Miniature Schnauzer vs Cavapoo - Breed Comparison

The Cavapoo, known also as the Cavoodle, is a small dog – a mix of a miniature Poodle and a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

He hasn’t got a long history, but each of the dogs he comes from – the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Poodle – have longer histories. The Cavapoo started being bred in the United States, but he has a short history in America. In Australia, they were first bred in the 1990s.

Today, as a hybrid, the Cavapoo isn’t recognized by the American Kennel Club but he is recognized by the American Canine Hybrid Club as well as the Designer Dogs KennelClub.

Miniature Schnauzers were first bred in Germany in the 19th century being bred from Affenpinschers and Standard Schnauzers.

This dog was always used to control rats on farms, but these days he is more a companion. It is believed that the start of the modern Miniature Schnauzer in the United States was around 1924 when dogs were imported from Germany.

It was in 1933 that the Miniature Schnauzer was recognized by the AKC as a separate breed from the Standard Schnauzer.

The Cavapoo can be found in different colors and he can be blonde, white, brown, white or black or even tri-colored. Sometimes the coat can be a little bit curly but it can also sometimes be a long, silky coat from the Cavalier.

Dogs crossed with poodles, such as the Cavapoo, are known to be hypoallergenic, but there is really no 100% guarantee that he will be hypoallergenic.He has a round face with large, brown eyes and long ears. He can adapt easily to life in the city or in the countryside.

Temperament:

The Cavapoo is a small dog breed that has been bred to be an amicable pet. He gets along well with adults and children as well as other pets in the home. He stands about 28–33cm in height and can weigh anything from 5 to 12 kg.

He is an intelligent little dog, alert and inquisitive. Even a small, non-aggressive dog such as the Cavapoo can do well with training and socialization as he is quick to learn. With this socialization he becomes an obedient, affectionate, well behaved 4-legged family member.

Loyal and friendly, the Cavapoo thrives on human companionship and he just loves to be involved in everything the family is getting up to. He isn’t a dog that can be left on his own too long as this is when he develops irritating behavior patterns such as ongoing yapping and barking.

The Miniature Schnauzer is a small dog breed that stands between 30 to 36cm in height and weighs between 5 and 10kg.

He has a sturdy body with a dense, wiry coat which most people prefer to have stripped. Because stripping is quite tedious, many of these dog owners prefer to have the coat clipped which actually gives the coat a greyish look to it.

The coat is usually a mix of black and silver. Some people refer to the Miniature Schnauzer as having a salt-and-pepper coat – hairs that are a mix of black and white. The dog has a double coat with the outer coat being wiry and the undercoat being a lot softer.

This is a dog that will need to be groomed frequently to prevent matting. A noticeable feature with these dogs is the rectangular shaped head with alert slanted eyes and bushy eyebrows, mustache and beard. In fact the word ‘Schnauzer’ means beard or muzzle.

The ears have been traditionally cropped but these days they are left and then they tend to be half-erect, half-floppy.

Temperament:

This is a tough little dog, fearless, cheeky, arrogant, alert and also friendly. A draw-card with him is that he is considered as a low-shedder and being hypoallergenic.

They’re very intelligent dogs too and will learn quickly when you give him training and socialization. This is important for a dog like this as he can quickly show you that he is strong willed and independent. Training and socialization makes him much nicer as he becomes more balanced and obedient.

He is full of life and extroverted and you can count on him to join you wherever you are and whatever you’re doing. Whether watching TV, swimming or hiking, he’ll be there and turn every occasion into a festive event. He is a loving, loyal dog, making a splendid pet.

He's protective of his human family and tends to be suspicious of strangers, and this is what makes him such a great watchdog.

Pet lovers who welcome a Cavapoo into their home aren’t going to be disappointed if they stick to their side of the bargain and provide their pet with lots of love and care.

The Cavapoo suits any kind of family because he is playful, loving, loyal and comes with a balanced and amicable personality.

Keep him happy with good food, clean water and lots of your attention and he’ll respond by being the perfect companion for you.

Miniature Schnauzers are such adaptable little dogs, quite happy to make a home with you in the city or in the countryside.

They’re sociable dogs, so just being with his human family wherever they are will suit him well. If he lives in the city however, he will need to have a walk everyday or taken to the park for a run.

He is also a dog that scarcely sheds, so he suits people battling with allergies. With an average life expectancy of 12 to 14 years, if you nurture your Mini Schnauzer and give him the best food and exercise there is, as well as loving him, you’re going to have a loyal and devoted pet.

The Cavapoo is considered a healthy little dog who is active and energetic. Because he is a hybrid, he could develop illnesses associated with either of the dog types he comes from. However this is highly unlikely and you can expect up to 15 years from your Cavapoo if you feed him correctly and shower him with lots of love and attention.

One or two illnesses to look out for include -

Ear Problems:

Dogs with long, floppy ears tend to be more prone to ear infections. You’ll have cause for concern when you see your dog scratching his ears or shaking his head. There are one or two reasons why your Cavapoo may get an ear infection, and food allergies could be one.

A food allergy can bring about inflammation that can lead to infections. Moisture and excessive wax can also cause an ear infection. You can use cotton wool and some ear cleaner to remove dirt and moisture, but if in any doubt, speak to your vet or get your pet to the vet for advice.

Periodontal Disease:

Small dogs are more prone to dental disease, and your Cavapoo’s teeth should be brushed 2 or 3 times a week with a vet-approved special dog toothpaste and brush. This can prevent dental decay which can bring about a whole lot of problems with his teeth but also with other parts of the body.

Your Miniature Schnauzer is pretty healthy and he isn’t likely to cost you much in terms of vet fees. There are however some common dog problems that you want to be aware of such as cataracts of the eye and hypothyroidism.

Cataract:

This a a problem in the lens of the eye. The lens should be clear, and when a dog has a cataract, it obscures the vision. The size of the cataract can lead to blindness.

Diabetes in a dog can bring on cataracts as can genetics or damage to the eye from exposure to ultraviolet light. Fortunately, dogs with cataracts can still see. Dogs with old cataracts can have surgery to remove them.

When a dog owner suspects a cataract in their pet’s eye it is best to treat it immediately with anti-inflammatory dog cataract eye drops. Cataracts never go away however without surgery.

Hypothyroidism:

The thyroid gland in the neck produces a hormone called thyroxine. It controls metabolism, but with hypothyroidism, enough of the hormone isn’t made. Its a common disease which affects all dog breeds.

Signs of hypothyroidism include hair loss, weight gain, intolerance to cold and a troublesome skin. To have the disease diagnosed, the vet will do a series of blood tests.

The Cavapoo doesn’t shed much so he won’t need that much grooming, although there are people who take him to a doggy parlor to see that the hair is trimmed into shape. If not, then a good brushing twice a week will ensure the hair doesn’t matt and that it remains free of lots of dead hair.

Diet:

With any dog, and not just the Cavapoo, you want a food that boosts energy and promotes longevity. The Cavapoo breed is energetic and lively, and it is this stamina of his that will require you feeding him top quality food that is rich in nutrients.

Small dogs have a higher calorie need than large dogs because their metabolisms are much faster. Protein and fat are important nutrients for small-breed dogs and these nutrients need to come from high-quality sources. Speak to your vet about the best food for your Cavapoo and always ensure that he has a bowl of clean water available.

Let’s look at several ways you need to care for your Miniature Schnauzer -

Make sure you have his puppy injections on time. This means knowing which veterinarian you’ll use. Later on if you don’t want to go in for breeding, you will need to have your pet spayed or neutered.

Make sure you have a nice warm, dry spot for your dog to sleep. It can be a cardboard box, or you can buy a dog basket or sleeping platform. Make sure your pet loves it and knows he can retreat to it anytime he wants.

If he goes outside for a few hours, make sure that he has a place to lie in the shade and away from the elements.

Good food promotes good health and longevity. You can feed your pet one of the top quality commercially manufactured foods and give your pet some variety by adding in some boiled chicken, vegetables and brown rice. Some raw meat occasionally can also be excellent for your pet.