You’ve probably heard of Labradoodles, bernedoodles, and even chugs, but have you heard of cavapoos? These incredible dogs are a cross between King Charles cavalier spaniels and miniature poodles. They’re on the small side, with most weighing between 9-25 pounds. They are intelligent, energetic, and friendly. Cavapoos have only been around for a few decades, but they’re one of the most popular dog breeds in Australia.
Let’s take a look at some incredible cavapoo facts!

1. Cavapoos are Smart

These dogs aren’t just smart, They’re also friendly, attentive, and energetic.
©Sandra Standbridge/Shutterstock.com
Since cavapoos come from two very intelligent dog breeds—poodles and King Charles cavalier spaniels—they’re no dummies. These dogs are easy to train and can learn even the most complex of commands. To keep them healthy and happy, it’s important to keep them mentally stimulated. This can be accomplished with exercise, training, and stimulating activities like food puzzles. Since cavapoos love humans, just playing with them or even petting or brushing them makes them happy.
2. They’re Prone to Separation Anxiety

Cavapoos can be prone to suffering from separation anxiety.
©Making Connections/ via Getty Images
Not even the cavapoo is immune to something so many dogs suffer from—separation anxiety. Because they’re so social, cavapoos tend to get lonely easily. This means that owners have to carefully train them to be self-reliant when left alone. Qualified dog trainers are the best people to consult when deciding on the methods you want to use to ease your cavapoo’s separation anxiety. Remember, a bored cavapoo can lead to unhealthy or annoying behaviors, like repetitive barking or destruction of property or items. To avoid these negative behaviors, try to play with or walk your dog before leaving them alone.
3. They Can Have Curly or Flat Fur

Cavapoos have a wide range of fur types.
©AMB-MD Photography/Shutterstock.com
Cavapoos come from parents with very different fur types. Because of this, even puppies in the same litter might have different types of fur. Their fur might be wiry and tough, loose and wavy, or tightly curled. Wavy fur is the most labor-intensive type and generally requires regular grooming. No matter what type of fur your cavapoo has, it is still a fairly hypoallergenic dog breed. Cavapoos are popular dogs because they shed very little. If they have wavy fur, like a King Charles cavalier spaniel, owners often have them groomed to resemble tiny teddy bears. No matter the type of fur, remember to trim your cavapoo’s nails regularly to avoid overgrown nails.
4. Cavapoos Love Kids

Because of their extroverted, friendly dispositions, cavapoos make excellent family pets.
©Wirestock Creators/Shutterstock.com
Like all extroverted dogs, cavapoos love being around people. They’re especially good in families and do well with children—as long as they’re properly trained and socialized as puppies. As with all dog breeds, it’s important to appropriately socialize your cavapoo puppy to both humans and dogs as they grow. These dogs also do well with other pets and develop strong loyalties to their families.
5. Cavapoos were First Popularized in Australia

As a breed, cavapoos have only been around since the 1950s.
©Steven B Gold/Shutterstock.com
These dogs have actually been around since the 1950s. Breeders combined the small size of King Charles cavalier spaniels with the tightly woven, mostly hypoallergenic, coat of the miniature poodle. But, the breed didn’t gain in popularity until the 1990s. They first became popular in Australia. Today, cavapoos are a popular breed in both Australia and the United States. However, they’re still not recognized by the AKC. They are recognized by the International Designer Canine Registry, though.
6. They Eat—A Lot

Owners of cavapoos must regulate their diet to ensure they don’t become obese. Fortunately, this pup is eating healthy yogurt.
©Patrick Buckley/iStock via Getty Images
You might have heard of picky eaters when it comes to dog breeds. But rest assured, cavapoos are not one of those breeds. In fact, owners have to carefully regulate their dog’s diet to ensure that they don’t become overweight. Also, because they have such a great appetite, these dogs have to be watched closely as puppies. They’re prone to trying to eat things they shouldn’t. If you do adopt a cavapoo puppy, remember to keep anything that fits inside a toilet paper tube out of reach of their tiny mouths.
7. Cavapoos Hate the Outdoors

If you want an outdoorsy dog, you’re better off sticking with hunting or herding breeds, like labs or Australian shepherds.
©bonandbon/Shutterstock.com
Certain dogs, like Great Pyrenees and golden retrievers, love nothing more than to be outside. But, cavapoos come from two breeds of dogs not known for their outdoor activities. So, it comes as no surprise that these dogs are not fans of being left outside. If you plan to get a cavapoo, ensure that it always has an indoor place to sleep. For this reason, they make great apartment dogs.
8. They’re Not Cheap

Cavapoos are a specialty dog breed and can cost from $1,000 to $2,000 on average.
©Kelly Foreman/Shutterstock.com
Any kind of ‘trendy’ dog won’t come cheap. Cavapoos are a specialty breed, which means they generally cost anywhere from $1,000-$2,000. However, it’s not unheard of to find slightly older cavapoos in shelters, or in need of foster care. They’re smaller than cockapoos, but that doesn’t mean they’re any cheaper. If you’re looking for a great family dog that prefers the indoors, try your local animal shelter first.
9. Cavapoos Make Great Service Dogs

Because of their energy, eagerness to please, and intelligence, cavapoos are excellent choices for small-sized service dogs.
©David Calvert/Shutterstock.com
These dogs are smart, small, and very fond of humans. Because of this, they actually make great service dogs, particularly for people looking for a smaller stature service animal. Cavapoos are easy to train and very smart, they’ve been used for all manner of service and therapeutic needs.
10. Cavapoos Come in Many Colors

Cavapoos come in a variety of colors, including this tri-colored cutie.
©Dagmar Hijmans/Shutterstock.com
Sometimes it’s hard to tell if the dog you’re looking at is a cavapoo, or something else. This is partly because of the wide variety of colors that these dogs come in. They’re usually gold, white, cream, chestnut, or black. But, they also come in multiple colors, including white, tan, and black. Oftentimes they come in white mixed with one other color.
The photo featured at the top of this post is © David Calvert/Shutterstock.com

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