Differences and Similarities between the French Spaniel and the Weimaraner.

French Spaniel versus Weimaraner

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French Spaniel Versus Weimaraner: Introduction

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

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

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 Weimaraner

French Spaniel versus Weimaraner: Overview

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

Furthermore, both the French Spaniel and the Weimaraner are Sporting Dogs. This means both the French Spaniel and the Weimaraner 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 Weimaraner: Comparison Table

The table below compares the French Spaniel to the Weimaraner 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 Weimaraner
Life Span 10 to 12 years. 11 to 13 years
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 1/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 4/5
Does NOT Drool 4/5 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 4/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 1/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 1/5
Height 21 to 24 inches. 23 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 1/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 1/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 2/5
Easygoing 2/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 3/5
General Health 4/5 3/5
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. 55 to 85 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 $1080
Price Range $3875 – $4625 $950 – $1250
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • HYPERURICOSURIA
  • Hypomyelination
  • Thyroid
  • *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 Weimaraner. 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 Weimaraner is 67 out of 125.

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

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

  • French Spaniels are not prone to nip and chew at things. However, Weimaraners are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • French Spaniels do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them. However, Weimaraners have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • The Similarities Between the French Spaniel and the Weimaraner

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

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

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

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

    On the other hand, Weimaraners weigh 55 to 85 pounds when fully grown. Weimaraners are 23 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Price of French Spaniel versus Price of Weimaraner

    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 Weimaraner puppy is $1080. The price of the Weimaraner typically ranges from $950 – $1250. However, the price of a Weimaraner can be as low as $300 and as high as $2000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 114 Weimaraner puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The French Spaniel is more expensive than the Weimaraner.

    French Spaniel Weimaraner
    Average Price $4250 $1080
    Price Range $3875 to $4625 $950 to $1250

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Weimaraners

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

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

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

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

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

    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.

    Weimaraner Health Problems

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

  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • HYPERURICOSURIA
  • Hypomyelination
  • Thyroid
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Weimaraners here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in French Spaniels and Weimaraners

    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 Weimaraner Breed is Dentition Database problems.

    This is because the Weimaraner ranks 44 out of 49 dog breeds for Dentition Database problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 62 Weimaraners, 0 of them had Dentition Database problems.

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

  • Dentition Database problems: Rank 44 out of 49 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 62 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 80 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 113 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 125 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 127 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in French Spaniel and in Weimaraner and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the French Spaniel and the Weimaraner:

    Disease French Spaniel Rank Weimaraner Rank
    Hips problems 125 out of 198 dog breeds 127 out of 198 dog breeds
    Dentition Database problems Not Common 44 out of 49 dog breeds
    Thyroid problems Not Common 62 out of 115 dog breeds
    Patella problems Not Common 80 out of 145 dog breeds
    Elbow problems Not Common 113 out of 144 dog breeds
    Eyes problems Not Common 125 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 Weimaraner?

    French Spaniels do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Weimaraners do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Can French Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Weimaraners Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Weimaraners can tolerate hot weather.

    Which one drools more, the French Spaniel or the Weimaraner

    French Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Weimaraners have a very high tendency to drool.

    Do French Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Weimaraners?

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

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

    Wanderlust Potential: French Spaniel vs. Weimaraner

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

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

    Tolerates Being Alone: French Spaniel versus Weimaraner

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

    Weimaraners do not like to be left alone.

    Do French Spaniels shed more than Weimaraners?

    French Spaniels shed moderately.

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

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

    French Spaniels are moderately easy to groom.

    Weimaraners are very easy to groom.

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

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

    Weimaraners 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 Weimaraner?

    French Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.

    Weimaraners are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

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

    French Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Weimaraners can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    How Kid-friendly are French Spaniels and Weimaraners?

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

    Weimaraners get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    French Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Weimaraners get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Is the French Spaniel Easier to Train than the Weimaraner?

    French Spaniels are very easy to train.

    Weimaraners are very easy to train.

    Are French Spaniels good family dogs? What about Weimaraners?

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

    Weimaraners 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 Weimaraner vs Dutch Shepherd.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Weimaraner

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

  • German Shorthaired Pointer (77 percent match with Weimaraner). Here is our comparison of the French Spaniel vs German Shorthaired Pointer.
  • German Wirehaired Pointer (77 percent match with Weimaraner). Here is our comparison of the French Spaniel vs German Wirehaired Pointer.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    French Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    French Spaniel versus Briard     French Spaniel versus Yorkipoo     French Spaniel versus Barbet     French Spaniel versus Cockapoo     French Spaniel versus Whoodle     French Spaniel versus American Eskimo Dog     French Spaniel versus Catahoula Leopard Dog     French Spaniel versus Boxerdoodle     French Spaniel versus Cane Corso     French Spaniel versus Azawakh     

    Weimaraner Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Weimaraner versus Doberman Pinscher     Weimaraner versus Carolina Dog     Weimaraner versus Beagle     Weimaraner versus Mountain Cur     Weimaraner versus Shiba Inu     Weimaraner versus Afador     Weimaraner versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen     Weimaraner versus Karelian Bear Dog     Weimaraner versus Estrela Mountain Dog     Weimaraner versus Irish Wolfhound     

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