Which is Better between the Cavachon and the Irish Water Spaniel? A Very Detailed Review.

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Cavachon Versus Irish Water Spaniel: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Cavachon and the Irish Water 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 Cavachon and the Irish Water 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 Cavachon and the Irish Water Spaniel.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Cavachon and the Irish Water 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 Cavachon and for the Irish Water 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 Cavachon and the Irish Water Spaniel.

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 Irish Water Spaniel.

Cavachon versus Irish Water Spaniel: Overview

A very important difference between the Cavachon and the Irish Water Spaniel is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Cavachon is a small-sized dog while the Irish Water Spaniel is a medium-sized dog.

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

On the other hand, the Irish Water 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.

Cavachon versus Irish Water Spaniel: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Cavachon to the Irish Water 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 Cavachon and the Irish Water Spaniel

Factor Cavachon Irish Water Spaniel
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 4/5
Life Span 10 to 15 years 10 to 12 years
Height 12 to 13 inches 1 foot, 9 inches to 2 feet tall at the shoulder
Weight 15 to 35 pounds 45 to 65 pounds
Does NOT Shed 4/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 3/5
General Health 4/5 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 3/5
Easy To Train 4/5 5/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 1/5
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 2/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 5/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Average Lifespan 12.5 years 11.0 years
Average Price $2070 No Data
Price Range $1699 – $2500 No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- after the age of 24 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • 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 Irish Water 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 Cavachon is 87 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Irish Water Spaniel is 81 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Cavachon is a better pet than the Irish Water Spaniel. 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 Irish Water Spaniel so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Cavachon and the Irish Water Spaniel

    Below is a list of where the Cavachon and the Irish Water Spaniel are most different:

  • Cavachons are good for new dog owners. However, Irish Water Spaniels are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • The Similarities Between the Cavachon and the Irish Water Spaniel

    The Cavachon and the Irish Water Spaniel are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Cavachon and the Irish Water Spaniel are most similar:

  • Both the Cavachon and the Irish Water Spaniel do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Cavachon and the Irish Water Spaniel do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Cavachon and the Irish Water Spaniel require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Cavachon and the Irish Water Spaniel 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 Irish Water Spaniel gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Cavachon and the Irish Water Spaniel are very easy to train.
  • Both the Cavachon and the Irish Water Spaniel are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Cavachon and the Irish Water Spaniel have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Cavachon and the Irish Water Spaniel have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Cavachon and the Irish Water Spaniel require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Cavachon and the Irish Water 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 Cavachon and the Irish Water Spaniel are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Cavachon and the Irish Water Spaniel get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Cavachon and the Irish Water Spaniel get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Cavachon and the Irish Water Spaniel are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Cavachon and the Irish Water Spaniel are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Cavachon versus Irish Water Spaniel

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Cavachon and the Irish Water Spaniel.

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

    On the other hand, Irish Water Spaniels weigh 45 to 65 pounds when fully grown. Irish Water Spaniels are 1 foot, 9 inches to 2 feet tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Cavachon versus Irish Water Spaniel

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

    The lifespan of Irish Water Spaniels is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Irish Water Spaniels is 11.0 years.

    Cavachons live longer than Irish Water Spaniels.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Cavachon versus Irish Water Spaniel

    Cavachons do not like to be left alone.

    Irish Water Spaniels can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Cavachons shed more than Irish Water Spaniels?

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

    Irish Water Spaniels do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Cavachon or the Irish Water Spaniel

    Cavachons do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Irish Water Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Cavachon or the Irish Water Spaniel?

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

    Irish Water Spaniels are moderately easy to groom.

    Does the Cavachon Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Irish Water Spaniel?

    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.

    Irish Water Spaniels 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 Irish Water Spaniels?

    Cavachons bark and howl, but not very much.

    Irish Water Spaniels are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can Cavachons Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Irish Water Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Cavachons can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Irish Water Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Cavachon vs. Irish Water Spaniel

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

    Irish Water Spaniels have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Cavachons Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Irish Water Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Irish Water Spaniels can tolerate hot weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Cavachon or the Irish Water Spaniel?

    Cavachons get along very well with other dogs.

    Irish Water Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Cavachons good family dogs? What about Irish Water Spaniels?

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

    Irish Water Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Cavachons and Irish Water Spaniels?

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

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

    Is the Cavachon Easier to Train than the Irish Water Spaniel?

    Cavachons are very easy to train.

    Irish Water Spaniels are very easy to train.

    Is the Cavachon Better for Apartment Owners than the Irish Water Spaniel?

    Cavachons adapt very well to apartment living.

    Irish Water Spaniels adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Cavachon or the Irish Water Spaniel?

    Cavachons are very good for new dog owners.

    Irish Water Spaniels are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Cavachon

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

  • Bichon Frise (86 percent match with Cavachon). Here is our comparison of the Irish Water Spaniel vs Bichon Frise.
  • Bich Poo (85 percent match with Cavachon). Here is our comparison of the Irish Water Spaniel vs Bich Poo.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Irish Water Spaniel

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Irish Water 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 Irish Water Spaniel:

  • Kerry Blue Terrier (78 percent match with Irish Water Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Cavachon vs Kerry Blue Terrier.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Cavachon Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Cavachon versus Giant Schnauzer     Cavachon versus Chinese Shar-Pei     Cavachon versus Affenpinscher     Cavachon versus Xoloitzcuintli     Cavachon versus Scottish Terrier     Cavachon versus Bordoodle     Cavachon versus Toy Fox Terrier     Cavachon versus Bulldog     Cavachon versus Chorkie     Cavachon versus Sheepadoodle     Cavachon versus Akbash     Cavachon versus Shichon     Cavachon versus Samoyed     Cavachon versus Australian Kelpie     Cavachon versus Ibizan Hound     Cavachon versus Leonberger     Cavachon versus Irish Water Spaniel     Cavachon versus French Bulldog     Cavachon versus Shichon     Cavachon versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier     Cavachon versus Maremma Sheepdog     Cavachon versus Vizsla     Cavachon versus Shetland Sheepdog     Cavachon versus Saint Bernard     Cavachon versus Pyrenean Mastiff     

    Irish Water Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Irish Water Spaniel versus Borzoi     Irish Water Spaniel versus Portuguese Pointer     Irish Water Spaniel versus Miniature Poodle     Irish Water Spaniel versus Shihpoo     Irish Water Spaniel versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier     Irish Water Spaniel versus Miniature Pinscher     Irish Water Spaniel versus Boxerdoodle     Irish Water Spaniel versus Cockapoo     Irish Water Spaniel versus Afador     Irish Water Spaniel versus Chihuahua     Irish Water Spaniel versus Australian Terrier     Irish Water Spaniel versus Ibizan Hound     Irish Water Spaniel versus Cockalier     Irish Water Spaniel versus Puggle     Irish Water Spaniel versus Bordoodle     Irish Water Spaniel versus Giant Schnauzer     Irish Water Spaniel versus Airedale Terrier     Irish Water Spaniel versus Miniature Pinscher     Irish Water Spaniel versus American Water Spaniel     Irish Water Spaniel versus Goldendoodle     Irish Water Spaniel versus Boston Terrier     Irish Water Spaniel versus Standard Poodle     Irish Water Spaniel versus Cesky Terrier     Irish Water Spaniel versus Swedish Vallhund     

    Conclusion: Cavachon versus Irish Water 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 Cavachon and the Irish Water Spaniel better suits you and your family.