Quick Links: Table of Contents
- French Spaniel Versus Papillon: Introduction
- French Spaniel versus Papillon: Overview
- French Spaniel versus Papillon: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the French Spaniel and the Papillon
- The Similarities Between the French Spaniel and the Papillon
- Size (Weight and Height) of French Spaniel versus Papillon
- Price of French Spaniel versus Price of Papillon
- Health Problems of French Spaniel versus Health Problems of Papillon
- Can French Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Papillons Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which one drools more, the French Spaniel or the Papillon
- Do French Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Papillons?
- Wanderlust Potential: French Spaniel vs. Papillon
- Tolerates Being Alone: French Spaniel versus Papillon
- Do French Spaniels shed more than Papillons?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the French Spaniel or the Papillon?
- Does the French Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Papillon?
- Can French Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Papillons Tolerate Cold Weather?
- How Kid-friendly are French Spaniels and Papillons?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the French Spaniel or the Papillon?
- Is the French Spaniel Easier to Train than the Papillon?
- Are French Spaniels good family dogs? What about Papillons?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the French Spaniel
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Papillon
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: French Spaniel versus Papillon. Which One is a Better Pet?
French Spaniel Versus Papillon: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the French Spaniel 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 French Spaniel 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 French Spaniel and the Papillon.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the French Spaniel 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 French Spaniel 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 French Spaniel 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 French Spaniel or the Papillon
French Spaniel versus Papillon: Overview
A very important difference between the French Spaniel and the Papillon is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The French Spaniel is a medium-sized dog while the Papillon is a tiny-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 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.
French Spaniel versus Papillon: Comparison Table
The table below compares the French Spaniel 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 | French Spaniel | Papillon |
|---|---|---|
| Life Span | 10 to 12 years. | 12 to 16 years |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Height | 21 to 24 inches. | 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Weight | 45 to 60 pounds. | 4 to 9 pounds |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 11.0 years | 14.0 years |
| Average Price | $4250 | $1800 |
| Price Range | $3875 – $4625 | $1400 – $2000 |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
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*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 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 French Spaniel is 85 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 French Spaniel. 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 French Spaniel and the Papillon 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 Papillon
Below is a list of where the French Spaniel and the Papillon are most different:
The Similarities Between the French Spaniel and the Papillon
The French Spaniel and the Papillon are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the French Spaniel and the Papillon are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of French Spaniel versus Papillon
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the French Spaniel and the Papillon.
French Spaniels weigh 45 to 60 pounds. when fully grown. French Spaniels are 21 to 24 inches. 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.
Price of French Spaniel versus Price of Papillon
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 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 French Spaniel is more expensive than the Papillon.
| French Spaniel | Papillon | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $4250 | $1800 |
| Price Range | $3875 to $4625 | $1400 to $2000 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the French Spaniel and Papillon. For different price points, the charts show how many French Spaniel puppies or how many Papillon 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 Papillons
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the French Spaniel 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.
Health Problems of French Spaniel 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 French Spaniel 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 French Spaniel is prone to more genetic health problems than the Papillon.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the French Spaniel than for the Papillon.
3 health tests are recommended for French Spaniel while 2 tests are recommended for the Papillon.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in French Spaniels and in Papillons.
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:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for French Spaniels 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 French Spaniels 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 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:
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 French Spaniel and in Papillon and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the French Spaniel and the Papillon:
| Disease | French Spaniel Rank | Papillon Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Hips problems | 125 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 French Spaniel Better for Apartment Owners than the Papillon?
French Spaniels do not adapt well to apartment living.
Papillons adapt very well to apartment living.
Can French Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Papillons Tolerate Hot Weather?
French Spaniels cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Papillons can tolerate hot weather.
Which one drools more, the French Spaniel or the Papillon
French Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.
Papillons do have a very low tendency to drool.
Do French Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Papillons?
French Spaniels are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Papillons are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Wanderlust Potential: French Spaniel vs. Papillon
French Spaniels do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Papillons 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 Papillon
French Spaniels can be left alone only for a short time.
Papillons do not like to be left alone.
Do French Spaniels shed more than Papillons?
French Spaniels shed moderately.
Papillons do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Which is Easier to Groom, the French Spaniel or the Papillon?
French Spaniels are moderately easy to groom.
Papillons are moderately easy to groom.
Does the French Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Papillon?
French Spaniels have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and 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.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the French Spaniel or the Papillon?
French Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.
Papillons are very good for new dog owners.
Can French Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Papillons Tolerate Cold Weather?
French Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.
Papillons cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
How Kid-friendly are French Spaniels and Papillons?
French Spaniels 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 French Spaniel or the Papillon?
French Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.
Papillons get along very well with other dogs.
Is the French Spaniel Easier to Train than the Papillon?
French Spaniels are very easy to train.
Papillons are very easy to train.
Are French Spaniels good family dogs? What about Papillons?
French Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Papillons 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:
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 French Spaniel and how the Papillon compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the French Spaniel and of the Papillon to other breeds:
French Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds
French Spaniel versus German Pinscher French Spaniel versus Fila Brasileiro French Spaniel versus Shiloh Shepherd French Spaniel versus Chow Chow French Spaniel versus Treeing Walker Coonhound French Spaniel versus Affenpinscher French Spaniel versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog French Spaniel versus Sealyham Terrier French Spaniel versus Irish Wolfhound French Spaniel versus Bearded Collie
Papillon Versus Other Dog Breeds
Papillon versus Akita Chow Papillon versus Shetland Sheepdog Papillon versus Japanese Spitz Papillon versus Tibetan Terrier Papillon versus Norwich Terrier Papillon versus Briard Papillon versus Belgian Sheepdog Papillon versus Chinese Crested Papillon versus Goldador Papillon versus Tibetan Spaniel
Conclusion: French Spaniel 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 French Spaniel and the Papillon better suits you and your family.