French Spaniel versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier. Final Verdict on Which is a Better Pet.

French Spaniel versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

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French Spaniel Versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the French Spaniel and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier 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 Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier. 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 Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier.

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 Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

French Spaniel versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier: Overview

Both the French Spaniel and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier are similar in size. The French Spaniel and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier 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 Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier belongs to the Terrier Dogs group. Terrier Dogs were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.

French Spaniel versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the French Spaniel to the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier 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 Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
Life Span 10 to 12 years. 12 to 15 years
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 5/5
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 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 2/5
Height 21 to 24 inches. 17 to 19 inches tall at the shoulder
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 3/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 4/5
Easygoing 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 2/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 5/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Easy To Train 4/5 4/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 5/5
Weight 45 to 60 pounds. 30 to 40 pounds
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 13.5 years
Average Price $4250 $1810
Price Range $3875 – $4625 $1050 – $2200
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • *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 Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier. 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 Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is 89 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is a better pet than the French Spaniel. So, you should get the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier!

    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 Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier 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 Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

    Below is a list of where the French Spaniel and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier are most different:

  • French Spaniels do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers adapt well to apartment living.
  • The Similarities Between the French Spaniel and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

    The French Spaniel and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the French Spaniel and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier are most similar:

  • Both the French Spaniel and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the French Spaniel and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the French Spaniel and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier are not prone to gaining weight easily.
  • Both the French Spaniel and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the French Spaniel and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the French Spaniel and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the French Spaniel and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier 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 Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the French Spaniel and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the French Spaniel and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the French Spaniel and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the French Spaniel and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier are very easy to train.
  • Both the French Spaniel and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier are highly intelligent.
  • Both the French Spaniel and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the French Spaniel and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier are very playful.
  • Both the French Spaniel and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the French Spaniel and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier 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 Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the French Spaniel and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier.

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

    On the other hand, Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers weigh 30 to 40 pounds when fully grown. Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers are 17 to 19 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Price of French Spaniel versus Price of Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

    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 Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier puppy is $1810. The price of the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier typically ranges from $1050 – $2200. However, the price of a Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier can be as low as $500 and as high as $5500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 170 Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The French Spaniel is more expensive than the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier.

    French Spaniel Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
    Average Price $4250 $1810
    Price Range $3875 to $4625 $1050 to $2200

    The charts below show the price distribution for the French Spaniel and Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier. For different price points, the charts show how many French Spaniel puppies or how many Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier 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 Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers

    A breakdown of the prices of Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers

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

    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 Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier 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 Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the French Spaniel than for the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier.

    3 health tests are recommended for French Spaniel while 2 tests are recommended for the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in French Spaniels and in Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers.

    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.

    Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Health Problems

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

  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in French Spaniels and Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers

    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 Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Breed is Paroxysmal Dyskinesia problems.

    This is because the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier ranks 1 out of 1 dog breeds for Paroxysmal Dyskinesia problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 54 Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers, 11 of them had Paroxysmal Dyskinesia problems.

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

  • Paroxysmal Dyskinesia problems: Rank 1 out of 1 Dog Breeds
  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 7 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 46 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 79 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 126 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 162 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in French Spaniel and in Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the French Spaniel and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier:

    Disease French Spaniel Rank Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Rank
    Hips problems 125 out of 198 dog breeds 162 out of 198 dog breeds
    Paroxysmal Dyskinesia problems Not Common 1 out of 1 dog breeds
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems Not Common 7 out of 70 dog breeds
    Elbow problems Not Common 46 out of 144 dog breeds
    Patella problems Not Common 79 out of 145 dog breeds
    Eyes problems Not Common 126 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 Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier?

    French Spaniels do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Can French Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Which one drools more, the French Spaniel or the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

    French Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Do French Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers?

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

    Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers bark and howl, but not very much.

    Wanderlust Potential: French Spaniel vs. Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

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

    Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Tolerates Being Alone: French Spaniel versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

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

    Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Do French Spaniels shed more than Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers?

    French Spaniels shed moderately.

    Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the French Spaniel or the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier?

    French Spaniels are moderately easy to groom.

    Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers are moderately easy to groom.

    Does the French Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier?

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

    Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers 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 Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier?

    French Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.

    Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers are very good for new dog owners.

    Can French Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    French Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    How Kid-friendly are French Spaniels and Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers?

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

    Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the French Spaniel or the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier?

    French Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers get along very well with other dogs.

    Is the French Spaniel Easier to Train than the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier?

    French Spaniels are very easy to train.

    Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers are very easy to train.

    Are French Spaniels good family dogs? What about Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers?

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

    Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers 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 Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Dutch Shepherd.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier 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 Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier:

  • Cavachon (82 percent match with Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier). Here is our comparison of the French Spaniel vs Cavachon.
  • Lowchen (80 percent match with Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier). Here is our comparison of the French Spaniel vs Lowchen.
  • Cockalier (81 percent match with Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier). Here is our comparison of the French Spaniel vs Cockalier.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    French Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    French Spaniel versus English Cocker Spaniel     French Spaniel versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog     French Spaniel versus Plott     French Spaniel versus Standard Schnauzer     French Spaniel versus Japanese Chin     French Spaniel versus Irish Water Spaniel     French Spaniel versus Kerry Blue Terrier     French Spaniel versus Belgian Malinois     French Spaniel versus Belgian Sheepdog     French Spaniel versus American Foxhound     

    Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier versus Lhasa Apso     Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier versus Harrier     Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier versus Afador     Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier versus Italian Greyhound     Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier versus Flat-Coated Retriever     Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier versus Great Dane     Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier versus Field Spaniel     Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier versus Finnish Lapphund     

    Conclusion: French Spaniel versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier. 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 Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier better suits you and your family.