Australian Cattle Dog versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Final Verdict on Which one is a Better Pet.

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Australian Cattle Dog Versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Australian Cattle Dog and the Cavalier King Charles 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 Australian Cattle Dog and the Cavalier King Charles 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 Australian Cattle Dog and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Australian Cattle Dog and the Cavalier King Charles 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 Australian Cattle Dog and for the Cavalier King Charles 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 Australian Cattle Dog and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Australian Cattle Dog or the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

Australian Cattle Dog versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: Overview

A very important difference between the Australian Cattle Dog and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Australian Cattle Dog is a medium-sized dog while the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a small-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Australian Cattle Dog belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.

On the other hand, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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.

Australian Cattle Dog versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Australian Cattle Dog to the Cavalier King Charles 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 Australian Cattle Dog and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

FactorAustralian Cattle DogCavalier King Charles Spaniel
Good For Novice Owners1/55/5
Does NOT Drool5/55/5
Life Span12 to 15 years9 to 15 years
Height17 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder12 to 13 inches at the shoulder
Adapts Well To Apartment Living2/55/5
Friendly Toward Strangers2/55/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl4/54/5
Tolerates Being Alone3/51/5
Kid-Friendly3/55/5
Does NOT Shed3/53/5
Weight30 to 50 pounds13 to 18 pounds
Easygoing2/51/5
Tolerates Cold Weather4/53/5
Tolerates Hot Weather4/52/5
Dog Friendly4/55/5
Easy To Groom4/54/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight2/52/5
Low Prey Drive2/53/5
Tendency NOT to Wander2/54/5
Affectionate With Family5/55/5
General Health5/54/5
Easy To Train5/54/5
Intelligence5/54/5
Does NOT chew on things1/53/5
NOT Rambunctious1/53/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor1/54/5
Minimal Exercise Needs1/52/5
Potential For Playfulness5/55/5
Average Lifespan13.5 years12.0 years
Average Price$840$2570
Price Range$500 – $996$2000 – $3000
Temperament Score79.6 percent85.5 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Elbow Dysplasia (evaluation at two years or older)
  • Eye Examination – Min Age 24 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • prcd-Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
  • Primary Lens Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy RCD4
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination;
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
    • Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds)1044

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Australian Cattle Dog 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 Cavalier King Charles 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 Australian Cattle Dog is 76 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is 91 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a better pet than the Australian Cattle Dog. So, you should get the Cavalier King Charles 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 Australian Cattle Dog and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Australian Cattle Dog and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

    Below is a list of where the Australian Cattle Dog and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel are most different:

    • Australian Cattle Dogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners. However, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are good for new dog owners.
    • Australian Cattle Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels adapt well to apartment living.
    • Australian Cattle Dogs are not very friendly towards strangers. However, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are very friendly towards strangers.
    • Australian Cattle Dogs do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful. However, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.

    The Similarities Between the Australian Cattle Dog and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

    The Australian Cattle Dog and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Australian Cattle Dog and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel are most similar:

    • Both the Australian Cattle Dog and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel do not have the tendency to drool.
    • Both the Australian Cattle Dog and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
    • Both the Australian Cattle Dog and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Australian Cattle Dog and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel can tolerate cold weather.
    • Both the Australian Cattle Dog and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel get along well with other dogs.
    • Both the Australian Cattle Dog and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel are very easy to groom.
    • Both the Australian Cattle Dog and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
    • Both the Australian Cattle Dog and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
    • Both the Australian Cattle Dog and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the Australian Cattle Dog and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
    • Both the Australian Cattle Dog and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel are very easy to train.
    • Both the Australian Cattle Dog and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel are highly intelligent.
    • Both the Australian Cattle Dog and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
    • Both the Australian Cattle Dog and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel are very playful.

    Size Comparison of Australian Cattle Dog versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Australian Cattle Dog and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

    Australian Cattle Dogs weigh 30 to 50 pounds when fully grown. Australian Cattle Dogs are 17 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels weigh 13 to 18 pounds when fully grown. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are 12 to 13 inches at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Australian Cattle Dog versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

    The lifespan of Australian Cattle Dogs is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Australian Cattle Dogs is 13.5 years.

    The lifespan of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels is between 9 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels is 12.0 years.

    Australian Cattle Dogs live longer than Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.

    Temperament of the Australian Cattle Dog Versus the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

    The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has a better temperament than the Australian Cattle Dog.

    This is because the temperament score for the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is 85.5 percent while the temperament score for the Australian Cattle Dog is 79.6 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).

    The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.

    Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.

    The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.

    With its temperament score of 79.6 percent, the Australian Cattle Dog has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 85.5 percent, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Australian Cattle Dog and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel by measuring the temperaments of 201 Australian Cattle Dogs and 62 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.

    Price of Australian Cattle Dog versus Price of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

    The average price of the Australian Cattle Dog puppy is $840. The price of the Australian Cattle Dog typically ranges from $500 – $996. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 692 Australian Cattle Dog puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy is $2570. The price of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel typically ranges from $2000 – $3000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 729 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is more expensive than the Australian Cattle Dog.

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Australian Cattle Dog and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. For different price points, the charts show how many Australian Cattle Dog puppies or how many Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Australian Cattle Dogs. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Australian Cattle Dogs. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels

    A breakdown of the prices of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Australian Cattle Dog puppy or the Cavalier King Charles 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 to buy 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 a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    The Intelligence of the Australian Cattle Dog versus the Intelligence of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

    `
    Australian Cattle Dog Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
    Intelligence Rank 10 out of 130 dog breeds 44 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After Fewer Than 5 Repetitions Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 Repetitions

    Professor Stanley Coren, the famous psychology/neuropsychological professor and, dog lover/trainer measured and ranked the intelligence of about 130 different dog breeds.

    According to Prof. Stanley Coren, the total intelligence that a dog demonstrates is the addition of three types of intelligence. These intelligence types are:
    • Instinctive Intelligence: This is the natural intelligence a dog has because of what the dog was bred for. This type of intelligence comes from instinct. For example, dog breeds that were bred for guarding will have high `guarding` instinctive intelligence, while dog breeds that were bred for hunting will what high `hunting` instinctive intelligence. However, you cannot compare the intelligence of dog breeds based on instinctive intelligence because such a comparison will not make sense.
    • Adaptive Intelligence (learning and problem-solving ability): This indicates what a dog can learn to do for himself or herself. It includes learning and benefiting from experience with his environment, solving new problems, and so forth. Adaptive intelligence is specific to each dog, and not breed specific. Thus, two dogs can have remarkably different levels of adaptive intelligence even if they are of the same breed.
    • Working/Obedience Intelligence: This intelligence is the closest to what we might call school-learning ability and it is based upon what the dog can learn to do when instructed by humans. Importantly, different dog breeds have different learning abilities. Also, science has shown that some dog breeds can learn faster than some other breeds. This means certain dog breeds tend to have higher working/obedience intelligence than some other breeds. Dogs with high Working/Obedience Intelligence are smart and easy to train.

    Prof. Coren showed that the Working/Obedience Intelligence of different dog breeds can be measured reliably. Thus, he was able to rank different dog breeds based on their Working/Obedience Intelligence.

    This is important because according to Prof. Coren, 51 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from its genes while 49 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from the dog`s environmental circumstances.

    To rank the intelligence of dog breeds, Prof. Coren employed the help of 208 dog obedience judges in North America to fill out a detailed survey on dog obedience. This number represented more than half of all of these judges in North America at the time. He also employed 63 veterinarians and 14 guard dog experts to collect data on the personality of different dog breeds.

    Prof. Coren found that the Australian Cattle Dog has an obedience intelligence rank of 10 out of 130 dog breeds. The Australian Cattle Dog belongs to the `Brightest Dogs` category. This means that Australian Cattle Dogs tend to learn new commands after fewer than 5 repetitions.

    The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has an obedience intelligence rank of 44 out of 130 dog breeds. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Cavalier King Charles Spaniels tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 repetitions.

    The Australian Cattle Dog is more intelligent than the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

    However, Prof. Coren noted that a dog should not be judged based on its intelligence alone, that other factors such as sociability, adorability, and compatibility with the owner are other very important factors that new dog owners need to consider when deciding on a new dog.

    Health Problems of Australian Cattle Dog versus Health Problems of Cavalier King Charles 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 Australian Cattle Dog and the Cavalier King Charles 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 Australian Cattle Dog is prone to more genetic health problems than the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Australian Cattle Dog than for the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

    9 health tests are recommended for Australian Cattle Dog while 4 tests are recommended for the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Australian Cattle Dogs and in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.

    Australian Cattle Dog Health Problems

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

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Elbow Dysplasia (evaluation at two years or older)
  • Eye Examination – Min Age 24 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • prcd-Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
  • Primary Lens Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy RCD4

    • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Australian Cattle Dogs here.

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Health Problems

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

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination;
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation

    • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Cavalier King Charles Spaniels here.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Australian Cattle Dog versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

    Australian Cattle Dogs can be left alone only for a short time.

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

    Do Australian Cattle Dogs shed more than Cavalier King Charles Spaniels?

    Australian Cattle Dogs shed moderately.

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Australian Cattle Dog or the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

    Australian Cattle Dogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Australian Cattle Dog or the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel?

    Australian Cattle Dogs are very easy to groom.

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are very easy to groom.

    Does the Australian Cattle Dog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel?

    Australian Cattle Dogs 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.

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

    Do Australian Cattle Dogs Bark and Howl? What about Cavalier King Charles Spaniels?

    Australian Cattle Dogs are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can Australian Cattle Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Australian Cattle Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Australian Cattle Dog vs. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

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

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

    Can Australian Cattle Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Australian Cattle Dogs can tolerate hot weather.

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Australian Cattle Dog or the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel?

    Australian Cattle Dogs get along very well with other dogs.

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Australian Cattle Dogs good family dogs? What about Cavalier King Charles Spaniels?

    Australian Cattle Dogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Australian Cattle Dogs and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels?

    Australian Cattle Dogs get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Australian Cattle Dog Easier to Train than the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel?

    Australian Cattle Dogs are very easy to train.

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are very easy to train.

    Is the Australian Cattle Dog Better for Apartment Owners than the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel?

    Australian Cattle Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Australian Cattle Dog or the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel?

    Australian Cattle Dogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Australian Cattle Dog versus Cavalier King Charles 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 Australian Cattle Dog and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel better suits you and your family.