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

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Cavapoo Versus Irish Water Spaniel: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Cavapoo 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 Cavapoo 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 Cavapoo 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 Cavapoo or the Irish Water Spaniel.

Cavapoo versus Irish Water Spaniel: Overview

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

Cavapoo versus Irish Water Spaniel: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Cavapoo 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 Cavapoo and the Irish Water Spaniel

Factor Cavapoo Irish Water Spaniel
Does NOT Drool 5/5 4/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 10 to 12 years
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 4/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 3/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 3/5 3/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 2/5
Easygoing 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 3/5
General Health 3/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 1/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 3/5
Easy To Train 4/5 5/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Height 9 to 14 inches 1 foot, 9 inches to 2 feet tall at the shoulder
Weight 9 to 25 pounds 45 to 65 pounds
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 11.0 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
  • 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 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 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 Cavapoo is 89 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 Cavapoo is a better pet than the Irish Water Spaniel. 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 Irish Water Spaniel so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Similarities Between the Cavapoo and the Irish Water Spaniel

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

  • Both the Cavapoo and the Irish Water Spaniel do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Cavapoo and the Irish Water Spaniel do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Cavapoo and the Irish Water Spaniel do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Cavapoo and the Irish Water Spaniel do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • Both the Cavapoo and the Irish Water Spaniel can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Cavapoo and the Irish Water Spaniel get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Cavapoo and the Irish Water Spaniel are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Cavapoo and the Irish Water Spaniel gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Cavapoo and the Irish Water Spaniel are very easy to train.
  • Both the Cavapoo and the Irish Water Spaniel are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Cavapoo and the Irish Water Spaniel are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Cavapoo and the Irish Water Spaniel get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Cavapoo and the Irish Water Spaniel are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Cavapoo versus Irish Water Spaniel

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

    Cavapoos weigh 9 to 25 pounds when fully grown. Cavapoos are 9 to 14 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 Cavapoo versus Irish Water Spaniel

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

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

    Cavapoos live longer than Irish Water Spaniels.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Cavapoo versus Irish Water Spaniel

    Cavapoos do not like to be left alone.

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

    Do Cavapoos shed more than Irish Water Spaniels?

    Cavapoos 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 Cavapoo or the Irish Water Spaniel

    Cavapoos 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 Cavapoo or the Irish Water Spaniel?

    Cavapoos are moderately easy to groom.

    Irish Water Spaniels are moderately easy to groom.

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

    Cavapoos have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and 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 Cavapoos Bark and Howl? What about Irish Water Spaniels?

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

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

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

    Cavapoos can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Irish Water Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Cavapoo vs. Irish Water Spaniel

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

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

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

    Cavapoos 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 Cavapoo or the Irish Water Spaniel?

    Cavapoos get along very well with other dogs.

    Irish Water Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

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

    Cavapoos 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 Cavapoos and Irish Water Spaniels?

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

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

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

    Cavapoos are very easy to train.

    Irish Water Spaniels are very easy to train.

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

    Cavapoos adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Irish Water Spaniels adapt moderately well to apartment living.

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

    Cavapoos are OK for new dog owners.

    Irish Water Spaniels 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 Irish Water Spaniel vs Bernedoodle.
  • Cockapoo (81 percent match with Cavapoo). Here is our comparison of the Irish Water Spaniel vs Cockapoo.
  • Cockalier (80 percent match with Cavapoo). Here is our comparison of the Irish Water Spaniel vs Cockalier.
  • 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 Cavapoo vs Kerry Blue Terrier.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Cavapoo Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Cavapoo versus Peek A Poo     Cavapoo versus Coton de Tulear     Cavapoo versus German Shorthaired Pointer     Cavapoo versus Briard     Cavapoo versus Goldendoodle     Cavapoo versus Bichon Frise     Cavapoo versus Leonberger     Cavapoo versus Miniature Schnauzer     Cavapoo versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog     Cavapoo versus Cocker Spaniel     Cavapoo versus Irish Terrier     Cavapoo versus Affenhuahua     Cavapoo versus Australian Terrier     Cavapoo versus Black and Tan Coonhound     Cavapoo versus Coton de Tulear     Cavapoo versus Afghan Hound     Cavapoo versus Cocker Spaniel     Cavapoo versus Puli     Cavapoo versus American Eskimo Dog     Cavapoo versus Havanese     Cavapoo versus Coton de Tulear     Cavapoo versus Lakeland Terrier     Cavapoo versus Akita     Cavapoo versus Briard     Cavapoo versus Akita     

    Irish Water Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Irish Water Spaniel versus English Setter     Irish Water Spaniel versus German Pinscher     Irish Water Spaniel versus Samoyed     Irish Water Spaniel versus Bearded Collie     Irish Water Spaniel versus Weimaraner     Irish Water Spaniel versus Bloodhound     Irish Water Spaniel versus Schnoodle     Irish Water Spaniel versus Black and Tan Coonhound     Irish Water Spaniel versus Chinook     Irish Water Spaniel versus Australian Kelpie     Irish Water Spaniel versus Bichon Frise     Irish Water Spaniel versus Yorkipoo     Irish Water Spaniel versus Airedale Terrier     Irish Water Spaniel versus Morkie     Irish Water Spaniel versus Miniature Schnauzer     Irish Water Spaniel versus Belgian Malinois     Irish Water Spaniel versus Akbash     Irish Water Spaniel versus Goldendoodle     Irish Water Spaniel versus Neapolitan Mastiff     Irish Water Spaniel versus Jack Russell Terrier     Irish Water Spaniel versus Italian Greyhound     Irish Water Spaniel versus Japanese Spitz     Irish Water Spaniel versus Miniature Poodle     Irish Water Spaniel versus Norwegian Lundehund     Irish Water Spaniel versus Saluki     

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