Which is Better between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Carolina Dog?

Last Updated: Jun 14, 2022

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Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Versus Carolina Dog: 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 Carolina 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Carolina 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Carolina Dog.

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

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 Carolina Dog.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Carolina Dog

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Carolina Dog: Overview

A very important difference between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Carolina Dog is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a small-sized dog while the Carolina Dog 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 Carolina Dog belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Carolina Dog: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel to the Carolina 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Carolina Dog

FactorCavalier King Charles SpanielCarolina Dog
Tolerates Being Alone1/51/5
Does NOT Drool5/54/5
Height12 to 13 inches at the shoulder18 to 20 inches at the shoulder
Weight13 to 18 pounds33 to 55 pounds
Tolerates Hot Weather2/54/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl4/55/5
Tendency NOT to Wander4/53/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor4/51/5
Tolerates Cold Weather3/54/5
Does NOT Shed3/52/5
Does NOT chew on things3/54/5
Low Prey Drive3/51/5
NOT Rambunctious3/52/5
Easy To Groom4/54/5
General Health4/55/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight2/52/5
Easy To Train4/52/5
Intelligence4/54/5
Minimal Exercise Needs2/52/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living5/52/5
Good For Novice Owners5/52/5
Easygoing1/54/5
Affectionate With Family5/52/5
Kid-Friendly5/53/5
Dog Friendly5/55/5
Friendly Toward Strangers5/52/5
Potential For Playfulness5/53/5
Life Span9 to 15 years12 to 15 years
Average Lifespan12.0 years13.5 years
Average Price$2410$500
Price Range$1800 – $3000$500 – $500
Temperament Score85.5 percent66.7 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 Carolina 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is 91 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Carolina Dog is 73 out of 125.

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

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Carolina Dog

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Carolina Dog

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

  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniels do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful. However, Carolina Dogs do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniels adapt well to apartment living. However, Carolina Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are good for new dog owners. However, Carolina Dogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniels 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. However, Carolina Dogs are not very sensitive to their enviroment. They can tolerate noisy environments. They are also not very sensitive to the tone of your voice, firm or gentle.
  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family. However, Carolina Dogs are not affectionate with family. They are not good family dogs.
  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are very friendly towards strangers. However, Carolina Dogs are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • The Similarities Between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Carolina Dog

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

  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Carolina Dog do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Carolina Dog do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Carolina Dog are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Carolina 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Carolina Dog are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Carolina Dog 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 Carolina Dog gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Carolina Dog are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Carolina Dog require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Carolina Dog get along well with other dogs.
  • Size Comparison of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Carolina Dog

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

    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 Carolina Dog weighs 33 to 55 pounds when fully grown. The Carolina Dog is 18 to 20 inches at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Size of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Size of Carolina Dog

    Appearance (Colors) of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Carolina Dog

    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

    Carolina Dog Colors

    The Carolina Dog comes in the following beautiful primary colors:

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

    The Carolina Dog comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:

    • White / Cream
    • Black

    Lifespan of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Carolina Dog

    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 Carolina Dog is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of the Carolina Dog is 13.5 years.

    The Carolina Dog live longer than the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Carolina Dog

    Temperament of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Versus the Carolina Dog

    The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has a better temperament than the Carolina Dog.

    This is because the temperament score for the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is 85.5 percent while the temperament score for the Carolina Dog is 66.7 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 66.7 percent, the Carolina Dog has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Carolina Dog by measuring the temperaments of 62 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and 3 Carolina Dogs.

    Price of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Price of Carolina Dog

    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 Carolina Dog puppy is $500. The price of the Carolina Dog typically ranges from $500 – $500. However, the price of the Carolina Dog can be as low as $500 and as high as $500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 19 Carolina Dog puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is more expensive than the Carolina Dog.

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Carolina Dog
    Average Price $2410 $500
    Price Range $1800 to $3000 $500 to $500

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Carolina Dog. For different price points, the charts show how many Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppies or how many Carolina Dog 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 Carolina Dogs

    A breakdown of the prices of Carolina Dogs

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

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Carolina Dog

    Adopting the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Adopting the Carolina Dog

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and many Carolina Dogs 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 Winston that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Cavalier King Charles Spaniels like Winston on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Carolina Dogs are also available for adoption. For example, 22-095 Available 6-15-22 is a Male Carolina Dog that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Carolina Dogs like 22-095 Available 6-15-22 that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

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

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

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

    Tolerates Being Alone: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Carolina Dog

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

    Carolina Dogs do not like to be left alone.

    Do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels shed more than Carolina Dogs?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels shed moderately.

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

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or the Carolina Dog?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are very easy to groom.

    Carolina Dogs are very easy to groom.

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

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

    Carolina Dogs get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels good family dogs? What about Carolina Dogs?

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

    Carolina Dogs are not affectionate with family. They are not good family dogs.

    Is the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Easier to Train than the Carolina Dog?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are very easy to train.

    Carolina Dogs are not easy to train.

    Which one drools more, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or the Carolina Dog

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

    Carolina Dogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    How Kid-friendly are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Carolina Dogs?

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

    Carolina Dogs get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

    Does the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Carolina Dog?

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

    Carolina 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Carolina Dogs?

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

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

    Can Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Carolina Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Carolina Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs. Carolina Dog

    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.

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

    Can Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Carolina Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Carolina Dogs can tolerate hot weather.

    Is the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Better for Apartment Owners than the Carolina Dog?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.

    Carolina Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

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

    Carolina Dogs 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 Carolina Dog. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel to other breeds:

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus German Shepherd Dog     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Norfolk Terrier     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Flat-Coated Retriever     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Fila Brasileiro     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Biewer Terrier     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Afador     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Golden Cocker Retriever     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Cocker Spaniel     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Toy Fox Terrier     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Silky Terrier     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Greyhound     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Maltipoo     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Dachshund     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Whoodle     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus American Water Spaniel     

    Conclusion: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Carolina 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Carolina Dog better suits you and your family.