Cavapoo
The Cavapoo crosses the Cavalier's velvet gentleness with Toy/Mini Poodle sparkle - producing one of the softest-natured small companion dogs money can buy, and one of the most popular crosses in the world.
🗓️ Last reviewed: July 2026
Overview
The Cavapoo crosses the Cavalier's velvet gentleness with Toy/Mini Poodle sparkle - producing one of the softest-natured small companion dogs money can buy, and one of the most popular crosses in the world. It is a lap dog with a playful streak, ideal for gentle households.
A designer cross: the Cavapoo is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel × Poodle mix, not a standardised breed - individuals vary more than purebreds, in coat, size and temperament alike. Average lifespan is 12-15 years.
History & Origins
Popularised in Australia in the 1990s and now a global staple. The Cavalier parent carries serious hereditary heart disease (MVD) - making breeder heart-testing THE question for this cross.
Appearance
5-10 kg, round-eyed and soft-faced under a wavy apricot, red, cream, tricolour or black coat - among the most teddy-bear-ish of all crosses. Typical size: Small, 5-10 kg. Coat: Soft wavy-curly, low-shed (varies).
Temperament & Character
Gentle, cuddly, sociable and low-aggression to a remarkable degree - Cavapoos love laps, children who are kind, other dogs, and basically everyone. Sensitive souls; they wilt in chaotic or harsh homes.
Care
Light-moderate exercise (30-45 min plus play), standard curly grooming (brush alternate days, clip 6-8 weekly), tear-stain wiping on light coats, and vigilance on ears.
Feeding & Nutrition
Measured small-breed food - little frames gain weight on 'just a bit of' everything. Keep them lean for heart health especially.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Outstandingly gentle temperament
- Perfect lap-sized companion
- Usually good with kids and pets
- Adaptable to quiet homes and flats
Cons
- Cavalier heart disease looms - test parents
- Velcro dog: hates solitude
- Grooming contract as ever
- Delicate around rough toddlers
Best Suited For
- Retirees and quiet households
- Families with gentle children
- First-time small-dog owners
- Emotional-support roles
Cavapoo puppy growth chart
A typical growth curve for a toy breed like the Cavapoo, estimated from its adult weight of 5-10 kg. Puppies vary with sex, genetics and diet, so treat this as a guide - for your own puppy, use the puppy weight predictor.
| Age | Typical weight | % of adult |
|---|---|---|
| 2 mo | 1.7-3.3 kg | 33% |
| 3 mo | 2.3-4.5 kg | 45% |
| 4 mo | 2.8-5.5 kg | 55% |
| 6 mo | 3.8-7.5 kg | 75% |
| 9 mo | 4.8-9.5 kg | 95% |
| 12 mo | 5-10 kg | 100% |
| Adult | 5-10 kg | 100% |
Cavapoo - frequently asked questions
What's the one health question to ask?
Cardiac clearance on the Cavalier parent (and ideally grandparents) - mitral valve disease is rampant in Cavaliers, and buying from heart-tested lines is the single biggest thing you control.
Are they yappy?
Less than most small breeds - they alert-bark but aren't chronic barkers. Loneliness is what makes a Cavapoo vocal.
Cavapoo or Cockapoo?
Cavapoo for softness and lap-life, Cockapoo for a bit more bounce and sturdiness. Both are gentle; the Cavalier heart history is the Cavapoo's extra due-diligence item.
🧠 Test yourself: guess the dog
Three clues from our quiz bank, each about another of our dogs. Can you name them?
Clue 1.A distinctive ghostly-grey pointer whose breeding was once tightly controlled by an exclusive German club to protect its quality.
It's the Weimaraner - read the full profile →
Clue 2.A high-drive, short-haired working dog often mistaken for a German shepherd, it needs a serious job and tons of exercise to stay balanced.
It's the Belgian Malinois - read the full profile →
Clue 3.This sleek, energetic pointer wears a solid liver head over a speckled body and excels at dog sports.
It's the German Shorthaired Pointer - read the full profile →
💛 Adoptable Cavapoos near you
Real dogs of this breed (and close mixes) waiting in shelters and rescues right now, live from Petfinder. We have no affiliation and earn nothing - if someone catches your eye, the link goes straight to their shelter. New to adopting? Start with our adoption guide.
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