Last Updated: Jun 15, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Australian Shepherd Versus Cavachon: Introduction
- Australian Shepherd versus Cavachon: Overview
- Australian Shepherd versus Cavachon: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Australian Shepherd and the Cavachon
- The Similarities Between the Australian Shepherd and the Cavachon
- Size Comparison of the Australian Shepherd versus Cavachon
- Appearance (Colors) of the Australian Shepherd and the Cavachon
- Lifespan of Australian Shepherd versus Cavachon
- Price of Australian Shepherd versus Price of Cavachon
- Tolerates Being Alone: Australian Shepherd versus Cavachon
- Do Australian Shepherds shed more than Cavachons?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Australian Shepherd or the Cavachon?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Australian Shepherd or the Cavachon?
- Are Australian Shepherds good family dogs? What about Cavachons?
- Is the Australian Shepherd Easier to Train than the Cavachon?
- Which one drools more, the Australian Shepherd or the Cavachon
- How Kid-friendly are Australian Shepherds and Cavachons?
- Does the Australian Shepherd Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Cavachon?
- Do Australian Shepherds Bark and Howl? What about Cavachons?
- Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Cavachons Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Australian Shepherd vs. Cavachon
- Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Cavachons Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Australian Shepherd Versus Other Dog Breeds
- Conclusion: Australian Shepherd versus Cavachon. Which One is a Better Pet?
Australian Shepherd Versus Cavachon: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Australian Shepherd and the Cavachon? 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 Australian Shepherd and the Cavachon 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 Australian Shepherd and the Cavachon.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Australian Shepherd and the Cavachon 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 Australian Shepherd and for the Cavachon. 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 Australian Shepherd and the Cavachon.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Australian Shepherd or the Cavachon.

Australian Shepherd versus Cavachon: Overview
A very important difference between the Australian Shepherd and the Cavachon is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Australian Shepherd is a medium-sized dog while the Cavachon is a small-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Australian Shepherd belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.
On the other hand, the Cavachon belongs to the Mixed Breed Dogs group. Mixed Breed Dogs are not purebred dogs.
Australian Shepherd versus Cavachon: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Australian Shepherd to the Cavachon 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 Australian Shepherd and the Cavachon
| Factor | Australian Shepherd | Cavachon |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 10 to 15 years |
| Height | 18 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder | 12 to 13 inches |
| Good For Novice Owners | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| General Health | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Weight | 40 to 65 pounds | 15 to 35 pounds |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 12.5 years |
| Average Price | $1180 | $2070 |
| Price Range | $800 – $1500 | $1699 – $2500 |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | No Data |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Australian Shepherd 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 Cavachon. 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 Australian Shepherd is 70 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Cavachon is 87 out of 125.
Despite the higher Better-Pet score of the Cavachon, we still believe that the Australian Shepherd is a better pet than the Cavachon.
This is because Australian Shepherds are much cuter but you cannot put a score on cuteness. If you could put a score on cuteness, then the Australian Shepherd will come out on top.
Also, we are biased in favor of the Australian Shepherd :-). We are for the Australian Shepherd. So get a Australian Shepherd!

The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Australian Shepherd and the Cavachon
Below is a list of where the Australian Shepherd and the Cavachon are most different:
The Similarities Between the Australian Shepherd and the Cavachon
The Australian Shepherd and the Cavachon are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Australian Shepherd and the Cavachon are most similar:
Size Comparison of the Australian Shepherd versus Cavachon
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Australian Shepherd and the Cavachon.
The Australian Shepherd weighs 40 to 65 pounds when fully grown. The Australian Shepherd is 18 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
On the other hand, the Cavachon weighs 15 to 35 pounds when fully grown. The Cavachon is 12 to 13 inches when fully grown.

Appearance (Colors) of the Australian Shepherd and the Cavachon
Australian Shepherd Colors
The Australian Shepherd comes in the following beautiful primary colors:
- Brown / Chocolate
- Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
- Black
- Merle (Red)
- Gray / Blue / Silver
- Red / Chestnut / Orange
- Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
- Harlequin
- Merle (Blue)
- White / Cream
- Apricot / Beige
- Bicolor
- Golden
- Brindle
The Australian Shepherd comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:
- White / Cream
- Brown / Chocolate
- Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
- Red / Chestnut / Orange
- Black
- Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
- Sable
- Gray / Blue / Silver
- Merle (Blue)
Cavachon Colors
The Cavachon comes in the following beautiful primary colors:
- Black
- White / Cream
- Red / Chestnut / Orange
- Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
The Cavachon comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:
- Brown / Chocolate
- White / Cream
- Black
- Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
- Harlequin
Lifespan of Australian Shepherd versus Cavachon
The lifespan of the Australian Shepherd is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of the Australian Shepherd is 13.5 years.
The lifespan of the Cavachon is between 10 to 15 years . The average lifespan of the Cavachon is 12.5 years.
The Australian Shepherd live longer than the Cavachon.

Price of Australian Shepherd versus Price of Cavachon
The average price of the Australian Shepherd puppy is $1180. The price of the Australian Shepherd typically ranges from $800 – $1500. However, the price of a Australian Shepherd can be as low as $100 and as high as $12009. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 2674 Australian Shepherd puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The average price of the Cavachon puppy is $2070. The price of the Cavachon typically ranges from $1699 – $2500. However, the price of the Cavachon can be as low as $475 and as high as $4200. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 416 Cavachon puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Cavachon is more expensive than the Australian Shepherd.
| Australian Shepherd | Cavachon | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1180 | $2070 |
| Price Range | $800 to $1500 | $1699 to $2500 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Australian Shepherd and Cavachon. For different price points, the charts show how many Australian Shepherd puppies or how many Cavachon puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

A breakdown of the prices of Australian Shepherds. The typical price range is shaded Green.

A breakdown of the prices of Cavachons
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Australian Shepherd puppy or the Cavachon 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.

Tolerates Being Alone: Australian Shepherd versus Cavachon
Australian Shepherds do not like to be left alone.
Cavachons do not like to be left alone.
Do Australian Shepherds shed more than Cavachons?
Australian Shepherds shed moderately.
Cavachons do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Australian Shepherd or the Cavachon?
Australian Shepherds require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Cavachons require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Australian Shepherd or the Cavachon?
Australian Shepherds get along very well with other dogs.
Cavachons get along very well with other dogs.
Are Australian Shepherds good family dogs? What about Cavachons?
Australian Shepherds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Cavachons are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Australian Shepherd Easier to Train than the Cavachon?
Australian Shepherds are very easy to train.
Cavachons are very easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Australian Shepherd or the Cavachon
Australian Shepherds do have a very low tendency to drool.
Cavachons do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Australian Shepherds and Cavachons?
Australian Shepherds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Cavachons get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Australian Shepherd Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Cavachon?
Australian Shepherds have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.
Cavachons have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.
Do Australian Shepherds Bark and Howl? What about Cavachons?
Australian Shepherds are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Cavachons bark and howl, but not very much.
Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Cavachons Tolerate Cold Weather?
Australian Shepherds can very well tolerate cold weather.
Cavachons can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Australian Shepherd vs. Cavachon
Australian Shepherds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Cavachons do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Cavachons Tolerate Hot Weather?
Australian Shepherds can tolerate hot weather.
Cavachons can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Is the Australian Shepherd Better for Apartment Owners than the Cavachon?
Australian Shepherds do not adapt well to apartment living.
Cavachons adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Australian Shepherd or the Cavachon?
Australian Shepherds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Cavachons are very good for new dog owners.
Australian Shepherd Versus Other Dog Breeds
You may also be interested in how the Australian Shepherd compares to other breeds aside from the Cavachon. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Australian Shepherd to other breeds:
Australian Shepherd versus Yorkshire Terrier Australian Shepherd versus Shiranian Australian Shepherd versus Harrier Australian Shepherd versus Cockalier Australian Shepherd versus Chinook Australian Shepherd versus Basset Hound Australian Shepherd versus English Cocker Spaniel Australian Shepherd versus Swedish Vallhund Australian Shepherd versus Glen of Imaal Terrier Australian Shepherd versus Saluki Australian Shepherd versus German Wirehaired Pointer Australian Shepherd versus Flat-Coated Retriever Australian Shepherd versus Coton de Tulear Australian Shepherd versus Leonberger Australian Shepherd versus German Shepherd Dog Australian Shepherd versus Curly-Coated Retriever Australian Shepherd versus Chorkie Australian Shepherd versus Redbone Coonhound Australian Shepherd versus Morkie Australian Shepherd versus Carolina Dog
Conclusion: Australian Shepherd versus Cavachon. 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 Australian Shepherd and the Cavachon better suits you and your family.