Cavachon versus German Shepherd Dog. Final Verdict on Which one is a Better Pet.

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Cavachon Versus German Shepherd Dog: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Cavachon and the German Shepherd Dog? 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 Cavachon and the German Shepherd Dog 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 Cavachon and the German Shepherd Dog.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Cavachon and the German Shepherd Dog 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 Cavachon and for the German Shepherd Dog. 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 Cavachon and the German Shepherd Dog.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Cavachon or the German Shepherd Dog.

Cavachon versus German Shepherd Dog: Overview

A very important difference between the Cavachon and the German Shepherd Dog is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Cavachon is a small-sized dog while the German Shepherd Dog is a large-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Cavachon belongs to the Mixed Breed Dogs group. Mixed Breed Dogs are not purebred dogs.

On the other hand, the German Shepherd 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.

Cavachon versus German Shepherd Dog: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Cavachon to the German Shepherd Dog 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 Cavachon and the German Shepherd Dog

Factor Cavachon German Shepherd Dog
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 10 to 15 years 10 to 14 years
Height 12 to 13 inches 1 foot, 10 inches to 2 feet, 2 inches tall
Weight 15 to 35 pounds 75 to 95 pounds
Does NOT Shed 4/5 1/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 5/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 4/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 1/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 1/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 4/5
Easy To Train 4/5 5/5
Intelligence 4/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 1/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 3/5
Good For Novice Owners 5/5 2/5
Easygoing 1/5 1/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Average Lifespan 12.5 years 12.0 years
Average Price $2190 $1280
Price Range $1800 – $2500 $800 – $1500
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- recommend annually until age 6, every 2 years thereafter
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Temperament Test
  • Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Cavachon 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 German Shepherd Dog. 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 Cavachon is 87 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the German Shepherd Dog is 77 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Cavachon is a better pet than the German Shepherd Dog. So, you should get the Cavachon!

    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 Cavachon and the German Shepherd Dog so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Cavachon and the German Shepherd Dog

    Below is a list of where the Cavachon and the German Shepherd Dog are most different:

    • Cavachons do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies. However, German Shepherd Dogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
    • Cavachons require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom. However, German Shepherd Dogs are very easy to groom.
    • Cavachons are good for new dog owners. However, German Shepherd Dogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
    • Cavachons get along well with other dogs. However, German Shepherd Dogs do not get along well with other dogs.

    The Similarities Between the Cavachon and the German Shepherd Dog

    The Cavachon and the German Shepherd Dog are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Cavachon and the German Shepherd Dog are most similar:

    • Both the Cavachon and the German Shepherd Dog do not like to be left alone.
    • Both the Cavachon and the German Shepherd Dog do not have the tendency to drool.
    • Both the Cavachon and the German Shepherd Dog do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
    • Both the Cavachon and the German Shepherd Dog are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
    • Both the Cavachon and the German Shepherd Dog are very easy to train.
    • Both the Cavachon and the German Shepherd Dog are highly intelligent.
    • Both the Cavachon and the German Shepherd Dog have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
    • Both the Cavachon and the German Shepherd Dog have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
    • Both the Cavachon and the German Shepherd Dog require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
    • Both the Cavachon and the German Shepherd Dog 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 Cavachon and the German Shepherd Dog are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the Cavachon and the German Shepherd Dog get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
    • Both the Cavachon and the German Shepherd Dog are very friendly towards strangers.
    • Both the Cavachon and the German Shepherd Dog are very playful.

    Size Comparison of Cavachon versus German Shepherd Dog

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Cavachon and the German Shepherd Dog.

    Cavachons weigh 15 to 35 pounds when fully grown. Cavachons are 12 to 13 inches when fully grown.

    On the other hand, German Shepherd Dogs weigh 75 to 95 pounds when fully grown. German Shepherd Dogs are 1 foot, 10 inches to 2 feet, 2 inches tall when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Cavachon versus German Shepherd Dog

    The lifespan of Cavachons is between 10 to 15 years . The average lifespan of Cavachons is 12.5 years.

    The lifespan of German Shepherd Dogs is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of German Shepherd Dogs is 12.0 years.

    Cavachons live longer than German Shepherd Dogs.

    Price of Cavachon versus Price of German Shepherd Dog

    The average price of the Cavachon puppy is $2190. The price of the Cavachon typically ranges from $1800 – $2500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 262 Cavachon puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the German Shepherd Dog puppy is $1280. The price of the German Shepherd Dog typically ranges from $800 – $1500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 1776 German Shepherd Dog puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Cavachon is more expensive than the German Shepherd Dog.

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Cavachon and German Shepherd Dog. For different price points, the charts show how many Cavachon puppies or how many German Shepherd Dog puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Cavachons. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Cavachons. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of German Shepherd Dogs

    A breakdown of the prices of German Shepherd Dogs

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Cavachon puppy or the German Shepherd Dog 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.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Cavachon versus German Shepherd Dog

    Cavachons do not like to be left alone.

    German Shepherd Dogs do not like to be left alone.

    Do Cavachons shed more than German Shepherd Dogs?

    Cavachons do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    German Shepherd Dogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Cavachon or the German Shepherd Dog

    Cavachons do have a very low tendency to drool.

    German Shepherd Dogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Cavachon or the German Shepherd Dog?

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

    German Shepherd Dogs are very easy to groom.

    Does the Cavachon Have a Higher Prey Drive than the German Shepherd Dog?

    Cavachons 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.

    German Shepherd 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.

    Do Cavachons Bark and Howl? What about German Shepherd Dogs?

    Cavachons bark and howl, but not very much.

    German Shepherd Dogs are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can Cavachons Tolerate Cold Weather? And can German Shepherd Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Cavachons can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    German Shepherd Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Cavachon vs. German Shepherd Dog

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

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

    Can Cavachons Tolerate Hot Weather? Can German Shepherd Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Cavachons can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    German Shepherd Dogs can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Cavachon or the German Shepherd Dog?

    Cavachons get along very well with other dogs.

    German Shepherd Dogs do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Cavachons good family dogs? What about German Shepherd Dogs?

    Cavachons are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    German Shepherd Dogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Cavachons and German Shepherd Dogs?

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

    German Shepherd Dogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Cavachon Easier to Train than the German Shepherd Dog?

    Cavachons are very easy to train.

    German Shepherd Dogs are very easy to train.

    Is the Cavachon Better for Apartment Owners than the German Shepherd Dog?

    Cavachons adapt very well to apartment living.

    German Shepherd Dogs adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Cavachon or the German Shepherd Dog?

    Cavachons are very good for new dog owners.

    German Shepherd Dogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Cavachon versus German Shepherd Dog. 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 Cavachon and the German Shepherd Dog better suits you and your family.