Cavapoos
:quality(75))
:format(webp):quality(75))
Vital stats
- Breed type: Mixed Breed
- Size: 20 - 40 cm
- Weight: 4 - 12 kg
- Lifespan: 12 - 15 years
Personality
Size
Intelligence
Trainability
Exercise needs
Good with kids
Levels of shedding
Good for new owners
Overall health of breed
What is a Cavapoo?
Cavapoos are a cross between a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Poodle.
Usually, the poodle parent is a Toy or Miniature Poodle, but larger Cavapoos might be the result of crossing with a larger Poodle-type dog.
They’ve become increasingly popular in recent years, alongside other popular Poodle crosses like Cockapoos, but they may actually date back to the 1950s. Part of their appeal is the vast array of colours and coat types that are possible from crossing these two breeds.
Their appeal is due to their fun nature and low tendency to shed. Cavapoos can inherit a hypoallergenic coat from the Poodle side of their DNA.
Cavapoo types and colours
Depending on the colour of the parents, Cavapoo pups can come in a range of colours:
cream
Apricot (a peachy-light brown tone)
fawn (light brown)
Red
chocolate
gold
chestnut
white
They can be one solid colour or a mix of two or three colours.
You cannot predict or plan a Cavapoo’s colouring before birth. Coat colours have also been known to fade, lighten or change slightly as your cavapoo puppy matures – this is perfectly normal.
Cavapoos are usually small dogs, bred from toy or miniature Poodles and their diminutive size is usually seen as a desirable trait. You might see them advertised as toy Cavapoos, mini Cavapoos or Teacup Cavapoos.
Be careful though – unless you meet both parents you’ve no real guarantee that your Cavapoo pup will stay small as they could be bred from a larger-size Poodle.
:quality(75))
Cavapoo temperament and characteristics
Cavapoos make excellent family pets because of their sweet and gentle temperament, combined with high intelligence.
But you’ll still need to make time for regular training and socialisation to have a happy and well-balanced dog.
Some people are taken off guard by how high-energy these teddy bear-like little dogs can be, especially during the puppy stage.
The most important thing is to start Cavapoo training as soon as possible and combine it with lots of fun to keep their clever brains busy.
Cavapoo versus Cockapoo
There are lots of Poodle crosses to choose from but the most popular by far is the Cockapoo. If you’re having trouble picking the right pup for you, check out our quick comparison of these two curly-coated crossbreeds.
These are only generalisations though. There’s a huge variety in these traits from dog to dog, especially as they’re crossbreeds so you never quite know exactly what you’ll get.
If you like the traits that Cavapoos inherit from Cavaliers or Poodles, consider some of these other crossbreeds as well:
Cavachon – A compact mix of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel with Bichon Frise.
Maltipoo – A fluffy cross between a Maltese and a Poodle.
:quality(75))
Cavapoo insurance
The average cost of pet insurance for Cavapoos insured by us was £337.02 in 2021.
That’s quite a bit lower than the average for all breeds of £425.32, showing that they’re a relatively healthy and common crossbreed that should be easy to find cover for.
Cavapoo health problems
Like many crossbreeds, Cavapoos benefit from ‘hybrid vigour’, meaning they have a healthy mix of genetics and fewer issues caused by overbreeding or inbreeding that we see in some pedigree dogs.
Thanks to those floppy Spaniel-style ears, Cavapoos can suffer from ear infections, particularly if they like to swim. Ear infections were the fourth most common Cavapoo pet insurance claim in 2021, at an average cost of £125.77.
The cost could be much higher if they get them repeatedly. All our dog insurance policies are lifetime policies, with an annual vet fee limit that refreshes every year. It means you won’t run out of cover if you have to keep claiming for the same condition throughout your Cavapoo’s life.
A luxating patella, where the kneecap moves out of its normal position, is relatively common in Cavapoos. We saw 78 Cavapoo claims for the condition in 2021 and it’s expensive to treat. The average claim cost £839.54.
Treatment may be non-surgical or surgical depending on the severity of the condition, but surgery’s often recommended as a more permanent cure and can easily cost upwards of £1,000 per knee.
More serious conditions that commonly affect Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are thankfully relatively rare in Cavapoos, but it’s worth being aware of them:
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) is a disease that can affect the eye. Cells deteriorate or ‘atrophy’, leading to blindness. There are no effective treatments yet for Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), but lifestyle changes can help your dog transition to a life without sight.
Syringomyelia is a condition that basically means the dog’s brain is too big for its skull. Fluid-filled cavities in the spinal cord form, causing pain. It’s common in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, but thankfully rarer in Cavapoos due to them having a different head shape and longer nose. We saw claims for 86 cases of Syringomyelia in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels in 2021, but none in Cavapoos.
Mitral valve disease is a heart condition that can lead to heart valve degeneration. It might first be picked up when your vet notices a heart murmur. There’s no cure, but most dogs can be treated with careful monitoring, medication and lifestyle changes.
:quality(75))
Social Cavapoos
There are lots of social groups you can join to connect with other Cavapoo fans or owners. Here’s a few to try out:
Cavapoo Club UK – Set up for UK Cavapoo owners to connect and share stories and photos.
Cavapoo Lovers – Global group for all Cavapoo owners.
The Cavapoo Puppy Club UK – For British Cavapoo owners. Health and wellbeing discussions shared alongside training tips, videos and more.
@with.love.kaden.and.adalynn – Adorable siblings from Maryland, USA. Kaden is even training to become a therapy dog!
@whatenzodid – Enzo and his brother Rumi promise to ‘throw cuddles around like confetti’. This Ozzie pair share awesome photos, videos and reels from their life.
@rodneyandmabel_the_cavapoos – You can find this gorgeous pair roaming the pavements of Essex. They love a Tongue-Out-Tuesday photo, or a Won’t Look Wednesday snap.
@bob_boris_cavapoos – These Cavapoo siblings hail from Bedfordshire and love to explore the beautiful areas around them with their many doggie pals.
Frequently asked questions about Cavapoos
How much are Cavapoos?
Cavapoo puppies vary massively in price but they’re likely to be more expensive if the parents are Kennel Club registered Poodles and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.
Our Cavapoo customers paid £2,346 on average for their dogs. In 2017 the average price was just £896 – that’s a 162% increase in four years.
Their easygoing nature and low-maintenance coat have made them enormously popular as family dogs in recent years. That, coupled with the demand for pandemic puppies, has made them one of the more expensive crossbreeds.
Are Cavapoos easy to train?
Cavapoos are intelligent and eager, but attention span can be lacking in puppies! As with any breed, positive reinforcement is key – see our expert tips on how to start puppy training from the very first day.
How do I groom my Cavapoo?
Cavapoos tend to be a bit lower maintenance than some other poodle crosses like Cockapoos, but their coats still need attention.
As well as grooming at home, you might want to get them clipped by a professional groomer every few months to keep their coats tangle-free.
Can Cavapoos swim?
Cavapoos are pretty good swimmers and they enjoy it. But be careful with those floppy ears – Cavapoos that like a swim can get ear infections more often.
Make sure they get dried off properly and if you’re a regular at the vet for ear infections, you might want to discourage your Cavapoo from jumping in every muddy river and stream they find.