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 🙂

Cavapoo World is dedicated to the wonderful breed of cavapoo dogs, also known as cavoodles.  I hope you will find answers to all your questions about cavapoo / cavoodle on the pages of this website.

Cavapoo history

Cavapoo (also known as cavoodle, especially in Australia), have been popular for at least thirty years, but particularly so in the last ten-fifteen years. It is a type of crossbreed dogs created by breeding miniature or toy poodle with Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

Cavoodles, as they call cavapoo in Australia, became especially popular in Australia where they were extensively bred in the 1990s.  In the USA, cavapoo were actually first bred quite a while ago – all the way back in the 1950s.

Cavapoo dogs are bred from a mix of Toy or Miniature Poodle and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. The poodle has been used extensively in many crossbreeding programs (to get such dogs as labradoodles, for example),  for several reasons.

First of all, the poodle is one of the most intelligent dogs. They also have silky curly hair that doesn’t shed and they are normally considered hypoallergenic (or at least more hypoallergenic than other breeds.)

To create cavoodle, toy or miniature poodle is used. Depending on which type of poodle is used, a breeder can get smaller cavapoo (with toy poodles), or slightly larger cavapoo (from miniature poodle). In any case, the resulting dog tends to have a poodle-like quality of hair (soft, curly, non-shedding), and a great temperament.

Cavapoo is bred to be a loyal, calm, smart companion for families and individuals, possessing poodle-like intelligence, friendliness and low to non-existent levels of aggression. This is probably why cavapoo spread all over the world so quickly and gained such popularity around the globe.

Cavapoo dogs are often called hybrid dogs, or even designer dogs, because they are bred “artificially” from two separate breeds. While some people have somewhat of a cautious stance towards designer dogs, cavoodle (cavapoo) popularity speaks for itself. They are truly wonderful dogs.

Cavapoo traits

The temperament of cavapoo takes equally from that of poodle and Cavalier King Charles spaniel. Cavalier King Charles spaniels are great companions, loyal and friendly. They are also fairly smart dogs, although they can be somewhat stubborn. They tend to be very friendly not only with their owners, but with just about anyone who would offer them a pat or a treat.

Poodles, on the other hand, are known for their extreme intelligence. They are very trainable and understand their owners very well. They are normally not aggressive, but they aren’t as open and easy going with strangers as Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, and can take a role of the house guard. Having said that, poodles can also be very playful (especially toy poodles).

All of these traits, combined in various degrees, can be found in cavapoo dogs. Cavoodle is a very loyal and friendly breed. Aggression is virtually non-existent in cavoodles, and they generally don’t make very good house guards. (Neither do they have the size to be intimidating.) Cavapoo are extremely attached to their families – sometimes picking one special person to pour all their love onto.

A cavapoo will be happy following you around the house and participating in everything you do. Because cavapoo are so social, they do best in stable, big households and don’t do as well if they have to be left alone for prolonged periods of time.

Cavoodles make great pets for active people that like spending time outdoors and enjoy physical activities. Despite their small size, cavapoo dogs are very athletic and require regular physical activities to help them expend their energy.

They will happily run around the yard or park, fetching balls, or chasing objects – really, anything, as long as they are on the move. Cavapoo really thrives in households that can afford significant time to spend with their pets outside of the house.

One or two walks a day are very beneficial for cavapoo, and a good run in the park a few times a week can be a great addition to that.

Apart from physical activities, cavoodles also greatly appreciate a good mental challenge. They do take a lot of their intelligence from the poodle, and thus need to be mentally stimulated to thrive.

A good owner will regularly train their cavoodle by teaching them new tricks and making them work for their treats. Cavapoo dogs can learn dozens of commands and tricks, and regular repetition in the form of play can provide great benefits in keeping the dog engaged and happy. This is why cavapoo do so well in households where owners can give them lots of personal time and interaction.

Keep that in mind if you are thinking of getting a cavapoo. Boredom effects these dogs very negatively and may lead to apathy, weight gain, destructive behaviour and even depression. You don’t want that to happen to your dog.

Cavapoo physical traits

Cavapoo dogs are medium to small sized dogs reaching 10-15 inches (about 25 – 40 cm) in height and 6-9 lbs ( 3-9 kg) in weight when they are fully grown. Cavapoo bred from toy poodles will be smaller than cavapoo bred from miniature poodles. They have a compact but sturdy body. They are smaller dogs but they do not tend to be fragile like a lot of other small breeds. On the opposite, cavapoo are very athletic and can grow quite a bit of muscle weight for their small bodies.

Just like poodles, cavapoo have soft, curly coat and generally do not shed much. (Although they do shed a bit, like any other breed of dogs. There isn’t a breed that does not shed at all.) Cavapoo have floppy ears and big eyes, and look just as friendly as they really are.

Cavapoo are often considered hypoallergenic. This can be true for some people, although no breed of dogs is truly hypoallergenic. All breeds produce dander and other potentially allergenic substances, it’s just that cavapoo may produce less of it. Poodles are also considered one of the most hypoallergenic breeds out their, often due to their soft and non-shedding coat.

Cavapoo that inherit those traits really do seem to cause less allergy symptoms in allergy sufferers than other breeds. However, the best way to find out if you are allergic to cavapoo is to try and spend some time around them.

Cavapoo types

As I already mentioned, cavapoo is not a breed, but a crossbreed of two different breeds. Due to this fact, we can actually talk about several different genetic types of cavapoo.

F1

F1 is a standard crossbreed, the result of breeding a toy or a miniature poodle to Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. This is one of the most widespread types of cavapoo.

F2

F2 type is a result of breeding two cavapoos together.

F1B

F1B – this type is a crossbreed of cavapoo dogs and poodle (when a puppy is created by breeding cavoodle with a poodle)

F3

F3 is a type that’s created by breeding two cavapoo of F2 type.

Various types of breeding allow breeders to get physical traits and temperament that they would like to see in their puppies.

Quick overview of Cavapoo health

Cavapoo dogs are generally a fairly healthy crossbreed, although they can inherit health issues that are normal for Poodles or Cavalier King Charles spaniels. Poodles are prone to such conditions as thyroid issues, epilepsy, retinal atrophy, hip dysplasia and some others.

Cavalier King Charles spaniels can suffer from such diseases as syringomyelia and mitral valve disease (MVD), both of which occur significantly often. (Half of all Cavalier Spaniels develop mitral valve murmur by age of 5!)

While we don’t want to intimidate you, and while nothing guarantees that your dog will develop any of these conditions (or any condition at all!) we believe it’s necessary to understand the risks when you consider such responsibility as having a dog. You need to understand that sometimes health issues may occur, and be sure that you’ll be able to care for your dog if needed.

However, overall cavapoo are pretty healthy and can live 10 – 15 years long! Read more about cavapoo health in this article.

Cavoodle coats

Because cavapoo is a crossbread, they don’t have a set standard for coat type and colors. Instead, we have lots of variations of both.

To begin with coat type and structure,  it can vary depending on how much coat genes your cavoodle has inherited from poodle and how much came from Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

Cavapoo coat can be almost straight (like Cavalier King Charles Spaniel), Straight and wavy (mix), and wavy and curly (more like a poodle coat.) Depending on the genes cavapoo may shed significantly (like Cavalier King Charles Spaniel)  or  almost not at all (Like poodle). As for coat colors, they can be solid (one color) or mix.

The color array may include white, black, red, golden, white + red (Blenheim), apricot, cream and tan. That is a lot of different colors! And they all look gorgeous.

As with other dogs, cavapoo need grooming. Depending on the type of coat, it may be an occasional brush – through, or you may need to actually clip the cavapoo hair or use the services of professional groomers (especially with cavapoo that inherited their coat from poodle). Be prepared to invest time (and finances!)

General advice on cavapoo dogs

When getting your cavapoo puppy, always do your homework and look for a trusted cavapoo breeder  who has cavapoo puppies for sale in your area. Don’t rush with this step. Make sure you can trust your breeder and ask them everything you want to know about cavapoo in general and their cavapoo litters in particular.

When picking the puppy, pick for the character. Although it may be very tempting to choose the puppy you think is the cutest just for their appearance, try to also take personality into account.

Cavapoo dogs, like any other dog, have various personalities, and even siblings from one litter may have vastly different temperaments. They would normally all be friendly, loving and social (provided they are well-bred and socialised), but even within that you can find puppies that are extremely energetic (and may be loud), and more reserved, calmer dogs that aren’t as outgoing.

Think of what cavapoo personality would fit you better – your character, your lifestyle, your family life, etc. If you are a loud, active family, then maybe a loud and active puppy will fit you just fine. If you prefer quiet evenings and slow living, a slower, more reserved puppy may be your best choice.

If you pick the puppy that fits your personality and lifestyle, you will see how quickly you will fall in love with their appearance too – their color, markings and everything else that makes them that one special dog.

If you are allergic to dogs, make sure you know whether the cavapoo will trigger your allergy symptoms and to what degree. Although cavapoo are often said to be hypoallergenic, it is not entirely true. Some cavapoo may be almost completely hypoallergenic, causing very few to no symptoms of allergy. However, some cavapoo may not be that hypoallergenic at all. It all depends on their genetics, and how strong your allergy is.

To find out if you are allergic to cavapoo, spend some time around them – preferably around the adult dogs and not the puppies. Adult dogs tend to produce more allergens than puppies do. Since your puppy will inevitably grow into adult, spending time with adult cavapoo will allow you to see just how allergic to them you are. We hope your allergy is not strong enough to prevent you from getting a cavapoo puppy, but you never know, and it’s best to know exactly where you stand in terms of allergy.

When thinking of getting a cavapoo, it is important to remember that getting a pet is not only about joy and love and all the fun that you will have with them. It is also about big responsibility that may last for the next 10 – 15 years of your life. It is about time that you will have to invest in your cavoodle – to properly feed them, train them, play with them, groom their coat and clean after them.

It is a significant financial investment as well – from the first purchase to possible vet fees, to food and toy fees, to boarding and kennel fees for when you need to leave for a vacation. It is a possible sacrifice of long vacations abroad (because cavapoos don’t do that well in kennels and will miss you terribly!)

All of these factors need to be considered when you think of getting a puppy. Are you really ready for something like that? Do you have space – in your home and in your heart – for the little living being that will depend on you for everything? Do consider all of these things before you make a decision. And if you do decide to get a cavoodle- we wish you luck in finding your puppy! You will most likely not regret this decision 🙂

How big does adult cavapoo get?

Short answer: On average, cavapoo adult would be a fairly compact dog, with full grown cavapoo reaching around 10 – 15 inch height (about 25 – 40 cm). You can’t fit adult cavapoo in the pocket, but it can very comfortably exist in a small apartment with not much spare space 🙂

Since cavapoo isn’t a breed but a mix of  breeds, there is no breed standard for its size and weight. The appearance and physical characteristics of a full grown cavapoo, including its weight and size, will depend on how it was bred. Cavapoo can be bred from Toy Poodle or Miniature poodle. As the two of these breeds are fairly different in size, the resulting puppies will also be different.

Is your pup destructive? Or maybe he/she is 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? Well, you actually can. 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 🙂 

Full grown cavapoo will be taller and weigh more if it was bred from the miniature poodle, who is around 15 inches tall on average. Adult cavapoo will be smaller if it was bred from toy poodle (about 10 inches tall in size).

However, here is what you can expect in general. On average, adult cavapoo are fairly compact dogs, with full grown cavapoo reaching around 10 – 15 inch height (about 25 – 40 cm). You can’t fit this dog in the pocket, but it can very comfortably exist in a small apartment with not much spare space. (Although do remember that puppies or adult cavapoo are not necessarily lap dogs.

Although their energy peaks in puppy-hood and somewhat wanes in adult cavapoo, they can have a lot of energy and do need exercise!)

Full grown cavapoo normally weight around the range of 6 – 19 lbs ( 3-9 kg), again, depending on how the cavapoo was bred and what traits it inherited. Of course, other factors will define how much your particular adult cavapoo will weight, such as muscle development, exercise and also your cavapoo diet. Today’s dogs, just like today’s people, are often sedentary and don’t exercise enough.

In addition to that, people often overfeed their animals, and cavapoo, being intelligent and cute as they are, are very good at begging for food.

Treats are a particularly dangerous territory. It’s very easy to give in to your cavapoo pleas and treat them several times throughout the day. However, you need to remember that commercially produced treats are often full of carbohydrates, which aren’t very good for cavapoo (or any dog!). Carbohydrates overload your dog’s digestive system and provide extra energy, plus raise their blood sugar levels.

All of that can lead to weight gain and even diabetes, if left out of control. So next time your cavapoo looks at you with their pleading little eyes, be strong and don’t give in! This way you can keep your cavapoo weight at a healthy level. And don’t forget about exercise!

Going back to the size of your full grown cavapoo: you might have a smaller adult cavapoo if they are female, as females are often smaller than males, just like in the case of many other animals.

Full grown cavapoo bred from toy poodle may reach around 10 inches in height (about 25 cm) and weight about 6 lbs (around 3 kg). Despite the small size, they can be a fairly sturdy and athletic dog, and normally have quite large personalities 🙂 These small dogs are also great to have in apartments or smaller living spaces as they fit literally everywhere. (But do give them lots and lots of exercise!) These dogs are great to travel with as well, as they normally can be allowed in the passenger zone of the airplane and are small enough to travel comfortably with by car, or even stay at a hotel or AirBNB.

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.

Short answer: If you are looking for a pet quality puppy, the price of your cavapoo may vary from around $1000 to 2000$ with the average being around $1200 – $1500. If you want to breed your cavapoo and be able to show them at dog shows, the dogs with breeding rights may cost anywhere from $2300 to $10000 depending on how high the quality of the dog is.

Cavapoo price

Good for you for deciding on getting a cavapoo puppy. You are inviting a whole lot of love and fun into your life (and potentially some wet dog kisses!) Of course, as with everything else in life, there is the financial question. How much will your cavoodle puppy cost? What is the average cavapoo price?

The answer to this question is not so simple. Cavapoo price may vastly vary depending on multiple factors, such as the location of the breeder, how popular the breed is in that particular location, the size of the breeder’s kennel, the lineage of your cavapoo puppy etc.

One defining factor is whether you are buying a cavapoo puppy purely as a pet (pet quality) or with breeding and show rights. In the latter case, you have a right to breed your cavapoo once they are of age, get puppies from them and participate in dog shows.

Cavapoo price will depend on the quality of the puppy.

Prices for pet quality cavapoo

If you are looking for a pet quality puppy, the price of your cavoodle may vary from around $1000 to 2000$ with the average being around $1200 – $1500.

Breeding quality cavapoo price

If you want to breed your cavapoo and be able to show them at dog shows and earn titles and awards, you will need a cavapoo with breeding rights. Those are extra high-quality dogs with excellent characteristics and premium lineage of parents. These dogs may cost anywhere from $2300 to $10000 depending on how high the quality is. If you are buying that type of cavapoo, you probably know more about cavapoos than I can ever tell you on the pages of this site 🙂

Why do cavapoo cost so much?

These prices can definitely seem quite hefty. But in reality, you are purchasing (although we like the word adopting more) a friend and a loyal companion for the next 10-15 years of your life. That is priceless. Pets (any pets) can generally cost a lot, including adoption fees and the various things your pet may need throughout its life. But a purebred dog, such as cavapoo, is going to be even more expensive.

A good breeder will spend a significant amount of time and energy, combined with professional knowledge, to breed the litter of healthy cavapoo puppies from quality parents. Breeding by itself costs a lot of money, as it includes various time and finance-consuming aspects such as showing the dogs, getting necessary papers, mating the dogs etc.

Further on, a breeder has to take proper care of the mom of the litter during pregnancy and at birth, which often involves extensive vet care. Once the puppies are born, they often require round-the-clock care (have you ever visited a breeder with new puppies? It’s crazy!) and lots of financial investment into vet services such as vaccinations, checkups, micro chipping etc.

So it is very understandable that the resulting price of a puppy is fairly significant, and this really shouldn’t surprise you.

What should surprise you, or, rather, warn you – is a low price for a puppy. Again, if you are getting a pet quality puppy, their price should ideally be in the range of $1000 to $2000. If someone offers you a puppy for $400 – $600, this has to raise a red flag for you.

If your cavapoo price is significantly out of the ideal range, that might mean that your puppy is coming from a puppy mill. Puppy mills produce large amounts of puppies without proper planning, medical care and any respect/love for the animals.

Puppies from puppy mills might not even be cavapoos, but rather some other mix that a breeder presents as cavapoo. Puppy mill puppies can also have various health and genetic defects and may carry diseases as they were not raised in proper sanitary environment. They may also have unpredictable temperaments and not have the stable, loving cavapoo temperament that you probably want.

Please don’t support puppy mills, for the love of the puppies and also for your own safety. You don’t want a dog with a bad temperament and unexpected health issues.

If you encounter a very low cavapoo price, you may also be dealing with a scammer. It isn’t very hard in our day and age to set up a basic website and advertise puppies that may not even exist, simply so they can ask for your deposit and then disappear.

In general, breeders asking for deposits aren’t doing anything wrong, it is an accepted practice. However, a scammer may ask for your deposit, luring you in with a low price for your cavapoo, and then simply disappear.

This is yet another reason to be careful and not trust someone asking for a very low cavapoo price when advertising their puppies.

How to make sure you are getting a cavapoo from the right breeder for the right price

Here is how you can be more careful when picking your cavapoo and the breeder, so that you don’t lose your money and get the best dog you can.

See if the breeder has any online presence. A good breeder will most often have an established website with lots of material and photos of their dogs and puppies. Breeders love showing off their dogs. If there isn’t much material online, it’s always a red flag in terms of the breeder’s authenticity.

Check the breeder’s website, Facebook page, Instagram page and any other social media pages belonging to them. Pay particular attention to reviews. Is there a lot of reviews from former customers? Are there any bad reviews?

Google the breeder to see if any bad mentions/reviews pop up.

Get in touch with the breeder. If they are friendly and open and ready to talk to you about their dogs and puppies or upcoming litters  – it’s a good sign. If they are impersonal and you have a feeling that they just want to push you into buying a puppy right now – stay away from them.

A good breeder will always care about you as their future puppies’ owner just as much as they care about their dogs. They will normally want to ask you lots of questions and find out exactly what kind of dog you are looking for. If you don’t see that approach, they might not be the right breeder for you.

Never allow a breeder to push you into a hasty decision. If you feel any pressure from a breeder, such as “buy the puppy now or they will be gone”, you can end the conversation right there. A good breeder will never push you into making a hasty decision. They will rather encourage you to take your time and give it a good thought.

And of course, be very careful about sending money, even just a deposit, before you know you are dealing with the right breeder for you, that can offer you the right price for the great, healthy, affectionate dog.

Do your research well, do some reading on this and other websites, accept the fact that the price for a good dog will not be low, and you will get your perfect cavapoo 🙂

Additional costs you need to include in your cavapoo price

When thinking of getting a cavapoo puppy, you need to be aware that the cost of the dog will not be the only cost you will have to incur. Here is what you will need to think about when buying a new puppy:

Cost of pick-up/shipping/transportation

If your breeder is far away from where you are, how are you going to get the puppy? You may need to drive a long distance, or have the breeder ship the puppy to you, which may cost extra $50 – $300 depending on distance.

New puppy supplies

You will need new puppy bedding, toys, blankets, food bowl, water bowl, puppy gates, a crate, a leash, a collar. Costs: $100 – 1000$ depending on what you choose to purchase and where. Tip: you can get a lot of this stuff on craigslist, used. (Such as puppy gates for example, or crates!)

Vet visits 

Vet checkups, vaccinations, and medical emergencies can all be pretty costly.

Puppy food

That’s something that you will have to take care not only during your puppy’s “childhood”, but throughout their whole life. Costs depend on what food brand / type you prefer.

Other miscellaneous costs/ expenses

You never know when you need to spend extra for an unexpected vet visit or boarding your puppy in a kennel for a few nights if you need to be out of town, or any other emergency. All in all, it’s good to be prepared and budget more than just the price of your cavapoo.

Remember, getting a new puppy is a big responsibility that includes an undeniable financial aspect to it, so think twice and make sure you are ready for this responsibility.

Good luck and have fun looking for your puppy and then raising them 🙂