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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: October 2026

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Weight

5-10 kg

Overview

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. No study has measured how long this cross lives; for the parent breeds the AKC lists 12-15 years (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel) and 10-18 years (Poodle).

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.

We found no published record of the first litter. Wikipedia's article places the cross's origin in Australia, where it is called the Cavoodle, and flags that statement as needing a citation. Its popularity in the UK is better documented: a 2020 BBC report on puppy prices during lockdown said Cavapoos cost about £2,800 on average.

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).

The Royal Kennel Club (UK) standard gives the Cavalier a weight of 5.4-8.2 kg and a long, silky coat "free from curl", with a slight wave allowed. The Toy Poodle stands under 28 cm and the Miniature between 28 and 38 cm, both with a dense, curly coat. A Cavapoo can show either coat or a wave between them.

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.

In a 2026 Royal Veterinary College comparison of C-BARQ behaviour scores, Cavapoos differed from Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Poodles in 12 of 24 comparisons and scored worse in 11 of them.

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.

Health & Lifespan

How long Cavapoos live is unknown; the overview lists what the AKC gives for the parent breeds.

The Cavalier side brings the best-known risks. The AKC breed page lists mitral valve heart disease and syringomyelia, a neurological condition, among the issues Cavaliers are prone to, along with eye conditions, patella luxation, hip dysplasia and middle ear infections; the club's recommended tests are patella, hip, cardiac and eye evaluations.

The 2024 Royal Veterinary College survey compared Cavapoos aged up to five years with both parents. Against Cavaliers they had lower odds of eye disorders, anal sac disorders, obesity (odds ratio 0.47) and overgrown nails, and higher odds of vomiting, diarrhoea and ear infection. Against Poodles they had higher odds of anal sac disorders and diarrhoea, and their risk of patellar luxation did not differ from either parent. In a separate VetCompass study of 2019 records, the Cavapoo had 2.07 times the odds of acute diarrhoea of crossbred dogs. These findings describe groups of dogs; we do not advise on any single dog, and questions about heart testing belong with a vet.

Feeding & Nutrition

Measured small-breed food - little frames gain weight on 'just a bit of' everything. Keep them lean for heart health especially.

Training & Socialisation

Willing and soft - positive methods only; they're quick learners who mainly want to please and stay close. Housetraining small bladders takes patience.

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

Sources

Wikipedia, Cavapoo: origin and the name Cavoodle: en.wikipedia.org
BBC News, 2020: puppy prices during lockdown: bbc.co.uk
Bryson et al., PLOS ONE 2026: undesirable behaviours in Poodle crosses and their parent breeds: doi.org
Royal Kennel Club, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breed standard: weight and coat: royalkennelclub.com
Royal Kennel Club, Poodle (Toy) and Poodle (Miniature) breed standards: royalkennelclub.com
AKC, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: health and recommended tests: akc.org
Bryson et al., PLOS ONE 2024: health of Cockapoo, Labradoodle and Cavapoo compared with their parent breeds: doi.org
O'Neill et al., PLOS ONE 2025: acute diarrhoea in UK dogs: doi.org

Sources opened and checked on 16 October 2026.

Everyday gear for dogs

No-pull harness Easier walks for both ends of the leash. Check price Slow-feeder bowl Turns gulping into a five-minute puzzle. Check price Deshedding brush Hair on the brush is hair not on the couch. Check price Puzzle toys A tired brain is as good as tired legs. Check price

Crates, pens and dog houses Sized by the dog, not by the box - Aosom's kennel and crate range. Shop at Aosom

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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 in months (reaches adult size around 12 months)

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.

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.

Clue 3.This sleek, energetic pointer wears a solid liver head over a speckled body and excels at dog sports.

Want more? Play the daily Petdle or browse the quizzes.

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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