Which is Better between the Cavapoo and the Icelandic Sheepdog? A Very Detailed Review.

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Cavapoo Versus Icelandic Sheepdog: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Cavapoo and the Icelandic Sheepdog? 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 Cavapoo and the Icelandic Sheepdog 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 Cavapoo and the Icelandic Sheepdog.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Cavapoo and the Icelandic Sheepdog 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 Cavapoo and for the Icelandic Sheepdog. 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 Cavapoo and the Icelandic Sheepdog.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Cavapoo or the Icelandic Sheepdog.

Cavapoo versus Icelandic Sheepdog: Overview

A very important difference between the Cavapoo and the Icelandic Sheepdog is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Cavapoo is a small-sized dog while the Icelandic Sheepdog is a medium-sized dog.

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

On the other hand, the Icelandic Sheepdog 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.

Cavapoo versus Icelandic Sheepdog: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Cavapoo to the Icelandic Sheepdog 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 Cavapoo and the Icelandic Sheepdog

Factor Cavapoo Icelandic Sheepdog
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 14 to 15 years
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 4/5 1/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 5/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 1/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 3/5 1/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 1/5
Easygoing 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 1/5
General Health 3/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 3/5
Easy To Train 4/5 3/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Height 9 to 14 inches 16 to 18 inchestall at the shoulder
Weight 9 to 25 pounds 20 to 30 pounds
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 14.5 years
Average Price $2430 No Data
Price Range $1500 – $2925 No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • DNA Repository
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Multiple Drug Sensitivity
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Cavapoo 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 Icelandic Sheepdog. 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 Cavapoo is 89 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Icelandic Sheepdog is 68 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Cavapoo is a better pet than the Icelandic Sheepdog. So, you should get the Cavapoo!

    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 Cavapoo and the Icelandic Sheepdog so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Cavapoo and the Icelandic Sheepdog

    Below is a list of where the Cavapoo and the Icelandic Sheepdog are most different:

  • Cavapoos do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies. However, Icelandic Sheepdogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Cavapoos do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful. However, Icelandic Sheepdogs do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • The Similarities Between the Cavapoo and the Icelandic Sheepdog

    The Cavapoo and the Icelandic Sheepdog are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Cavapoo and the Icelandic Sheepdog are most similar:

  • Both the Cavapoo and the Icelandic Sheepdog do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Cavapoo and the Icelandic Sheepdog do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Cavapoo and the Icelandic Sheepdog are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Cavapoo and the Icelandic Sheepdog can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Cavapoo and the Icelandic Sheepdog gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Cavapoo and the Icelandic Sheepdog are very easy to train.
  • Both the Cavapoo and the Icelandic Sheepdog are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Cavapoo and the Icelandic Sheepdog are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Cavapoo and the Icelandic Sheepdog get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Cavapoo and the Icelandic Sheepdog are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Cavapoo versus Icelandic Sheepdog

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Cavapoo and the Icelandic Sheepdog.

    Cavapoos weigh 9 to 25 pounds when fully grown. Cavapoos are 9 to 14 inches when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Icelandic Sheepdogs weigh 20 to 30 pounds when fully grown. Icelandic Sheepdogs are 16 to 18 inchestall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Cavapoo versus Icelandic Sheepdog

    The lifespan of Cavapoos is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Cavapoos is 13.5 years.

    The lifespan of Icelandic Sheepdogs is between 14 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Icelandic Sheepdogs is 14.5 years.

    Icelandic Sheepdogs live longer than Cavapoos.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Cavapoo versus Icelandic Sheepdog

    Cavapoos do not like to be left alone.

    Icelandic Sheepdogs do not like to be left alone.

    Do Cavapoos shed more than Icelandic Sheepdogs?

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

    Icelandic Sheepdogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Cavapoo or the Icelandic Sheepdog

    Cavapoos do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Icelandic Sheepdogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Cavapoo or the Icelandic Sheepdog?

    Cavapoos are moderately easy to groom.

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

    Does the Cavapoo Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Icelandic Sheepdog?

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

    Icelandic Sheepdogs 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 Cavapoos Bark and Howl? What about Icelandic Sheepdogs?

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

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

    Can Cavapoos Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Icelandic Sheepdogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Cavapoos can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Icelandic Sheepdogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Cavapoo vs. Icelandic Sheepdog

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

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

    Can Cavapoos Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Icelandic Sheepdogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Icelandic Sheepdogs can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Cavapoo or the Icelandic Sheepdog?

    Cavapoos get along very well with other dogs.

    Icelandic Sheepdogs do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Cavapoos good family dogs? What about Icelandic Sheepdogs?

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

    Icelandic Sheepdogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Cavapoos and Icelandic Sheepdogs?

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

    Icelandic Sheepdogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Cavapoo Easier to Train than the Icelandic Sheepdog?

    Cavapoos are very easy to train.

    Icelandic Sheepdogs are fairly easy to train.

    Is the Cavapoo Better for Apartment Owners than the Icelandic Sheepdog?

    Cavapoos adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Icelandic Sheepdogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Cavapoo or the Icelandic Sheepdog?

    Cavapoos are OK for new dog owners.

    Icelandic Sheepdogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Cavapoo

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

  • Bernedoodle (82 percent match with Cavapoo). Here is our comparison of the Icelandic Sheepdog vs Bernedoodle.
  • Cockapoo (81 percent match with Cavapoo). Here is our comparison of the Icelandic Sheepdog vs Cockapoo.
  • Cockalier (80 percent match with Cavapoo). Here is our comparison of the Icelandic Sheepdog vs Cockalier.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Icelandic Sheepdog

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

  • Kai Ken (78 percent match with Icelandic Sheepdog). Here is our comparison of the Cavapoo vs Kai Ken.
  • Scottish Deerhound (75 percent match with Icelandic Sheepdog). Here is our comparison of the Cavapoo vs Scottish Deerhound.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Cavapoo and how the Icelandic Sheepdog compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Cavapoo and of the Icelandic Sheepdog to other breeds:

    Cavapoo Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Cavapoo versus Catahoula Bulldog     Cavapoo versus Airedale Terrier     Cavapoo versus Bergamasco Sheepdog     Cavapoo versus Field Spaniel     Cavapoo versus Cocker Spaniel     Cavapoo versus Norwich Terrier     Cavapoo versus Stabyhoun     Cavapoo versus Cesky Terrier     Cavapoo versus Lhasapoo     Cavapoo versus Mal Shi     Cavapoo versus American Staffordshire Terrier     Cavapoo versus Lowchen     Cavapoo versus Chorkie     Cavapoo versus Curly-Coated Retriever     Cavapoo versus Rottweiler     Cavapoo versus Sealyham Terrier     Cavapoo versus Komondor     Cavapoo versus Jack Russell Terrier     Cavapoo versus Lhasa Apso     Cavapoo versus Brussels Griffon     Cavapoo versus Lancashire Heeler     Cavapoo versus Afghan Hound     Cavapoo versus Japanese Chin     Cavapoo versus French Spaniel     Cavapoo versus American Bulldog     

    Icelandic Sheepdog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Icelandic Sheepdog versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Cockapoo     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Kerry Blue Terrier     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Alaskan Klee Kai     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Standard Poodle     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Chinese Shar-Pei     Icelandic Sheepdog versus English Setter     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Beaglier     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Akita     Icelandic Sheepdog versus American Hairless Terrier     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Field Spaniel     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Scottish Deerhound     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Catahoula Bulldog     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Norfolk Terrier     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Cocker Spaniel     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Canaan Dog     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Cavapoo     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Bedlington Terrier     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Saint Bernard     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Irish Setter     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Lhasapoo     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Kishu Ken     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     

    Conclusion: Cavapoo versus Icelandic Sheepdog. 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 Cavapoo and the Icelandic Sheepdog better suits you and your family.