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.

If you have been looking at poodle crosses for a while, you might be interested in both cavapoo and cockapoo as two examples of great cross breads, each with its own unique physical and personality traits. There are upsides and downsides (with way more upsides than downsides 🙂  to both crosses. So, when it comes to cavapoo vs cockapoo, which one should you choose?

Let’s look at both crossbreeds to see what physical and temperament traits they have and which dog might be better for you.

Cavapoo vs cockapoo: origins

As you probably already know, cavapoo are a crossbread produced from Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and poodle. Cockapoo also has poodle in its lineage, but the other parent is Cocker Spaniel (American or English). Like cavapoo, cockapoo has been known for quite awhile – since 1950s.

Both are extremely popular in so-called “designer” breed category of dogs, although we prefer calling them cross breeds. Both cavapoo and cockapoo are one of the most popular dogs for families with children, and people who prefer smaller dogs to larger breeds.

Cavapoo vs cockapoo: appearance

First of all, I’d like to say that both cavapoo and cockapoo are gorgeous dogs. They definitely have similarities, but are also unique in their own way. Cavapoo are normally smaller than cockapoos. A full grown cavapoo reaches around 10 – 15 inch height (about 25 – 40 cm), and weighs 6 – 19 lbs ( 3-9 kg). A cockapoo can weigh 19 to 30 lbs ( 9-13 kg). An adult cockapoo can reach 10 to 15 inches in height (25 to 38 cm).

So, if you are looking for a smaller dog to live in your apartment with you, a cavapoo might be a slightly better idea than a larger cockapoo. If you prefer a more substantially-looking dog, choose cockapoo. If size doesn’t matter, read on 🙂

Cavapoo and cockapoo can have a lot of similarities in their appearance, despite differences in weight and height. Both have poodle in their lineage, which often results in them having poodle-like curly soft hair. This trait is generally desireable as it makes for a minimally- to non-shedding dog.

This type of coat also is often considered to be hypoallergenic.  (Although no dog is truly hypoallergenic). However, both cavapoo and cockapoo may not inherit poodle coat but instead the coat of the other parent – Cavalier King Charles Spaniel in cavapoo’s case and Cocker spaniel in cockapoo. In that case the resulting coat will be longer and less curly, and will shed more than the poodle-like coat.

Both cavapoo and cockapoo tent to have long floppy ears that owners usually find adorable. In terms of coat colors, both cavapoo and cockapoo can have various colors such as black, creme, black and white, red or even tri-colored coats, depending on their genetics.

Cavapoo vs cockapoo: temperament

Cavapoo and cockapoo both were bred with the goal of producing a happy, loving and affectionate dog with low to non-existent aggression levels. This has been successfully achieved with both cavapoo and cockapoo. Both dogs are extremely loyal and family-oriented. Both love their people and desire  nothing more than spend every minute of their life around their family members.

These dogs are really people-oriented and extremely sociable. Both cross breeds don’t do well away from their people or confined alone somewhere, such as in a kennel. Both cross breeds will be happy to participate in anything you do and follow you around the house and outside of it.

Both cavapoo and cockapoo are known for how gentle they are, which makes them great pets for families with children. Cavapoo, being a little smaller, should be watched around younger children. Young children can be potentially too boisterous and can accidentally harm a smaller dog.

Cockapoos, however, are generally large enough to not be at risk of being stepped on or otherwise harmed. Both cavapoo and cockapoo are very patient and will not show aggression to kids. The exception to that can be if your cavapoo or cockapoo is wounded or in pain.

Both cavapoo and cockapoo are dogs with above average intelligence (thanks to poodle!) and will have a very good grasp of what is allowed in their home and what isn’t. Both crossbreeds are easily trainable and are normally very happy to follow their owners’ commands and instructions.

Cavapoo vs cockapoo: barking

A lot of smaller dog breeds have a bad reputation of being incessant barkers. Indeed, smaller dog breeds often tend to be nervous, which reflects in their barking (and often passive-aggressive biting) behavior. This is not common at all for either cavapoo or cockapoo.

Although cavapoo and cockapoo are smaller dogs, they are not huge barkers at all. Cockapoo tend to be quite silent most of the time, barking only when there is a reason for that. Cavapoo are a little more excitable and will bark more than cockapoo. If you need a very quiet dog, your best bet would be a cockapoo, not a cavapoo.

Cavapoo vs cockapoo : training and intelligence

Both cavapoo and cockapoo have poodle in their lineage. This is why both crossbreeds are extremely intelligent (poodle is one of the most intelligent breeds in the world).  This means that both cavapoo and cockapoo are easy to train and will always appreciate the time you spend teaching them tricks and commands. There is an opinion that cavapoo are slightly easier to train than cockapoo as they tend to focus slightly more and are more willing to please the owner.

However, both breeds are really good when it comes to training, and both can be shaped into a great obedient dog.

Cavapoo vs cockapoo as home guards

If you are looking for a dog to guard you and your home, neither cavapoo nor cockapoo might be the right candidate. Both breeds are inherently non-aggressive and too happy to see people to actually protect you from strangers. Cavapoo in general are a little more barky than cockapoo, but cockapoo tend to bark more around strangers, and definitely if a stranger is trying to enter your territory.

It is likely that both dogs will bark at strangers, but don’t expect them to fight for you. Neither cockapoo nor cavapoo have any fight dog genes. Although some individuals are more inclined to protect their owners, and some will  probably happily greet the intruder after initial barking session. To sum up, if you want a guard dog, get a cavapoo or a cockapoo plus a German Sheperd or something 😉

Cavapoo vs cockapoo: Grooming

Cavapoo and cockapoo aren’t large dogs with lots of grooming needs, but you will nonetheless need to spend some time taking care of their coats. Both cavapoo and cockapoo grooming needs really depend on which type of coat they inherited. If it’s a Spaniel coat, you will likely need to give it regular brushing to prevent too much shedding in your house/apartment.

With the poodle-type coat, things are different. Poodle-type coat normally does not shed and looks more like curled hair than fur. It is often a more preferable type of coat  but it has its difficulties as well. Even though it doesn’t shed, it tends to get matted without proper grooming. A poodle type coat needs regular cutting and grooming. A lot of owners of cavapoo, cockapoo and poodles are regular visitors to dog grooming salons. Of course, you can always spend some time to learn basic grooming yourself so you can maintain your cavapoo or cockapoo coat in great shape. Overall, both cavapoo and cockapoo will likely need some amount of grooming.

Cavapoo vs Cockapoo: exercise needs

Cavapoo and cockapoo are both smaller dogs, but that in no way means they are lap dogs. Both of these crossbreeds are very active and require regular exercise. This means daily walks/runs for at least 30 minutes and preferably more. Both cavapoo and cockapoo will love walking (or, even better – running!) outside in the park or in your backyard, especially if you run with them. They love active games – chasing and fetching a ball or a stick, chasing other dogs, swimming etc.

The more exercise your puppy gets, the happier dog he will be. With both cavapo and cockapoo, exercise prevents boredom, depression and possible behaviour issues. If your cavapoo or cockapoo show any destructive behaviour ( unwanted chewing or destroying household items or furniture), or are too attached to you, they might be bored or depressed and you might need to give them more exercise. Exercise will also help keep your dog lean and healthy. Which takes us to …

Cavapoo vs cockapoo: known health issues

As a cross bread of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Poodle, cavapoo can inherit health issues and conditions from any of, or both parents. Whereas poodles are generally a very healthy breed, it isn’t always so with Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.

Unfortunately, they do tend to have a significant number of potential illnesses and conditions, such as Heart mitral valve disease (MVD). Almost 50% of all Cavalier King Charles spaniels are reported to have MVD after 5 years of age, and almost 100% by age ten. MVD is a grave disease of the heart that unfortunately currently has no cure.

Cavapoo, being direct descendant from Cavalier King Charles spaniel, may inherit MVD, as well as some other issues that Cavaliers are prone to, such as syringomyelia, cataracts, retinal atrophy, skin issues and epilepsy.  However, this doesn’t mean every cavapoo will have issues, or even that a significant number of cavapoo will. A good, dedicated breeder will always have done medical screening of both parents before creating cavapoo litters.

Only healthy parents should be allowed in the breeding program, and when breeders follow this rule, the resulting puppies are generally healthy. Always look for a respectable cavapoo breeders who do medical screening for every litter, as that is the only guarantee that you’ll get healthy cavapoo puppies. This is especially important in case of cavapoo!

In the case of cockapoo, their second parent is Cocker Spaniel, which is generally a fairly healthy breed. However, they do have a few health issues as well. Familial Nephropathy is a kidney disease in cocker spaniels.  Immune mediated thrombocytopenia, an auto-immune disease that causes internal and external bleeding. Hip dysplasia is common in cocker spaniels.

Heart disease and Pancreatitis can also present themselves. Ear infections, epilepsy and obesity are also something that Cocker Spaniel owners sometimes have to deal with. All of these diseases can be inherited by a cockapoo puppy from his or her Spaniel parent.

However, just like with cavapoo, a good cockapoo breeder will take utmost care screening the potential parents for problematic conditions before allowing them to breed. No good breeder will want to produce unhealthy litters. With both cavapoo and cockapoo, please beware of puppy mills.

Because cavapoo and cockapoo are extremely popular “designer” breeds, as some call them, there is a proliferation of puppy mills out there – unconscientious, uneducated people trying to make money producing puppies without any medical or screening protocol. Buying a puppy from a puppy mill is basically a guarantee that you will get an unhealthy dog with a bouquet of potential conditions that will rob the dog of its health, vitality and longevity, and rob you of a few thousand dollars in vet bills (plus all the heartache!) Please do your homework and find only the best, trust-able breeders whether you are buying a cavapoo or a cockapoo.

To sum up, there is no real winner in the cavapoo vs cockapoo debate. They are both charming, lovely and affectionate dog breeds, highly intelligent and easily trainable. Both will make wonderful family pets. Both will be great, loyal companions to you and your family members. If you want a slightly less barky dog – go with cockapoo. If you want a smaller dog rather than bigger one – go with cavapoo.

If you want a whole lot of love and fun in your house – just get both 🙂 (But do remember that there are associated costs of keeping them!) You can read more about cavapoo on this website and cockapoo on other web resources. Whatever dog you choose, we hope you pick the right one for you and that you have lots of happy years ahead together!

Cavapoo vs cavachon dogs: what’s similar, what’s different, and which one should you choose?

Since you are on this website, you probably already know quite a bit about cavapoo. If not, take a minute to read this overview article about cavapoo breed, and this one about cavapoo temperament. This will give you more of a thorough background on cavapoo dog breed and their characteristics.

Now, if you are trying to find out more about another cross breed dog called cavachon, and how it compares to cavapoo, you are in the right place. In this article we will compare the two cross breeds in terms of their various appearance and personality traits and, hopefully, help you make a good choice.

Cavapoo vs cavachon: what is a cavachon?

Just like cavapoo, a cavachon is a cross breed, or a hybrid, between two very established and popular dog breeds: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (just like cavapoo!) and Bichon Frise.

By breeding affectionate, kind and loving Cavalier King Charles Spaniels to the healthy, sociable and active Bichon Freeses, breeders have produced a very loyal, very affectionate crossbreed that has lots of great traits of both breeds and much fewer health and personality issues than both Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Bichon Freese.

More about this further in the article.

Cavapoo vs cavachon: appearance

Adult cavapoo reach around 10 – 15 inch height (about 25 – 40 cm) and weight around 6 – 19 lbs ( 3-9 kg). They are fairly small, compact dogs, but they are not frail. They have shorter coats and a unique coat structure, if they have inherited their coat genes from poodle – soft, curly, non-shedding coat.

Cavapoo can have multiple varieties of coat colors such as black, white, black and white, apricot, brown, creme and some are even tri-colored.

Cavachons are normally around 10-12 inches tall (30 – 33 cm) and weigh 9- 19 lb (5-10 kg). They can be slightly less stalky than cavapoo. Cavachons generally have longer coats as they can inherit it from both Cavalier King Charles Spaniel of Bichon Frise.  The common colorings are white, red, black, or white with variously-colored markings.

Cavapoo vs cavachon: temperament

Cavapoo are very intelligent little dogs, which they often inherit from poodle – one of the most intelligent dogs in the world. They are also very affectionate, loyal and loving, like Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. They can have higher or lower levels of energy, depending on whether they were produced from toy poodle or miniature poodle (with toy poodle being more energetic).

Cavapoo can be somewhat barky, although not every cavapoo is. They are not aggressive, are extremely happy to meet new people, but also do seem to get carried away easily and bark quite often.

Cavachons were bred with the purpose of preserving and increasing the Cavalier King Charles warm and affectionate temperament mixed with Bichon Frise friendliness and intelligence, but avoiding some of the Cavalier King Charles health issues.

As a result, cavachons are as friendly, loyal and affectionate as cavapoos. They are extremely gentle dogs and thus make perfect companions for families with small kids.

However, cavachons are less friendly than cavapoo when it comes to home intruders. They seem to have more of a sense of being a house guard and will warn their owners if there is an intruder. On average, you can’t expect that from a cavapoo.

They are very smart and very trainable, and thrive in interaction with their humans. One significant difference in cavapoo vs cavachon comparison is that cavachons are virtually a non-barking crossbreed. That doesn’t mean all cavachons never bark, but in general they are quite quiet and rarely bark (unless there is a very strong reason to!). So if you are looking for a very quiet breed, you might want to consider cavachon.

Cavapoo vs Cavachon: shedding and coat issues

Cavapoo can inherit the low-to no-shedding poodle coat in which case they shed very minimally. That type of coat is actually hair, not fur – it’s curly and soft and needs grooming, just like human hair, to prevent tangling.

If a cavapoo inherits more of a Cavalier King Charles spaniel coat, it will be a different type-coat – and it will shed more or less just like Cavalier King Charles spaniel (moderately throughout the year).

Cavachon dogs do shed throughout the year, similar to other dog breeds. They are fairly small dogs and don’t shed excessively, but they can’t be called a non-shedding breed. If you don’t want to find dog hair around your house, you might better stick to a well bred cavapoo that has poodle-type coat.

Cavapoo vs cavachon: allergies

Are you looking for a hypoallergenic dog? (Or at least, as close to hypoallergenic as you can get?) Should you choose cavapoo or cavachon?

Cavapoo are considered hypoallergenic, especially if they inherit the poodle-type coat that sheds minimally and is said to spread less of allergenic dander around your house. That doesn’t actually mean that cavapoo cause no allergy.

Allergy is triggered, most often, by proteins in dog dander. Since every dog produces dander, there can be no dog that is actually truly hypoallergenic. Having said that, cavapoo are definitely considered to cause less (to almost none) allergy symptoms in allergy sufferers.

Cavachons, with their small size and short hair, are also considered somewhat hypoallergenic by many breeders and owners. However, the only way to know if you will have any reactions to a cavachon or not, is to visit them (preferably adults) and spend some time around them.

Cavapoo vs cavachon: energy levels and exercise requirements

Both cavapoo and cavachons are smaller dogs that, however, cannot be considered lap dogs. Both crossbreeds have high energy dogs in their genetic lines and both hybrids are considered failry high energy dogs. That doesn’t mean you are going to be getting a mini border collie there – not at all.

But both cavapoo and cavachons are very intelligent, inquisitive and curious little dogs that prefer active lifestyle of exploration and adventure with their humans.

They both thrive in busy families with lots of activity going on. Both breeds really need a good amount of time outside. At least 25 – 40 minute walk would be something your dog needs every day, whether it’s a cavapoo or a cavachon. They both also enjoy intellectual challenges such as games and learning new tricks.

Whether you are thinking of getting a cavapoo or a cavachon, you have to be ready to spend a significant amount of time with your dog, including time outside. If you are looking for a less demanding dog in terms of physical and mental activities, you may be better off with a different breed.

Cavapoo vs cavachon: potential health issues and life expectancy

As with any cross breed, the resulting dog, whether it’s cavapoo or cavachon, may inherit health issues from either one of their parent breeds. Both cavapoo and cavachons have Cavalier King Charles Spaniel as one side of their hereditary puzzle.

One of the most serious health conditions that Cavalier King Charles spaniels are prone to is Heart mitral valve disease (MVD). It is said that almost half of all Cavalier King Charles Spaniels will have this disease by age five, and almost all will have it by age ten. It is a terminal disease that is number one cause of death for most Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. Both cavachons and cavapoo may inherit this disease as well.

Cavachons may actually have a higher chance of having it as Bichon Frise are also reported to have an often occuring MVD disease, even though  it’s not at the levels presented in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.

Syringomyelia is another deadly disease that’s very common in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and is fairly common in cavapoo, although not as common in cavachons. A good breeder will always do their best not to allow dogs with syringomyelia to breeding, but it does still occur in both cavapoo and cavachons.

Apart from that, cavapoo are also prone to such conditions as cataracts, retinal atrophy, skin issues and epilepsy. Cavachons have their own array of potential conditions, such as excessive tear production (inherited from Cavalier King Charles Spaniels), ear and skin infections and issues, and hip displasia.

Although this may sound pretty grave, I don’t want to intimidate you from considering getting a cavapoo or a cavachon. Good reputable breeders will follow many protocols allowing to breed only healthy dogs without genetic issues.

Both cavapoo and cavachons on average are pretty healthy, and only sometimes pose issues and problems. Timely vet check-ups, good nutrition and exercise and proper hygiene are all factors that will help you keep your puppy healthy and happy, whether they are a cavapoo or a cavachon.

Of course you still have to make that choice, and that’s totally up to you.

Or, you know, you could always get both 🙂