A cavapoo puppy is a cross between a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Miniature or Toy Poodle. Most are friendly, people-focused and small enough for apartments. They need daily brushing, regular haircuts, short training sessions and plenty of company, and you should ask the breeder for heart, eye and knee testing on both parents.
Quick takeaways
- Cavapoos are a mix, so size, coat and temperament vary more than in a purebred.
- Most are affectionate and social, and many don’t do well left alone for long stretches.
- Their coats mat easily. Plan on brushing most days and a groomer visit every 4 to 8 weeks.
- Ask breeders about heart checks on the Cavalier parent and eye and knee testing on both parents.
- Small breed puppies need frequent small meals and gentle, reward-based training.
In this guide
- What is a cavapoo puppy?
- What is a cavapoo’s temperament like?
- Cavapoo puppy cut and haircut options
- How much should a cavapoo puppy eat?
- Training a cavapoo puppy
- Cavapoo health: what to ask breeders
- Cavapoo puppy price and finding a breeder
- How does a cavapoo compare to other popular puppies?
- Frequently asked questions
Cavapoos have become one of the most popular small mixed breeds in the US, and it’s easy to see why. They’re cute, small and usually love people. Before you bring one home, it helps to know what each parent breed brings, how much grooming that curly coat needs and how to spot a breeder who does health testing.
What is a cavapoo puppy?
A cavapoo is a cross between a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Poodle, usually a Miniature or Toy. Some are first-generation crosses, and some come from two cavapoo parents. Because it’s a mix, the American Kennel Club doesn’t register the cavapoo as a breed, and puppies from the same litter can look and act quite different.
Here’s what the parent breeds look like according to the AKC:
| Parent breed | Height | Weight | Life expectancy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | 12 to 13 inches | 13 to 18 pounds | 12 to 15 years |
| Miniature Poodle | 10 to 15 inches | 10 to 15 pounds | 10 to 18 years |
Cavapoos with a Toy Poodle parent tend to be smaller. Ask the breeder how big both parents are, since that’s the best guide you’ll get.
What is a cavapoo’s temperament like?
Most cavapoos are friendly, gentle and focused on their people. They usually get along with kids who know how to handle a small dog, and with other pets when introduced well. Many are playful indoors but don’t need hours of exercise. A couple of walks and some play every day keeps most of them happy.
The flip side of all that affection is that cavapoos often want company. Many struggle when left alone for a full workday. If you work outside the home, plan for a midday visit, a dog walker or daycare, and start practicing short alone time early.
Are cavapoos good for first-time owners?
They can be. They’re small, eager to please and usually easy to handle. The grooming is the part new owners underestimate. Our guide to the best dog breeds for first-time owners compares them with other options.
Cavapoo puppy cut and haircut options
The cavapoo coat ranges from wavy to tight curls, and most shed very little. Low shedding doesn’t mean low maintenance. Hair that doesn’t fall out gets tangled instead, and mats form fast behind the ears, under the collar, in the armpits and on the legs.
A “puppy cut” is the most common style. It’s an even trim all over, usually about one to two inches long, that’s easy to brush at home. Other popular choices:
- Teddy bear cut, with a rounded face with a slightly longer coat on the body
- A short summer cut, which is easier to keep clean but shows less of the curl
- A longer cut, which looks fluffy but needs much more brushing
Whatever you pick, expect a groomer visit about every 4 to 8 weeks. Ask the groomer to keep hair trimmed around the eyes and the sanitary area.
Brushing at home
Use a slicker brush to work through the coat, then go over it with a metal comb. If the comb catches, there’s a tangle the brush missed. A few minutes most days is easier than an hour once a week. Gently handle paws, ears and mouth during brushing so your puppy gets used to it. The ASPCA’s dog grooming tips cover brushing, baths and nails.
How much should a cavapoo puppy eat?
Cavapoos are small, so they do best on a complete small breed puppy food with smaller kibble. Young puppies usually eat three or four meals a day, dropping to two as they get older. Start with the amount on the bag for your puppy’s weight and adjust based on body condition, not on how hungry they act. Very small puppies can get low blood sugar if they skip meals, so call your vet if your puppy seems weak or wobbly or won’t eat.
Cavaliers are prone to putting on weight, so keep treats small and count them as part of the day’s food.
Training a cavapoo puppy
Cavapoos are usually quick learners when training is short and fun. Use small, soft treats and keep sessions to a few minutes. Start with:
- Potty training on a regular schedule, with a trip outside after sleeping, eating and play
- Name recognition and coming when called
- Sit, down and leave it
- Calm handling for grooming and vet visits
- Short periods alone in a crate or pen
Small dogs often get away with jumping and barking that would be a problem in a big dog. Teaching manners early saves trouble later.
Socialization
Between about 3 and 14 weeks, puppies are most open to new things. Let your cavapoo meet calm people, hear household noises and walk on different surfaces, all at a pace they’re comfortable with. Ask your vet when your puppy can join a puppy class based on their vaccines.
Cavapoo health: what to ask breeders
Mixed breeds can inherit health problems from either parent. Cavaliers are known for a heart condition called mitral valve disease, and the breed can also have a spinal condition called syringomyelia. Poodles can have eye diseases and loose kneecaps (patellar luxation). Good breeders screen for these problems before breeding.
Questions to ask:
- Have both parents had eye exams by a veterinary ophthalmologist?
- Has the Cavalier parent had heart exams by a cardiologist?
- Have both parents been checked for kneecap problems and hips?
- Which DNA tests were done, and can I see the results?
- Can I meet at least the mother and see where the puppies live?
You can look up many health test results in the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) database using the parent dogs’ registered names.
Cavapoo puppy price and finding a breeder
Cavapoo puppy prices vary a lot by region and breeder, and the cheapest puppy often costs more in vet bills later. Be wary of sellers who:
- Always have puppies available
- Won’t let you visit or meet a parent
- Want payment by wire transfer or gift card before you’ve seen the puppy
- Send puppies home before 8 weeks
- Don’t ask you any questions
The ASPCA explains how puppy mills operate and why buying online sight unseen is risky. You can also check rescues. Poodle mixes and Cavaliers do turn up in breed rescues and shelters.
How does a cavapoo compare to other popular puppies?
If you like the idea of a small companion but want less grooming, look at our Chihuahua puppy guide. If you have room for a bigger, active dog, our Golden Retriever puppy and Corgi puppy guides cover what those breeds need.
Frequently asked questions
How to train cavapoo puppy?
Use short sessions of a few minutes with small treats and praise. Start with potty training, name recognition, sit and come. Cavapoos are usually eager to please and sensitive, so harsh corrections tend to backfire. A puppy class helps with socialization.
How to stop cavapoo puppy biting?
Puppy biting is normal. When teeth touch skin, stop play for a few seconds, then offer a chew toy. Give plenty of chews during teething, and make sure your puppy is getting enough naps, since overtired puppies bite more.
How to groom cavapoo puppy?
Brush a few minutes most days with a slicker brush and check behind the ears, in the armpits and on the legs with a metal comb. Start gentle handling of paws, ears and face early. A first groomer visit for a puppy trim often happens after the core vaccine series is underway.
How much should cavapoo puppy eat?
It depends on age, weight and the food. Start with the feeding chart on a complete small breed puppy food, split it into three or four meals for young puppies, and adjust with your vet based on body condition.
How to bathe cavapoo puppy?
Use lukewarm water and a gentle dog shampoo, keep water out of the ears, rinse well and dry fully. Brush out mats before the bath, since water tightens them. Most cavapoos only need a bath every few weeks.
Vet note: This article is general information and is not a substitute for advice from your own veterinarian. If your puppy is having trouble breathing, collapses, has a seizure or may have eaten something toxic, call your vet or the nearest emergency animal hospital right away. ASPCA Animal Poison Control: 888-426-4435 (a fee may apply).
