Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Poodle Mix (The Cavapoo): Are They Good Pets?

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Poodle mix dogs are the result of mixing cavaliers with Poodles. This mix has become popular across the world over the last 20 years. They are friendly and well-behaved. Most Cavapoos are hypoallergenic and shed low amounts of hair daily.

Buying a dog is a huge responsibility. So before buying a Cavapoo, you need to consider the following aspects:

• Origin
• Appearance
• Temperament
• Health issues
• Food requirements
• Lifespan
• Price 
• Reliable breeders

In this article, you will learn three reasons why you should get Cavapoo and three reasons why they are problematic.

Cavapoo Characteristics Overview 

Cavapoos are a friendly hybrid, bred for companionship. They are loyal and protective of their family. This mix is great with children and friendly to strangers and other dogs. Extremely intelligent, Cavapoos are easy to train and adapt well to different environments. 

Cavapoos come in three size: standard, miniature, or toy-sized. This depends on the Poodle used for breeding. 

This mix also has a wide variety of colors.

Cavapoos are single-coated and can have curly or silky-wavy hair. They have extensive grooming requirements but their shedding is minimal. 

Cavapoos are energetic and need a lot of mental stimulation.

What Is a Cavalier and Poodle Mix Called?

Other names for Cavalier and Poodle Mix dogs are:

• Cavapoos
• Cavoodle
• Cavadoodle
• Cavdoodle 

This table lists the main characteristics of the Cavalier Poodle Dog.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Poodle Mix Origin

The exact origin of Cavapoos is not clear. Some experts state they were first bred in the 1950s in the United States. Others claim Cavapoos were first bred in Australia around the 1990s. 

The first generations of Cavapoos were 50% Poodles and 50% Cavaliers. Now they are mostly bred from later generations of Cavapoos.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Origin

Cavalier Spaniels date back to the 17th century in the United Kingdom. They separated from King Charles Spaniels in 1920.

Cavaliers were initially bred for hunting but their purpose later changed to companionship. 

The American Kennel Club recognized the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel as a separate breed in 1995. The UK Kennel Club did so back in 1945.

Poodle Origin

There is a debate on the real origin of Poodles. Some historians claim it originated from Germany, while others are convinced Poodles were first bred in France.

Poodles are portrayed in engravings that date back to the 17th century.

Poodles were initially bred for hunting, to retrieve prey from the water. 

The American Kennel Club recognized Poodles as a separate breed in 1886. The Kennel Club of the United Kingdom did so 8 years earlier.

Cavalier Poodle Mix Appearance

Cavapoos have compact athletic bodies but are not too muscular. Their size varies depending on what Poodle type is used as a parent. Cavapoos have wide floppy ears and large eyebrows. They have a soft friendly expression and come in a wide variety of colors.

This table lists the main traits of Cavapoos as they inherit them from their parents.

Traits	Cavalier Spaniels[4]	Poodles (standard)[5]	Cavapoos
Height	12 – 13 in (30 – 33 cm)	15 – 24 in (38 – 60)	12 – 24 in (30 – 60 cm)
Weight	13 – 18 lbs (6 – 8 kg)	44 – 71 lbs (20 – 32 kg)	13 – 71 lbs (8 – 32 kg)
Coat Type	Single	Single	Single
Coat Length	Medium	Long	Medium or long
Coat Texture	Wavy, silky	Curly	Wavy, curly or silky
Coat Color	Black & tan, black & white, Blenheim, ruby	Apricot, black, blue, brown, cafe au lait, cream, gray, silver, white beige, white	Apricot, black, blue, brown, cafe au lait, cream, gray, silver, white beige, white, Black & tan, black & white, ruby
Markings	Yes – tan	Yes – black points, black mask white mask	Yes
Ticking	Yes	Yes	Yes
Eyes	Warm or dark, large, round	Dark, oval	Warm or dark, round or oval
Ears	Set high, not close, long and wide, fan forward, frame face	Long, wide, banging close to the head	Long, wide, banging close to the head

How Big Do Cavapoos Get?

The size of Cavapoos varies according to the type of Poodle used for breeding. Cavapoos with a standard-sized Poodle parent measure between 12 and 24 inches (30 and 60 centimetres) in height. They weigh between 13 and 71 pounds (8 and 32 kilograms). 

Poodles are divided into three sizes:

• Standard
• Miniature
• Toy

Related: Teacup King Charles Cavalier Spaniel

This table illustrates the average height of Cavapoos, according to the height of the Poodle parent.

Poodle	Poodle Height in In	Poodle Height in Cm	Cavapoo Height in In	Cavapoo Height in Cm
Standard	15 – 24	38 – 60	12 – 24	30 – 60
Miniature	11 – 14	28 – 35	11 – 14	28 – 35
Toy	9 – 11	24 – 28	9 – 13	24 – 33

This table illustrates the average weight of Cavapoos, according to the weight of the Poodle parent.

Poodle	Poodle Weight in Lbs	Poodle Weight in Kg	Cavapoo Weight in Lbs	Cavapoo Weight in Kg
Standard	44 – 71	20 – 32	13 – 71	8  – 32
Miniature	26 – 31	12 – 14	13 – 31	6 – 14
Toy	14 – 17	6.5 – 7.5	13 – 18	6 – 8

Related: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Size

King Charles Cavalier Poodle Mix Coat Type

Cavapoos are single-coated. They can either resemble Cavaliers or Poodles. As a result, they have either silky coats or curly, coarse, and thick hair. 

While the hair of Cavaliers stops growing when it reaches a medium length, Poodles’ hair is constantly growing. It grows between 1 and 1.5 inches (2.5 – 3.82 centimeters) per month.

King Charles Cavalier Poodle Color

The color of Cavapoos varies from apricot to black and white. They can have one or multiple colors, depending on the parent they get their genes from. 

Related: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Colors

King Charles Cavalier Poodle Mix Temperament

Cavapoos are intelligent and easy to train. They are friendly and make great family dogs. This mix gets along well with other dogs and strangers. They also have a well-developed protective nature and are highly affectionate. 

This table lists the main characteristics of Cavalier Poodle mix dogs:

Trait	Rating
Intelligence	4
Easy to train	4
Good family dogs	5
Good with kids	5
Good with other dogs	4
Protective nature	4
Affectionate	5
Aggressive	3
Barking	4
Stubbornness	3
Energetic	4
Hunting instinct	4

The temperament of Cavapoos can be measured using the Temperament Test^[6] developed by the American Test Society. 

The Temperament Test measures:

• If dogs are shy or not.
• Dogs’ prey drive.
• How friendly dogs are.
• The protective nature of dogs.
• Their stability.
• If dogs are able to recognize a dangerous situation compared to a non-threatening one.

Cavaliers pass this test more than 85% of the time.^[7] 

Standard Poodles pass the temperament test 87.2% of the time, while toy and miniature Poodles pass the test 76–78% of the time.^[8]

Are Cavapoos Barkers?

Yes, Cavapoos bark a lot. They communicate their emotions to humans and other dogs through barking.

Cavapoos bark for many reasons:

• Because of various health conditions, such as pain, cognitive disorders, and brain issues.
• When they are excited.
• As an attention-seeking behavior.
• Because they are anxious or scared.
• When they are bored.
• Because they feel lonely.
• To protect their territory.
• When they detect an external threat.

Cavalier King Charles Poodle Mix Health Issues

Cavapoos have a predisposition to health conditions specific to both Cavaliers and Poodles. Health conditions that require both parents to carry the genes are rare. 

Cavapoos are affected by the following common health issues:

• Luxating patellas
• Hip dysplasia
• Epilepsy
• Mitral valve disease
• Progressive retinal atrophy
• Cataracts
• Entropion

Some of the health conditions need recurring treatments. Others, such as cataracts and luxating patella, are treatable through surgery. 

Pet insurance is available for Cavapoos and is often a good choice for vulnerable Cavapoos.

Here’s how to keep your Cavapoo healthy:

• Finding a reliable breeder. Many breeders don’t engage in healthy breeding.
• Adopting an adult Cavapoo. Many health issues are not detectable in puppyhood.
• Take your Cavapoo to a vet right after adoption.
• Avoid buying a Cavapoo from a pet store.

Cavapoo Mix Food Requirements

Cavapoos need between 1–11 cups of kibbles, depending on their size. Cavapoos’ age is also a factor that influences their food intake.

Different dog breeds have different food requirements. As for the Cavapoo, they need a mix of proteins, carbs, and healthy fats.

Here are some tips for feeding Cavapoos:

• Spread their food intake into multiple meals a day to prevent hypoglycemia. 
• Don’t feed them right before sleep.
• Avoid food that contains large amounts of preservatives, artificial colors, and artificial flavors.
• Include proteins, carbohydrates, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals into their diet.
• Observe their feeding patterns, as a lack of appetite indicates health problems. 

King Charles and Poodle Mix Lifespan

Cavapoos live between 10 and 15 years, depending on what parent they resemble most. Their lifestyle is also an indicator of their lifespan. Obese Cavapoos and dogs that don’t engage in daily physical exercise have a shorter life expectancy.

Help your Cavapoo live longer by:

• Taking them to the vet at least once a year.
• Providing at least 60 minutes of physical exercise.
• Providing a nutrient-dense diet.
• Preventing obesity.

Poodle and Cavalier Mix Price

The average price of a Cavapoo is between $1000 and $1200. 

The price of a Cavapoo depends on several factors:

• The breeder’s reputation.
• The age of the adopted Cavapoo
• Prior medical interventions
• The Cavapoos bloodline
• Prior training

Cavapoo Breeders

It’s important to find a reputable breeder if you’re looking to buy a Cavapoo.

Reliable Cavapoo breeders generally fulfill the following requirements:

• Keep the dogs in a clean environment.
• Have an exercise area.
• Have curious happy puppies.
• Have friendly adult Cavapoos.
• Have good reviews on the internet.

Best Cavapoo breeders in the United States:

• PuppySpot Cavapoos
• King Mountain Doodles
• Premiere Pups Cavapoos
• River’s Edge Cavapoos
• Carolina Cavapoos

Best Cavapoo breeders in the United Kingdom

• Glendream Doodles – Scotland
• Kettreana Cavaliers and Cavapoos – Peak District
• Castellan House Kennels – Wales
• Lotties Cavapoos – Hampshire
• Prestige Cavapoo – County Durham

Conclusion

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Poodle mix dogs are the result of mixing Poodles and Cavaliers. Poodles can be toys, miniature, or standard-sized. Cavapoos have great temperaments and are intelligent. They make great family dogs because they are affectionate and great with children.