Why the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is Better than the Australian Kelpie as a Pet

Last Updated: Jun 14, 2022

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Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Versus Australian Kelpie: Introduction

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

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

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

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Australian Kelpie

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Australian Kelpie: Overview

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

Furthermore, 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.

On the other hand, the Australian Kelpie 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.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Australian Kelpie: Comparison Table

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

FactorCavalier King Charles SpanielAustralian Kelpie
Tolerates Being Alone1/52/5
Does NOT Drool5/55/5
Height12 to 13 inches at the shoulder15 to 20 inches
Weight13 to 18 pounds25 to 46 pounds
Tolerates Hot Weather2/55/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl4/52/5
Tendency NOT to Wander4/52/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor4/53/5
Tolerates Cold Weather3/53/5
Does NOT Shed3/53/5
Does NOT chew on things3/51/5
Low Prey Drive3/52/5
NOT Rambunctious3/51/5
Easy To Groom4/54/5
General Health4/53/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight2/54/5
Easy To Train4/55/5
Intelligence4/55/5
Minimal Exercise Needs2/51/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living5/52/5
Good For Novice Owners5/52/5
Easygoing1/52/5
Affectionate With Family5/54/5
Kid-Friendly5/52/5
Dog Friendly5/53/5
Friendly Toward Strangers5/52/5
Potential For Playfulness5/54/5
Life Span9 to 15 years10 to 15 years
Average Lifespan12.0 years12.5 years
Average Price$2410$590
Price Range$1800 – $3000$500 – $600
Temperament Score85.5 percent83.3 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination;
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • No Data
    *Data from AKC.org (The American Kennel Club),dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (The American Temperament Test Society)

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Australian Kelpie. 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is 91 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Australian Kelpie is 72 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a better pet than the Australian Kelpie. So, you should get a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel!

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Australian Kelpie

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

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

  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniels cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments. However, Australian Kelpies can tolerate hot weather.
  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniels adapt well to apartment living. However, Australian Kelpies do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are good for new dog owners. However, Australian Kelpies are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly. However, Australian Kelpies do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.
  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are very friendly towards strangers. However, Australian Kelpies are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • The Similarities Between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Australian Kelpie

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

  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Australian Kelpie do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Australian Kelpie do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Australian Kelpie do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Australian Kelpie are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Australian Kelpie are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Australian Kelpie are very easy to train.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Australian Kelpie are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Australian Kelpie require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Australian Kelpie 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Australian Kelpie are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Australian Kelpie are very playful.
  • Size Comparison of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Australian Kelpie

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

    The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel weighs 13 to 18 pounds when fully grown. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is 12 to 13 inches at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, the Australian Kelpie weighs 25 to 46 pounds when fully grown. The Australian Kelpie is 15 to 20 inches when fully grown.

    Size of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Size of Australian Kelpie

    Appearance (Colors) of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Australian Kelpie

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Colors

    The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel comes in the following beautiful primary colors:

    • Brown / Chocolate
    • Bicolor
    • Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
    • Apricot / Beige
    • Red / Chestnut / Orange
    • White / Cream
    • Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
    • Black

    The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:

    • White / Cream
    • Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
    • Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
    • Red / Chestnut / Orange
    • Gray / Blue / Silver
    • Brown / Chocolate

    Australian Kelpie Colors

    The Australian Kelpie comes in the following beautiful primary colors:

    • Brown / Chocolate
    • Black
    • Red / Chestnut / Orange
    • Bicolor
    • Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)

    The Australian Kelpie comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:

    • Bicolor
    • Brown / Chocolate
    • Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
    • White / Cream
    • Gray / Blue / Silver
    • Black

    Lifespan of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Australian Kelpie

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

    The lifespan of the Australian Kelpie is between 10 to 15 years. The average lifespan of the Australian Kelpie is 12.5 years.

    The Australian Kelpie live longer than the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Australian Kelpie

    Temperament of the Australian Kelpie Versus the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

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

    This is because the temperament score for the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is 85.5 percent while the temperament score for the Australian Kelpie is 83.3 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 85.5 percent, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 83.3 percent, the Australian Kelpie has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Australian Kelpie by measuring the temperaments of 62 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and 6 Australian Kelpies.

    Price of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Price of Australian Kelpie

    The average price of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy is $2410. The price of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel typically ranges from $1800 – $3000. However, the price of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel can be as low as $300 and as high as $7995. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 1216 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Australian Kelpie puppy is $590. The price of the Australian Kelpie typically ranges from $500 – $600. However, the price of the Australian Kelpie can be as low as $100 and as high as $1000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 20 Australian Kelpie puppies listed for sale from various sources.

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

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Australian Kelpie
    Average Price $2410 $590
    Price Range $1800 to $3000 $500 to $600

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Australian Kelpies

    A breakdown of the prices of Australian Kelpies

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy or the Australian Kelpie 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.

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Australian Kelpie

    Adopting the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Adopting the Australian Kelpie

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and many Australian Kelpies are currently available for adoption.

    These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.

    Below is an adorable Male Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Drew that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Cavalier King Charles Spaniels like Drew on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Australian Kelpies are also available for adoption. For example, Mason is a Male Australian Kelpie that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Australian Kelpies like Mason that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Australian Kelpie can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Hercules is the name of another Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    Also, Boss is an adorable Male Australian Kelpie on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Australian Kelpies are always available for adoption. Images and image labels from petfinder.com

    You can find more Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Australian Kelpies that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Australian Kelpie

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

    Australian Kelpies do not like to be left alone.

    Do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels shed more than Australian Kelpies?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels shed moderately.

    Australian Kelpies shed moderately.

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

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are very easy to groom.

    Australian Kelpies are very easy to groom.

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

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

    Australian Kelpies get along fairly well with other dogs.

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

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

    Australian Kelpies are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

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

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are very easy to train.

    Australian Kelpies are very easy to train.

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

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

    Australian Kelpies do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

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

    Australian Kelpies do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

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

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

    Australian Kelpies 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Australian Kelpies?

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

    Australian Kelpies are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

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

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Australian Kelpies can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs. Australian Kelpie

    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.

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

    Can Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Australian Kelpies Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Australian Kelpies can tolerate hot weather.

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

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.

    Australian Kelpies do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

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

    Australian Kelpies are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    You may also be interested in how the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel compares to other breeds aside from the Australian Kelpie. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel to other breeds:

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Aussiedoodle     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Boerboel     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Vizsla     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Tibetan Mastiff     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Belgian Tervuren     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus German Shorthaired Pointer     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Tibetan Terrier     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Irish Setter     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Collie     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Japanese Chin     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Sussex Spaniel     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Bolognese     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Chihuahua     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Goldendoodle     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Pointer     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Irish Water Spaniel     

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