Cavapoo temperament: a small dog with a big personality (in a good way!)

Cavapoo (cavoodles) have spread all over the world as one of the most popular and loved cross-breeds. Apart from cute appearance, their popularity can be explained by the cavapoo temperament.

Cavapoo tend to be remarkably smart (remember, part of their ancestral genes comes from poodle, and poodles are one of the smartest dogs in the world). Cavapoo are very trainable, capable to learn new tricks and commands with ease.

They are also people-orientated breed and are likely to have a desire to please, which makes them obedient and pleasant dogs, a good combination a lot of pet owners want to see in their animal.

Cavapoo temperament is well-suited to be one of the best breeds for people who want a close, loyal companion. Cavapoo love their people and love being around them at all times. Sometimes that can translate into a bit (or a lot) of separation anxiety, so it is very important to properly train your puppy to avoid separation anxiety. Companionship is great – but you might not want a very “clingy” dog.

Along the same lines, cavapoo really do best in households where their owners are around them most of the time. They love their people – normally the whole family, although they might pick one or two favourites. If you are the only person living in the house and you spend lots of time at work, a cavapoo might not be the best idea for you.

If you tend to travel a lot and plan on putting your cavapoo in a kennel, that might also be not ideal as cavapoo prefer not to be separated from their owners for a long time.

What are the good sides of having a cavapoo?

Their temperament is a huge positive. Also they are very smart and training has been so much fun. She’s an absolute sweetheart and completely adorable.

Tina, mom of Maggie, the Cavapoo from Hoboken, NJ

Affectionate, social, loving

Your cavapoo will will show you lots of love and affection. If you are away, they will wait for you and greet you back with enthusiasm. They will often follow you around your house, trying to be a part of everything you do. They aren’t a standoffish type of breed. Instead, they will try to become the center of your world, while you will definitely be the center of theirs.

Are cavapoo good with children?

Cavapoos are very affectionate and outgoing dogs. They are good with children, because they tend to be very playful just like children. However, be careful introducing your cavapoo (especially a puppy) to your kids. Kids can get rowdy, especially in presence of a puppy, and could accidentally hurt of frighten your cavapoo.

That may cause a sense of fear towards children in your dog which may be hard to deal with later.

Apart from children, cavapoos are great companions for older people. Really, a person of any age can find cavapoo temperament very suitable for their lifestyle and for what they are looking for in a dog.

Cavapoo temperament: energy levels

Like some other small breeds of dogs, cavapoo may have an incredible amount of energy for their size. This is not necessarily true for all cavapoo and really depends a lot on their genetics. Some can be more high energy than others. F1 Cavapoo (bred from King Cavalier spaniel crossed with poodle) will likely have a bit more excitement tendencies, and more energy.

A cavapoo that has two cavapoos as parents will normally have a more stable, level personality without excessive excitability. If you are looking for particular temperament of your cavapoo – do ask a breeder about your potential puppy’s parents.

If your cavapoo is bred from poodle and spaniel, you can also find out whether the poodle parent was a miniature poodle or toy poodle. If the parent was a miniature poodle, you will likely get a cavapoo with a more solid, stable temperament (less irritability, more patience).

Would you recommend other people to have a cavapoo, why or why not?

Yes I would definitely recommend this breed. I think they are great dogs if you are looking for one that is on the smaller side.

Tina, mom of Maggie, the Cavapoo from Hoboken, NJ

Cavapoo temperament: puppy vs adult cavapoo

Although adult cavapoo are fairly laid-back, young cavapoo puppies can be quite a bit more energetic! If you are having a hard time looking after your cavapoo puppy due to their high energy levels, be assured that it will likely pass as the puppy matures. It is very common among all types of dogs, and is especially so with cavapoo. Like human children, puppies simply have lots and lots of energy and excitement exploring their new world for the first time.

Although cavapoo are generally not overly barky, some may be more vocal than others. That will also depend on the dog’s genetics as well as their environment and training. Some cavapoo may bark when a stranger is at the door, but they are normally entirely non-aggressive and will likely meet the stranger with enthusiasm just like they would a family member.

Don’t expect your cavapoo to be a guard dog, that will likely not happen 🙂 However, in some cases the cavapoo might have more tendency to protect the house and the people if it has inherited a lot of the poodle genes. (Poodle can and sometimes do make great house guards).

All dogs need stimulation, interaction with their owners and play time, as well as physical exercise. Because cavapoo often do tend to have higher energy levels, it is especially important for you as an owner to meet their needs in terms of being able to let that energy out.

That may mean taking your cavapoo on regular and long walks, providing them with active play time ( with toys, sticks, or just running around with them – a cavapoo will happily play with you if they don’t have any other toys 😉

Don’t think that your cavapoo is a little lap dog  – they aren’t. They are active little creatures thriving in high energy activities such as walking, running, playing, play-fighting, fetching things, swimming in the lake, etc. A walk in the park will likely be your cavapoo’s favorite activity. Hopefully it will become your favorite activity too, because your cavapoo will really need it 🙂

What do you love most about your cavapoo?

They are warm, loving little creatures who just want to be cuddled. They are smart, quick to learn, affectionate and such well-natured dogs.

Yvette and Mat, pawrents of Thelma and Louise, the two cavapoo puppies from Sydney, Australia

A cavapoo will need a 30-60 minute walk at least once a day! You can also take them for a few shorter walks throughout the day. Your cavapoo will be very happy if you can take them for hikes or long walks during the weekend too. Whether you live in town or in the countryside, just take your cavapoo with you when you go for your daily errands.

Your dog will be very happy, and you will have a companion! Some employers even allow small dogs like cavapoo in the workplace! (Although don’t expect your cavapoo to get your work done for you 😉

Apart from physical activity, it is important to maintain your cavapoo mental abilities as well. Remember, cavapoo are bred from poodles, who are extremely intelligent, and king cavalier spaniels, who are also very smart. Cavapoo need mental stimulation.

This may involve playing games, learning tricks and commands, and simply socialising with you, members of your family or other people around you.

The more you take your cavapoo out and invest time in their well-being, the happier and smarter they will be. If you as an owner are unable to provide enough mental stimulation, your cavapoo may get bored and sometimes even depressed.

That is not the situation you want to end up in, as depression and boredom often translates into negative behaviours in dogs, such as destructive chewing, excessive barking, nervousness and aggression.

What are the good sides of having a cavapoo?

Goods are that he’s lovable and so easy to train. He’s playful and always up for an adventure but also happy to relax and laze around and do nothing. He gets on with everyone and doesn’t malt.

Arshiyah, Pawrent of Merlot, the cavoodle puppy from Manchester, UK

Socialisation matters

Like with any other dogs (and even children!) socialisation matters greatly when it comes to your cavapoo. Socialisation means exposing your dog, from early puppyhood, to various situations and everyday activities and people, so that your dog gets used to its new environment, feels safe around people and grows up to be a confident, stable dog.

A good breeder will play a big role in your puppy’s socialisation, by spending lots of time with them, introducing them to new objects and toys, and exposing them to normal sights and sounds of the household since birth and until the moment you pick your cavapoo puppy up. From then on, it’s your job to continue the puppy’s successful socialisation.

This means, again, spending lots of time with them yourself and exposing them to other people  – members of the family, friends, guests, strangers outside the house. If you puppy gets used to seeing lots of different people, it will learn to not be too excited / excitable around people.

It is important to expose your puppy to different kinds of people, including men, women, children and older people (have you met dogs that are afraid of children, for example?)

It is also important to take your puppy into different situations, such as car rides, bus rides, walks outside in various environments. If you do that since your puppy is young, you will raise a confident, calm dog that feels at home in any environment and makes you proud as an owner. It’s great to have a dog that you can take anywhere with you and know that it will behave exactly as expected and be friendly and nice to everyone. Ultimately that should be a goal of any and every owner.

With cavapoo, you will likely be able to raise a fantastic dog, a loyal and loving companion and a true friend. Cavapoo temperament has been carefully bred and is well-suited  for exactly this purpose – which is why these little dogs are so popular and so loved all around the world. If you combine cavapoo natural temperament, their kind, loyal and loving nature and their high intelligence, with some training, you will be absolutely be happy with the kind of dog you will get from it.

What are the good sides of having a cavapoo?

We like that they are calmer dogs. She definitely has energy as a puppy but she is pretty chill half the time and we like that she is a nice balance of being active and laying low.

Abbe, mom of Ellie the cavapoo from Chicago

If you are looking for a cavapoo to adopt, check out our articles on how to find a reputable breeder. You can find such breeders in: Reputable cavapoo breeders UK, Cavapoo breeders in Ontario, Canada, and Cavapoo breeders in Alberta, Canada. You can also adopt a puppy from Cavapoo Rescue. Don’t forget to read about Cavapoo pros and cons.

Having a pet can be one of the most fulfilling things in a person’s life. It can be a constant source of love, affection and belonging. It’s a good way to keep loneliness at bay which can be a great help to people that find themselves lacking company of others for any reasons.

It may also be the purest and most unconditional love of your life. Cavapoo are fantastic pets both for families and single people, for younger people and seniors, for city-dwellers and those that prefer countryside living.

Is your pup destructive or just bored and sad when you are away? Wouldn’t it be nice to know exactly what your pup is doing at any moment, regardless of where you are? Honestly my favorite invention of this century when it comes to pet care and well- being: a camera + treat dispenser + communication device from Petzi – check it out here. Talk to your dog when you are away (and see the happiness and excitement on their face), give them treats (even more happiness) and know exactly what they are up to 🙂 

But then there are always downsides. Potential shedding, having to take care of someone all the time, potential vet bills and other issues. When it comes to pet ownership, there are always some downsides.

What is particularly special about having a cavapoo? And what aspects of cavapoo ownership aren’t so great? I asked a few cavapoo owners this question, and got some great answers.

Cavapoo pros and cons: as answered by our interviewees

Pros: They truly are compassionate, and I see the love he has for our family, especially me. I love his curls, his personality, his awkward moments such as not enjoying the grass. He will walk on the bricks to avoid touching the grass. He gives the best hugs when he hasn’t seen me for a little bit.

Coming home from work to him is one of my favorite moments of the day. They are Great companions, their personalities will make you laugh. Training is very simple and they pick up quickly. We worked on handshake and he was able to do the command in less than twenty minutes.

Cons: Separation anxiety! Gus will have anxiety when I leave for a long period of time such as vacation. He went on a no eating binge and was a little depressed according to my caretaker. However this is very common in many dog breeds.

The barking, he will bark at every little noise he hears and at everyone walking past our house.

Katie, mom of Gus, the cavapoo from Vienna

Pros: We love her company and her cute, funny, cuddly self. A cavoodle is family friendly, energetic and cuddly and funny. We like that she’s small enough to take her everywhere and doesn’t shed too much.

Cons: At the moment, she bites a lot, but all puppies do that! She loves to be around us, so it’s sometimes tricky leaving the house. Lucky I work from home, so she’s got company most of the time!

Karina, mom of Harlow Pippa, the cavoodle from Australia

Pros: We all love that Jasper is a very happy dog, not many things can turn his mood sour. He is 99% of the time, happy. They are pretty much hypoallergenic. They are very loving, loyal and very cute.

Cons: They are very dependent and cannot be alone for too long.

Dita, mom of Jasper, the cavoodle from Darwin, Australia

Pros: I just absolutely love her temperament. She is unbelievably sweet and tremendously friendly. She loves absolutely everyone she meets. Not to mention she is super snuggly. Their temperament is a huge positive. Also they are very smart and training has been so much fun. She’s an absolute sweetheart and completely adorable.

Cons: I think the downside is Maggie is very attached to us so we have been working on keeping her from developing separation anxiety. Also you have to watch her with big dogs just because she is so little.

Tina, mom of Maggie the cavapoo from New Jersey

Pros: He’s very affectionate and extremely intelligent. Other good sides are that he’s lovable and so easy to train. He’s playful and always up for an adventure but also happy to relax and laze around and do nothing. He gets on with everyone and doesn’t malt. He enjoys being playful, he’s a lovable little baby and still snoozes a lot too.

Cons: He can be somewhat clingy and attention seeking but with time and persistence this can be managed.

Arshiyah, pawrent of Merlot, the cavapoo from Manchester, UK

Pros: The best part is that he loves us more than anything. He’s always wanting to snuggle up. Always have a loving companion by your side. Extremely trainable and lots of fun. We did a lot of research into low shedding dogs and dogs that were good with kids.

At first we thought we’d go for a Cockapoo but then we came across a page about Cavapoos. KC Spaniel has always been a favourite with us but I worried about certain health issues and shedding.

When we came across the Cavapoo that was it! Instantly knew it was the breed for us. We wanted a dog to be a part of our family and to be loving and cuddly.

Cons: Never wanting to leave your side. They can get separation anxiety and so don’t get one unless you’re committed to spending lots of time with them.

Lani, mom of Milo the cavapoo from London, UK

Pros: I love spending time with her! She’s so affectionate she can cheer me up on my worst days. A nice walk in the park with your best bud at the end of a long day is just the right pick me up! Shedding is minimal which is great for lots of cuddles but fur free clothes. I’ve had a cavapoo previously and she had such a lovely temperament I knew it was the breed for me!

Cons: They are very social and people orientated. She doesn’t like being alone and there can be separation anxiety issues. Working in a school means I get the bonus of all the holiday time and finish early so I have lots of time to spend with Perri, however leaving her at the start of the day is difficult for us both!

Lauren, mom of Perri the cavoodle from UK

Pros: We did research on the best breed to have around kids and cavapoo came up top! I love absolutely everything about him! He’s just super lovable and loyal and loves us so much! He loves humans and dogs just the same! The curly coated ones don’t moult at all, they’re playful, gentle, lovable, loyal little things and we couldn’t imagine being without him now!

Cons: There aren’t many  typical dog things like cleaning up poop and finding chewed up shoes and socks!

Jodie, mom of Teddy the cavapoo from UK

Pros: I have asthma and they are great for people with respiratory issues and allergies. Plus they are super cute and so cuddly. They are warm, loving little creatures who just want to be cuddled. They are smart, quick to learn, affectionate and such well-natured dogs. They are also funny. 

They are completely mystified about cut cucumber ends! They’ve spent hours pawing at them and watching them roll around the floor barking and circling thinking they are little animals! I also witnessed Louise giving Thelma a piggy back a couple of weeks ago which was such a sight. I’m kicking myself that I didn’t get a pic! They love walking and going in the car.

We take them everywhere and they love cuddles from their family. My mum plays fetch with them when she baby sits and they love going down the slippery slide on my niece’s lap!

Cons: Having to get up early to take them out to the toilet, but one look at their little faces and all the tiredness goes away.

Yvette and Mat, pawrents of cavapoo Thelma and Louise from Sydney

Pros: She has such a loving and playful personality. She is everything I want in a puppy and more!

Cons: I don’t think this is a downside of the breed, but I highly suggest puppy school! We are starting this month and I am excited to learn how I can be the best puppy/dog pawrent!

Korin, mom of Charlie Louise, the cavapoo from Seattle

Pros: We love how sweet she is, that she loves people, and that she is absolutely adorable to look at and play with! We like that they are calmer dogs. She definitely has energy as a puppy but she is pretty chill half the time and we like that she is a nice balance of being active and laying low.

Cons: As a puppy, she is a little scared right now of random objects like things that roll (ex: suitcases). We think it’s because she is getting used to all the noises in the city so hopefully she grows out of it.

Abbe, mom of Ellie the Cavapoo from Chicago

Pros: She is just the loveliest, sweetest cuddle-bug out there. Honestly I don’t know how we lived without her. We don’t have kids and she is like our child, except she doesn’t take that much work of course! She follows us everywhere, goes for walks and trips with us, eats with us, sleeps with us.

She is just this integral part of our life. I owned dogs before her and she maybe my “heart” dog, but she really is something special. Except now we are thinking of getting a second cavapoo! Well, I am thinking. I still need to convince my husband.

Cons: She does have a bit of separation anxiety. But we like her anyway, so that’s OK.

Alana, mom of Jackie the cavapoo

If you are looking for a cavapoo to adopt, check out our articles on how to find a reputable breeder. You can find such breeders in: Reputable cavapoo breeders UK, Cavapoo breeders in Ontario, Canada, and Cavapoo breeders in Alberta, Canada. You can also adopt a puppy from Cavapoo Rescue. Don’t forget to read about Cavapoo pros and cons.

Cross breeds are all the rage lately! Yet another cross breed you might be interested is a Goldendoodle. What is a goldendoodle and how does it compare to cavapoo? Which one should you choose? Or, if you already have a cavapoo, should you add a goldendoodle to the mix? Let’s find out!

Cavapoo vs goldendoodle: what is a goldendoodle?

A goldendoodle is a breed that results from crossing a golden retriever with a poodle. It’s a cross of probably the two of the most popular and loved breeds out there, and so there is no wonder that the hybrid dog has gained such popularity in the recent years. It was first bred in the early nineties, and now it has spread all over the world, being particularly popular in North America, UK and Australia.

Appearance

Since one of the goldendoodle’s parents is a Golden Retriever, it can be quite a bit larger than a cavapoo. Goldendoodles may reach 26-40 lb of weight, whereas cavapoo are generally around 6-20 lb. A goldendoodle would probably be a great dog for you if you have larger space – such as your own home.

A cavapoo is definitely a more compact dog, so you might want to choose a cavapoo if you live in an apartment. Having said that, goldendoodles may also vary in size, and it is possible to find a small goldendoodle bred from miniature or toy poodle.

Just like cavapoo, goldendoodles may have straight or curly hair. That depends on which parent they inherited their coat from: Golden retriever or a poodle. If a goldendoodle has curly hair, it is less likely to shed, just like poodle. It may shed a little more if it inherited straight hair from Golden, but it will still shed less than other breeds.

Goldendoodles were bred with the idea of making them hypoallergenic and non-shedding, like poodles, but of course they may still shed minimally, and you may still be allergic to them if you have a dog allergy. The best way to find out is to visit a breeder and spend sometime around adult goldendoodles.

Cavapoo, as you may already know, can also have curly or straight coat and be more or less low-shedding and close to hypoallergenic as well, due to those magical poodle genes.

A cavapoo may feature a wide range of colors – they can be white, apricot, cream, black, brown, red and multi-colored. You can find the same variety of colors in goldendoodles.

Cavapoo vs goldendoodle: grooming

Both cavapoo and goldendoodle will require regular grooming. You can read more about your cavapoo grooming here. A goldendoodle, regardless of coat type, will need regular grooming sessions as well, including washing, combing their coat, cleaning their ears, trimming their nails etc.

Since goldendoodles are significantly larger than cavapoo, expect to spend more time on grooming or grooming services than with a cavapoo. Your goldendoodle will probably also be prone to bringing more dirt from the outside than a cavapoo, again, due to its large size and higher energy levels.

As with any big dog, keeping them clean will be an important part of your life. If you prefer less grooming, go with a cavapoo.

Temperament and personality

You probably already know a lot about cavapoo personality if you have been reading this blog for any amount of time. They are wonderful companions: loyal, affectionate, easy to live with, funny and eager to please. They also fit well in families with children and do especially well in families that can spend enough time to spend with them playing or walking outside, or just being in the same space.

But what about goldendoodles?

Goldendoodles were bred to be perfect companions as well. Both of the parent breeds (Golden Retriever and poodle) are extremely people-oriented breeds and are very loyal. The resulting goldendoodles are an extremely social hybrid, adoring their people and needing a lot of socialisation and time spent together with their owners. Goldendoodles have been traditionally used as guide dogs, therapy dogs, agility dogs, as well as search and rescue dogs.

These are not stand-offish, independent dogs. While they are rarely nervous and can hardly be characterised as clingy, like cavapoo, they are not the dogs that do well on their own. Goldendoodles crave time with their family. They were born to be companions and don’t do very well when left alone.

If a goldendoodle is left alone for prolonged periods of time, they may develop destructive behaviours such as barking, whining or chewing everything in sight, which can be not only irritating for the neighbours and bad for your furniture, but also dangerous for the dog as they tend to swallow the things they chew up.

In that sense, goldendoodles are very much like cavapoo who also don’t like being left alone and can become sad and destructive. Ideally, with any dog you would first make sure you have enough time to spend with your pet and only then bring your pup home. If you work too much or are constantly on the go, any dog may not be the best idea.

On the other hand, if you are looking for a loyal companion to share your days with, both cavapoo and goldendoodle could be a great choice.

Goldendoodles, just like Golden Retrievers, can be a little too enthusiastic in their play or while socialising. They do have a lot of energy and will often test their limits unless they have a strong pack leader (you!).

While cavapoo are a smaller dog and are normally not extremely energetic (although they still do have plenty of energy), goldendoodles require a confident leader to keep them in check. You don’t want a dog that jumps at everyone enthusiastically or drags you on the lead wherever it wants. Goldendoodles may be like that – not because they are out of control, but just because of lots of positive energy they possess. So be prepared to invest time and energy into training and teaching your dog to behave if you get a goldendoodle.

Both goldendoodles and cavapoo are fairly athletic, but goldendoodle is a larger dog, so it would need a larger area to frolic in than cavapoo. With their fountain of energy, goldendoodles thrive with owners who can regularly take them for long walks or runs in the park, or simply give them a ride to a dog park. Extremely curious and social, goldendoodles do best if they have plenty of opportunity to spend time outside meeting new people and dogs and exploring the area. They are not homebody dogs!

Due to their affectionate personality and absence of aggression, both cavapoo and goldendoodle are great dogs for families with young children. (Except you have to mind cavapoo around very young children as a small cavapoo might get hurt by accident.)

Cavapoo vs goldendoodle: Intelligence

Both cavapoo and goldendoodle have poodle in their ancestry, which means both hybrids can boast outstanding intelligence. With goldendoodles, it reflects in the fact that they really do need plenty of mental stimulation along with physical exercise. Boredom and loneliness are not good for goldendoodles.

Their inquisitive and eager minds need constant stimulation in the form of socialisation with you the owner, games, being outside, or even just watching their family go about their day. If you leave your goldendoodle alone without anything to do for long periods of time, two things may happen.

First, your goldendoodle will find something to do, such as shred your couch or swallow your TV remote. And second, it may get depressed, which will result in a whole host of other health and behavioural issues.

Cavapoo are slightly better equipped with dealing with boredom or lack of stimulation than goldendoodles, but it doesn’t mean they don’t need stimulation. Again, be sure you will be able and willing to put the time and effort in your dog and spend enough time with it to meet their requirements. If you are that type of owner, you will be happy with either cavapoo or goldendoodle. Due to their high intelligence, they are great dogs to teach tricks and games – easily trainable and eager to please.

Health

The thing with cavapoo and their health is that they can inherit some of the fairly grave health issues from their Cavalier King Charles Spaniel ancestry. Those may include Mitral Valve Disease and syringomyelia, as well as Hip Dysplasia, epilepsy and a number of others. Not every cavapoo (far from it!) will have any of these diseases, but Cavalier King Charles Spaniel itself is probably one of the less healthy breeds out there. So there is always that risk with a cavapoo, unless you purchase your pup from a very reputable cavapoo breeder.

Goldendoodles, similarly, can inherit health issues from both poodle and golden retriever. Although both of these breeds are quite healthy, they can and do sometimes have issues. Some of the diseases that can be somewhat common to goldendoodles include Patellar Luxation, Hip Dysplasia, epilepsy and Atopic Dermatitis. However, all in all goldendoodles do seem to be pretty healthy and carry low risk of inherited diseases.

Conclusion

This was a little overview of cavapoo and goldendoodle, and how the two cross breeds compare to each other. I hope it will help you pick the one dog that’s best for you, and whichever one you pick, I know you’ll be happy with your choice!

If you are looking for a cavapoo to adopt, check out our articles on how to find a reputable breeder. You can find such breeders in: Reputable cavapoo breeders UK, Cavapoo breeders in Ontario, Canada, and Cavapoo breeders in Alberta, Canada. You can also adopt a puppy from Cavapoo Rescue. Don’t forget to read about Cavapoo pros and cons.