Which is Better between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Shiloh Shepherd?

Last Updated: Jun 15, 2022

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Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Versus Shiloh Shepherd: 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 Shiloh Shepherd? 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 Shiloh Shepherd 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 Shiloh Shepherd.

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

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 Shiloh Shepherd.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Shiloh Shepherd

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Shiloh Shepherd: Overview

A very important difference between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Shiloh Shepherd is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a small-sized dog while the Shiloh Shepherd is a giant-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 Shiloh Shepherd 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 Shiloh Shepherd: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel to the Shiloh Shepherd 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 Shiloh Shepherd

FactorCavalier King Charles SpanielShiloh Shepherd
Tolerates Being Alone1/52/5
Does NOT Drool5/53/5
Height12 to 13 inches at the shoulder26 to 30 inches
Weight13 to 18 pounds80 to 130 pounds
Tolerates Hot Weather2/54/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl4/52/5
Tendency NOT to Wander4/53/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor4/52/5
Tolerates Cold Weather3/55/5
Does NOT Shed3/52/5
Does NOT chew on things3/52/5
Low Prey Drive3/55/5
NOT Rambunctious3/52/5
Easy To Groom4/54/5
General Health4/53/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight2/52/5
Easy To Train4/55/5
Intelligence4/55/5
Minimal Exercise Needs2/52/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living5/51/5
Good For Novice Owners5/52/5
Easygoing1/52/5
Affectionate With Family5/55/5
Kid-Friendly5/55/5
Dog Friendly5/54/5
Friendly Toward Strangers5/55/5
Potential For Playfulness5/55/5
Life Span9 to 15 years9 to 14 years
Average Lifespan12.0 years11.5 years
Average Price$2410No Data
Price Range$1800 – $3000No Data
Temperament Score85.5 percent80.8 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination;
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • *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 Shiloh Shepherd. 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 Shiloh Shepherd is 82 out of 125.

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

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Shiloh Shepherd

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Shiloh Shepherd

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

  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniels adapt well to apartment living. However, Shiloh Shepherds do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are good for new dog owners. However, Shiloh Shepherds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • The Similarities Between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Shiloh Shepherd

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

  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Shiloh Shepherd do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Shiloh Shepherd 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 Shiloh Shepherd are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Shiloh Shepherd 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 Shiloh Shepherd gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Shiloh Shepherd are very easy to train.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Shiloh Shepherd are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Shiloh Shepherd require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Shiloh Shepherd 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 Shiloh Shepherd are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Shiloh Shepherd get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Shiloh Shepherd get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Shiloh Shepherd are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Shiloh Shepherd are very playful.
  • Size Comparison of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Shiloh Shepherd

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

    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 Shiloh Shepherd weighs 80 to 130 pounds when fully grown. The Shiloh Shepherd is 26 to 30 inches when fully grown.

    Size of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Size of Shiloh Shepherd

    Lifespan of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Shiloh Shepherd

    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 Shiloh Shepherd is between 9 to 14 years . The average lifespan of the Shiloh Shepherd is 11.5 years.

    The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel live longer than the Shiloh Shepherd.

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Shiloh Shepherd

    Temperament of the Shiloh Shepherd Versus the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

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

    This is because the temperament score for the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is 85.5 percent while the temperament score for the Shiloh Shepherd is 80.8 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 80.8 percent, the Shiloh Shepherd has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Shiloh Shepherd by measuring the temperaments of 62 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and 26 Shiloh Shepherds.

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Shiloh Shepherd

    Health Problems of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Health Problems of Shiloh Shepherd

    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 Shiloh Shepherd 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 Shiloh Shepherd is prone to the same number of genetic health problems as the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

    4 health tests are recommended for Cavalier King Charles Spaniel while 4 tests are recommended for the Shiloh Shepherd.

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

    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.

    Shiloh Shepherd Health Problems

    Shiloh Shepherds are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Shiloh Shepherd 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 Shiloh Shepherd puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Shiloh Shepherd 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 Shiloh Shepherds for:

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Hip Dysplasia

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

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Shiloh Shepherds

    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 Shiloh Shepherd Breed is Congenital Cardiac problems.

    This is because the Shiloh Shepherd ranks 39 out of 159 dog breeds for Congenital Cardiac problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 740 Shiloh Shepherds, 3 of them had Congenital Cardiac problems.

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

  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 39 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 40 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 42 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 52 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 97 out of 115 Dog Breeds

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

    Disease Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Rank Shiloh Shepherd 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 40 out of 70 dog breeds
    Congenital Cardiac problems 13 out of 159 dog breeds 39 out of 159 dog breeds
    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 Not Common
    Hips problems 79 out of 198 dog breeds 42 out of 198 dog breeds
    Eyes problems 101 out of 182 dog breeds Not Common
    Elbow problems 115 out of 144 dog breeds 52 out of 144 dog breeds
    Thyroid problems Not Common 97 out of 115 dog breeds

    *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 Shiloh Shepherd

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

    Shiloh Shepherds do not like to be left alone.

    Do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels shed more than Shiloh Shepherds?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels shed moderately.

    Shiloh Shepherds shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

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

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are very easy to groom.

    Shiloh Shepherds are very easy to groom.

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

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

    Shiloh Shepherds get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels good family dogs? What about Shiloh Shepherds?

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

    Shiloh Shepherds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Is the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Easier to Train than the Shiloh Shepherd?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are very easy to train.

    Shiloh Shepherds are very easy to train.

    Which one drools more, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or the Shiloh Shepherd

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

    Shiloh Shepherds drool moderately.

    How Kid-friendly are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Shiloh Shepherds?

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

    Shiloh Shepherds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

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

    Shiloh Shepherds 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 Shiloh Shepherds?

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

    Shiloh Shepherds are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shiloh Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Shiloh Shepherds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs. Shiloh Shepherd

    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.

    Shiloh Shepherds 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 Shiloh Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Shiloh Shepherds can tolerate hot weather.

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

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.

    Shiloh Shepherds do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

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

    Shiloh Shepherds 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 Shiloh Shepherd. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel to other breeds:

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Puli     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Australian Cattle Dog     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Aussiedoodle     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Boxer     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Bouvier des Flandres     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Belgian Sheepdog     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Mountain Cur     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Weimaraner     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Cavapoo     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Norwich Terrier     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus French Spaniel     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Goldador     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Border Collie     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Toy Fox Terrier     

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