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Crossbreed · Australia

Cavapoo

Also called Cavoodle, Cavadoodle

Cavalier softness meets Poodle brains in a people-focused cross sized for almost any home.

A cross between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Toy or Miniature Poodle, the Cavapoo was bred with one aim: a friendly, portable companion. Size and coat vary from dog to dog, but most are affectionate, playful and happiest when they are with their people. They need frequent grooming and do not cope well with long hours alone.

Original AI-generated breed illustration

Weight

5 to 11 kg

11 to 24 lb

Height

23 to 36 cm

at the shoulder

Life expectancy

12 to 15 yrs

Activity estimate

60 to 90 min

editorial daily planning range

Adult-size estimate

12 months

approximate model input

Life with a Cavapoo

The Cavapoo has no centuries of history behind it, just a clear purpose: a small, affectionate companion with a coat that sheds less than a Cavalier's. Australian breeders, who call it the Cavoodle, are often credited with developing the cross in the 1990s, and it soon spread to Britain, Europe and North America.

Being a cross, the Cavapoo varies more than a pedigree breed does. Pair a Cavalier with a Toy Poodle and you usually get a dog of 5 to 7 kg; a Miniature Poodle parent tends to produce 7 to 11 kg. Coats range from Cavalier-like waves to tight Poodle curls. Later generations (F1b, F2 and beyond) are bred to make the look more predictable, though a fair amount of variation remains.

Temperament is the most consistent part of the package and the main reason for the cross's popularity. Most Cavapoos are gentle, friendly with everyone and keen to be involved in family life, blending the Cavalier's wish to please with the Poodle's quick mind and sense of fun. They make poor guard dogs and strongly dislike being left alone for long.

What stands out

Training

Quick to learn and eager to please, Cavapoos are a good match for first-time owners. Positive reinforcement with food and play works best, and short, varied sessions keep them focused. Many love learning tricks and show them off to anyone who visits.

Read the full training guide

Easy to train

Open with strangers

Good with other dogs

A great match for

families with children
first-time owners
apartments and smaller homes
owners who are home much of the day
people wanting a friendly, sociable dog

Think twice if

size and coat vary widely between puppies
coat needs professional grooming every 6 to 8 weeks
struggles with separation
can inherit heart and eye problems from both parents
some puppies come from poorly screened breeding

Personality and needs at a glance

Living together

Good with children

Good with other dogs

Open with strangers

Apartment friendly

Copes with alone time

Energy and character

Energy level

Playfulness

Easy to train

Barking

5 means very vocal

Care and climate

Grooming needs

Shedding

Drooling

Handles cold

Handles heat

How much a Cavapoo eats

Illustrative calculations for neutered adults at midpoint breed weights, with food at 370 kcal per 100 g and 100 g per cup. These are not measured breed requirements. Use actual weight, the food label and veterinary body-condition advice.

Dog	Weight	Calories	Dry food
Female, relaxed lifestyle	8 kg	440 kcal	120 g (1.3 cups)
Female, typical pet	8 kg	510 kcal	135 g (1.3 cups)
Male, typical pet	8 kg	530 kcal	145 g (1.5 cups)
Male, very active	8 kg	670 kcal	180 g (1.8 cups)

Full Cavapoo feeding guide Calculate for my dog

Care guides for the Cavapoo

FeedingBecause sizes vary, so do portions. 25 cups, while a 10 kg dog may need 120 to 160 g.Read more Puppy growthMost Cavapoo puppies reach adult height around 9 to 10 months and full weight by about 12 months, with Toy crosses usually maturing slightly earlier than Miniature crosses. Predicting adult size is tricky, and the parents' sizes remain the most reliable guide.Read more ExerciseMost adults are happy with 45 to 60 minutes of activity a day, shared between walks and play. Fetch, short hikes, puzzle toys and beginner agility all go down well.Read more GroomingBrush three or four times a week, right down to the skin, with a slicker brush and a metal comb. Mats form fastest behind the ears, under the collar, in the armpits and on the legs.Read more HealthA Cavapoo can inherit problems from either side of its family. The Cavalier side brings mitral valve disease and syringomyelia; both parent breeds contribute kneecap problems and eye conditions such as progressive retinal atrophy.Read more

Things owners are often surprised by

1Known as the Cavoodle in Australia, where breeders are often credited with developing the cross in the 1990s
2Size depends mostly on the Poodle parent: Toy crosses usually weigh 5 to 7 kg, Miniature crosses 7 to 11 kg
3Coats run from loose waves to tight curls, and even curly coats shed a little
4F1 puppies have one Cavalier and one Poodle parent; F1b puppies are crossed back to a Poodle for a curlier coat
5Not recognized as a breed by major kennel clubs
6Health depends on screening both parent breeds, including cardiologist heart checks on the Cavalier side

Cavapoo questions

Are Cavapoos hypoallergenic?

No dog is entirely allergen-free, and Cavapoos vary a lot. Those with tighter, Poodle-like curls tend to shed less, which can help some people with mild allergies, but allergens also come from saliva and skin. Wavy-coated Cavapoos may shed more. Spend time with adult dogs from the breeder's lines before committing to a puppy.

What is the difference between an F1 and an F1b Cavapoo?

An F1 Cavapoo has one Cavalier parent and one Poodle parent. An F1b comes from an F1 Cavapoo bred back to a Poodle, making it roughly 75 percent Poodle, which usually means a curlier, lower-shedding coat. F2 dogs come from two F1 Cavapoos and can vary more in coat type and size within one litter.

How big will my Cavapoo get?

Look at the parents first. A Toy Poodle parent usually means an adult of about 5 to 7 kg and 25 to 30 cm tall, while a Miniature Poodle parent tends to produce 7 to 11 kg and up to about 36 cm. Most Cavapoos reach adult height by around 10 months and final weight by about 12 months.

What is the difference between a Cavapoo and a Cockapoo?

A Cavapoo is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel crossed with a Poodle, while a Cockapoo is a Cocker Spaniel crossed with a Poodle. Cavapoos are usually smaller and calmer, with a strong focus on companionship. Cockapoos, especially those with working Cocker parents, often have more energy and drive and need more exercise.

Can a Cavapoo be left alone during the day?

Not for long. Cavapoos are strongly people-focused, and many struggle with more than three or four hours alone. With gradual training, a dog walker or daycare, working owners can make it work, but a full working day alone is often too much. Barking, howling, chewing and accidents indoors are common signs of distress.

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