Quick Links: Table of Contents
- French Spaniel Versus Portuguese Water Dog: Introduction
- French Spaniel versus Portuguese Water Dog: Overview
- French Spaniel versus Portuguese Water Dog: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the French Spaniel and the Portuguese Water Dog
- The Similarities Between the French Spaniel and the Portuguese Water Dog
- Size (Weight and Height) of French Spaniel versus Portuguese Water Dog
- Price of French Spaniel versus Price of Portuguese Water Dog
- Health Problems of French Spaniel versus Health Problems of Portuguese Water Dog
- Can French Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Portuguese Water Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which one drools more, the French Spaniel or the Portuguese Water Dog
- Do French Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Portuguese Water Dogs?
- Wanderlust Potential: French Spaniel vs. Portuguese Water Dog
- Tolerates Being Alone: French Spaniel versus Portuguese Water Dog
- Do French Spaniels shed more than Portuguese Water Dogs?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the French Spaniel or the Portuguese Water Dog?
- Does the French Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Portuguese Water Dog?
- Can French Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Portuguese Water Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?
- How Kid-friendly are French Spaniels and Portuguese Water Dogs?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the French Spaniel or the Portuguese Water Dog?
- Is the French Spaniel Easier to Train than the Portuguese Water Dog?
- Are French Spaniels good family dogs? What about Portuguese Water Dogs?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the French Spaniel
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Portuguese Water Dog
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: French Spaniel versus Portuguese Water Dog. Which One is a Better Pet?
French Spaniel Versus Portuguese Water Dog: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the French Spaniel and the Portuguese Water Dog? 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 Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the French Spaniel and the Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog. 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 Portuguese Water Dog.
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 Portuguese Water Dog
French Spaniel versus Portuguese Water Dog: Overview
Both the French Spaniel and the Portuguese Water Dog are similar in size. The French Spaniel and the Portuguese Water Dog are both medium-sized dogs.
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 Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog: Comparison Table
The table below compares the French Spaniel to the Portuguese Water Dog 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 | Portuguese Water Dog |
|---|---|---|
| Life Span | 10 to 12 years. | 10 to 14 years |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Height | 21 to 24 inches. | 1 foot, 5 inches to 1 foot, 11 inches tall at the |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Weight | 45 to 60 pounds. | 35 to 60 pounds |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 11.0 years | 12.0 years |
| Average Price | $4250 | $2860 |
| Price Range | $3875 – $4625 | $2500 – $3300 |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
*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 Portuguese Water Dog. 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 Portuguese Water Dog is 84 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the French Spaniel is a better pet than the Portuguese Water Dog. 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 Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog
Below is a list of where the French Spaniel and the Portuguese Water Dog are most different:
The Similarities Between the French Spaniel and the Portuguese Water Dog
The French Spaniel and the Portuguese Water Dog are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the French Spaniel and the Portuguese Water Dog are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of French Spaniel versus Portuguese Water Dog
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the French Spaniel and the Portuguese Water Dog.
French Spaniels weigh 45 to 60 pounds. when fully grown. French Spaniels are 21 to 24 inches. when fully grown.
On the other hand, Portuguese Water Dogs weigh 35 to 60 pounds when fully grown. Portuguese Water Dogs are 1 foot, 5 inches to 1 foot, 11 inches tall at the when fully grown.
Price of French Spaniel versus Price of Portuguese Water Dog
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 Portuguese Water Dog puppy is $2860. The price of the Portuguese Water Dog typically ranges from $2500 – $3300. However, the price of a Portuguese Water Dog can be as low as $900 and as high as $5000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 140 Portuguese Water Dog puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The French Spaniel is more expensive than the Portuguese Water Dog.
| French Spaniel | Portuguese Water Dog | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $4250 | $2860 |
| Price Range | $3875 to $4625 | $2500 to $3300 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the French Spaniel and Portuguese Water Dog. For different price points, the charts show how many French Spaniel puppies or how many Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dogs
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the French Spaniel puppy or the Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog
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 Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog is prone to more genetic health problems than the French Spaniel.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Portuguese Water Dog than for the French Spaniel.
3 health tests are recommended for French Spaniel while 11 tests are recommended for the Portuguese Water Dog.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in French Spaniels and in Portuguese Water Dogs.
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.
Portuguese Water Dog Health Problems
Portuguese Water Dogs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dogs for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Portuguese Water Dogs here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in French Spaniels and Portuguese Water Dogs
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 Portuguese Water Dog Breed is Early Onset Pra problems.
This is because the Portuguese Water Dog ranks 1 out of 1 dog breeds for Early Onset Pra problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 788 Portuguese Water Dogs, 0 of them had Early Onset Pra problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Portuguese Water Dogs, and how common these diseases are in Portuguese Water Dogs relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in French Spaniel and in Portuguese Water Dog and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the French Spaniel and the Portuguese Water Dog:
| Disease | French Spaniel Rank | Portuguese Water Dog Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Hips problems | 125 out of 198 dog breeds | 94 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Early Onset Pra problems | Not Common | 1 out of 1 dog breeds |
| Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems | Not Common | 15 out of 32 dog breeds |
| Thyroid problems | Not Common | 59 out of 115 dog breeds |
| Elbow problems | Not Common | 111 out of 144 dog breeds |
| Eyes problems | Not Common | 140 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 Portuguese Water Dog?
French Spaniels do not adapt well to apartment living.
Portuguese Water Dogs adapt very well to apartment living.
Can French Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Portuguese Water Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?
French Spaniels cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Portuguese Water Dogs can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Which one drools more, the French Spaniel or the Portuguese Water Dog
French Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.
Portuguese Water Dogs do have a very low tendency to drool.
Do French Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Portuguese Water Dogs?
French Spaniels are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Portuguese Water Dogs bark and howl, but not very much.
Wanderlust Potential: French Spaniel vs. Portuguese Water Dog
French Spaniels do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Portuguese Water Dogs have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Tolerates Being Alone: French Spaniel versus Portuguese Water Dog
French Spaniels can be left alone only for a short time.
Portuguese Water Dogs do not like to be left alone.
Do French Spaniels shed more than Portuguese Water Dogs?
French Spaniels shed moderately.
Portuguese Water Dogs do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Which is Easier to Groom, the French Spaniel or the Portuguese Water Dog?
French Spaniels are moderately easy to groom.
Portuguese Water Dogs require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Does the French Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Portuguese Water Dog?
French Spaniels have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Portuguese Water Dogs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the French Spaniel or the Portuguese Water Dog?
French Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.
Portuguese Water Dogs are OK for new dog owners.
Can French Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Portuguese Water Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?
French Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.
Portuguese Water Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.
How Kid-friendly are French Spaniels and Portuguese Water Dogs?
French Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Portuguese Water Dogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the French Spaniel or the Portuguese Water Dog?
French Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.
Portuguese Water Dogs get along very well with other dogs.
Is the French Spaniel Easier to Train than the Portuguese Water Dog?
French Spaniels are very easy to train.
Portuguese Water Dogs are very easy to train.
Are French Spaniels good family dogs? What about Portuguese Water Dogs?
French Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Portuguese Water Dogs 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 Portuguese Water Dog
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the French Spaniel and how the Portuguese Water Dog compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the French Spaniel and of the Portuguese Water Dog to other breeds:
French Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds
French Spaniel versus Chow Chow French Spaniel versus Mastiff French Spaniel versus German Pinscher French Spaniel versus Boerboel French Spaniel versus West Highland White Terrier French Spaniel versus Glen of Imaal Terrier French Spaniel versus Maremma Sheepdog French Spaniel versus Frenchton French Spaniel versus Bracco Italiano French Spaniel versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog
Portuguese Water Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds
Portuguese Water Dog versus Bernedoodle Portuguese Water Dog versus Catahoula Bulldog Portuguese Water Dog versus Pomapoo Portuguese Water Dog versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen Portuguese Water Dog versus Belgian Tervuren Portuguese Water Dog versus Chi-Poo Portuguese Water Dog versus Silky Terrier Portuguese Water Dog versus French Spaniel Portuguese Water Dog versus Flat-Coated Retriever Portuguese Water Dog versus Jack Russell Terrier
Conclusion: French Spaniel versus Portuguese Water Dog. 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 Portuguese Water Dog better suits you and your family.