Cavachon vs Cavapoo: What Are The Differences?

Written by Megan Martin
Published: March 20, 2022
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The first thing to know when it comes to the Cavachon vs Cavapoo is that they’re two separate dogs. After all, with names so similar, it can be easy to mistake them. Despite being two separate dogs, these two hybrid breeds have some striking differences that help make them unique.

Ready to learn the differences between the Cavachon and Cavapoo? Keep reading as we dive into which is which.

Comparing Cavachons and Cavapoos

Cavachons and Cavapoos differ in parent breed, shedding, personality, temperament, energy level, and size.

While their names are similar, an in-depth comparison will show that there are a lot of differences between the Cavachon and the Cavapoo. Here are some of the most noteworthy ones.

CavachonCavapoo
Size12 to 13 inches
15 to 35 pounds
9 to 14 inches at the shoulders
9 to 25 pounds
Coat/Hair TypeMedium to long coats with waves or curlsShort, curly or wavy that is soft to the touch with proper grooming
ColorsIt can be solid, bicolored, or with other patterns in a variety of colors. Most popular are white, fawn, charcoal, and brown.Cream, fawn, brown, gold, chestnut, white. It may be solid, dual-colored, or tricolored.
TemperamentPlayful, friendly, energeticFriendly, affectionate, laidback
TrainabilityModerate to HighModerate
Life Expectancy10 to 15 years12 to 15 years
Energy LevelsModerate to HighModerate

The 5 Key Differences Between Cavachons and Cavapoos

The key differences between Cavachons and Cavapoos are parent breed, shedding, personality, temperament, energy level, and size.

The Cavachon and the Cavapoo are two small Cavalier King Charles Spaniel hybrids. However, despite their similarities, these two dogs have their own unique characteristics to set them apart. For instance, the Cavachon can be up to ten pounds heavier with a completely different hair texture. They’re also much more energetic and playful than the Cavapoo, which prefers to lounge around. However, while their energy lends to their playfulness, it also results in a Cavachon that needs additional exercise and likes to bark.

However, these are just the differences at a glance. Keep reading below to see our detailed walkthrough of the top five key differences between the Cavachon and the Cavapoo.

Cavachon vs Cavapoo: Parent Breeds

Both the Cavachon and the Cavapoo are hybrids of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a small breed of Spaniel made popular by many movies throughout the years. However, while the Cavachon and the Cavapoo share this parent, one of their most notable differences can be found in their other parent.

As hybrids, the Cavachon and the Cavapoo are the results of when two breeds are paired together. For the Cavachon, the other breed paired with the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is the Bichon Frise, a popular small breed known for their cute faces and corkscrew curls. For the Cavapoo, their other parent breed is the Poodle, which has loose curls and can come in a variety of sizes from small to standard. 

Cavachon vs Cavapoo: Shedding

Cavapoo puppy sitting in the grass

Cavapoos shed arguably less than Cavachons.

©AMB-MD Photography/Shutterstock.com

Another notable difference between the Cavachon and the Cavapoo is grooming needs, particularly how much they shed.

Since these mixed breeds have curly hair, there is a notable reduction in shedding compared to dogs with straight coats. This is because as hair breaks off, it gets caught in the fur and is only removed when brushed.

However, Cavapoos shed arguably less than Cavachons thanks to their Poodle parent. On top of being curly-coated dogs, Poodles are known for their lack of shedding and near-hypoallergenic qualities. This makes them better for those with allergies compared to the Cavachon, although the Cavachon’s shedding can be managed with regular grooming.

Cavachon vs Cavapoo: Personality and Temperament

When it comes to personality, the Cavachon and Cavapoo truly are two sides of a single coin.

Both breeds are known for being friendly and affectionate. However, Cavachons are much more playful than the easy-going and relaxed Cavapoos. They enjoy playing as much as they enjoy cuddling, although you may need to help them burn off that energy before you unlock the calmer side of their personality. You’ll have the opposite situation with the Cavapoo, who you may have to bribe for playtime.

Cavachon vs Cavapoo: Energy Levels

Cavapoo sitting in the couch

Cavapoos have moderate low energy levels.

©Steven B Gold/Shutterstock.com

Part of this difference in personality comes from the difference in energy levels between the Cavachon and the Cavapoo. The Cavapoo, while not a low-energy dog like some breeds, only has a moderate low energy level. This means that it is often satisfied with short walks and maybe the occasional significant period of playing each week.

However, Cavachons can have high energy levels. You won’t need to worry about their energy like you would with a Golden Retriever or a Border Collie, but your Cavachon will still need a significant amount of exercise each day to help keep it happy and entertained. Unresolved energy may lead to yappiness.

Cavachon vs Cavapoo: Size

While neither venture far enough to be considered medium size dogs, the Cavachon can be much larger than the Cavapoo.

When comparing their smallest weights, the Cavachon is around six pounds larger than the Cavapoo. At their largest weights, this number can jump to ten pounds. Their heights are relatively similar, aside from the fact that the Cavachon, at 12 inches, won’t come as small as the Cavapoo, which can be as small as 9 inches.

Conclusion

The Cavachon and Cavapoo are two lovable hybrids stemming from the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel with some notable differences. The Cavachon is larger and more energetic, while the Cavapoo is a low-shedder with a laid-back personality and near-hypoallergenic qualities.

Both the Cavachon and the Cavapoo can make a great addition to any home with the proper time and training. However, since the Cavapoo requires less daily maintenance in terms of grooming and high-intensity activity, they may be better suited for first-time owners or owners in apartments.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © BLACK17BG / pixabay – License / Original

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About the Author

Megan is a writer at A-Z Animals where her primary focus is birds, felines, and sharks. She has been researching and writing about animals for four years, and she holds a Bachelor of Arts in English with minors in biology and professional and technical writing from Wingate University, which she earned in 2022. A resident of North Carolina, Megan is an avid birdwatcher that enjoys spending time with her cats and exploring local zoological parks with her husband.

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