Cavapoo
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Find Cavapoo Breeders Near You
Connect with certified breeders who have Cavapoo puppies available.
Find Cavapoo BreedersGet to Know Cavapoos
- Designer Breed: Cavapoos are a popular designer breed, a cross between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Poodle. They were bred to combine the best traits of both breeds, such as the Poodle’s intelligence and hypoallergenic coat with the Cavalier’s affectionate nature.
- Non-Shedding Coats: Cavapoos have non-shedding coats. Although it cannot be guaranteed that they are hypoallergenic, they are a good bet for people with allergies, as they are less likely to emit dander when they take on the curly coat of their Poodle ancestors. However, their coats can range from curly, wavy, or straight. Regardless, Cavapoos require regular grooming.
- Highly Sociable: Cavapoos are known for their friendly and social temperament. They thrive on human interaction and are great with children, other pets, and even strangers, making them ideal family companions.
- Adaptable Size: Cavapoos are small to medium-sized dogs, making them well-suited for various living environments, from apartments to larger homes. Their size also makes them easy to travel with.
- Playful and Energetic: Cavapoos are playful and energetic dogs that enjoy interactive play and exercise. Their intelligence also means they excel in training and can learn a variety of commands and tricks.
Breed History
The Cavapoo, also known as a Cavoodle, is a popular hybrid breed resulting from the cross between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Poodle. This breed emerged in the late 20th century as breeders aimed to create a small, friendly, and intelligent companion dog with low-shedding qualities. The Poodle’s high intelligence and low-shedding coat combined with the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel’s affectionate and gentle nature have produced a breed that is both lovable and adaptable. The Cavapoo’s popularity has grown rapidly due to its charming personality and suitability for families, singles, and those with allergies.
Personality and Behaviour
- Affectionate and Loving: Cavapoos are known for their loving and devoted temperament. They are highly affectionate and thrive on companionship, making them ideal for families and individuals who are looking for a constant companion. They form strong bonds with their human families and often seek attention and cuddles. Their gentle nature makes them great with children, and they’re usually friendly with other pets as well.
- Intelligent and Easy to Train: With their Poodle heritage, Cavapoos are highly intelligent and eager to please, making them relatively easy to train. They respond well to positive reinforcement and enjoy training sessions that involve treats and praise. Their smart and curious nature means they need mental stimulation to stay happy, so interactive toys, training, and problem-solving activities are ideal for them. Early training and socialization are important to help them grow into well-rounded adults.
- Playful and Energetic: Cavapoos are playful and full of energy, but they don’t have the intense exercise needs of some other breeds. They enjoy playtime, walks, and spending time with their family members. Regular play and daily walks are sufficient to keep them happy and healthy. They love to explore and can be quite mischievous when excited, so an engaging environment is beneficial for their overall well-being.
Care
- Exercise: Cavapoos need regular exercise to maintain their physical and mental health, but their exercise requirements are generally moderate. A daily walk of 30 to 60 minutes, along with play sessions and interactive activities, is usually sufficient. They enjoy playtime in the backyard, games of fetch, and puzzles that challenge their intelligence. Although they have moderate energy levels, they benefit greatly from routine exercise to stay fit and avoid boredom.
- Grooming: One of the key selling points of the Cavapoo is its coat, which can vary depending on the genetics of the individual dog. Most Cavapoos inherit a wavy or curly coat similar to a Poodle, which sheds very little and, though not completely allergen-free, can be allergy-friendly for some people. Regular grooming is necessary to prevent matting and tangling; daily brushing is ideal, but at a minimum, they should be brushed 2-3 times a week. Professional grooming every 4-6 weeks can help keep their coat in good condition. Regular ear cleaning, teeth brushing, and nail trimming should also be part of their grooming routine to maintain overall health.
- Training and Socialization: Cavapoos are intelligent and eager to please, which makes training them a rewarding experience. They respond well to positive reinforcement, such as treats, praise, and play, and enjoy learning new commands and tricks. Early training and socialization are essential for helping them develop good behavior and confidence in different settings and with different people and animals. Exposing them to a variety of experiences early on helps prevent shyness or timid behavior as adults. Because they are naturally social, they benefit from interactions with other dogs and humans.
Cavapoo Summary
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Exercise
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Temperament
GroomingWhat to ask your breeder?
Here's a short summary of what you should be asking your breeder:
Cocker Spaniel Health Testing
| Screening | Considerations |
|---|---|
| Hip Dysplasia | One of the following: OFA Radiographic Hip Evaluation PennHIP Evaluation. Results registered with OFA. |
| ACVO Eye Exam | ACVO Eye Examination. Results registered with OFA. Min age 24 months (as of 7/1/24). |
Toy Poodle Health Testing
| Screening | Considerations |
|---|---|
| Patellar Luxation | Veterinary Evaluation of Patellar Luxation. Results registered with OFA. Minimum age 1 year. |
| ACVO Eye Exam | ACVO Eye Examination. Results registered with OFA. |
| Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) | DNA-based prcd-PRA (Progressive Rod-Cone Degeneration) test from an approved laboratory; results registered with OFA |
How Much Does It Cost to Own a Cavapoo Per Year?
Determining the cost of owning a Cavapoo is essential for responsible dog ownership. Use our calculator to estimate expenses, including food, grooming, veterinary care, and more.
The Ultimate Dog Cost Calculator
Calculate NowFrequently Asked Questions About Cavapoo
When you talk to a breeder, you're not just asking “do you have available Cavapoo puppies?” You're looking for a match in the process of rehoming a dog. As a prospective dog owner, you are assessing how predictable the dog's health, temperament, and long-term welfare will be and whether the breeder's practices reduce avoidable risk.
You should engage in a conversation about the following topics:
- Which health tests and genetic screening do you do specifically for Cavapoo, and can I see the results?
- What do you do if a puppy develops a serious genetic condition? What contract, policies and support do you offer as a breeder?
- How are puppies raised from birth to 8+ weeks? Ask about socialization, philosophies on early neurological development, handling, and exposure.
The real cost of a dog isn't just the puppy price. After year one, the cost of a dog includes the predictable annual costs + the unpredictable “risk costs.” Your goal is to make the cost legible before you commit, as one of the top causes of surrendering a dog is not being able to afford the dog in later years.
To help you assess these costs, Paction has created the Ultimate Cost Calculator. You can also read an article written by a Paction breeder on why a prospective dog owner should focus on the ongoing costs of dog ownership and not “how much” the puppy costs.
Every dog breed has certain health issues that tend to occur more often, but what matters most is how predictable and preventable those risks are. For many breeds, common concerns include inherited conditions (such as orthopedic, eye, or cardiac issues) as well as lifestyle-related challenges like weight management, dental health, skin or ear problems, and anxiety.
Responsible breeders help reduce inherited risk through appropriate health testing, careful selection of breeding pairs, and transparency about family history. To understand more about responsible breeding programs that prioritize health and genetic screening of breeding pairs, check out Making Science Simple: Canine Genetics for Puppy Shoppers.
As an owner, you play an equally important role. Consistent preventive veterinary care, proper exercise and enrichment, healthy nutrition, and early screening can significantly improve long-term health outcomes.
Whether a Cavapoo is right for you depends less on the breed itself and more on how well its typical energy level, temperament, and care needs align with your daily life. Important factors include your schedule and activity level, living environment, household dynamics (such as children, other pets, or allergies), and tolerance for noise or independence. Long-term fit also comes down to maintenance like grooming, training needs, and how often you travel or rely on outside dog care.
Use Paction's Dog Breed Matchmaker and Pup Time Estimator to find out more about what dog is right for you.
