Cavapoo vs Schnoodle
Cavapoos and Schnoodles are two designer dog breeds that are the result of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Schnauzer being crossed with the Poodle.
One thing is for sure, both of these breeds have increased significantly in popularity over the past 5 years or so with the rise of the Poodle cross.
While these two crosses will share common Poodle traits, there are many key differences between Schnauzers and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.
Looking at those specific differences can be very helpful when deciding whether the Cavapoo vs Schnoodle is right for you!
The Schnoodle
First, let’s take a look at the Schnoodle.
As was already mentioned above, the Schnoodle is the result of Poodles and Schnauzers being crossed together.
But there comes an added complexity when you factor in the different types of Schnauzers and Poodles.
Both of these breeds come in three distinct sizes.
For the Schnauzer those are Miniature, Standard, and Giant.
For the Poodle those are Toy, Miniature, and Standard.
When referring to sizes, Schnoodles are generally classed the same as Poodles (as in Toy, Miniature, and Standard).
We’ll go into more about that in a bit.
Unlike the Cavapoo, Schnoodles can come quite large and even double as a good watchdog that appears intimidating while also doubling as a great family pet.
The Cavapoo
Cavapoos are the result of crossing Poodles and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
Unlike Schnauzers, the Cavalier Spaniel doesn’t come in a variety of sizes (within reason) so the size of the Cavapoo is much more predictable.
These guys are also sometimes known as Cavadoodles or Cavoodles and are generally fun little dogs that thrive in a family environment.
Size Comparison – Cavapoo vs Schnoodle
Since Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are generally smaller dogs, the same can be said for Cavapoos.
They are considered a small to medium ‘breed’ and tend to be somewhere in the 9 to 24-pound range.
The average height for these dogs is close to 15 inches at the shoulder but they can range from 9 right up to 18 inches.
Schnoodles, on the other hand, come in a variety of sizes.
What Schnauzer a poodle is crossed with impacts the size of the Schnoodle greatly.
Miniature Schnauzers stand at a maximum of 14 inches tall and don’t weigh more than 15 pounds, this crossed with a toy poodle will result in a small dog.
The giant Schnauzer, who weighs up to 90 pounds and stands up to 28 inches tall, crossed with the standard poodle will produce a very different-sized dog.
This fact makes for a nice versatility depending on what size dog best suits your needs.
Appearance Differences
Since Cavalier King Charles Spaniels come in a variety of colors, when crossed with Poodles who share the same color variety you get a mixed breed that can be found in an array of colors.
That includes cream, fawn, chocolate, red, black, ruby, white, merle and even bi-coloured.
You can also find Cavapoos that have three colors mixed together.
As for their coats, Cavapoos generally have short soft coats with lovely curls covering their body.
The level of curliness depends on how much of the Poodle is coming through.
If your Cavapoo is taking more after their Cavalier Spaniel side, they will have a straighter coat.
A big reason for crossing various breeds to Poodles is the low-shedding factor that Poodles possess.
Cavapoos can be low to non-shedding.
Schnoodles also have soft wavy coats and often feature the Schnauzer’s distinctive beard.
On some occasions, Schnoodles have a more wiry coat from their Schnauzer side but most will have some sort of wave to their fur from the Poodle.
The shedding situation is the same for the Schnoodle as it is for the Cavapoo.
They can shed, but it’s nothing excessive.
Health Conditions
Your first step in ensuring you have a healthy pup is doing your due diligence to find a reputable breeder.
Ask to see the puppy’s parents, which includes how they are kept, and ask for their health certificates (something all health-conscious breeders will have done).
If you have found a Cavapoo or Schnoodle looking for a home in a shelter (firstly, well done for opening your home to a dog that needs a family) and you have no way of tracing their history, these are some things to look out for in terms of health.
Cavapoos can be prone to congenital heart issues, progressive retinal atrophy, and slipping kneecaps.
Schnoodles can suffer from progressive retinal atrophy, cataracts, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, and patellar luxation.
Temperament Between Cavapoo vs Schnoodle
Cavapoos are out-going little dogs that have a lot of love to give their owner and family.
They can sometimes get too attached to their people and suffer from separation anxiety which is something to keep in mind if you are going to be away from home for many hours in the day.
This separation anxiety can result in the pup howling, crying, and barking while you are away, which is something I’m sure you would like to avoid.
Cavapoos are known to be fairly intelligent dogs who enjoy being trained with positive reinforcement.
Cavapoos like a good run around but equally enjoy passing out on the couch next to you.
Schnoodles share many of these traits as well.
One difference is their need for exercise. In general, Schnoodles are a much more active breed that you need to stay on top of your exercise schedule with.
If you are looking for a dog that enjoys going on runs with you, the Schnoodle is a great option.
They are intelligent dogs who can easily be trained but, due to the Schnauzer in them, are much warier of strangers than Cavapoos.
They can also be strong-willed and high-spirited.
Socializing your Schnoodle from an early age is important to avoid them being too standoffish with new people and dogs.
Because of the terrier side of a Schnoodle, they love to hunt and kill rats and other small creatures.
Life Span
Cavapoos, on average, have a longer lifespan than Schnoodles.
This is something to take with a pinch of salt as a big determining factor in how long a dog’s life is the care provided for them but… Cavapoos have an estimated lifespan of 12 to 15 years and Schnoodles have an estimated lifespan of 10 to 15 years.
Grooming & Maintenance
Grooming for any Poodle cross is something that needs to sit high up on the ‘care’ list for these dogs.
Neither Schnoodles nor Cavapoos need excessive grooming but if their coats are left unmaintained, you will without a doubt have a dog with matting.
Schnoodles with wavy soft coats need to be brushed at least once a week to keep the knots at bay.
As for Schnoodles with more wiry coats, they require less grooming.
Shaving your Schnoodle is also a popular choice and can be done every few months (but make sure to still run a brush over the dog every now and then to avoid tangles).
The same goes for Cavapoos, brush them at least once to twice a week to keep their coats knot-free and healthy.
You’d be surprised how quickly tangles can develop, especially if you lead an active life with your dog.
Conclusion – Cavapoo vs Schnoodle
Hopefully, you are now able to make a clear decision on whether the Cavapoo or Schnoodle is the right dog for you.
In many ways, they are very similar but do have some distinctive differences like the sizes Schnoodles come in and their tendency to be slightly more cautious of strangers.
They are both on the low-shedding side and can offer families a lovable companion who likes to play and just wants to be around their person (or people).
