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Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Poodle Versus French Spaniel: Introduction
- Poodle versus French Spaniel: Overview
- Poodle versus French Spaniel: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Poodle and the French Spaniel
- The Similarities Between the Poodle and the French Spaniel
- Price of Poodle versus Price of French Spaniel
- Health Problems of Poodle versus Health Problems of French Spaniel
- Tolerates Being Alone: Poodle versus French Spaniel
- Do Poodles shed more than French Spaniels?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Poodle or the French Spaniel?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Poodle or the French Spaniel?
- Are Poodles good family dogs? What about French Spaniels?
- Is the Poodle Easier to Train than the French Spaniel?
- Which one drools more, the Poodle or the French Spaniel
- How Kid-friendly are Poodles and French Spaniels?
- Does the Poodle Have a Higher Prey Drive than the French Spaniel?
- Do Poodles Bark and Howl? What about French Spaniels?
- Can Poodles Tolerate Cold Weather? And can French Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Poodle vs. French Spaniel
- Can Poodles Tolerate Hot Weather? Can French Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Poodle Versus Other Dog Breeds
- Conclusion: Poodle versus French Spaniel. Which One is a Better Pet?
Poodle Versus French Spaniel: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Poodle and the French Spaniel? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Poodle and the French Spaniel 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 Poodle and the French Spaniel.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Poodle and the French Spaniel 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 Poodle and for the French Spaniel. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Poodle and the French Spaniel.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Poodle or the French Spaniel.
Note that there are 3 types of Poodles:
However, these 3 poodle `types` are basically the same. The only difference between them is size. Standard Poodles are big, toy poodles are small, and miniature poodles are medium-sized.
Read more about the subtle differences between the standard poodle vs. miniature poodle here and the toy poodle versus miniature poodle here.
In addition, we have articles on the detailed comparisons of the poodle to every other dog breed. Check out our articles on poodle versus other dog breeds here.
Poodle versus French Spaniel: Overview
A very important difference between the Poodle and the French Spaniel is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Poodle is a large-sized dog while the French Spaniel is a medium-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Poodle belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.
On the other hand, 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.
Poodle versus French Spaniel: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Poodle to the French Spaniel 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.
Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Poodle and the French Spaniel
| Factor | Poodle | French Spaniel |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 10 to 12 years. |
| General Health | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Weight | 45 to 60 pounds. | |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Height | 21 to 24 inches. | |
| Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 11.0 years |
| Average Price | $2820 | |
| Price Range | $1200 – $3500 | |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Poodle 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 French Spaniel. 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 the Poodle is 88 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the French Spaniel is 85 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Poodle is a better pet than the French Spaniel. So, you should get a Poodle!
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Poodle and the French Spaniel
Below is a list of where the Poodle and the French Spaniel are most different:
The Similarities Between the Poodle and the French Spaniel
The Poodle and the French Spaniel are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Poodle and the French Spaniel are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Poodle versus French Spaniel
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Poodle and the French Spaniel.
Poodles come in three main size categories. These three size categories are referred to as the three varieties of the poodle. Poodles of different varieties are basically the same except for their size differences. The poodle varieties based on size categorization are:
There is another variety of poodle that is not recognized in the USA but is recognized in Europe. This poodle size variety is called the Moyen Poodle. In size, the Moyen Poodle is smaller than the Standard poodle but bigger than the miniature poodle.
See below the figure that compares the different poodle sizes:
On the other hand, French Spaniels weigh 45 to 60 pounds. when fully grown. French Spaniels are 21 to 24 inches. when fully grown.
Price of Poodle versus Price of French Spaniel
The average price of the Standard Poodle puppy is $1980. The price of the Standard Poodle typically ranges from $1400 – $2500. However, the price of a Standard Poodle can be as low as $200 and as high as $15000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 2524 Standard Poodle puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The average price of the Miniature Poodle puppy is $2500. The price of the Miniature Poodle typically ranges from $1500 – $3000. However, the price of a Miniature Poodle can be as low as $350 and as high as $15000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 1190 Miniature Poodle puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The average price of the Toy Poodle puppy is $2760. The price of the Toy Poodle typically ranges from $1894 – $3500. However, the price of a Toy Poodle can be as low as $450 and as high as $9835. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 872 Toy Poodle puppies listed for sale from various sources.
To know about standard poodle prices and standard poodle buying advice, check out our article on standard poodle cost.
To know about miniature poodle prices, check out this article on miniature poodle price.
To learn more about toy poodle price and for toy poodle buying advice, check out this article on toy poodle price.
The average price of the French Spaniel puppy is $2820. The price of the French Spaniel typically ranges from $1200 – $3500. However, the price of a French Spaniel can be as low as $600 and as high as $5000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 9 French Spaniel puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The French Spaniel is more expensive than the Poodle.
| Poodle | French Spaniel | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $2260 | $2820 |
| Price Range | $1500 to $2800 | $1200 to $3500 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Poodle and French Spaniel. For different price points, the charts show how many Poodle puppies or how many French Spaniel puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Poodles. The typical price range is shaded Green.
A breakdown of the prices of French Spaniels
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Poodle puppy or the French Spaniel 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 Poodle versus Health Problems of French Spaniel
Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.
Both the Poodle and the French Spaniel 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 Poodle is prone to more genetic health problems than the French Spaniel.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Poodle than for the French Spaniel.
4 health tests are recommended for Poodle while 3 tests are recommended for the French Spaniel.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Poodles and in French Spaniels.
Poodle Health Problems
Poodles are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Poodle 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 Poodle puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Poodle 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 Poodles for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Poodles here.
French Spaniel Health Problems
French Spaniels are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing French Spaniel puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a French Spaniel puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your French Spaniel breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen French Spaniels for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for French Spaniels here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Poodles and French Spaniels
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 Poodle Breed is Basic Cardiac problems.
This is because the Poodle ranks 1 out of 16 dog breeds for Basic Cardiac problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 270 Poodles, 2 of them had Basic Cardiac problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Poodles, and how common these diseases are in Poodles relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the 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:
The table below lists the common health problems in Poodle and in French Spaniel and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Poodle and the French Spaniel:
| Disease | Poodle Rank | French Spaniel Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Cardiac problems | 1 out of 16 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Neonatal Encephalopathy W/Seizures problems | 1 out of 1 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Sebaceous Adenitis problems | 1 out of 2 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Chondrodystrophy (Cddy) problems | 3 out of 5 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Rcd4 Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems | 4 out of 8 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Von Willebrands problems | 7 out of 15 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Legg-Calve-Perthes problems | 11 out of 40 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems | 14 out of 32 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Dentition Database problems | 21 out of 49 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Advanced Cardiac problems | 49 out of 71 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Degenerative Myelopathy problems | 57 out of 70 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Patella problems | 61 out of 145 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | 73 out of 159 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Thyroid problems | 84 out of 115 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Elbow problems | 88 out of 144 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Hips problems | 100 out of 198 dog breeds | 125 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Eyes problems | 127 out of 182 dog breeds | Not Common |
*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.
Tolerates Being Alone: Poodle versus French Spaniel
Poodles do not like to be left alone.
Poodles, by nature, are companion dogs. They like and thrive on human companionship more than most dog breeds. Poodles do not like to be left alone. Leaving a poodle alone for more than 4 hours day after day will cause separation anxiety and isolation distress in a poodle. If you plan to get a poodle, make sure you can be around your poodle most of the time, or arrange for a dog walker.
See our article on how long you can leave a poodle alone.
French Spaniels can be left alone only for a short time.
Do Poodles shed more than French Spaniels?
Poodles do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Although all dogs shed, and poodles are no different in this regard. But poodles shed less than many other breeds of dogs. However, if you own a poodle, you will not have the problem of having balls of dog hair on your couch and over your house. This is because the curly coat of the poodle traps the hair and other things that the poodle sheds. Therefore, people that are allergic to dogs tend to tolerate poodles better.
Check out our articles to learn more on why poodles do not shed, and on standard poodle shedding, and on shedding in toy poodles
French Spaniels shed moderately.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Poodle or the French Spaniel?
Poodles require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
To learn more about how to properly groom a poodle, check out our article on how to groom a poodle.
Learn more on how to take care of a poodle here.
French Spaniels are moderately easy to groom.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Poodle or the French Spaniel?
Poodles get along very well with other dogs.
Poodles get along very well with other dogs. Poodles are very friendly. However, it is up to the other dog to reciprocate the friendliness. Some dog breeds are just unfriendly and aggressive.
Read this article to learn about the dog breeds that get along well with poodle and the dog breeds that do not along with poodles.
French Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.
Are Poodles good family dogs? What about French Spaniels?
Poodles are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Poodles make a good addition to a family. They love kids and kids love them.
Learn about standard poodles as family dogs here, and about how family-friendly are toy poodles here..
French Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Poodle Easier to Train than the French Spaniel?
Poodles are very easy to train.
Poodles are easy to train because they are intelligent and eager to please their owners. However, it is important that you begin training a poodle to make the most out of their natural intelligence. Moreover, training your Poodle should be based on positive reinforcement and repetition. Be sure to give your Poodle praise when he obeys a command and ignores your poodle`s bad behavior.
To learn more, check out our article on how to train a poodle.
French Spaniels are very easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Poodle or the French Spaniel
Poodles do have a very low tendency to drool.
French Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Poodles and French Spaniels?
Poodles get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
French Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Poodle Have a Higher Prey Drive than the French Spaniel?
Poodles 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.
French Spaniels have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Do Poodles Bark and Howl? What about French Spaniels?
Poodles are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
French Spaniels are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Can Poodles Tolerate Cold Weather? And can French Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?
Poodles can moderately tolerate cold weather.
French Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Poodle vs. French Spaniel
Poodles have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
French Spaniels do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Can Poodles Tolerate Hot Weather? Can French Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?
Poodles can tolerate hot weather.
French Spaniels cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Is the Poodle Better for Apartment Owners than the French Spaniel?
Poodles adapt very well to apartment living.
French Spaniels do not adapt well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Poodle or the French Spaniel?
Poodles are very good for new dog owners.
French Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.
Poodle Versus Other Dog Breeds
You may also be interested in how the poodle compares to other breeds aside from the French Spaniel. So, see below the links to the comparison of the poodle to other breeds:
poodle versus Goldador poodle versus Bich Poo poodle versus Stabyhoun poodle versus Berger Picard poodle versus Basset Hound poodle versus English Springer Spaniel poodle versus Portuguese Pointer poodle versus Alaskan Klee Kai poodle versus Briard poodle versus Boykin SpanielConclusion: Poodle versus French Spaniel. 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 Poodle and the French Spaniel better suits you and your family.
