I have never heard of a Wolfadoodle before and my first reaction was, how can you mix breed a Wolf and a Poodle. I then did a lot of research and realized that a Wolfadoodle is a mix between an Irish Wolfhound and a Poodle.
They can also be called an Irish Wolfadoodle or Wolfoodle. I was very relieved to say the least.
Cavapoo vs Wolfadoodle can not be more different. Not just in size but also in looks and behavior.
Read on to discover what I found.
Cavapoo vs Wolfadoodle Size
The first noticeable difference is in size. An Irish Wolfhound is classified as a giant breed as they are the tallest of all dogs. On average they can reach to an adult person’s waist or even higher.
An Irish Wolfhound can reach an imposing height of 32 to 35 inches tall at the shoulder. Mixing this breed with a Poodle results in a Wolfadoodle size of 28 to 32 inches.
A Cavapoo on the otherhand can be anything between 9 to 14 inches tall depending on which size Poodle was used in the mating.
This is quite a difference and the first major difference between these two mix breeds.
Weight Differences
A Cavapoo can weigh between 7 to 26 pounds when fully grown.
A Wolfadoodle is not a solid dog and is slender in build but they can still top the scales at anything between 90 to 120 pounds.
Appearance and Coat
These two mixed breeds look entirely different from each other.
The Wolfadoodle is a tall dog with long legs, long tail and a long body that has a slight curve to it. There body is quite narrow with a slightly broader head and chest. They have long muzzles leading to almond shaped eyes.
The eye colour is either brown, amber or pumpkin colored. The medium length coat has a rough texture and is quite shaggy and dense with a slight curl.
They come in various colors:
- Red
- Wheaten
- Apricot
- Black with silver markings
- White and Cream
- Silver
If the Wolfadoodle takes after the Irish Wolfhound then it will shed.
The Cavapoo has a compact face with a cute button nose. They have long floppy ears and a compact body. The legs are normally short with small rounded paws.
Large round eyes are very expressive with brown being the most common color. Merle Cavapoos can have blue or blue/brown eyes.
The coat is wavy to super curly depending on how much they have inherited from each parent dog. A Cavapoo typically looks like a stuffed teddy bear.
Cavapoo vs Wolfadoodle Temperament
The Cavapoo is a playful and adorable dog that has a fantastic temperment making it a perfect family dog. This mix breed has a loving nature and wants to be with it’s owner as much as possible.
They are happy to lie on the couch and are adaptable enough to go for hikes and join the family on a boating adventure.
A Wolfadoodle is a gentle giant with an easy-going temperament. Just like the Cavapoo, they form strong bonds with there owners. This is not an aggressive dog but it’s size is useful in keeping intruders away.
Described as loving and obedient, a Wolfadoodle makes for a great companion dog.
Both mix breeds get along well with kids and other animals.
Life Expectancy
You can expect a Cavapoo to live anything from 10 to 15 years.
The Wolfadoodle, being so large, has a reduced life span of roughly 8 to 12 years. The Irish Wolfhound on average lives only for 8 years. This short lifespan is passed on to the Wolfadoodle.
Cavapoo vs Wolfadoodle Health Problems
The Cavapoo can inherit heart problems from the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel parent but the risks are lower because of the mix breeding with a Poodle. The can also suffer from Luxating Patellas and Syringomyelia which is a devastating brain disorder.
Read more about Cavapoo health problems here.
The Wolfadoodle has it’s own share of health issues. Being a large dog they can suffer from hip dysplaysia, joint issues and megaesophagus a disease that affects how they swallow and eat food.
Exercise
Cavapoos can be considered as moderate when it comes to exercise. They love a good walk, an outing with the family and spending time playing with the kids.
They will however not mind having a snooze on the couch or lie watching TV when you want a rest. They are happy just to be with you.
A Wolfadoodle is not a very active dog despite it’s large size. They have very similar exercise needs as the Cavapoo as they will also enjoy a good walk and playtime with the kids. Then they will relax with you and take it easy.
Food Consumption
As you can imagine, a Wolfadoodle will need a lot more food than a Cavapoo so this will need to be factored in for expense purposes.
Always follow the guidelines printed on the bag of dog food for correct portions but just to give you an idea, if your Cavapoo eats one cup of food a day then a Wolfadoodle will consume four.
Cavapoo vs Wolfadoodle Behavior
The Wolfadoodle can inherit some behavior traits from the Irish Wolfhound. This breed of dog is known as a sighthound. What this means is that if they catch sight of an animal running then they will give chase and in some cases kill there prey.
You can try calling them back to you but the thrill of the chase will stop them from listening to you.
Cavapoos on the other hand can suffer from separation anxiety. They are also quite sensitive so need positive training to avoid behavioral problems.
Living Conditions
Cavapoos can live in most settings from an apartment to a farm. A daily walk is important to stop unwanted behavior. They are small enough to curl on your lap and to share your bed. They are not expensive to feed and take care of.
They are dependant on constant human company but can be trained to be alone for extended periods of time. Training needs to start from day one.
Wolfadoodles are large dogs that need space. They are not suitable for apartment living as they require room to spread out so the bare minimum they would need is a big house with a large garden.
Everything is big about them, there food bill, there transport, there poop and there Vet bills.
Summary of Cavapoo vs Wolfadoodle
If you love giant dogs and have a big house and garden then a Wolfadoodle can be a good choice. Just be careful about it’s prey instinct. Besides this it is a peaceful, calm dog that is devoted to it’s people.
Cavapoos are great family dogs that suit any environment from small to large. There smaller size is better suited for people wanting a cuddle buddy and a dog that will sit on there lap. They are not as expensive to keep as Wolfadoodles.
