Longhaired Weimaraner vs Cavapoo - Breed Comparison

You may be used to the sleek, silver shorthaired Weimaraner, but did you know you get a beautiful long haired version too? Known also as the Long Coated Weimaraner or the ‘Gray Ghost’, with its mesmerising amber eyes, the less common long haired variety shares a similar history as the more familiar short haired version.

The dog originates in Germany and was developed to be a hunting dog. It is believed that the silver dog dates back to the early 1800’s, and in 1897 the first breed club in Germany was formed to protect the future of this dog.

The longhair coat is recognized in all countries except the American Kennel Club.

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.

The Longhair Weimaraner with its eye-catching grey coat is a large dog that stands between 58 and 70cm and weighs between 25 to 40kg.

These dogs, unlike the short haired version, have the tail traditionally long and the tail is feathered. The eyes are a blue-green, amber or grey color. The grey coat is soft and silky and even though it is quite long, a brush twice a week will keep it in tip-top condition.

Temperament:

The Longhaired Weimaraner’s temperament is the same as the short haired variety. He is also a superb field dog with excellent hunting skills.

They’re very active dogs, looking for plenty of mental and physical stimulation. For first-time dog owners, this might prove to be too demanding, so the long haired Weimaraner might not be the best first-choice dog to get.

They can be aggressive when meeting new people and he will certainly require training and socialization if you want him to be calm and obedient.

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.

Your Long Haired Weimaraner is a friendly, alert dog that makes for an excellent companion and watchdog. The fact that he is also restless, confident, independent and strong-willed means that training and socialization will be necessary to make him pleasant and obedient.

You can’t always count on him to be amicable as he also has a bit of an aggressive side.

The way your Long Haired Weimaraner turns out will depend on heredity, the personality of the owner as well as training and socialization.

These dogs want to be with their human family and will follow the owner around and contentedly lie at their feet. Once he's trained, the Weimaraner is guaranteed to make you a fine family companion.

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.

Hip Dysplasia is a medical threat to all dog breeds and fortunately the Weimaraner is a dog breed that has a low rate of dysplasia. When buying a Long Haired Weimaraner, try and get one from breeders who have had their breeding dogs hip-tested.

You’ll notice that the Weimaraner is a deep-chested dog and he is prone to bloating, which can turn out to be life threatening for your dog if not treated immediately.

The stomach twists and is swollen with no bowel movements. The dog is restless and in distress and needs immediate attention. To help, instead of giving one large meal which is gobbled up quickly, give him 2 smaller meals.

Skin allergies are also quite common in these dogs and you don’t want your silver dogs coat going off as it is his crowning glory.

If he is scratching, his skin is dry, red and itchy, get him to the vet as it can even be parasites at work, causing an allergic reaction.

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.

Grooming:

When you bring a Long Haired Weimaraner home, you will need to invest in brush and comb for his long hair. They’re active dogs and love nothing more than running in a field, rolling in mud and being very active.

His coat will need to be brushed at least twice a week to keep it looking silvery and shimmering. Check the ears, eyes and teeth whenever you brush him and get used to cleaning his teeth regularly too.

If in doubt about how to keep your pet well groomed in terms of looks and health, speak to a dog expert, your vet or professional groomer.

Diet:

Your ‘Gray Ghost’ dog has been a very successful hunting dog, and they are high-energy gun dogs. As a large dog he will have particular nutritional needs to fuel his energetic lifestyle.The dog’s high activity levels need to be taken into account when looking at his diet.

Buy the best commercially manufactured food. Add to his kibble some cooked chicken, brown rice or pasta and cooked or raw vegetables from time to time as well as bits of raw meat. Your dog will thank you for keeping his meals simple but nutritious.

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.