Is the French Spaniel Better than the Spinone Italiano as a Pet? Answer…

Quick Links: Table of Contents

French Spaniel Versus Spinone Italiano: Introduction

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

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

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 Spinone Italiano

French Spaniel versus Spinone Italiano: Overview

A very important difference between the French Spaniel and the Spinone Italiano is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The French Spaniel is a medium-sized dog while the Spinone Italiano is a large-sized dog.

Furthermore, both the French Spaniel and the Spinone Italiano are Sporting Dogs. This means both the French Spaniel and the Spinone Italiano 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.

French Spaniel versus Spinone Italiano: Comparison Table

The table below compares the French Spaniel to the Spinone Italiano 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 Spinone Italiano
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 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 4/5 4/5
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. 22 to 28 inches
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 2/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 4/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 4/5
Easygoing 2/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 5/5
General Health 4/5 3/5
Easy To Train 4/5 4/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 4/5
Weight 45 to 60 pounds. 61 to 86 pounds
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 12.0 years
Average Price $4250 $1180
Price Range $3875 – $4625 $1000 – $1000
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- Recommend annual exams beginning at 1 year of age
  • 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 Spinone Italiano. 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 Spinone Italiano is 86 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Spinone Italiano is a better pet than the French Spaniel. So, you should get the Spinone Italiano!

    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 Spinone Italiano so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Similarities Between the French Spaniel and the Spinone Italiano

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

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

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

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

    On the other hand, Spinone Italianos weigh 61 to 86 pounds when fully grown. Spinone Italianos are 22 to 28 inches when fully grown.

    Price of French Spaniel versus Price of Spinone Italiano

    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 Spinone Italiano puppy is $1180. The price of the Spinone Italiano typically ranges from $1000 – $1000. However, the price of a Spinone Italiano can be as low as $1000 and as high as $3000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 30 Spinone Italiano puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The French Spaniel is more expensive than the Spinone Italiano.

    French Spaniel Spinone Italiano
    Average Price $4250 $1180
    Price Range $3875 to $4625 $1000 to $1000

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Spinone Italianos

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

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

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

    3 health tests are recommended for French Spaniel while 5 tests are recommended for the Spinone Italiano.

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

    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.

    Spinone Italiano Health Problems

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

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- Recommend annual exams beginning at 1 year of age
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Spinone Italianos here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in French Spaniels and Spinone Italianos

    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 Spinone Italiano Breed is Shoulder problems.

    This is because the Spinone Italiano ranks 5 out of 22 dog breeds for Shoulder problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 50 Spinone Italianos, 2 of them had Shoulder problems.

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

  • Shoulder problems: Rank 5 out of 22 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 16 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 20 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 61 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 77 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 164 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in French Spaniel and in Spinone Italiano and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the French Spaniel and the Spinone Italiano:

    Disease French Spaniel Rank Spinone Italiano Rank
    Hips problems 125 out of 198 dog breeds 77 out of 198 dog breeds
    Shoulder problems Not Common 5 out of 22 dog breeds
    Thyroid problems Not Common 16 out of 115 dog breeds
    Congenital Cardiac problems Not Common 20 out of 159 dog breeds
    Elbow problems Not Common 61 out of 144 dog breeds
    Eyes problems Not Common 164 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 Spinone Italiano?

    French Spaniels do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Spinone Italianos adapt very well to apartment living.

    Can French Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Spinone Italianos Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Spinone Italianos can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Which one drools more, the French Spaniel or the Spinone Italiano

    French Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Spinone Italianos have a very high tendency to drool.

    Do French Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Spinone Italianos?

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

    Spinone Italianos are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Wanderlust Potential: French Spaniel vs. Spinone Italiano

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

    Spinone Italianos 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 Spinone Italiano

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

    Spinone Italianos do not like to be left alone.

    Do French Spaniels shed more than Spinone Italianos?

    French Spaniels shed moderately.

    Spinone Italianos shed moderately.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the French Spaniel or the Spinone Italiano?

    French Spaniels are moderately easy to groom.

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

    Does the French Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Spinone Italiano?

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

    Spinone Italianos 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 Spinone Italiano?

    French Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.

    Spinone Italianos are very good for new dog owners.

    Can French Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Spinone Italianos Tolerate Cold Weather?

    French Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Spinone Italianos can very well tolerate cold weather.

    How Kid-friendly are French Spaniels and Spinone Italianos?

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

    Spinone Italianos get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    French Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Spinone Italianos get along very well with other dogs.

    Is the French Spaniel Easier to Train than the Spinone Italiano?

    French Spaniels are very easy to train.

    Spinone Italianos are very easy to train.

    Are French Spaniels good family dogs? What about Spinone Italianos?

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

    Spinone Italianos 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 Spinone Italiano vs Dutch Shepherd.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Spinone Italiano

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

  • Collie (75 percent match with Spinone Italiano). Here is our comparison of the French Spaniel vs Collie.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    French Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    French Spaniel versus Norwegian Lundehund     French Spaniel versus Welsh Terrier     French Spaniel versus Cockapoo     French Spaniel versus German Wirehaired Pointer     French Spaniel versus Harrier     French Spaniel versus Komondor     French Spaniel versus Finnish Lapphund     French Spaniel versus Schipperke     French Spaniel versus Braque du Bourbonnais     French Spaniel versus Shiba Inu     

    Spinone Italiano Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Spinone Italiano versus Biewer Terrier     Spinone Italiano versus Japanese Chin     Spinone Italiano versus Norwegian Lundehund     Spinone Italiano versus Cavapoo     Spinone Italiano versus Japanese Spitz     Spinone Italiano versus Standard Poodle     Spinone Italiano versus Brittany     Spinone Italiano versus Sloughi     Spinone Italiano versus Bluetick Coonhound     Spinone Italiano versus Afghan Hound     

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