living. However, French Spaniels do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • The Similarities Between the Coton de Tulear and the French Spaniel

    The Coton de Tulear and the French Spaniel are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Coton de Tulear and the French Spaniel are most similar:

  • Both the Coton de Tulear and the French Spaniel do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Coton de Tulear and the French Spaniel require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Coton de Tulear and the French Spaniel are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Coton de Tulear and the French Spaniel do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • Both the Coton de Tulear and the French Spaniel are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the Coton de Tulear and the French Spaniel are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Coton de Tulear 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 Coton de Tulear and the French Spaniel are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Coton de Tulear and the French Spaniel get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Coton de Tulear and the French Spaniel get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Coton de Tulear and the French Spaniel are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Coton de Tulear and the French Spaniel are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Coton de Tulear and the French Spaniel are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Coton de Tulear versus French Spaniel

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Coton de Tulear and the French Spaniel.

    Coton de Tulears weigh 8 to 13 pounds when fully grown. Coton de Tulears are 8 to 12 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 Coton de Tulear versus Price of French Spaniel

    The average price of the Coton de Tulear puppy is $2060. The price of the Coton de Tulear typically ranges from $1745 – $2500. However, the price of a Coton de Tulear can be as low as $1000 and as high as $3200. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 127 Coton de Tulear 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 Coton de Tulear.

    Coton de Tulear French Spaniel
    Average Price $2060 $4250
    Price Range $1745 to $2500 $3875 to $4625

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Coton de Tulears. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Coton de Tulears. 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 Coton de Tulear 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 Coton de Tulear 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 Coton de Tulear 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 French Spaniel is prone to the same number of genetic health problems as the Coton de Tulear.

    3 health tests are recommended for Coton de Tulear while 3 tests are recommended for the French Spaniel.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Coton de Tulears and in French Spaniels.

    Coton de Tulear Health Problems

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

  • Cardiac Exam
  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Coton de Tulears 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 Coton de Tulears 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 Coton de Tulear Breed is Chondrodysplasia (Cdpa) problems.

    This is because the Coton de Tulear ranks 1 out of 2 dog breeds for Chondrodysplasia (Cdpa) problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 51 Coton de Tulears, 47 of them had Chondrodysplasia (Cdpa) problems.

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

  • Chondrodysplasia (Cdpa) problems: Rank 1 out of 2 Dog Breeds
  • Chondrodystrophy (Cddy) problems: Rank 2 out of 5 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 36 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 61 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 71 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 103 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 121 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 168 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 Coton de Tulear and in French Spaniel and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Coton de Tulear and the French Spaniel:

    Disease Coton de Tulear Rank French Spaniel Rank
    Chondrodysplasia (Cdpa) problems 1 out of 2 dog breeds Not Common
    Chondrodystrophy (Cddy) problems 2 out of 5 dog breeds Not Common
    Patella problems 36 out of 145 dog breeds Not Common
    Thyroid problems 61 out of 115 dog breeds Not Common
    Congenital Cardiac problems 71 out of 159 dog breeds Not Common
    Elbow problems 103 out of 144 dog breeds Not Common
    Hips problems 121 out of 198 dog breeds 125 out of 198 dog breeds
    Eyes problems 168 out of 182 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: Coton de Tulear versus French Spaniel

    Coton de Tulears do not like to be left alone.

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

    Do Coton de Tulears shed more than French Spaniels?

    Coton de Tulears do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    French Spaniels shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Coton de Tulear or the French Spaniel

    Coton de Tulears do have a very low tendency to drool.

    French Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Does the Coton de Tulear Have a Higher Prey Drive than the French Spaniel?

    Coton de Tulears 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.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Coton de Tulear or the French Spaniel?

    Coton de Tulears require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    French Spaniels are moderately easy to groom.

    Do Coton de Tulears Bark and Howl? What about French Spaniels?

    Coton de Tulears 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.

    Can Coton de Tulears Tolerate Cold Weather? And can French Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Coton de Tulears can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    French Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Can Coton de Tulears Tolerate Hot Weather? Can French Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Coton de Tulears 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.

    Is the Coton de Tulear Easier to Train than the French Spaniel?

    Coton de Tulears are fairly easy to train.

    French Spaniels are very easy to train.

    Wanderlust Potential: Coton de Tulear vs. French Spaniel

    Coton de Tulears have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

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

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Coton de Tulear or the French Spaniel?

    Coton de Tulears are very good for new dog owners.

    French Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.

    Is the Coton de Tulear Better for Apartment Owners than the French Spaniel?

    Coton de Tulears adapt very well to apartment living.

    French Spaniels do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Are Coton de Tulears good family dogs? What about French Spaniels?

    Coton de Tulears 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 Coton de Tulears and French Spaniels?

    Coton de Tulears 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 Coton de Tulear or the French Spaniel?

    Coton de Tulears get along very well with other dogs.

    French Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Coton de Tulear

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Coton de Tulear 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 Coton de Tulear:

  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (78 percent match with Coton de Tulear). Here is our comparison of the French Spaniel vs Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
  • Cavachon (78 percent match with Coton de Tulear). Here is our comparison of the French Spaniel vs Cavachon.
  • Shichon (78 percent match with Coton de Tulear). Here is our comparison of the French Spaniel vs Shichon.
  • 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 Coton de Tulear vs Dutch Shepherd.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Coton de Tulear Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Coton de Tulear versus American Foxhound     Coton de Tulear versus Plott     Coton de Tulear versus Siberian Husky     Coton de Tulear versus English Setter     Coton de Tulear versus Pyrenean Mastiff     Coton de Tulear versus Chi-Poo     Coton de Tulear versus Border Collie     Coton de Tulear versus Standard Poodle     Coton de Tulear versus Bordoodle     Coton de Tulear versus Shiloh Shepherd     

    French Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    French Spaniel versus Whippet     French Spaniel versus Vizsla     French Spaniel versus Kooikerhondje     French Spaniel versus Afghan Hound     French Spaniel versus Briard     French Spaniel versus Jack Russell Terrier     French Spaniel versus Cavachon     French Spaniel versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     French Spaniel versus Portuguese Pointer     French Spaniel versus Newfoundland     

    Conclusion: Coton de Tulear 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 Coton de Tulear and the French Spaniel better suits you and your family.