Need a little more warmth and loyalty in your life? Imagine coming home to a small, fluffy dog who just wants to be your shadow and offer a lifetime of snuggles. The Cavapoo is the canine equivalent of a cozy, warm hug.
When it comes to companion dogs, two breeds top the list for being affectionate and loyal: the Poodle and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. But a cross between the two is one of the best companions. Meet the Cavapoo.
Besides being great companions, what’s this mix all about? Before running out and finding your closest Cavapoo breeder, it’s important to know what you’re getting into. You’ll need to know about their size, temperament, care, health concerns, and of course, how adorable Cavapoos really are.
What is a Cavapoo?
Like many doodles and poos, the Cavapoo was created as a way to get the best of two already great breeds. The intentional breeding of the Cavapoo began in Australia during the 1990s. Breeders sought to combine the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel’s great affection and friendly personality with the Poodle’s intelligence and loyalty, resulting in a dog that was the best combination of the two. Reduced shedding from the Poodle side was also a plus! This cross quickly started to catch on due to their temperament, smaller size, and low-shedding coat that may be better tolerated by allergy sufferers.
When compared to other crosses using Poodles, Cavapoos tend to be on the laid-back side. They’re definitely less in your face than Goldendoodles or Labradoodles, and even less active than a Cockapoo (Cocker Spaniel/Poodle). However, they are a little larger than the more lap friendly Maltipoo (Maltese/Poodle) or the Cavapoochon (Cavalier/Poodle/Bichon Frise).
Because this cross isn't an officially recognized breed, the name often lacks standardization. Don't be surprised to see it spelled as Cavoodle, Cavadoodle, or even Cava poo, depending on where you are.
Cavapoo Size: From Mini Cavapoo to Standard
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels fall into the toy group when it comes to sizing, while a Poodle can range in size from teacup to standards. This allows for a bit of a size variation in Cavapoo crosses depending on the size of Poodle used in the mix.
You may come across toy Cavapoos, mini Cavapoos, or standard Cavapoos with a range in size from 9-14” at the shoulder and 8-25 pounds. Since this is a smaller breed, most puppies will reach full size by 9-12 months of age.
When crossing between two very different breeds, there will be variations even within a litter, but generally speaking, the bigger the Poodle, the bigger the Cavapoo.
The size of a Cavapoo doesn’t really affect their temperament or personality, just the size of lap they’re able to comfortably snuggle in, which may be something to keep in mind.
Cavapoo Appearance
Crossing a breed with long, silky hair with one that has tight curls can bring a lot of variation in the looks department, but whichever hair texture a puppy comes out with, they will typically give off a teddy bear persona. Some Cavapoos will have a curlier coat while others may be borderline wavy. Some may take after a Poodle’s low-shedding tendency, while others may present more allergy issues.
As far as coloring goes, you can likely find whatever shade you’ve been dreaming about: tans, browns, even red or silver, black, white, and bi and tri colors are all available.
Cavapoo Temperament
Size and temperament are the main traits breeders are selecting for with this combo. Taking the loyalty and intelligence from a Poodle and the quiet affection from the Cavalier, you end up with a dog that not only desperately wants to be with you, but that you’ll want with you as well because of their top-notch snuggling tendencies. They may, however, become clingy to a fault and may often prefer human company over other dogs.
While most Cavapoos will make your family their favorites, they aren’t stingy with their affection. This makes them ideal therapy dogs, and they’re typically great with children. Early socialization with kids and consistent training are essential to make sure they live up to their potential. Provide your Cavapoo puppy with structured exercise and boundary work to manage their strong desire to be constantly underfoot.
Caring for Your Cavapoo
While the Cavapoo's temperament is famously low-key, their requirements for daily care and maintenance are surprisingly demanding. When you’re combining two high maintenance breeds, the cross can be nothing but.
Grooming Requirements
No matter which haircoat type your Cavapoo ends up with, they’re going to need regular grooming. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is known for its long, silky coat that mats easily, while the Poodle's dense, curly coat requires regular clipping and brushing to prevent painful matting. Of course, nail trimming and dental care are a must as well.
Exercise Needs
Poodles are fairly active dogs; Cavaliers are not. So, when you cross them, it’s anyone’s guess what you’ll end up with. However, most Cavapoos tend to be fairly laid back. They enjoy a couple of 10–15-minute walks per day but aren’t going to be your jogging or hiking companion.
Puppies may need a little bit more in the way of exercise and will especially benefit if you add in some socializing, training, and play sessions throughout the day. The main thing they’ll want to do is spend time with you, so get creative with your together time.
Dietary Requirements
Being a less active breed, you’ll want to monitor your Cavapoo’s weight carefully. Some may require low calorie (light) food options, and some may even need a prescription weight management food. Your veterinarian is your best resource for deciding which food is best.
Living Needs
Cavapoos are small dogs that prefer a person’s lap to their running shoes, so they adapt well to nearly every environment. Small living spaces or big yards, it typically doesn’t matter for a Cavapoo as long as they get to be with their people.
Cavapoo Health
Both parent breeds have their respective health issues to deal with; however, Cavapoos tend to be fairly healthy, especially from a reputable breeder. Look to spend 12-15 or even 18 years with these dogs, (in dog years this means about a 70–80-year-old!) but be on the lookout for:
Eye problems- entropion, progressive retinal atrophy, cataracts, dry eye, glaucoma
Dog Insurance for Cavapoos
Fairly healthy dogs or not, proper veterinary care comes at a price. So, before you get too far in your Cavapoo journey, be sure to get puppy insurance to cover those accidental or unexpected veterinary costs. For instance, treating a common Cavapoo ailment like patellar luxation can cost anywhere from $1,500 to $3,000 per knee for surgery, and managing lifelong conditions such as severe allergies or hip dysplasia can incur thousands of dollars in diagnostics and medication over a dog's lifetime. Having pet insurance before any symptoms show means that you’ll never have to worry about whether you can afford to say yes to the procedures your veterinarian recommends.
Also consider adding a puppy wellness plan to help budget for preventative medicine such as vaccinations and wellness exams. The puppy years can be pricey, but you can be prepared!
Finding Your Cavapoo
Don’t choose on cuteness alone, put some real time and research into breeders before choosing your Cavapoo. A lot of those health issues listed above can be largely avoided with proper pre-breeding screenings and healthy parents.
If rescuing is more your style, look at breed specific rescues or talk to your local shelter to see what they can do to hook you up with a Cavapoo. Keep in mind that some rescued animals may not have the health care and screenings that reputable breeders do, but rescuing can be both rewarding and helpful for the overall animal population.
Decide if you want to start fresh with a puppy, but be prepared to put time into socializing and training! It’s not all big eyes and puppy snuggles. Maybe getting an adult dog seems a little easier, but keep in mind that some may come complete with some bad habits that may take extra effort to change.
F1 vs F1b vs F2
If you have a specific look, haircoat, or temperament in mind, pay attention to the breeding of your Cavapoo of choice.
F1 Cavapoos are 50% Poodle, 50% Cavalier. They tend to have fairly equal splitting of traits between the two with a wavier, less hypoallergenic coat.
F1b breeding is when an F1 is bred back to a Poodle, creating a curlier haircoat and a potentially less cuddly but intelligent temperament.
F2s, where two F1s are bred together, tend to have the greatest variability in haircoat and temperament.
Is a Cavapoo Right for You?
Cavapoos may be on the small side, fairly low energy, and highly adaptable, but they aren’t 100% versatile. Consider a Cavapoo if you will be able to spend a lot of time with your dog, aren’t looking for an outdoor adventurer, and prefer a low key, lap dog.
If you spend a lot of time away from home, separation anxiety can be a problem with these pups, and they lack the stamina to be your marathon running buddy. So, if you’re an active, busy, on the go type of person, there are many other breeds that may be a better fit.
Cavapoo Dogs
Cavapoos are a cross between the adorable, quiet companion Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and the ever loyal, intelligent Poodle. They tend to be smaller dogs with affectionate and loving personalities, high intelligence, and often a low-shedding haircoat. Though they are fairly adaptable dogs, they aren’t for every lifestyle and prefer to have someone at home with them as often as possible.
After navigating the logistics of F-generations, shedding, grooming, congenital issues, and insurance costs, remember why you began this journey: you wanted a dog that felt like home. With the Cavapoo, you get exactly that, the ultimate cozy, canine, warm hug.