Golden Retriever Vs Cavachon – What Is The Best Breed For You
The Golden Retriever is a dog from the Scottish highlands that was used to retrieve animals after hunters had shot them, it is very much a working dog, but over the years, the Golden Retriever has grown to be one of the most beloved breeds by pet-owners around the world. The Cavachon has a very different backstory. It was created by breeders specifically to be an adorable pet.
Key Similarities
Though these two breeds might not appear to have many similarities based on their appearance, they do have some common traits.
Both are extremely affectionate and require a lot of attention. (Cavachons tend to be even needier than Goldies though)
It should be noted that both of these breeds shed a moderate amount, so owners who would prefer a dog that does not shed should consider a different breed.
Key Differences
Their differences in appearance are obvious, the Goldie is much larger, with a golden, wavy coat, while the Cavachon is small with puffy curls usually in cream or white.
Their different physiques mean that they also have different needs when it comes to play and exercise time. Golden Retrievers need much more space to run around and much more exercise to get rid of their energy.
Their different coats also mean different grooming requirements, the Cavachon doesn’t need to be groomed much at all. Another benefit of the Cavachon’s coat is that is hypoallergenic.
Pros over each other
Though these dogs obviously are completely different, each has its own qualities that make it special and a great pet.
Cavachons are small and can easily adapt to apartment living and spending their days by your side with only quick exercise/play breaks. They also require way less grooming than Golden Retrievers. Another important aspect for allergy sufferers is that Cavachons have hypoallergenic coats.
Goldies on the other hand are more trainable and make excellent service dogs, They are also more energetic and playful than the smaller Cavachon.
Who Should Consider Owning Each One?
If you want a small companion to love and protect, especially if you have limited living space, and would prefer an adorable little dog with a hypoallergenic coat, the Cavachon might be perfect for you.
If you want a larger dog with a beautiful coat that requires a bit of grooming and sheds moderately, the Golden Retriever is one of the most popular breeds in the world for good reason.
All About the Golden Retriever
The Golden Retriever came from Scotland and originated in the 1800s. The breed was designed for hunting ducks and waterfowl.
Golden Retrievers are excellent hunting dogs but are wonderful family dogs as well.
Cavachon Cattle Dog
Cavachons are the result of generations of mixed breeding, with the sole purpose of creating a perfect companion dog/family pet that is suited to urban living.
History:
The Spaniel breeds came from Spain and were all sizes and shaped. The types of spaniels were land, water, springer, field spaniels, and Sussex.
All of these spaniels were bred for different hunting duties. The dog’s size was the main point of difference between all these dogs.
The Cocker Spaniel was used to retrieve and flush out small game such as woodcock, pheasant, and quail. In 1946, both the American Cocker Spaniel and the English Cocker Spaniel were recognized officially by the AKC as separate breeds.
Size and appearance:
Cocker Spaniels have incredibly expressive faces and stand out in a crowd. However, their tail keeps wagging, their eyes are dark, and big floppy ears.
Your Cocker Spaniel’s weight will be between 24-28 pounds, with the male being 15 inches at the withers and the female being 14 inches. The head is graceful and round with a broad square muzzle. The ears are feathered long, and the dog’s back slopes towards the tail. There is feathering on the ears and the legs, underside, and chest. Most of the time, the tail is docked.
There are a variety of colors with Cocker Spaniels. The colors can be solid black, tan, or red. Other coats are bi-colored and tri-colored. The coats can be black and white, black and tan, or black and white with tan flecks.
The AKC has the Cocker Spaniel divided into three varieties for show. The divisions are parti-color, black, or ASCOB, which stands for Any Solid Color Other Than Black.
Lifespan:
The life expectancy of your Cocker Spaniel is between 14 to 16 years.
Guard dog or family pet?
The guarding instinct is very low in this breed.
You can train them to bark when someone is at the door, but that’s about it. These dogs are friendly, gentle dogs who make great family pets.
First Impressions & History
Cavachons have existed naturally for many years. But they’ve been recognized as an official breed since 1996.
Their size and temperament suits apartment living which plays a large part in the reason for their popularity.
Size & Appearance
Though they vary in size, Cavachons are generally small, weighing only between 15 and 35 pounds and growing to be about 13 inches tall.
They don’t often have only one solid colour, most of them are a mix of cream and white.
Grooming & Shedding
Cavachons have hypoallergenic coats. Brushing their coats three or four times a week and bathing them when necessary will be all the grooming you Cavachon needs.
Lifespan
10-15 Years
Quick Facts
- They have sensitive skin and will require sunscreen in places with extreme weather.
- They are a social breed and enjoy the company of other animals and children.
- They are easy-going and will be happy with any living arrangement as long as they are near you.
- Good option for first-time dog owners
Golden Retrievers In More Detail
Temperament And Behavior:
Golden Retrievers are naturally well-behaved and friendly. Their temperament is playful, gentle, and outgoing. Plus, this breed is intelligent and devoted to its family.
A Golden Retriever gets along with other animals. However, these dogs do exuberant jumps on people when young. Plus, this breed does tend to mouthiness and likes to carry things around.
Training and obedience:
A Golden Retriever has a puppy frame of mind until he is over three years old. Early training is essential so you can instill good manners and calmness.
Even if he is eager to please, your dog will be distracted by the wonderful new sights and smells, so patience is a must.
Exercise Needs:
These dogs are from the sporting class, so they need exercise. If your dog can’t vent his energy and you find him interesting things to do, then he’ll find them. This breed has an extremely high energy level and a high exercise level.
An hour of exercise at least will help keep your dog’s exuberance under control. After that, your dog will love to retrieve stuff and bring back just about anything thrown to him.
Shedding, grooming, and maintenance:
Golden retrievers shed a lot and often. They require regular brushing to keep ahead of the hair shedding.
Because the breed is a hunting and waterfowl dog, the outer coat is dense and will repel water.
You will regularly need to brush and comb your dog to avoid his coat getting matted and tangled. Some dogs of this breed have a medium-length coat that isn’t as hard to groom. Other dogs have a heavier coat with lots of feathering.
Plus, Goldens need to be clipped and scissored occasionally, so a trip to the groomers may be necessary to keep your dog sanitary. Keeping nails trimmed is also a part of the grooming. These dogs shed moderately in the winter and summer but heavily in the spring and fall.
Because this breed has fold-over ears, they are prone to ear infections. The ears create an environment for bacteria and fungus to grow. It appears as black dirt-looking particles with a terrible odor. Simply gently wipe the outer ear with a cotton ball that’s been dampened with pH-balanced ear cleaner.
Health issues:
Golden Retrievers are prone to cancer, heart problems, skin allergies, eye defects. Plus, they gain weight easily, so overfeeding should not be done. In addition, they are susceptible to bloat, hypothyroidism, and hip dysplasia.
Quick Facts:
These dogs have a distinctive doggy odor and produce a lot of dander.
The breed is a good match for children, other dogs, cats, families, and seniors. They are excellent dogs for first-time pet owners, and these dogs love water.
The cost of a Golden Retriever is about $500.
Cavachons In More Detail
Temperament & Behaviour
They have a happy disposition that is infectious. As long as they are with their loved ones they always seem delighted, which is part of their allure.
They are energetic and playful when you want to be, but they can be calm and cuddly when you want to relax. They will adapt to anything, as long as they can stay by your side.
Intelligence levels & Affections Level
Cavachons are highly intelligent and enjoy nothing more than giving and receiving affection. They are social animals and enjoy company and attention from everyone.
Training & Obedience
They are very smart and eager to please you. By using positive reinforcement and patience you can train your Cavachons to be exceptionally obedient.
Exercise Needs
They are quite energetic and active for their size, but because they are so small, only a moderate amount of exercise will be enough for them. A half an hour walk around the block and a bit of playtime at home on a daily basis will suffice.
Guard Dog or Family Pet
While they might be able to alert you to an intrusion, there is no doubt that Cavachons fall into the category of family pet rather than guard dog. They are simply too small to add any form of security.
Gets On With Other Pets, Animals And Children?
Generally, they enjoy the company of other animals and children. They are small and fragile though, so small children should not interact with them without supervision as they might easily get injured.
They can also become a little jealous when they feel like they haven’t been getting enough attention.
Who Should Consider Buying
Apart from being so adorable, the appeal of a Cavachon is its adaptability, they could be perfect for anyone. All they ask for is love and attention, apart from that they will be happy with any living situation. They make great companions, so apartment dwellers looking for a friend can’t go wrong when choosing a Cavachon.
Conclusion
Cavachons exist with the express purpose of being companions that can find any living arrangement suitable.
They are a great option for people living in the city who would like to have a pet but cannot accommodate the exercise needs of many of the other breeds. Their low maintenance, adaptability and sunny attitudes make them a great option for first-time dog owners too.
