Cavapoo: Temperament, Size, Grooming and Health Guide

Take a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, add a Toy or Miniature Poodle, and you get the Cavapoo: a teddy-bear lookalike with melting eyes and a coat you’ll want to bury your face in. No wonder they’ve shot up the designer-dog popularity charts. Cute’s the easy part, though. Here’s what sharing your home with one is actually like, the good bits and the not-so-easy ones.

At a glance: picture a small, fluffy velcro dog who thinks you hung the moon. Height tends to land around 9 to 14 inches and weight anywhere from 8 to 25 pounds, and with good care you’ll usually get 12 to 15 years together. What they ask for in return is company every day, some exercise (not loads) and a lot more brushing than people expect.

Cavapoo temperament

Gentle, goofy and friends with everybody, that’s the typical Cavapoo. Grow up with kids, another dog, even a cat, and they’ll usually slot right into the family. Remember, both parent breeds were created to keep people company. So wherever you’re headed, your Cavapoo would like to come along, preferably riding on your lap.

All that love has a cost, though, and it’s worth being honest about it. Many Cavapoos really don’t cope well home alone for hours on end, and separation anxiety is common. They do best where someone’s home most of the day, or where the dog can come to work, head to daycare or hang out with a sitter.

How big do Cavapoos get?

How big yours ends up mostly comes down to the Poodle parent, and which generation of the cross you’ve got:

• Toy Poodle parent: often 8 to 15 pounds
• Miniature Poodle parent: often 12 to 25 pounds
• Height: usually 9 to 14 inches at the shoulder

Mixed breeds are a bit of a lucky dip, so two puppies from the same litter can grow up to be quite different sizes. Want the best guess? Meet mom and dad.

Coat and grooming

Coats run from soft, loose waves all the way to tight Poodle curls. A lot of Cavapoos barely shed, which is lovely, but be careful with the “hypoallergenic” sales pitch. No dog truly is, and allergy sufferers can still react. The upkeep looks like this:

• Brushing right down to the skin three or four times a week to stop mats, especially behind the ears and in the armpits
• A trip to the groomer every six to eight weeks
• A weekly ear check and clean, since floppy, furry ears trap moisture
• Brushing teeth daily if you can manage it, because small dogs are prone to dental disease

Our guide on how often to bathe a dog has more on coat care.

Exercise and training

Half an hour to an hour of activity a day keeps most Cavapoos content, a mix of walks and games. They’re sharp as a tack and love pleasing you, so reward-based training works brilliantly. Five-minute sessions, lots of fun, then stop. And get cracking on socialization and leash training while they’re young.

Cavapoo health problems

Because they’re a mix, Cavapoos can pick up health issues from either family tree. The ones you really want on your radar:

• Mitral valve disease: a heart condition that’s very common in Cavaliers
• Syringomyelia: a neurological condition seen in Cavaliers
• Progressive retinal atrophy: an inherited eye condition both parent breeds can carry
• Patellar luxation: wobbly kneecaps that pop out of place, a small-dog classic
• Ear infections and bad teeth

Questions to ask a breeder

1. Have both parents had their hearts checked by a veterinary cardiologist?
2. Have they had eye exams and DNA tests for inherited eye disease?
3. Have their knees been checked?
4. Can I meet the mother and see where the puppies are raised?
5. Will you take the dog back if I ever can’t keep it?

Good breeders will be delighted you asked and will happily show you the paperwork. Walk away from anyone selling puppies online without health testing. And give rescues a look too, because Cavapoos and similar crosses do turn up there more than you’d think.

Is a Cavapoo right for you?

• Lovely fit for: families, first-time dog owners, apartment dwellers, and anyone who’s home a lot
• Maybe not for you if: you’re out most of the day, want a wash-and-go dog, or prefer an independent breed

Cavapoo FAQs

Do Cavapoos bark a lot? Middle of the road. A bored or lonely Cavapoo will bark more, though.

Are Cavapoos recognized by the AKC? No. As a mixed breed, they aren’t recognized by the American Kennel Club.

How long do Cavapoos live? Typically 12 to 15 years. Genes, weight and everyday care all play a part.