Which is Better between the French Spaniel and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier? A Very Detailed Review.

French Spaniel versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier

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French Spaniel Versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the French Spaniel and the Staffordshire Bull 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 Staffordshire Bull 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 Staffordshire Bull 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 Staffordshire Bull Terrier

French Spaniel versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier: Overview

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

The table below compares the French Spaniel to the Staffordshire Bull 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 Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Life Span 10 to 12 years. 12 to 14 years
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 1/5
Does NOT Drool 4/5 3/5
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 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 2/5
Height 21 to 24 inches. 14 to 16 inches tall at the shoulder
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 3/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 1/5
Easygoing 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 1/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 5/5
General Health 4/5 3/5
Easy To Train 4/5 2/5
Intelligence 4/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 5/5
Weight 45 to 60 pounds. 24 to 38 pounds
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 3/5
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 13.0 years
Average Price $4250 $1890
Price Range $3875 – $4625 $1000 – $2425
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination – min age 1 year
  • Hereditary Cataracts DNA Test
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • L2HGA DNA Test
  • 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 Staffordshire Bull 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 Staffordshire Bull Terrier is 75 out of 125.

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

    Below is a list of where the French Spaniel and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier are most different:

  • French Spaniels are good for new dog owners. However, Staffordshire Bull Terriers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • French Spaniels get along well with other dogs. However, Staffordshire Bull Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.
  • The Similarities Between the French Spaniel and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier

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

  • Both the French Spaniel and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the French Spaniel and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the French Spaniel and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the French Spaniel and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the French Spaniel and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the French Spaniel and the Staffordshire Bull 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 Staffordshire Bull Terrier can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the French Spaniel and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the French Spaniel and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the French Spaniel and the Staffordshire Bull 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 Staffordshire Bull Terrier are highly intelligent.
  • Both the French Spaniel and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the French Spaniel and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier are very playful.
  • Both the French Spaniel and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of French Spaniel versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the French Spaniel and the Staffordshire Bull 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, Staffordshire Bull Terriers weigh 24 to 38 pounds when fully grown. Staffordshire Bull Terriers are 14 to 16 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Price of French Spaniel versus Price of Staffordshire Bull 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 Staffordshire Bull Terrier puppy is $1890. The price of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier typically ranges from $1000 – $2425. However, the price of a Staffordshire Bull Terrier can be as low as $300 and as high as $6500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 56 Staffordshire Bull Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The French Spaniel is more expensive than the Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

    French Spaniel Staffordshire Bull Terrier
    Average Price $4250 $1890
    Price Range $3875 to $4625 $1000 to $2425

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Staffordshire Bull Terriers

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the French Spaniel puppy or the Staffordshire Bull 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 Staffordshire Bull 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 Staffordshire Bull 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 Staffordshire Bull Terrier is prone to more genetic health problems than the French Spaniel.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Staffordshire Bull Terrier than for the French Spaniel.

    3 health tests are recommended for French Spaniel while 7 tests are recommended for the Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

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

    Staffordshire Bull Terrier Health Problems

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

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination – min age 1 year
  • Hereditary Cataracts DNA Test
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • L2HGA DNA Test
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Staffordshire Bull Terriers here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in French Spaniels and Staffordshire Bull 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 Staffordshire Bull Terrier Breed is Advanced Cardiac problems.

    This is because the Staffordshire Bull Terrier ranks 17 out of 71 dog breeds for Advanced Cardiac problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 51 Staffordshire Bull Terriers, 1 of them had Advanced Cardiac problems.

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

  • Advanced Cardiac problems: Rank 17 out of 71 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 21 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 23 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 69 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 105 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 126 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in French Spaniel and in Staffordshire Bull Terrier and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the French Spaniel and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier:

    Disease French Spaniel Rank Staffordshire Bull Terrier Rank
    Hips problems 125 out of 198 dog breeds 69 out of 198 dog breeds
    Advanced Cardiac problems Not Common 17 out of 71 dog breeds
    Elbow problems Not Common 21 out of 144 dog breeds
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems Not Common 23 out of 70 dog breeds
    Eyes problems Not Common 105 out of 182 dog breeds
    Patella problems Not Common 126 out of 145 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 Staffordshire Bull Terrier?

    French Spaniels do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Staffordshire Bull Terriers adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Can French Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Staffordshire Bull Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Staffordshire Bull Terriers cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Which one drools more, the French Spaniel or the Staffordshire Bull Terrier

    French Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Staffordshire Bull Terriers drool moderately.

    Do French Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Staffordshire Bull Terriers?

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

    Staffordshire Bull Terriers bark and howl, but not very much.

    Wanderlust Potential: French Spaniel vs. Staffordshire Bull 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.

    Staffordshire Bull Terriers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Tolerates Being Alone: French Spaniel versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier

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

    Staffordshire Bull Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Do French Spaniels shed more than Staffordshire Bull Terriers?

    French Spaniels shed moderately.

    Staffordshire Bull Terriers shed moderately.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the French Spaniel or the Staffordshire Bull Terrier?

    French Spaniels are moderately easy to groom.

    Staffordshire Bull Terriers are very easy to groom.

    Does the French Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Staffordshire Bull Terrier?

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

    Staffordshire Bull Terriers 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 Staffordshire Bull Terrier?

    French Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.

    Staffordshire Bull Terriers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Can French Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Staffordshire Bull Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    French Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Staffordshire Bull Terriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    How Kid-friendly are French Spaniels and Staffordshire Bull Terriers?

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

    Staffordshire Bull Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the French Spaniel or the Staffordshire Bull Terrier?

    French Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Staffordshire Bull Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Is the French Spaniel Easier to Train than the Staffordshire Bull Terrier?

    French Spaniels are very easy to train.

    Staffordshire Bull Terriers are not easy to train.

    Are French Spaniels good family dogs? What about Staffordshire Bull Terriers?

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

    Staffordshire Bull 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 Staffordshire Bull Terrier vs Dutch Shepherd.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Staffordshire Bull Terrier

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Staffordshire Bull 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 Staffordshire Bull Terrier:

  • Boxer (71 percent match with Staffordshire Bull Terrier). Here is our comparison of the French Spaniel vs Boxer.
  • Schipperke (72 percent match with Staffordshire Bull Terrier). Here is our comparison of the French Spaniel vs Schipperke.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    French Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    French Spaniel versus Korean Jindo Dog     French Spaniel versus Azawakh     French Spaniel versus Cavapoo     French Spaniel versus Maltese     French Spaniel versus Airedale Terrier     French Spaniel versus Puggle     French Spaniel versus Irish Terrier     French Spaniel versus Pekingese     French Spaniel versus Sheepadoodle     French Spaniel versus Shihpoo     

    Staffordshire Bull Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Cairn Terrier     Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Dachshund     Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Dalmatian     Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Airedale Terrier     Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Gordon Setter     Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Bracco Italiano     Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Boston Terrier     Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Greyhound     Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Pomsky     Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Tibetan Spaniel     

    Conclusion: French Spaniel versus Staffordshire Bull 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 Staffordshire Bull Terrier better suits you and your family.