Why the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is Better than the Miniature Poodle as a Pet

Last Updated: Jun 15, 2022

Quick Links: Table of Contents

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Versus Miniature Poodle: 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 Miniature Poodle? 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 Miniature Poodle 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 Miniature Poodle.

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

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 Miniature Poodle.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Miniature Poodle

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Miniature Poodle: Overview

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

Furthermore, both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Miniature Poodle are Companion Dogs. This means both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Miniature Poodle 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.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Miniature Poodle: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel to the Miniature Poodle 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 Miniature Poodle

FactorCavalier King Charles SpanielMiniature Poodle
Tolerates Being Alone1/51/5
Does NOT Drool5/55/5
Height12 to 13 inches at the shoulderFrom 10 to over 15 inches tall at the shoulder
Weight13 to 18 pounds12 to 20 pounds
Tolerates Hot Weather2/54/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl4/54/5
Tendency NOT to Wander4/53/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor4/53/5
Tolerates Cold Weather3/53/5
Does NOT Shed3/55/5
Does NOT chew on things3/52/5
Low Prey Drive3/54/5
NOT Rambunctious3/52/5
Easy To Groom4/51/5
General Health4/52/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight2/52/5
Easy To Train4/55/5
Intelligence4/55/5
Minimal Exercise Needs2/52/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living5/55/5
Good For Novice Owners5/55/5
Easygoing1/52/5
Affectionate With Family5/55/5
Kid-Friendly5/55/5
Dog Friendly5/54/5
Friendly Toward Strangers5/54/5
Potential For Playfulness5/55/5
Life Span9 to 15 years12 to 15 years
Average Lifespan12.0 years13.5 years
Average Price$2410$2500
Price Range$1800 – $3000$1500 – $3000
Temperament Score85.5 percent76.7 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 Miniature Poodle. 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 Miniature Poodle is 88 out of 125.

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

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Miniature Poodle

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Miniature Poodle

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

  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are very easy to groom. However, Miniature Poodles require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • The Similarities Between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Miniature Poodle

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

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

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

    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 Miniature Poodle weighs 12 to 20 pounds when fully grown. The Miniature Poodle is From 10 to over 15 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Size of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Size of Miniature Poodle

    Appearance (Colors) of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Miniature Poodle

    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

    Miniature Poodle Colors

    The Miniature Poodle comes in the following beautiful primary colors:

    • Black
    • White / Cream
    • Apricot / Beige
    • Gray / Blue / Silver
    • Bicolor
    • Brown / Chocolate

    The Miniature Poodle comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:

    • White / Cream
    • Brown / Chocolate
    • Black
    • Gray / Blue / Silver

    Lifespan of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Miniature Poodle

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

    The Miniature Poodle live longer than the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Miniature Poodle

    Temperament of the Miniature Poodle Versus the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

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

    This is because the temperament score for the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is 85.5 percent while the temperament score for the Miniature Poodle is 76.7 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 76.7 percent, the Miniature Poodle has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Miniature Poodle by measuring the temperaments of 62 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and 73 Miniature Poodles.

    Price of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Price of Miniature Poodle

    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 Miniature Poodle puppy is $2500. The price of the Miniature Poodle typically ranges from $1500 – $3000. However, the price of the Miniature Poodle can be as low as $350 and as high as $15000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 1190 Miniature Poodle puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Miniature Poodle is more expensive than the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Miniature Poodle
    Average Price $2410 $2500
    Price Range $1800 to $3000 $1500 to $3000

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Miniature Poodle. For different price points, the charts show how many Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppies or how many Miniature Poodle 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 Miniature Poodles

    A breakdown of the prices of Miniature Poodles

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

    Adopting the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Adopting the Miniature Poodle

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

    Also, like Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Miniature Poodles are also available for adoption. For example, Noel And Chuy is a Male Miniature Poodle that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Miniature Poodles like Noel And Chuy that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Miniature Poodle 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, Bruno is an adorable Male Miniature Poodle on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

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

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

    Tolerates Being Alone: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Miniature Poodle

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

    Miniature Poodles do not like to be left alone.

    Do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels shed more than Miniature Poodles?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels shed moderately.

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

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

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are very easy to groom.

    Miniature Poodles 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 Miniature Poodle?

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

    Miniature Poodles get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels good family dogs? What about Miniature Poodles?

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

    Miniature Poodles are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Is the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Easier to Train than the Miniature Poodle?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are very easy to train.

    Miniature Poodles are very easy to train.

    Which one drools more, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or the Miniature Poodle

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

    Miniature Poodles do have a very low tendency to drool.

    How Kid-friendly are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Miniature Poodles?

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

    Miniature Poodles get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

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

    Miniature Poodles 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 Miniature Poodles?

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

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

    Can Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Miniature Poodles Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Miniature Poodles can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs. Miniature Poodle

    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.

    Miniature Poodles 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 Miniature Poodles Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Miniature Poodles can tolerate hot weather.

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

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.

    Miniature Poodles adapt very well to apartment living.

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

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

    Miniature Poodles are very good 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 Miniature Poodle. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel to other breeds:

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Scottish Deerhound     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Boykin Spaniel     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Belgian Tervuren     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Border Collie     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Papillon     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Shetland Sheepdog     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Chinese Crested     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Pharaoh Hound     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Redbone Coonhound     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Toy Fox Terrier     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Cockalier     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Australian Cattle Dog     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel     

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