Quick Links: Table of Contents
- English Setter Versus Papillon: Introduction
- English Setter versus Papillon: Overview
- English Setter versus Papillon: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the English Setter and the Papillon
- The Similarities Between the English Setter and the Papillon
- Size (Weight and Height) of English Setter versus Papillon
- Temperament of the Papillon Versus the English Setter
- Price of English Setter versus Price of Papillon
- Adopting the English Setter versus Adopting the Papillon
- The Intelligence of the English Setter versus the Intelligence of the Papillon
- The Popularity of English Setter versus Popularity of Papillon
- Health Problems of English Setter versus Health Problems of Papillon
- Tolerates Being Alone: English Setter versus Papillon
- Which one drools more, the English Setter or the Papillon
- Can English Setters Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Papillons Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Do English Setters shed more than Papillons?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the English Setter or the Papillon?
- Is the English Setter Easier to Train than the Papillon?
- Can English Setters Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Papillons Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Do English Setters Bark and Howl? What about Papillons?
- Are English Setters good family dogs? What about Papillons?
- How Kid-friendly are English Setters and Papillons?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the English Setter or the Papillon?
- Does the English Setter Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Papillon?
- Wanderlust Potential: English Setter vs. Papillon
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the English Setter
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Papillon
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: English Setter versus Papillon. Which One is a Better Pet?
English Setter Versus Papillon: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the English Setter and the Papillon? 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 English Setter and the Papillon 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 English Setter and the Papillon.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the English Setter and the Papillon 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 English Setter and for the Papillon. 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 English Setter and the Papillon.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the English Setter or the Papillon
English Setter versus Papillon: Overview
A very important difference between the English Setter and the Papillon is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The English Setter is a medium-sized dog while the Papillon is a tiny-sized dog.
Furthermore, the English Setter 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.
On the other hand, the Papillon 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.
English Setter versus Papillon: Comparison Table
The table below compares the English Setter to the Papillon 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 | English Setter | Papillon |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Height | 1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the | 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Life Span | 11 to 15 years | 12 to 16 years |
| Does NOT Drool | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Weight | 45 to 80 pounds | 4 to 9 pounds |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 13.0 years | 14.0 years |
| Average Price | $1020 | $1800 |
| Price Range | $800 – $1200 | $1400 – $2000 |
| Temperament Score | 81.3 percent | 82.3 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 95 | 49 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 37 | 8 |
*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 English Setter 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 Papillon. 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 English Setter is 74 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Papillon is 89 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Papillon is a better pet than the English Setter. So, you should get the Papillon!
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 English Setter and the Papillon so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the English Setter and the Papillon
Below is a list of where the English Setter and the Papillon are most different:
The Similarities Between the English Setter and the Papillon
The English Setter and the Papillon are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the English Setter and the Papillon are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of English Setter versus Papillon
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the English Setter and the Papillon.
English Setters weigh 45 to 80 pounds when fully grown. English Setters are 1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the when fully grown.
On the other hand, Papillons weigh 4 to 9 pounds when fully grown. Papillons are 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Temperament of the Papillon Versus the English Setter
The Papillon has a better temperament than the English Setter.
This is because the temperament score for the Papillon is 82.3 percent while the temperament score for the English Setter is 81.3 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).
The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.
Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and they are protective of their owners.
The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.
With its temperament score of 81.3 percent, the English Setter has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
With its temperament score of 82.3 percent, the Papillon has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the English Setter and the Papillon by measuring the temperaments of 32 English Setters and 96 Papillons.
Price of English Setter versus Price of Papillon
The average price of the English Setter puppy is $1020. The price of the English Setter typically ranges from $800 – $1200. However, the price of a English Setter can be as low as $450 and as high as $2500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 114 English Setter puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The average price of the Papillon puppy is $1800. The price of the Papillon typically ranges from $1400 – $2000. However, the price of a Papillon can be as low as $700 and as high as $3500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 108 Papillon puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Papillon is more expensive than the English Setter.
| English Setter | Papillon | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1020 | $1800 |
| Price Range | $800 to $1200 | $1400 to $2000 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the English Setter and Papillon. For different price points, the charts show how many English Setter puppies or how many Papillon puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of English Setters. The typical price range is shaded Green.
A breakdown of the prices of Papillons
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the English Setter puppy or the Papillon 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.
Adopting the English Setter versus Adopting the Papillon
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many English Setters and many Papillons are currently available for adoption.
These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.
Below is an adorable Male English Setter named Rio that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable English Setters like Rio on pefinder.com.
Also, like English Setters, Papillons are also available for adoption. For example, Ranger is a Male Papillon that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Papillons like Ranger that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Porter is the name of another English Setter (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.
Also Tavi, an adorable Male Papillon on petfinder.com that you can adopt.
You can find more English Setters and Papillons that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Intelligence of the English Setter versus the Intelligence of the Papillon
| English Setter | Papillon | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 37 out of 130 dog breeds | 8 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 15 To 25 Repetitions | Tend To Learn New Commands After Fewer Than 5 Repetitions |
Professor Stanley Coren, the famous psychology/neuropsychological professor and, dog lover/trainer measured and ranked the intelligence of about 130 different dog breeds.
According to Prof. Stanley Coren, the total intelligence that a dog demonstrates is the addition of three types of intelligence. These intelligence types are:
Prof. Coren showed that the Working/Obedience Intelligence of different dog breeds can be measured reliably. Thus, he was able to rank different dog breeds based on their Working/Obedience Intelligence.
This is important because according to Prof. Coren, 51 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from its genes while 49 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from the dog`s environmental circumstances.
To rank the intelligence of dog breeds, Prof. Coren employed the help of 208 dog obedience judges in North America to fill out a detailed survey on dog obedience. This number represented more than half of all of these judges in North America at the time. He also employed 63 veterinarians and 14 guard dog experts to collect data on the personality of different dog breeds.
Prof. Coren found that the English Setter has an obedience intelligence rank of 37 out of 130 dog breeds. The English Setter belongs to the `Above Average Working Dogs` category. This means that English Setters tend to learn new commands after 15 to 25 repetitions.
The Papillon has an obedience intelligence rank of 8 out of 130 dog breeds. The Papillon belongs to the `Brightest Dogs` category. This means that Papillons tend to learn new commands after fewer than 5 repetitions.
The Papillon is more intelligent than the English Setter.
However, Prof. Coren noted that a dog should not be judged based on its intelligence alone, that other factors such as sociability, adorability, and compatibility with the owner are other very important factors that new dog owners need to consider when deciding on a new dog.
The Popularity of English Setter versus Popularity of Papillon
Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).
The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the English Setter and the Papillon over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Papillon is more popular with dog owners than the English Setter. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Papillon is 49 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the English Setter is 95 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of English Setter
Popularity of Papillon
| Year | English Setter Popularity Rank | Papillon Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 91 | 38 |
| 2014 | 89 | 43 |
| 2015 | 96 | 48 |
| 2016 | 102 | 53 |
| 2017 | 95 | 53 |
| 2018 | 94 | 54 |
| 2019 | 98 | 53 |
| 2020 | 101 | 53 |
Health Problems of English Setter versus Health Problems of Papillon
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 English Setter and the Papillon 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 English Setter is prone to more genetic health problems than the Papillon.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the English Setter than for the Papillon.
4 health tests are recommended for English Setter while 2 tests are recommended for the Papillon.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in English Setters and in Papillons.
English Setter Health Problems
English Setters are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing English Setter 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 English Setter puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your English Setter 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 English Setters for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for English Setters here.
Papillon Health Problems
Papillons are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Papillon 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 Papillon puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Papillon 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 Papillons for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Papillons here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in English Setters and Papillons
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 English Setter Breed is Baer Hearing (Es) problems.
This is because the English Setter ranks 1 out of 1 dog breeds for Baer Hearing (Es) problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 4303 English Setters, 4 of them had Baer Hearing (Es) problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in English Setters, and how common these diseases are in English Setters 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 Papillon Breed is Patella problems.
This is because the Papillon ranks 55 out of 145 dog breeds for Patella problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 2362 Papillons, 70 of them had Patella problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Papillons, and how common these diseases are in Papillons relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in English Setter and in Papillon and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the English Setter and the Papillon:
| Disease | English Setter Rank | Papillon Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Baer Hearing (Es) problems | 1 out of 1 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Thyroid problems | 1 out of 115 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Baer Hearing Test problems | 4 out of 21 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Elbow problems | 28 out of 144 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Hips problems | 70 out of 198 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Patella problems | Not Common | 55 out of 145 dog breeds |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | Not Common | 67 out of 159 dog breeds |
| Eyes problems | Not Common | 148 out of 182 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.
Is the English Setter Better for Apartment Owners than the Papillon?
English Setters do not adapt well to apartment living.
Papillons adapt very well to apartment living.
Tolerates Being Alone: English Setter versus Papillon
English Setters do not like to be left alone.
Papillons do not like to be left alone.
Which one drools more, the English Setter or the Papillon
English Setters do have a very low tendency to drool.
Papillons do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the English Setter or the Papillon?
English Setters are OK for new dog owners.
Papillons are very good for new dog owners.
Can English Setters Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Papillons Tolerate Hot Weather?
English Setters can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Papillons can tolerate hot weather.
Do English Setters shed more than Papillons?
English Setters shed moderately.
Papillons do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Which is Easier to Groom, the English Setter or the Papillon?
English Setters are moderately easy to groom.
Papillons are moderately easy to groom.
Is the English Setter Easier to Train than the Papillon?
English Setters are fairly easy to train.
Papillons are very easy to train.
Can English Setters Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Papillons Tolerate Cold Weather?
English Setters can very well tolerate cold weather.
Papillons cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Do English Setters Bark and Howl? What about Papillons?
English Setters are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Papillons are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Are English Setters good family dogs? What about Papillons?
English Setters are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Papillons are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are English Setters and Papillons?
English Setters get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Papillons get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the English Setter or the Papillon?
English Setters get along very well with other dogs.
Papillons get along very well with other dogs.
Does the English Setter Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Papillon?
English Setters have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.
Papillons have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.
Wanderlust Potential: English Setter vs. Papillon
English Setters have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Papillons do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the English Setter
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the English Setter 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 English Setter:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Papillon
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Papillon 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 Papillon:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the English Setter and how the Papillon compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the English Setter and of the Papillon to other breeds:
English Setter Versus Other Dog Breeds
English Setter versus French Bulldog English Setter versus Field Spaniel English Setter versus Coton de Tulear English Setter versus American Eskimo Dog English Setter versus Boxerdoodle English Setter versus Komondor English Setter versus Golden Cocker Retriever English Setter versus Toy Fox Terrier English Setter versus Chinook English Setter versus Australian Kelpie
Papillon Versus Other Dog Breeds
Papillon versus Vizsla Papillon versus Shih Tzu Papillon versus Berger Picard Papillon versus Braque du Bourbonnais Papillon versus Irish Setter Papillon versus Dutch Shepherd Papillon versus Irish Setter Papillon versus Maltipoo Papillon versus Bulldog Papillon versus Peek A Poo
Conclusion: English Setter versus Papillon. 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 English Setter and the Papillon better suits you and your family.