Breed Comparison: French Spaniel Versus Maremma Sheepdog

French Spaniel versus Maremma Sheepdog

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French Spaniel Versus Maremma Sheepdog: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the French Spaniel and the Maremma Sheepdog 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 Maremma Sheepdog. 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 Maremma Sheepdog.

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 Maremma Sheepdog

French Spaniel versus Maremma Sheepdog: Overview

A very important difference between the French Spaniel and the Maremma Sheepdog is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The French Spaniel is a medium-sized dog while the Maremma Sheepdog is a large-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 Maremma Sheepdog 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 Maremma Sheepdog: Comparison Table

The table below compares the French Spaniel to the Maremma Sheepdog 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 Maremma Sheepdog
Life Span 10 to 12 years. 11 to 13 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 1/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 4/5
Height 21 to 24 inches. 23.5 to 28.5 inches
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 1/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 2/5
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 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 1/5
General Health 4/5 5/5
Easy To Train 4/5 1/5
Intelligence 4/5 5/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 2/5
Weight 45 to 60 pounds. 65 to 100 pounds
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 12.0 years
Average Price $4250 $1160
Price Range $3875 – $4625 $495 – $1500
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Shoulders
  • *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 Maremma Sheepdog. 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 Maremma Sheepdog is 68 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the French Spaniel is a better pet than the Maremma Sheepdog. 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 Maremma Sheepdog 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 Maremma Sheepdog

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

  • French Spaniels are not prone to gaining weight easily. However, Maremma Sheepdogs gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • French Spaniels are good for new dog owners. However, Maremma Sheepdogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • French Spaniels are very friendly towards strangers. However, Maremma Sheepdogs are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • French Spaniels are very easy to train. However, Maremma Sheepdogs are not easy to train.
  • The Similarities Between the French Spaniel and the Maremma Sheepdog

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

  • Both the French Spaniel and the Maremma Sheepdog do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the French Spaniel and the Maremma Sheepdog cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the French Spaniel and the Maremma Sheepdog do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the French Spaniel and the Maremma Sheepdog are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the French Spaniel and the Maremma Sheepdog are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the French Spaniel and the Maremma Sheepdog 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 Maremma Sheepdog 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 Maremma Sheepdog can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the French Spaniel and the Maremma Sheepdog get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the French Spaniel and the Maremma Sheepdog get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the French Spaniel and the Maremma Sheepdog are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the French Spaniel and the Maremma Sheepdog are highly intelligent.
  • Both the French Spaniel and the Maremma Sheepdog require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the French Spaniel and the Maremma Sheepdog are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the French Spaniel and the Maremma Sheepdog 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 Maremma Sheepdog

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

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

    On the other hand, Maremma Sheepdogs weigh 65 to 100 pounds when fully grown. Maremma Sheepdogs are 23.5 to 28.5 inches when fully grown.

    Price of French Spaniel versus Price of Maremma Sheepdog

    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 Maremma Sheepdog puppy is $1160. The price of the Maremma Sheepdog typically ranges from $495 – $1500. However, the price of a Maremma Sheepdog can be as low as $300 and as high as $4135. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 41 Maremma Sheepdog puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The French Spaniel is more expensive than the Maremma Sheepdog.

    French Spaniel Maremma Sheepdog
    Average Price $4250 $1160
    Price Range $3875 to $4625 $495 to $1500

    The charts below show the price distribution for the French Spaniel and Maremma Sheepdog. For different price points, the charts show how many French Spaniel puppies or how many Maremma Sheepdog 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 Maremma Sheepdogs

    A breakdown of the prices of Maremma Sheepdogs

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the French Spaniel puppy or the Maremma Sheepdog 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 Maremma Sheepdog

    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 Maremma Sheepdog 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 Maremma Sheepdog is prone to more genetic health problems than the French Spaniel.

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

    3 health tests are recommended for French Spaniel while 5 tests are recommended for the Maremma Sheepdog.

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

    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.

    Maremma Sheepdog Health Problems

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

  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Shoulders
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Maremma Sheepdogs here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in French Spaniels and Maremma Sheepdogs

    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 Maremma Sheepdog Breed is Hips problems.

    This is because the Maremma Sheepdog ranks 59 out of 198 dog breeds for Hips problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 159 Maremma Sheepdogs, 27 of them had Hips problems.

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

  • Hips problems: Rank 59 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in French Spaniel and in Maremma Sheepdog and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the French Spaniel and the Maremma Sheepdog:

    Disease French Spaniel Rank Maremma Sheepdog Rank
    Hips problems 125 out of 198 dog breeds 59 out of 198 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 Maremma Sheepdog?

    French Spaniels do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Maremma Sheepdogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Can French Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Maremma Sheepdogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Maremma Sheepdogs cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Which one drools more, the French Spaniel or the Maremma Sheepdog

    French Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Maremma Sheepdogs drool moderately.

    Do French Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Maremma Sheepdogs?

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

    Maremma Sheepdogs are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Wanderlust Potential: French Spaniel vs. Maremma Sheepdog

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

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

    Tolerates Being Alone: French Spaniel versus Maremma Sheepdog

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

    Maremma Sheepdogs do not like to be left alone.

    Do French Spaniels shed more than Maremma Sheepdogs?

    French Spaniels shed moderately.

    Maremma Sheepdogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the French Spaniel or the Maremma Sheepdog?

    French Spaniels are moderately easy to groom.

    Maremma Sheepdogs require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Does the French Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Maremma Sheepdog?

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

    Maremma Sheepdogs 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 Maremma Sheepdog?

    French Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.

    Maremma Sheepdogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Can French Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Maremma Sheepdogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    French Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Maremma Sheepdogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    How Kid-friendly are French Spaniels and Maremma Sheepdogs?

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

    Maremma Sheepdogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    French Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Maremma Sheepdogs get along very well with other dogs.

    Is the French Spaniel Easier to Train than the Maremma Sheepdog?

    French Spaniels are very easy to train.

    Maremma Sheepdogs are not easy to train.

    Are French Spaniels good family dogs? What about Maremma Sheepdogs?

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

    Maremma Sheepdogs 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 Maremma Sheepdog vs Dutch Shepherd.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Maremma Sheepdog

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

  • Central Asian Shepherd Dog (75 percent match with Maremma Sheepdog). Here is our comparison of the French Spaniel vs Central Asian Shepherd Dog.
  • Hovawart (72 percent match with Maremma Sheepdog). 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 Maremma Sheepdog compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the French Spaniel and of the Maremma Sheepdog to other breeds:

    French Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    French Spaniel versus Miniature Pinscher     French Spaniel versus Kooikerhondje     French Spaniel versus Leonberger     French Spaniel versus Giant Schnauzer     French Spaniel versus Brittany     French Spaniel versus Xoloitzcuintli     French Spaniel versus Golden Cocker Retriever     French Spaniel versus Belgian Sheepdog     French Spaniel versus Berger Picard     French Spaniel versus German Pinscher     

    Maremma Sheepdog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Maremma Sheepdog versus Cane Corso     Maremma Sheepdog versus Kerry Blue Terrier     Maremma Sheepdog versus American Eskimo Dog     Maremma Sheepdog versus Irish Terrier     Maremma Sheepdog versus Pekingese     Maremma Sheepdog versus Saint Berdoodle     Maremma Sheepdog versus Lowchen     Maremma Sheepdog versus Redbone Coonhound     Maremma Sheepdog versus Kuvasz     Maremma Sheepdog versus Hovawart     

    Conclusion: French Spaniel versus Maremma Sheepdog. 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 Maremma Sheepdog better suits you and your family.