Cavapoo vs. Cavoodle: Dog Breed Comparison!

What are the differences between a Cavapoo vs. Cavadoodle? There are so many varieties of Poodle hybrid out there that it can be hard to know. Labradoodle, Mini Doodle, Cavapoo, Mini Cavapoo, Cavoodle, Cockapoo, Cavadoodle.

The list goes on and on. One of the most popular Poodle hybrids is the Cavapoo or Cavoodle. Cavapoo and Cavoodle are two names for the same breed of dog.

The Cavapoo is a Poodle hybrid that crosses a Miniature or Toy Poodle with a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Cavoodle vs. Cavapoo is an easy-to-solve argument. They are the same breed. Cavapoo is the more commonly used name for the breed. Therefore, we’ll refer to “Cavapoos” throughout this article.

Before scrolling down this dog breed comparison between the Cavapoo vs. Cavoodle, you can check out these other dog breed comparisons from our team at We Love Doodles: Sheepadoodle vs. Goldendoodle and Sheepadoodle vs. Bernedoodle.

Table of Contents

Physical Characteristics of the Cavapoo

Cavapoos are popular as family pets because of their small size and even temperament. Many also consider the Cavapoo hypoallergenic, another attractive quality of this breed. Poodle hair is less allergy-inducing than the hair of many other breeds, and allergy sufferers covet Poodle hybrids for this reason.

The adult Cavapoo stands between nine and fourteen inches tall at the wither (shoulders). An adult Cavapoo can weigh anything between thirteen and twenty-five pounds, depending on the sizes and breeds of its parents.

Related: Best Cavapoo Generations.

Cavapoo Coat

The Cavapoo is a low-maintenance dog with an easy-to-care-for coat. The Poodle genetics of a Cavapoo make it less likely to shed. Most Cavapoos have short to medium coats; however, even long-haired Cavapoos are considered low maintenance because they do not shed.

Typical coat maintenance for a Cavapoo involves washing and blow-drying every two weeks. If your Cavapoo has a longer coat, brushing every few days may also be necessary. Many Cavapoo owners opt to keep their dogs’ coats short with a teddy bear cut or a puppy cut.

Related: Types of Cavapoo Colors.

The Teddy Bear Cut

The teddy bear cut and the puppy cut are two names for the same thing. The teddy bear cut does not imply any particular shape or length. The name “teddy bear” means that the dog should look cute and cuddly, like a teddy bear. “Puppy cut” refers to the fact that many dogs get this cut when they are puppies.

The length of a teddy bear cut depends on the dog’s coat. It can be anywhere from ½” to 2” long. There is no particular shape to a teddy bear cut, except that the tail is usually left long because most groomers recommend that you not trim a dog’s tail.

Related: Best Teddy Bear Dog Names.

Hypoallergenic Cavapoos

Because of its Poodle genetics, the Cavapoo is considered a hypoallergenic dog. However, potential owners who suffer from allergies should check their tolerance to the Cavapoo coat before adopting. A hypoallergenic dog is not an “allergy-free” dog.

“Hypoallergenic” means that the dog is less likely to cause an allergic reaction because it sheds less, drools less, or has a shorter coat. Hypoallergenic dogs still produce the protein that causes allergies, releasing it into the air in their dander and saliva.

Poodles are hypoallergenic because they shed less than other dogs. Cavapoos are also considered hypoallergenic for this reason. Be aware, however, that King Charles Spaniel is not hypoallergenic. If your Cavapoo has KCS-dominant genes, you may be allergic to it.

Related: Do Cavapoos Shed?

Cavapoo Temperament

The Cavapoo is generally energetic, outgoing, loyal, and friendly. However, remember that every dog’s character is influenced by the personalities of its parents, upbringing, and early life experiences. A Cavapoo that experiences trauma in its early life may grow up with aggression or fear issues.

Cavapoo puppies that receive poor nutrition or too much exercise can have physical problems in their later lives. For this reason, proper care and nutrition of young Cavapoo puppies are crucial.

As with any dog, proper socialization, nutrition and exercise are critical. If your dog is under-exercised or under-socialized, it is likely to show undesirable behavior like chewing, destructiveness, escaping, accidents in the house, or aggression.

Cavapoo Development

The Cavapoo goes through several stages of development during its early life, including various socialization windows. During this time, a puppy’s temperament might vary significantly from week to week.

Adolescence and the “testing period” can be particularly difficult for dog owners. The stages of puppy development are as follows: neonatal phase, transitional phase, socialization phase, testing phase, adolescence, young adult, and adult.

Neonatal Phase: This stage occurs between weeks zero and two of a puppy’s life. During this time, the puppy has no senses other than taste and touch and completely depends on its mother.
Transitional Phase: This phase begins around week two and lasts for about a month. The puppy’s eyes open develops other senses, and moves around the nest.
Socialization Phase: This phase is critical. The puppy begins to explore the world and experience new things. Keep the puppy safe and introduce them to things carefully.
Testing Phase: During this phase, the puppy will test boundaries with you and other dogs in the house. This can be a difficult phase, so stay patient and continue training.
Adolescence Phase: Adolescence is another difficult phase when the puppy begins to act out and display undesirable behavior. This can often be more pronounced in unneutered male dogs.
Young Adulthood Phase: At this time, the puppy is considered physically full-grown. It has reached its adult height and weight. However, the puppy will continue to mature behaviorally for the next few years.
Adulthood Phase: The puppy is considered an adult dog at around four years old. At this time, you will notice that your dog “slows down” or “mellows out.”

If you own a Cavapoo puppy, be patient and stay vigilant with training and socialization. When you get through the difficult stages, you will be rewarded with a vibrant, energetic friend who will bring you many years of joy.

Caring For a Cavapoo Puppy

Like any dog, a Cavapoo requires high-quality food, proper socialization, mental stimulation, and enough exercise.

Nutrition: Talk to your vet about the best food to feed your Cavapoo during each particular stage of their life. Your vet is the best resource for nutritional information. Vitamins and supplements are not necessary for healthy development unless recommended by your vet.
Proper Socialization: Socialization entails simply letting your dog interact with other dogs. Many dogs don’t like interacting with other canines, and that’s okay. Socialization means exposing your dog to as many stimuli as possible in a gentle and considerate manner. Socialization doesn’t just happen when your dog is a puppy—your dog is always learning about the world. However, socialization as a puppy has a lasting effect on your dog into adulthood. It’s better to socialize a puppy correctly than have to undo improper socialization and learned fear as an adult.
Exercise and Mental Stimulation: Many believe mental stimulation is more important than exercise for a dog. This is often true—dogs who receive little formal exercise but who are busy all day with their owners are usually perfectly happy and well-adjusted. On the other hand, dogs who receive no stimulus except for a two-hour game of fetch in the evening are likely to have problems. Of course, this is very dependent on breed. If you have a high-energy dog, exercise is essential no matter what. Fortunately, a Cavapoo is a fairly mellow, even-tempered dog.

Related: How Much Does a Cavapoo Cost?

Conclusion For “Cavapoo vs. Cavoodle”

Now you know there is no dilemma between Cavoodle vs. Cavapoo. The Cavoodle, Cavadoodle, or Cavapoo is a hybrid breed that crosses a Poodle variety with a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. The Cavapoo or Cavoodle is a small dog. Depending on the Poodle variety, a Cavapoo or Cavoodle might be considered “standard,” “mini,” or “teacup.”

For more dog breed comparison guides from our team at We Love Doodles, you can check out:

You can learn more about the Cavapoo specifically by watching “Things You Should Know Before Getting a Cavapoo Puppy” down below:

Andy Lam

Andy is a full-time animal rescuer and owner of a toy doodle. When he’s not saving dogs, Andy is one of our core writers and editors. He has been writing about dogs for over a decade. Andy joined our team because he believes that words are powerful tools that can change a dog’s life for the better.

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