The Cavapoo, also known as a Cavoodle or Cavadoodle, is a mix between the Poodle and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. There are very few standards for a uniform Cavapoo size because it is a designer breed, not a purebred dog. Generally, you will see breeders advertising Teacup, Toy, Miniature, or Standard Cavapoo sizes, so it’s important to understand the differences between the four varieties.
Because they’re a mix between a Poodle and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, it is natural to expect Cavapoos to be small- to medium-sized. However, the size of the Poodle parent can drastically impact the size of the Cavapoo. This is because Poodles have multiple sizes: Toy, Miniature, Medium, and Standard. There is only one standardized size of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
Typically, Cavapoos weigh between nine to twenty-five pounds and measure nine to fourteen inches in height at the shoulder. It’s worth noting that many Cavapoos can be smaller or bigger. Our article discusses Cavapoo sizes, the factors that affect their sizes, and how to choose the correct breeder.
For more information about this dog breed, we highly suggest you read our Cavapoo Dog Breed Guide.
Teacup Cavapoo Size
Teacup is a relatively new term for Cavapoos and is the smallest size that breeders typically sell. Typically, Teacup Cavapoos will be extremely small in size, weighing 5 to 10 pounds and standing anywhere from 8 to 10 inches. If you imagine a standard-sized sheet of paper, that is about how big a Teacup Cavapoo will get.
The Teacup size Cavapoo is originally bred from a toy Poodle and smaller Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Most breeders will then take the “runt,” or smallest size puppy, from the litter to continue making smaller-sized puppies. There’s quite a lot of controversy around Teacup-sized Cavapoos, so we generally don’t recommend this size. Breeding smaller and smaller-sized Cavapoo puppies generally creates health issues over time.
Toy Cavapoo Size
Toy Cavapoos are slightly bigger than Teacup Cavapoos. They are traditionally bred from a normal-sized Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Tiny or Toy Poodle, both of which are small! The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel stands 12 to13 inches in height and weighs 13 to 18 pounds. In contrast, the Tiny Poodle or Toy Poodle weighs between 6 to 9 pounds and has a height of about 10 inches.
The full-grown adult Toy Cavapoo weighs an average size of 7 to 13 pounds and stands approximately 12 inches tall. If you live in an apartment or condo, a smaller-sized Toy Cavapoo could be a great option. Toy Cavapoos can still thrive in smaller environments, unlike other Doodle breeds, who need more space to roam and exercise.
Mini / Miniature Cavapoo Size
The Mini or Miniature Cavapoo size is by far the most popular size for this dog. This size is only slightly bigger than the Toy Cavapoo size and is achieved by mixing a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Mini Poodle. A Mini Poodle weighs between 12 to 20 pounds and has a height of about 15 inches. The full-grown adult Mini Cavapoo weighs an average size of 13 to 25 pounds and stands 12 to 16 inches in height.
People generally like Mini Cavapoo puppies because they aren’t too small, but they aren’t too big. With their hypoallergenic and nonshedding coat, you get a very nice companion dog that will get along well with everyone in your family. They aren’t too big like a Goldendoodle or Labradoodle, and they aren’t too small. They can thrive anywhere, whether you live in a house, apartment, or condo.
Standard Size Cavapoo
The Standard Size Cavapoo is the largest of all the Cavapoo sizes. Generally speaking, breeders will advertise standard Cavapoos as just “Cavapoos.” You’ll be able to decipher whether they are a standard Cavapoo by asking the breeder what size Poodle was bred with these dogs. If a breeder uses a Standard Poodle, you will get a Standard Cavapoo.
Standard Poodles are 40 to 70 pounds and stand over 15 inches tall. When bred with a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, you’ll see Standard Cavapoos that are 20 to 30+ pounds and stand 18 inches tall. Since these are the biggest size of Cavapoo, you’ll want to ensure that you have enough space for your dog and that you’re willing to exercise him daily.
Cavapoo Size Chart
The following Cavapoo size chart summarizes the Cavapoo sizes discussed above. Remember, these are approximations. Additionally, the generation will also affect the variation in size. For example, an F1B Toy Cavapoo will inherit a greater number of genes from the Toy Poodle, giving it a smaller range of size variation than an F1 Toy Cavapoo. Your breeder can give you a better idea of the projected adult size of your specific puppy.
Cavapoo Size | Parents | Average Weight | Average Height (at Shoulder) |
Teacup | Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (smaller size) + Toy Poodle | 5 to 10 pounds | 8 to 10 inches |
Toy | Cavalier King Charles Spaniel + Toy Poodle | 7 to 13 pounds | 12 inches |
Miniature | Cavalier King Charles Spaniel + Mini Poodle | 13 to 25 pounds | 12 to 16 inches |
Standard | Cavalier King Charles Spaniel + Standard Poodle | 20 to 30+ pounds | 18 inches |
Factors that Affect Cavapoo Size
Many factors can impact the size of your Cavapoo when it is fully grown. Some factors are the parents’ weight and height, gender, and the generation to which your Cavapoo puppy belongs. With all these variables, it can be tricky to ascertain how big your Cavapoo will be. However, we have provided some helpful tips to understand better how big your Cavapoo will be. For more information, you can also read our in-depth article on “How Big Do Cavapoos Get?“.
1. The Gender
The gender of your Cavapoo will play a large role in determining how big your dog will become. The size of a male Cavapoo is about ten percent larger than a female Cavapoo. This isn’t a huge difference, but it is essential to note that a male Cavapoo is generally slightly larger than a female Cavapoo.
2. The Size of the Parents
The parents’ size is another essential factor to consider in determining the final size of your Cavapoo. The genes passed from the parents to the offspring play a role. While this can aid in determining the full-grown size of your Cavapoo, it is not a hundred percent accurate.
3. The Generation of Cavapoo
Finally, the generation from which your Cavapoo comes can help to determine the full-grown size when it becomes an adult. The generation refers to the genetic makeup of your dog. In other words, what are the relative percentages of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Poodle in your Cavapoo’s genes? The higher percentage of the bigger parent, the bigger your Cavapoo is likely to become. We have an in-depth guide on Cavapoo Generations if you’re interested in learning more.
Choosing the Right Cavapoo Breeder
To begin, you want to find a trustworthy breeder. Ensure that you don’t get your pup from a puppy mill. A puppy mill is a kennel that cares only about money, so they breed plenty of puppies with little or no regard for their well-being, temperament, or health.
An excellent breeder will always check and test the parent dogs’ health to avoid any potential genetic issues in the puppies. They will always inform you that health testing has been conducted, and that the Cavapoo puppies are safe from genetic illnesses. Sometimes, they may show you a certificate from the OFA or PawPrint genetics.
Another important consideration that a trusted Cavapoo breeder will ensure is proper deworming and proper vaccinations. This will help keep your Cavapoo puppy healthy, regardless of its size.
Additionally, the environment in which the Cavapoo puppies were bred and raised equally plays a huge role in the puppies’ future health. We recommend that you visit the potential breeder of your Cavapoo. Take note of their surroundings and look at the parent dogs. It is a good sign if the kennel area is warm, nice, and overall clean. If where they are raised is disorganized, dirty, and messy, you might want to find a different Cavapoo breeder.
Before making a final decision, we recommend you check references and testimonials from their previous customers. Good breeders always have plenty of testimonials. We also have several articles on our website reviewing Cavapoo breeders!
Conclusion for Cavapoo Sizes
Cavapoos make great family dogs as they are outgoing and love to cuddle. Cavapoos come in several different sizes, so if you’re looking for a puppy, you’ll have to make sure you choose the correct size from a breeder. We hope our article has given you information on the sizes of Cavapoos and will help you determine which size is best for your lifestyle!
FAQs about Cavapoo Sizes
Is there any way I can ethically get a Teacup Cavapoo?
Yes, however, you will need to thoroughly vet your chosen breeder before purchasing a “Teacup” Cavapoo. A puppy advertised as a “Teacup Cavapoo” can be bred from a smaller-sized Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Toy Poodle. If this is the case, and the breeder cares about the health of the puppy first and foremost, then it is okay to purchase your Teacup Cavapoo. However, breeding a “Teacup” dog can also mean that dwarfism was introduced or that the runts of the litter were bred repeatedly in order to make smaller Cavapoos. These breeding methods can severely affect the health of the dog. This latter, unethical breeding method is unfortunately all too common, which is why we recommend against purchasing Teacup Cavapoos.
Does Cavapoo size affect the number of puppies per litter?
In general, yes. A Cavapoo litter can range from 2-8 puppies, with the small Cavapoo sizes, e.g. Toy Cavapoos, having smaller litters.
When will my Cavapoo reach its full grown size?
Cavapoo puppies typically reach their full grown size around 8-9 months. However, if you have a Cavapoo with a larger percentage of Poodle, especially Standard Poodle, it will take longer for your Cavapoo to reach full size. This is because it takes the Standard Poodle longer to reach full size than the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the smaller Poodle sizes.
Dr. Sabrina Kong graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in England in 2016 and has been working at a small animal clinic in Northern California since then. She grew up in the Bay Area and got her bachelor’s degree from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. She also became a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner through a program at the University of Tennessee.
When she isn’t in the clinic taking care of her four-legged patients, she enjoys traveling and trying new foods with her friends and her three-legged dog, Apollo. She adopted Apollo from her clinic when he was a puppy with numerous health issues. Dr. Kong truly cares about taking care of animals.