A Detailed Comparison of the French Spaniel and the Kuvasz.

French Spaniel versus Kuvasz

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French Spaniel Versus Kuvasz: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the French Spaniel and the Kuvasz 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 Spaniel and for the Kuvasz. 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 Spaniel and the Kuvasz.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the French Spaniel or the Kuvasz

French Spaniel versus Kuvasz: Overview

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

Furthermore, 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.

On the other hand, the Kuvasz 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.

French Spaniel versus Kuvasz: Comparison Table

The table below compares the French Spaniel to the Kuvasz 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 Spaniel Kuvasz
Life Span 10 to 12 years. 10 to 12 years
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 1/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 4/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 4/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 3/5
Height 21 to 24 inches. 26 to 30 inches tall at the shoulder
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 1/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 5/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 2/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 1/5
Easygoing 2/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 1/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 1/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Easy To Train 4/5 2/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 4/5
Weight 45 to 60 pounds. 70 to 115 pounds
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 11.0 years
Average Price $4250 $1630
Price Range $3875 – $4625 $1438 – $1812
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • *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 Spaniel 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 Kuvasz. 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 Spaniel is 85 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Kuvasz is 66 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the French Spaniel is a better pet than the Kuvasz. 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 French Spaniel and the Kuvasz so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the French Spaniel and the Kuvasz

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

  • French Spaniels are good for new dog owners. However, Kuvaszs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • French Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly. However, Kuvaszs do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.
  • French Spaniels are very friendly towards strangers. However, Kuvaszs are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • The Similarities Between the French Spaniel and the Kuvasz

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

  • Both the French Spaniel and the Kuvasz do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the French Spaniel and the Kuvasz cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the French Spaniel and the Kuvasz do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the French Spaniel and the Kuvasz are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the French Spaniel and the Kuvasz are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the French Spaniel and the Kuvasz 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 Spaniel and the Kuvasz 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 French Spaniel and the Kuvasz can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the French Spaniel and the Kuvasz are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the French Spaniel and the Kuvasz are highly intelligent.
  • Both the French Spaniel and the Kuvasz require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the French Spaniel and the Kuvasz are very playful.
  • Both the French Spaniel and the Kuvasz are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the French Spaniel and the Kuvasz have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of French Spaniel versus Kuvasz

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

    French Spaniels weigh 45 to 60 pounds. when fully grown. French Spaniels are 21 to 24 inches. when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Kuvaszs weigh 70 to 115 pounds when fully grown. Kuvaszs are 26 to 30 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Price of French Spaniel versus Price of Kuvasz

    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 reviewing the prices of 2 French Spaniel puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Kuvasz puppy is $1630. The price of the Kuvasz typically ranges from $1438 – $1812. However, the price of a Kuvasz can be as low as $1250 and as high as $2000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 2 Kuvasz puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The French Spaniel is more expensive than the Kuvasz.

    French Spaniel Kuvasz
    Average Price $4250 $1630
    Price Range $3875 to $4625 $1438 to $1812

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

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

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Kuvaszs

    A breakdown of the prices of Kuvaszs

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the French Spaniel puppy or the Kuvasz 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 Spaniel versus Health Problems of Kuvasz

    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 Spaniel and the Kuvasz 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 Kuvasz is prone to more genetic health problems than the French Spaniel.

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

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

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

    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.

    Kuvasz Health Problems

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

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Kuvaszs here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in French Spaniels and Kuvaszs

    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
  • 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 Kuvasz Breed is Thyroid problems.

    This is because the Kuvasz ranks 7 out of 115 dog breeds for Thyroid problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 434 Kuvaszs, 51 of them had Thyroid problems.

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

  • Thyroid problems: Rank 7 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 25 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 52 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 64 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 124 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in French Spaniel and in Kuvasz and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the French Spaniel and the Kuvasz:

    Disease French Spaniel Rank Kuvasz Rank
    Hips problems 125 out of 198 dog breeds 52 out of 198 dog breeds
    Thyroid problems Not Common 7 out of 115 dog breeds
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems Not Common 25 out of 70 dog breeds
    Elbow problems Not Common 64 out of 144 dog breeds
    Patella problems Not Common 124 out of 145 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 French Spaniel Better for Apartment Owners than the Kuvasz?

    French Spaniels do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Kuvaszs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Can French Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Kuvaszs Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Kuvaszs cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Which one drools more, the French Spaniel or the Kuvasz

    French Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Kuvaszs drool moderately.

    Do French Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Kuvaszs?

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

    Kuvaszs bark and howl, but not very much.

    Wanderlust Potential: French Spaniel vs. Kuvasz

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

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

    Tolerates Being Alone: French Spaniel versus Kuvasz

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

    Kuvaszs do not like to be left alone.

    Do French Spaniels shed more than Kuvaszs?

    French Spaniels shed moderately.

    Kuvaszs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

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

    French Spaniels are moderately easy to groom.

    Kuvaszs are very easy to groom.

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

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

    Kuvaszs 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.

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

    French Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.

    Kuvaszs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

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

    French Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Kuvaszs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    How Kid-friendly are French Spaniels and Kuvaszs?

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

    Kuvaszs do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the French Spaniel or the Kuvasz?

    French Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Kuvaszs do not get along well with other dogs.

    Is the French Spaniel Easier to Train than the Kuvasz?

    French Spaniels are very easy to train.

    Kuvaszs are not easy to train.

    Are French Spaniels good family dogs? What about Kuvaszs?

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

    Kuvaszs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    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 Kuvasz vs Dutch Shepherd.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Kuvasz

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

  • Hovawart (72 percent match with Kuvasz). Here is our comparison of the French Spaniel vs Hovawart.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    French Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    French Spaniel versus Sloughi     French Spaniel versus Samoyed     French Spaniel versus Coton de Tulear     French Spaniel versus Puggle     French Spaniel versus Cane Corso     French Spaniel versus Harrier     French Spaniel versus Mountain Cur     French Spaniel versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog     French Spaniel versus Bulldog     French Spaniel versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     

    Kuvasz Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Kuvasz versus Spanish Mastiff     Kuvasz versus Alaskan Malamute     Kuvasz versus French Bulldog     Kuvasz versus Ibizan Hound     Kuvasz versus Yorkshire Terrier     Kuvasz versus Mountain Cur     Kuvasz versus Manchester Terrier     Kuvasz versus Tibetan Spaniel     Kuvasz versus Chow Chow     Kuvasz versus Plott     

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