Breed Comparison: French Spaniel Versus Pomeranian

French Spaniel versus Pomeranian

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French Spaniel Versus Pomeranian: Introduction

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

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

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 Pomeranian

French Spaniel versus Pomeranian: Overview

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

The table below compares the French Spaniel to the Pomeranian 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 Pomeranian
Life Span 10 to 12 years. 12 to 16 years
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 4/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 4/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 1/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 5/5
Height 21 to 24 inches. 7 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 1/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 2/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 4/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 4/5
Easygoing 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 2/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 3/5
General Health 4/5 3/5
Easy To Train 4/5 4/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 3/5
Weight 45 to 60 pounds. 3 to 7 pounds
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 3/5
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 14.0 years
Average Price $4250 $2150
Price Range $3875 – $4625 $1500 – $2500
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Legg-Calve-Perthes
  • Patellar Luxation
  • *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 Pomeranian. 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 Pomeranian is 79 out of 125.

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

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

  • French Spaniels are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl. However, Pomeranians are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • The Similarities Between the French Spaniel and the Pomeranian

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

  • Both the French Spaniel and the Pomeranian cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the French Spaniel and the Pomeranian do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the French Spaniel and the Pomeranian are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the French Spaniel and the Pomeranian 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 Pomeranian are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the French Spaniel and the Pomeranian 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 Pomeranian can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the French Spaniel and the Pomeranian are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the French Spaniel and the Pomeranian are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the French Spaniel and the Pomeranian are very easy to train.
  • Both the French Spaniel and the Pomeranian are highly intelligent.
  • Both the French Spaniel and the Pomeranian are very playful.
  • Both the French Spaniel and the Pomeranian are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of French Spaniel versus Pomeranian

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

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

    On the other hand, Pomeranians weigh 3 to 7 pounds when fully grown. Pomeranians are 7 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Price of French Spaniel versus Price of Pomeranian

    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 Pomeranian puppy is $2150. The price of the Pomeranian typically ranges from $1500 – $2500. However, the price of a Pomeranian can be as low as $150 and as high as $10000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 1412 Pomeranian puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The French Spaniel is more expensive than the Pomeranian.

    French Spaniel Pomeranian
    Average Price $4250 $2150
    Price Range $3875 to $4625 $1500 to $2500

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Pomeranians

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

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

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

    3 health tests are recommended for French Spaniel while 6 tests are recommended for the Pomeranian.

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

    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.

    Pomeranian Health Problems

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

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Legg-Calve-Perthes
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Pomeranians here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in French Spaniels and Pomeranians

    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 Pomeranian Breed is Patella problems.

    This is because the Pomeranian ranks 1 out of 145 dog breeds for Patella problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 1542 Pomeranians, 456 of them had Patella problems.

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

  • Patella problems: Rank 1 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 49 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 75 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 89 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 171 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in French Spaniel and in Pomeranian and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the French Spaniel and the Pomeranian:

    Disease French Spaniel Rank Pomeranian Rank
    Hips problems 125 out of 198 dog breeds 75 out of 198 dog breeds
    Patella problems Not Common 1 out of 145 dog breeds
    Congenital Cardiac problems Not Common 49 out of 159 dog breeds
    Thyroid problems Not Common 89 out of 115 dog breeds
    Eyes problems Not Common 171 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 Pomeranian?

    French Spaniels do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Pomeranians adapt very well to apartment living.

    Can French Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Pomeranians Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

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

    Which one drools more, the French Spaniel or the Pomeranian

    French Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Pomeranians do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Do French Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Pomeranians?

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

    Pomeranians are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Wanderlust Potential: French Spaniel vs. Pomeranian

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

    Pomeranians 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 Pomeranian

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

    Pomeranians do not like to be left alone.

    Do French Spaniels shed more than Pomeranians?

    French Spaniels shed moderately.

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

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

    French Spaniels are moderately easy to groom.

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

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

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

    Pomeranians 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 Pomeranian?

    French Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.

    Pomeranians are very good for new dog owners.

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

    French Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Pomeranians can very well tolerate cold weather.

    How Kid-friendly are French Spaniels and Pomeranians?

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

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

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

    French Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Pomeranians do not get along well with other dogs.

    Is the French Spaniel Easier to Train than the Pomeranian?

    French Spaniels are very easy to train.

    Pomeranians are very easy to train.

    Are French Spaniels good family dogs? What about Pomeranians?

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

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

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

  • Pomapoo (81 percent match with Pomeranian). Here is our comparison of the French Spaniel vs Pomapoo.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    French Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    French Spaniel versus American Staffordshire Terrier     French Spaniel versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog     French Spaniel versus Dalmatian     French Spaniel versus American Eskimo Dog     French Spaniel versus Bluetick Coonhound     French Spaniel versus Shichon     French Spaniel versus Siberian Husky     French Spaniel versus Patterdale Terrier     French Spaniel versus Border Terrier     French Spaniel versus Afador     

    Pomeranian Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Pomeranian versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen     Pomeranian versus Chihuahua     Pomeranian versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     Pomeranian versus Akita Chow     Pomeranian versus Saint Bernard     Pomeranian versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     Pomeranian versus German Shorthaired Pointer     Pomeranian versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     Pomeranian versus Alaskan Klee Kai     Pomeranian versus Morkie     

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