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Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Poodle Versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog: Introduction
- Poodle versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog: Overview
- Poodle versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Poodle and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog
- The Similarities Between the Poodle and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog
- Temperament of the Poodle Versus the Caucasian Shepherd Dog
- Price of Poodle versus Price of Caucasian Shepherd Dog
- Adopting the Poodle versus Adopting the Caucasian Shepherd Dog
- Health Problems of Poodle versus Health Problems of Caucasian Shepherd Dog
- Tolerates Being Alone: Poodle versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog
- Do Poodles shed more than Caucasian Shepherd Dogs?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Poodle or the Caucasian Shepherd Dog?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Poodle or the Caucasian Shepherd Dog?
- Are Poodles good family dogs? What about Caucasian Shepherd Dogs?
- Is the Poodle Easier to Train than the Caucasian Shepherd Dog?
- Which one drools more, the Poodle or the Caucasian Shepherd Dog
- How Kid-friendly are Poodles and Caucasian Shepherd Dogs?
- Does the Poodle Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Caucasian Shepherd Dog?
- Do Poodles Bark and Howl? What about Caucasian Shepherd Dogs?
- Can Poodles Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Caucasian Shepherd Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Poodle vs. Caucasian Shepherd Dog
- Can Poodles Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Caucasian Shepherd Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Poodle Versus Other Dog Breeds
- Conclusion: Poodle versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog. Which One is a Better Pet?
Poodle Versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Poodle and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog? 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 Poodle and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog 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 Poodle and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Poodle and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog 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 Poodle and for the Caucasian Shepherd Dog. 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 Poodle and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Poodle or the Caucasian Shepherd Dog.
Note that there are 3 types of Poodles:
However, these 3 poodle `types` are basically the same. The only difference between them is size. Standard Poodles are big, toy poodles are small, and miniature poodles are medium-sized.
Read more about the subtle differences between the standard poodle vs. miniature poodle here and the toy poodle versus miniature poodle here.
In addition, we have articles on the detailed comparisons of the poodle to every other dog breed. Check out our articles on poodle versus other dog breeds here.

Poodle versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog: Overview
A very important difference between the Poodle and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Poodle is a large-sized dog while the Caucasian Shepherd Dog is a giant-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Poodle belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.
On the other hand, the Caucasian Shepherd Dog belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.
Poodle versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Poodle to the Caucasian Shepherd Dog 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 Poodle and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog
Factor | Poodle | Caucasian Shepherd Dog |
---|---|---|
Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 3/5 |
Does NOT Shed | 5/5 | 2/5 |
Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 2/5 |
Easy To Groom | 1/5 | 2/5 |
Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 10 to 12 years |
General Health | 2/5 | 3/5 |
Low Prey Drive | 4/5 | 3/5 |
Does NOT Bark or Howl | 4/5 | 3/5 |
Tolerates Cold Weather | 3/5 | 5/5 |
Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 4/5 |
Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 2/5 |
Weight | 80 to 220 pounds | |
Easygoing | 2/5 | 4/5 |
Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 2/5 |
Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 2/5 |
Friendly Toward Strangers | 4/5 | 2/5 |
Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 2/5 |
Does NOT chew on things | 2/5 | 2/5 |
NOT Rambunctious | 2/5 | 4/5 |
Minimal Exercise Needs | 2/5 | 4/5 |
Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 5/5 | 2/5 |
Good For Novice Owners | 5/5 | 1/5 |
Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 4/5 |
Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 2/5 |
Easy To Train | 5/5 | 2/5 |
Intelligence | 5/5 | 4/5 |
Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 3/5 |
Height | 24 to 34 inches | |
Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 11.0 years |
Average Price | $1960 | |
Price Range | $1500 – $2500 | |
Temperament Score | 87.2 percent | 85.0 percent |
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Poodle 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog. 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 Poodle is 88 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Caucasian Shepherd Dog is 69 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Poodle is a better pet than the Caucasian Shepherd Dog. So, you should get a Poodle!

The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Poodle and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog
Below is a list of where the Poodle and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog are most different:
The Similarities Between the Poodle and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog
The Poodle and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Poodle and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Poodle versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Poodle and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog.
Poodles come in three main size categories. These three size categories are referred to as the three varieties of the poodle. Poodles of different varieties are basically the same except for their size differences. The poodle varieties based on size categorization are:
There is another variety of poodle that is not recognized in the USA but is recognized in Europe. This poodle size variety is called the Moyen Poodle. In size, the Moyen Poodle is smaller than the Standard poodle but bigger than the miniature poodle.
See below the figure that compares the different poodle sizes:

On the other hand, Caucasian Shepherd Dogs weigh 80 to 220 pounds when fully grown. Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are 24 to 34 inches when fully grown.
Temperament of the Poodle Versus the Caucasian Shepherd Dog
The Poodle has a better temperament than the Caucasian Shepherd Dog.
This is because the temperament score for the Poodle is 87.2 percent while the temperament score for the Caucasian Shepherd Dog is 85.0 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).
The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.
Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.
The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.
With its temperament score of 87.2 percent, the Poodle has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
With its temperament score of 85.0 percent, the Caucasian Shepherd Dog has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Poodle and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog by measuring the temperaments of 266 Poodles and 20 Caucasian Shepherd Dogs.
Price of Poodle versus Price of Caucasian Shepherd Dog
The average price of the Standard Poodle puppy is $1980. The price of the Standard Poodle typically ranges from $1400 – $2500. However, the price of a Standard Poodle can be as low as $200 and as high as $15000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 2524 Standard Poodle puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The average price of the Miniature Poodle puppy is $2500. The price of the Miniature Poodle typically ranges from $1500 – $3000. However, the price of a Miniature Poodle can be as low as $350 and as high as $15000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 1190 Miniature Poodle puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The average price of the Toy Poodle puppy is $2760. The price of the Toy Poodle typically ranges from $1894 – $3500. However, the price of a Toy Poodle can be as low as $450 and as high as $9835. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 872 Toy Poodle puppies listed for sale from various sources.
To know about standard poodle prices and standard poodle buying advice, check out our article on standard poodle cost.
To know about miniature poodle prices, check out this article on miniature poodle price.
To learn more about toy poodle price and for toy poodle buying advice, check out this article on toy poodle price.
The average price of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog puppy is $1960. The price of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog typically ranges from $1500 – $2500. However, the price of a Caucasian Shepherd Dog can be as low as $500 and as high as $4000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 71 Caucasian Shepherd Dog puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Poodle is more expensive than the Caucasian Shepherd Dog.
Poodle | Caucasian Shepherd Dog | |
---|---|---|
Average Price | $2260 | $1960 |
Price Range | $1500 to $2800 | $1500 to $2500 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Poodle and Caucasian Shepherd Dog. For different price points, the charts show how many Poodle puppies or how many Caucasian Shepherd Dog puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

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

A breakdown of the prices of Caucasian Shepherd Dogs
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Poodle puppy or the Caucasian Shepherd Dog 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 from 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 one of those puppy mills that mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.
You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

Adopting the Poodle versus Adopting the Caucasian Shepherd Dog
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Poodles and many Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are currently available for adoption.
These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.
Below is an adorable Male Poodle named Bruce that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Poodles like Bruce on pefinder.com.
Also, like Poodles, Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are also available for adoption. For example, Achillies is a Male Caucasian Shepherd Dog that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Caucasian Shepherd Dogs like Achillies that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

Bowie is the name of another Poodle (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.
Also, Leo The Lion is an adorable Male Caucasian Shepherd Dog on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

You can find more Poodles and Caucasian Shepherd Dogs that are available for adoption on petfinder.
Health Problems of Poodle versus Health Problems of Caucasian Shepherd Dog
Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.
Both the Poodle and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.
The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.
Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Caucasian Shepherd Dog is prone to more genetic health problems than the Poodle.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Caucasian Shepherd Dog than for the Poodle.
4 health tests are recommended for Poodle while 7 tests are recommended for the Caucasian Shepherd Dog.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Poodles and in Caucasian Shepherd Dogs.
Poodle Health Problems
Poodles are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Poodle puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Poodle puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Poodle breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Poodles for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Poodles here.
Caucasian Shepherd Dog Health Problems
Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Caucasian Shepherd Dog puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Caucasian Shepherd Dog puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Caucasian Shepherd Dog breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Caucasian Shepherd Dogs for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Caucasian Shepherd Dogs here.
Tolerates Being Alone: Poodle versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog
Poodles do not like to be left alone.
Poodles, by nature, are companion dogs. They like and thrive on human companionship more than most dog breeds. Poodles do not like to be left alone. Leaving a poodle alone for more than 4 hours day after day will cause separation anxiety and isolation distress in a poodle. If you plan to get a poodle, make sure you can be around your poodle most of the time, or arrange for a dog walker.
See our article on how long you can leave a poodle alone.
Caucasian Shepherd Dogs can be left alone only for a short time.
Do Poodles shed more than Caucasian Shepherd Dogs?
Poodles do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Although all dogs shed, and poodles are no different in this regard. But poodles shed less than many other breeds of dogs. However, if you own a poodle, you will not have the problem of having balls of dog hair on your couch and over your house. This is because the curly coat of the poodle traps the hair and other things that the poodle sheds. Therefore, people that are allergic to dogs tend to tolerate poodles better.
Check out our articles to learn more on why poodles do not shed, and on standard poodle shedding, and on shedding in toy poodles
Caucasian Shepherd Dogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Poodle or the Caucasian Shepherd Dog?
Poodles require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
To learn more about how to properly groom a poodle, check out our article on how to groom a poodle.
Learn more on how to take care of a poodle here.
Caucasian Shepherd Dogs require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Poodle or the Caucasian Shepherd Dog?
Poodles get along very well with other dogs.
Poodles get along very well with other dogs. Poodles are very friendly. However, it is up to the other dog to reciprocate the friendliness. Some dog breeds are just unfriendly and aggressive.
Read this article to learn about the dog breeds that get along well with poodle and the dog breeds that do not along with poodles.
Caucasian Shepherd Dogs do not get along well with other dogs.
Are Poodles good family dogs? What about Caucasian Shepherd Dogs?
Poodles are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Poodles make a good addition to a family. They love kids and kids love them.
Learn about standard poodles as family dogs here, and about how family-friendly are toy poodles here..
Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Poodle Easier to Train than the Caucasian Shepherd Dog?
Poodles are very easy to train.
Poodles are easy to train because they are intelligent and eager to please their owners. However, it is important that you begin training a poodle to make the most out of their natural intelligence. Moreover, training your Poodle should be based on positive reinforcement and repetition. Be sure to give your Poodle praise when he obeys a command and ignores your poodle`s bad behavior.
To learn more, check out our article on how to train a poodle.
Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are not easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Poodle or the Caucasian Shepherd Dog
Poodles do have a very low tendency to drool.
Caucasian Shepherd Dogs have a very high tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Poodles and Caucasian Shepherd Dogs?
Poodles get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Caucasian Shepherd Dogs do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.
Does the Poodle Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Caucasian Shepherd Dog?
Poodles have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.
Caucasian Shepherd Dogs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Do Poodles Bark and Howl? What about Caucasian Shepherd Dogs?
Poodles are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Caucasian Shepherd Dogs bark and howl, but not very much.
Can Poodles Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Caucasian Shepherd Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?
Poodles can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Caucasian Shepherd Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Poodle vs. Caucasian Shepherd Dog
Poodles have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Caucasian Shepherd Dogs do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Can Poodles Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Caucasian Shepherd Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?
Poodles can tolerate hot weather.
Caucasian Shepherd Dogs cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Is the Poodle Better for Apartment Owners than the Caucasian Shepherd Dog?
Poodles adapt very well to apartment living.
Caucasian Shepherd Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Poodle or the Caucasian Shepherd Dog?
Poodles are very good for new dog owners.
Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Poodle Versus Other Dog Breeds
You may also be interested in how the poodle compares to other breeds aside from the Caucasian Shepherd Dog. So, see below the links to the comparison of the poodle to other breeds:
poodle versus Biewer Terrier poodle versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog poodle versus Sheepadoodle poodle versus Border Terrier poodle versus Irish Setter poodle versus Pharaoh Hound poodle versus Peek A Poo poodle versus Chinese Crested poodle versus Morkie poodle versus WhoodleConclusion: Poodle versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog. 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 Poodle and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog better suits you and your family.