Breed Spotlight: Cavapoo

Coat Type and Colors

Standard cavapoo dogs have smooth but fluffy curls.³ Their coats are a solid color, but they may be born with one color and mature to another when the cavapoo is full grown. Cavapoo’s coats come in a range of colors:

• Black
  
• Brown
  
• Gray
  
• Red
  
• Tan
• Beige
  

Ears

Cavapoo ears are long and silky, usually coming to their chin. Their tails are fluffy and curly. While some breeders still dock cavapoo tails, it is seen as medically unnecessary.

Shedding and Grooming

Do cavapoos shed? Yes, but they are low-shedding dogs. However, because of their curly long fur, they can get easily matted. It’s important to pay careful attention to your cavapoo grooming and brush them every few days to prevent matting. You should also bathe and trim your cavapoo every four to six weeks.

Drooling Level

In general, cavapoos are unlikely to have a drooling problem.

Behavior

The cavapoo temperament is loyal and social. However, this can manifest as separation anxiety if their person or people leave them for long durations.

Because of their mixed breeds, their individual personalities depend on which breed influences them more.

Exercise Needs

Regular-size cavapoos and mini cavapoos are energetic dogs. Combine that with their natural curiosity, and you’ll soon realize they need stimulation and daily exercise. While they only need about 40 minutes of exercise a day, they need a lot of mental stimulation beyond that. Once trained, they still love to learn new tricks, chew on a toy, or play with you.

Because of their tendency towards joint problems, it’s better to skip the 40-minute run with these guys. Instead, break up their exercise sessions with some playtime and a few shorter walks.

Are Cavapoos Good with Other Pets?

Cavapoos are friendly and tend to get along with other pets, but remember to give them the attention these social butterflies need. Otherwise, they may feel neglected when they see you giving your other pets love.

Trainability

Cavapoo puppies are intelligent and curious. They’re fairly easy to train as long as you start early. They’re little people pleasers, so they’ll respond well to training to make their owners happy. They especially respond well to positive reinforcement. So when cavapoo training, give them lots of love when they pick up a new trick!

Are Cavapoos Good with Kids?

These bundles of energy are great playmates for young children. They’re small and don’t have aggressive tendencies. Plus, they’re cuddly and people-pleasing, which can help children regulate their emotions. With their high energy levels, either they’ll wear your kids out, or your kids will wear them out playing. But either way, they’re happy to snuggle up at the end of a long day, making them one of the best dog breeds for families.

Barking Level

Do cavapoos bark a lot? Yes, they’re rather vocal dogs. However, they’re also quite intelligent and can be trained to overcome their barking.

Cavapoo: A History

Cavapoos are a relatively new dog breed.³ They originated in Australia in the 1990s as designer dogs. This new mix of the purebred cavalier King Charles spaniel and the miniature poodle quickly rose to popularity. They were bred with the intent of creating a hypoallergenic designer breed, one that merged the intelligence of poodles with the gentle and sweet nature of King Charles spaniels.

Fun fact: Cavapoos are also called Cavadoodles and Cavoodles.