Which is Better between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Chinook?

Last Updated: Jun 14, 2022

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Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Versus Chinook: 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 Chinook? 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 Chinook 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 Chinook.

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

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 Chinook.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Chinook

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Chinook: Overview

A very important difference between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Chinook is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a small-sized dog while the Chinook is a large-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 Chinook belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Chinook: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel to the Chinook 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 Chinook

FactorCavalier King Charles SpanielChinook
Tolerates Being Alone1/51/5
Does NOT Drool5/55/5
Height12 to 13 inches at the shoulder21 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder
Weight13 to 18 pounds55 to 70 pounds
Tolerates Hot Weather2/54/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl4/54/5
Tendency NOT to Wander4/54/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor4/53/5
Tolerates Cold Weather3/55/5
Does NOT Shed3/51/5
Does NOT chew on things3/53/5
Low Prey Drive3/54/5
NOT Rambunctious3/53/5
Easy To Groom4/52/5
General Health4/54/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight2/53/5
Easy To Train4/54/5
Intelligence4/55/5
Minimal Exercise Needs2/53/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living5/54/5
Good For Novice Owners5/51/5
Easygoing1/51/5
Affectionate With Family5/55/5
Kid-Friendly5/55/5
Dog Friendly5/55/5
Friendly Toward Strangers5/54/5
Potential For Playfulness5/54/5
Life Span9 to 15 years12 to 15 years
Average Lifespan12.0 years13.5 years
Average Price$2410No Data
Price Range$1800 – $3000No Data
Temperament Score85.5 percent77.8 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination;
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Clear By Parentage
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds17176
    *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 Chinook. 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 Chinook is 87 out of 125.

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

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Chinook

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Chinook

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

  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are good for new dog owners. However, Chinooks are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • The Similarities Between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Chinook

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

  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Chinook do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Chinook do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Chinook are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Chinook 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 Chinook do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Chinook 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 Chinook gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Chinook are very easy to train.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Chinook are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Chinook require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Chinook adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Chinook 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 Chinook are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Chinook get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Chinook get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Chinook are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Chinook are very playful.
  • Size Comparison of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Chinook

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

    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 Chinook weighs 55 to 70 pounds when fully grown. The Chinook is 21 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Size of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Size of Chinook

    Lifespan of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Chinook

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

    The Chinook live longer than the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Chinook

    Temperament of the Chinook Versus the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

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

    This is because the temperament score for the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is 85.5 percent while the temperament score for the Chinook is 77.8 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 77.8 percent, the Chinook has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Chinook by measuring the temperaments of 62 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and 9 Chinooks.

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Chinook

    The Popularity of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Popularity of Chinook

    Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).

    The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Chinook over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is more popular with dog owners than the Chinook. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is 17 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Chinook is 176 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

    Popularity of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

    Popularity of Chinook

    Popularity of Chinook

    Year Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Popularity Rank Chinook Popularity Rank
    2013 18 156
    2014 19 171
    2015 18 177
    2016 19 175
    2017 19 179
    2018 18 190
    2019 16 184
    2020 17 186
    2021 15 172

    Health Problems of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Health Problems of Chinook

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.

    Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Chinook are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.

    The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.

    Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is prone to more genetic health problems than the Chinook.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel than for the Chinook.

    4 health tests are recommended for Cavalier King Charles Spaniel while 3 tests are recommended for the Chinook.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and in Chinooks.

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Health Problems

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Cavalier King Charles Spaniels for:

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination;
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation

  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Cavalier King Charles Spaniels here.

    Chinook Health Problems

    Chinooks are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Chinook puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Chinook puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Chinook breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Chinooks for:

  • Clear By Parentage
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia

  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Chinooks here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Chinooks

    Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Breed is Episodic Falling problems.

    This is because the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel ranks 1 out of 1 dog breeds for Episodic Falling problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 454 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, 3 of them had Episodic Falling problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, and how common these diseases are in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Episodic Falling problems: Rank 1 out of 1 Dog Breeds
  • Basic Cardiac problems: Rank 3 out of 16 Dog Breeds
  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 4 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 13 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Advanced Cardiac problems: Rank 16 out of 71 Dog Breeds
  • Dentition Database problems: Rank 19 out of 49 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 73 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 79 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 101 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 115 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Chinook Breed is Patella problems.

    This is because the Chinook ranks 5 out of 145 dog breeds for Patella problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 52 Chinooks, 5 of them had Patella problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Chinooks, and how common these diseases are in Chinooks relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Patella problems: Rank 5 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 63 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 82 out of 182 Dog Breeds

  • The table below lists the common health problems in Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and in Chinook and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Chinook:

    Disease Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Rank Chinook Rank
    Episodic Falling problems 1 out of 1 dog breeds Not Common
    Basic Cardiac problems 3 out of 16 dog breeds Not Common
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems 4 out of 70 dog breeds Not Common
    Congenital Cardiac problems 13 out of 159 dog breeds Not Common
    Advanced Cardiac problems 16 out of 71 dog breeds Not Common
    Dentition Database problems 19 out of 49 dog breeds Not Common
    Patella problems 73 out of 145 dog breeds 5 out of 145 dog breeds
    Hips problems 79 out of 198 dog breeds 63 out of 198 dog breeds
    Eyes problems 101 out of 182 dog breeds 82 out of 182 dog breeds
    Elbow problems 115 out of 144 dog breeds Not Common

    *To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.

    Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Chinook

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

    Chinooks do not like to be left alone.

    Do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels shed more than Chinooks?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels shed moderately.

    Chinooks shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

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

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are very easy to groom.

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

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

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

    Chinooks get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels good family dogs? What about Chinooks?

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

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

    Is the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Easier to Train than the Chinook?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are very easy to train.

    Chinooks are very easy to train.

    Which one drools more, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or the Chinook

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

    Chinooks do have a very low tendency to drool.

    How Kid-friendly are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Chinooks?

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

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

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

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

    Chinooks have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.

    Do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Chinooks?

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

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

    Can Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Chinooks Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Chinooks can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs. Chinook

    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.

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

    Can Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Chinooks Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Chinooks can tolerate hot weather.

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

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.

    Chinooks adapt very well to apartment living.

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

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

    Chinooks 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 Chinook. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel to other breeds:

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Komondor     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Finnish Spitz     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Whippet     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Border Collie     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Gordon Setter     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Korean Jindo Dog     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Border Terrier     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Basenji     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Pomapoo     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Collie     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Flat-Coated Retriever     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus German Longhaired Pointer     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Kooikerhondje     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Irish Wolfhound     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Belgian Tervuren     

    Conclusion: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Chinook. 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 Chinook better suits you and your family.