Cavapoo: What To Know About This Stunning Family Dog

The Cavapoo is a mix between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the poodle.

With the adorable face of a Cavalier, and often the hypoallergenic fur of a Poodle, the Cavapoo is an amazing companion for any family.

This pooch has a big dog’s personality in a little dog’s body. They are the perfect member for a family that wants a dog to chill on the couch, or to go for early morning jogs.

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cavapoo

What is a Cavapoo?

The Cavapoo, also known as a Cavoodle, is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Poodle mix.

They were originally bred in Australia to be hypoallergenic, low-energy companion dogs. Their adorable face and sweet nature soon made them a popular choice for all dog enthusiasts.

Their loyal, social nature makes them a great family or therapy dog, especially for people with allergies.

As this pooch is a crossbreed dog, there is no set breed standard although most Cavapoos do fall within the same general guidelines.

Their purpose is simple: to be your next best friend and cuddle buddy.

  • Overview: Mixed breed
  • Purpose: Companion
  • Weight: 9-25 pounds
  • Size: 9-14 inches
  • Temperament: Loving

Cavapoo Appearance

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel X Poodle

Their expression should always be friendly and inviting and is set on a round face with large almond-shaped eyes and long floppy ears.

You can expect them to have a flat muzzle.

Despite their small size, this breed is not petite, but rather has a solid, sturdy build – this strong build is part of what makes them a great companion for children.

The standard look of a Cavapoo can be different since they are a mixed breed. They can bend either towards looking more like a Cavalier or like a Poodle. This can also affect their coat, and some Cavalier Poodles do shed.

Once fully grown, you should expect your pooch to stand between 9-14″ tall and weigh between 9-25 pounds.

Colors

They can come in a wide range of colors, the most popular colors include:

  • Cream, fawn, chocolate, gold, white, chestnut, or even tri-colored.

Coat

When you mix a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel x Poodle, you get a coat that is typically short and soft, but can be either curly or wavy.

Thanks to their Poodle-like coat, Cavapoos do not shed – instead, their fur continues to grow (which means they do need regular haircuts).

Their coat is typically kept fairly short, although that preference is mostly up to whatever the owner wants to do. A popular haircut style is the teddy bear.

7 Fun Facts About The Cavapoo

cavalier poodle puppy

  1. Only some are hypoallergenic with a non-shedding coat.
  2. The first Cavapoos were bred in the 1990s.
  3. Currently the most popular mixed breed in Australia.
  4. They are sensitive to heat because of their short muzzle.
  5. Also known as fuzzy-faced teddy bears.
  6. Gets along great with the other pets in the household.
  7. Created by mixing a Poodle and a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

Cavapoo Personality and Temperament

cavalier poodle

Since this is a mixed breed, they can lean on being either more Poodle or Cavalier-like in temperament. The typical Cavapoo temperament is not too much different from Cavaliers, but Poodles are more high-strung and need more mental stimulation.

Just like their parent (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel), they will be a very affectionate dog that loves to be with its family.

They are lap dogs through and through, although similar to the Poodle in their heritage, Cavapoos can also make amazing agility, obedience, or rally dogs.

This dog is not an escape artist, or destructive by nature, and does not have a high prey drive.

Cavapoos are a moderate to low energy breed, but can still be playful at times. They are incredibly goofy and will have you laughing at their antics. Playing a fun game of tug or fetch with them along with a walk will ensure that your playful Cavapoo’s needs are met. They do not require as much exercise as Poodles but are a bit more outgoing than Cavaliers.

This pooch is not aggressive by nature and typically will do great with other dogs and people.

They are not obsessive barkers, but they may bark to alert to strangers at the door. Don’t think this makes them a good guard dog though, because they would happily open the door and let anyone in if it meant they would get a nice belly rub.

You can expect them to have a short attention span, so they should be kept on a leash when not in fenced-in areas until a recall has been taught.

Caring for a Cavapoo

cavapoo close up

A perfect dog for a family with experience, or for a family new to dogs, the Cavapoo does not require much special care and can fit into any lifestyle. They make an amazing dog in an apartment, or as a companion to follow you in the country.

You do need to watch your Cavapoo for weight gain, and make sure that they get plenty of daily exercise to maintain a healthy weight.

If they are properly cared for and go to the vet regularly, they can live for a long time.

Although 12-15 years is the norm, some people have reported their Cavapoos living as long as 18 years. That is quite a long time, so make sure you will be able to be there for your dog for that long.

Exercise Requirements

Cavapoo Puppy

If in good health, the Cavapoo can go for a fairly long walk.

Playing with your dog at home (whether it’s a game of tug or fetch) is also good for this breed to remain as healthy as possible.

One thing to be aware of is that they do not handle heat well. Due to their short muzzle, they have trouble regulating their body temperature in the heat, which can cause heat stress. This can be easily avoided by making sure your Cavapoo has shade and plenty of cool water on hot days.

Also, don’t make them run hard on hot days.

  • Number of Walks Per Day: 1.
  • Total Exercise Need Per Day: 30 Minutes.

Grooming and Shedding

Close up cavalier poodle

The Cavapoo does not shed but instead continues to grow its coat.

They require at least a weekly brushing to remove any knots or tangles, and then a trip to the groomers’ every four to six weeks.

If any fur is found matted, you can carefully trim it out with some scissors.

This pooch is prone to getting tear stains. You can remove these and keep them from happening by flushing your dog’s eyes out with an appropriate solution, using a cotton ball moistened with the solution, and gently rubbing the stain.

Check their ears daily and clean as needed, and trim their nails about every two months.

Feeding and Diet

Splitting their meals into morning and night is the best idea for this breed. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Poodle mixes do not require any kind of special food and would do perfectly fine on healthy dry food. Check out the best dog food for cavapoos.

Calories Per Day:Cups of Kibble Per Day:
300-4001

Known Health Problems

Although a fairly healthy dog, some have been known to have congenital heart attacks, progressive retinal atrophy and slipping kneecaps.

Make sure to speak with your vet about how to best manage any potential diseases. Planning ahead you could get reimbursed for every vet bill. 

Save Massively on Your Pet’s Medical Costs
Never worry about your pet’s health care again. Get reimbursed for your pet’s illness, injury, and wellness expenses!
Complete Sick Visit

Exam fees are included, which saves you around $50-$250 per sick visit.

Comprehensive Dental

PetPlan covers injury and disease in every adult tooth — not just the canines.

Breed Specific Conditions

Not all providers cover hereditary conditions linked to breed. PetPlan does.

How Much Does A Cavapoo Cost?

Prices can range from $1,200-1,800.

How to Train a Cavapoo

Positive reinforcement is the best way to train these dogs. They can be very sensitive, so any corrections need to be done in a gentle manner.

As puppies, they need socialization with a wide range of people, dogs, and other animals to ensure that they are confident adults. Their interactions with young children and other animals should always be monitored and they should be rewarded.

Although they are not prone to aggression, good socialization will make sure that the Cavapoo reaches its full friendly loving potential.

Lessons need to be short since they are naturally curious dogs, they often get distracted. Dog training with  little to no distractions, in the beginning, will greatly increase the chance of them learning the appropriate behaviors.

Perseverance is a must, as they can be slow learners (especially when it comes to house training).

The Cavalier Poodle is not the kind of dog that needs a job. They would be happy doing agility or obedience, but are just as content to remain as a couch companion to keep you company at the end of a long day.

However to keep them active and healthy – teaching them to play fetch or tug is a great idea and also gives them something to do.

Buyer’s Guide

ProsCons
Affectionate with everyone.
Weekly brushing is needed.
Come in a variety of colors.
Prone to having dental issues.
Strong breed with few health problems.
Weight gain can be an issue.
They don’t shed (hypoallergenic).
Can sometimes be a bit too laid-back.
Very curious about everything.

Quick Breed Summary Table

Breed Characteristics
Size:9-14 inches
Weight:9-25lb
Lifespan:12-15 years
Coat:Slightly curly (needs weekly brushing)
Color:Cream, fawn, chocolate, gold, chestnut, white, or tri-colored
Do They Shed:No (Minimal)
Temperament:Affectionate, friendly, and outgoing
Intelligence:Smart but gets distracted easily
Socialization:Good experiences as a puppy will make them a more confident adult
Destructive Behavior:Not prone to being huge chewers
People Skills:They love everyone, even strangers
Good with Children:Yes
Activity Levels:Not too energetic

Summary

This is an excellent companion dog for nearly every situation. Amazingly adaptable, this little dog does great running on a farm, or enjoying apartment living.

Affectionate and friendly, this is not the kind of dog to have if you want a guard dog.

Although basic obedience is recommended they do not need a ton of mental or physical stimulation. A thirty-minute walk around the block is plenty for this little dog. However, with training, patience is required as the Cavapoo does have a short attention span.

They are easy to care for, the most they need is a quick weekly brushing and regular trips to a groomer.

Further Reading:

  • The Everything Poodle Book (2004) by J.Adams
  • Cockapoos: The Owners Guide from Puppy to Old Age (2014) by A. Kenworthy
  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (2014) by H. Bowler
  • The Complete Standard Poodle (1998) by E. Geeson
  • Cavapoos or Cavoodles: The Ultimate Cavapoo Dog Manual (2014) by G. Hoppendale
  • Poodle Clipping and Grooming: The International Reference (2001) by S. Kalstone

More Cavalier King Charles and Miniature Poodle Mixes

Want a Cavalier King Charles mix or Miniature Poodle mix but aren’t keen on the Cavapoo? Check out these other hybrid dog breeds:

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Mixes

Miniature Poodle Mixes

About Thomas Woods 224 Articles
Thomas has been a dog lover since he was 6 years old when his parents got him a rescue Labrador. Since then his love for dogs has lead him to study Animal Behavior & Welfare. He now keeps a six year old English Bullmastiff and educates pet parents through his online publication Perfect Dog Breeds.

3 Comments

  1. I found this website very helpful We are interested in obtaining a cavapoo puppy. We absolutely want to get one from a very reputable breeder. Can you advise?

  2. Hi we are interested in a cavapoo wound like to no reputable breeder there are so many sites and don’t no we’re to look can you help many thanks m Ednie

  3. It says in the article that they typically need 1 walk a day.
    Does that mean that if left home until the afternoon (workday) they can be ok without doing their “business”?

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