Differences and Similarities between the French Bulldog and the French Spaniel.

French Bulldog versus French Spaniel

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French Bulldog Versus French Spaniel: Introduction

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

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

French Bulldog versus French Spaniel: Overview

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

Furthermore, the French Bulldog 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.

French Bulldog versus French Spaniel: Comparison Table

The table below compares the French Bulldog 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 French Bulldog French Spaniel
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 1/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 4/5
Height 11 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder 21 to 24 inches.
Life Span 11 to 14 years 10 to 12 years.
Weight 16 to 28 pounds 45 to 60 pounds.
Tolerates Cold Weather 2/5 4/5
General Health 2/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 4/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 4/5 2/5
Easygoing 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 3/5
Intelligence 3/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 1/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 4/5
Easy To Train 4/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 3/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 2/5
Good For Novice Owners 5/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Average Lifespan 12.5 years 11.0 years
Average Price $4610 $4250
Price Range $3100 – $5000 $3875 – $4625
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune Thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- Annual recertification recommended
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Tracheal Hypoplasia
  • 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 French Bulldog 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 French Bulldog is 86 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 Bulldog is a better pet than the French Spaniel. So, you should get the French Bulldog!

    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 French Bulldog 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 French Bulldog and the French Spaniel

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

  • French Bulldogs adapt well to apartment living. However, French Spaniels do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • The Similarities Between the French Bulldog and the French Spaniel

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

  • Both the French Bulldog and the French Spaniel cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the French Bulldog and the French Spaniel do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the French Bulldog and the French Spaniel have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • Both the French Bulldog 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 French Bulldog and the French Spaniel get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the French Bulldog and the French Spaniel get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the French Bulldog and the French Spaniel are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the French Bulldog and the French Spaniel are very easy to train.
  • Both the French Bulldog and the French Spaniel do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the French Bulldog and the French Spaniel are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the French Bulldog and the French Spaniel are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the French Bulldog and the French Spaniel are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of French Bulldog versus French Spaniel

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

    French Bulldogs weigh 16 to 28 pounds when fully grown. French Bulldogs are 11 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 French Bulldog versus Price of French Spaniel

    The average price of the French Bulldog puppy is $4610. The price of the French Bulldog typically ranges from $3100 – $5000. However, the price of a French Bulldog can be as low as $123 and as high as $40000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 2308 French Bulldog 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 Bulldog is more expensive than the French Spaniel.

    French Bulldog French Spaniel
    Average Price $4610 $4250
    Price Range $3100 to $5000 $3875 to $4625

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

    A breakdown of the prices of French Bulldogs. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of French Bulldogs. 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 French Bulldog 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 French Bulldog 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 French Bulldog 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 Bulldog is prone to more genetic health problems than the French Spaniel.

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

    7 health tests are recommended for French Bulldog while 3 tests are recommended for the French Spaniel.

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

    French Bulldog Health Problems

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

  • Autoimmune Thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- Annual recertification recommended
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Tracheal Hypoplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for French Bulldogs 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 French Bulldogs 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 French Bulldog Breed is Chondrodystrophy (Cddy) problems.

    This is because the French Bulldog ranks 1 out of 5 dog breeds for Chondrodystrophy (Cddy) problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 55 French Bulldogs, 33 of them had Chondrodystrophy (Cddy) problems.

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

  • Chondrodystrophy (Cddy) problems: Rank 1 out of 5 Dog Breeds
  • Cystinuria problems: Rank 2 out of 6 Dog Breeds
  • Tracheal Hypoplasia problems: Rank 3 out of 4 Dog Breeds
  • Canine Multifocal Retinopathy problems: Rank 4 out of 6 Dog Breeds
  • Dentition Database problems: Rank 9 out of 49 Dog Breeds
  • Legg-Calve-Perthes problems: Rank 15 out of 40 Dog Breeds
  • Baer Hearing Test problems: Rank 16 out of 21 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 22 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 25 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 34 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 63 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 77 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 107 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 French Bulldog and in French Spaniel and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the French Bulldog and the French Spaniel:

    Disease French Bulldog Rank French Spaniel Rank
    Chondrodystrophy (Cddy) problems 1 out of 5 dog breeds Not Common
    Cystinuria problems 2 out of 6 dog breeds Not Common
    Tracheal Hypoplasia problems 3 out of 4 dog breeds Not Common
    Canine Multifocal Retinopathy problems 4 out of 6 dog breeds Not Common
    Dentition Database problems 9 out of 49 dog breeds Not Common
    Legg-Calve-Perthes problems 15 out of 40 dog breeds Not Common
    Baer Hearing Test problems 16 out of 21 dog breeds Not Common
    Hips problems 22 out of 198 dog breeds 125 out of 198 dog breeds
    Patella problems 25 out of 145 dog breeds Not Common
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems 34 out of 70 dog breeds Not Common
    Elbow problems 63 out of 144 dog breeds Not Common
    Eyes problems 77 out of 182 dog breeds Not Common
    Thyroid problems 107 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.

    Tolerates Being Alone: French Bulldog versus French Spaniel

    French Bulldogs do not like to be left alone.

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

    Can French Bulldogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can French Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?

    French Bulldogs 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 one drools more, the French Bulldog or the French Spaniel

    French Bulldogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    French Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Can French Bulldogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can French Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?

    French Bulldogs cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    French Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Does the French Bulldog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the French Spaniel?

    French Bulldogs 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: French Bulldog vs. French Spaniel

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

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

    Do French Bulldogs shed more than French Spaniels?

    French Bulldogs shed moderately.

    French Spaniels shed moderately.

    Do French Bulldogs Bark and Howl? What about French Spaniels?

    French Bulldogs bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    How Kid-friendly are French Bulldogs and French Spaniels?

    French Bulldogs 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 French Bulldog or the French Spaniel?

    French Bulldogs get along very well with other dogs.

    French Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Is the French Bulldog Easier to Train than the French Spaniel?

    French Bulldogs are very easy to train.

    French Spaniels are very easy to train.

    Is the French Bulldog Better for Apartment Owners than the French Spaniel?

    French Bulldogs adapt very well to apartment living.

    French Spaniels do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    French Bulldogs are very good for new dog owners.

    French Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.

    Are French Bulldogs good family dogs? What about French Spaniels?

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

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

    Which is Easier to Groom, the French Bulldog or the French Spaniel?

    French Bulldogs are very easy to groom.

    French Spaniels are moderately easy to groom.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the French Bulldog

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the French Bulldog 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 Bulldog:

  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (75 percent match with French Bulldog). Here is our comparison of the French Spaniel vs Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
  • Beaglier (74 percent match with French Bulldog). Here is our comparison of the French Spaniel vs Beaglier.
  • Chihuahua (74 percent match with French Bulldog). Here is our comparison of the French Spaniel vs Chihuahua.
  • Pug (83 percent match with French Bulldog). Here is our comparison of the French Spaniel vs Pug.
  • 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 French Bulldog vs Dutch Shepherd.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    French Bulldog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    French Bulldog versus Pomsky     French Bulldog versus Silky Terrier     French Bulldog versus German Wirehaired Pointer     French Bulldog versus Cavapoo     French Bulldog versus Havanese     French Bulldog versus Scottish Terrier     French Bulldog versus Tibetan Spaniel     French Bulldog versus Dogo Argentino     French Bulldog versus Dogue de Bordeaux     French Bulldog versus American Water Spaniel     

    French Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    French Spaniel versus Saint Bernard     French Spaniel versus Bloodhound     French Spaniel versus Sloughi     French Spaniel versus Portuguese Pointer     French Spaniel versus Afador     French Spaniel versus Pointer     French Spaniel versus Saint Berdoodle     French Spaniel versus Black and Tan Coonhound     French Spaniel versus Swedish Vallhund     French Spaniel versus Hovawart     

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