Cavapoo
KAV-a-poo
Australia· Australia and the United States
The Cavapoo is a crossbreed between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Poodle, developed as a small, affectionate companion dog with a low-shedding coat.
At a glance
Quick facts
Size
Small
Exercise needs
30-45 minutes daily
Home size suited to
Flat or small home
Grooming frequency
Brush every other day, clip regularly
Coat length
Curly
Sheds
Very little
Lifespan
12-15 years
Town or country
Either, with enough exercise
Garden size needed
Small garden or none
Where it comes from
Origins of the Cavapoo
The Cavapoo has no traditional working landscape; it was developed in Australia and the US as a deliberate cross to combine the Cavalier's temperament with the Poodle's coat.
- Region
- Australia and the United States
- Climate it was bred for
- Varied, developed as a companion cross
- Original job
- Companion dog with low-shedding coat
The long read
About the breed
The cross first became popular in Australia and the United States in the 1990s and 2000s, part of the same wave of "designer" crossbreeds as the cockapoo and labradoodle, aiming to combine the Cavalier's gentle temperament with the Poodle's coat and trainability. It has no historical working role and is not recognised by the Kennel Club or other major registries as a breed, since it is a first-generation or multi-generation cross rather than a fixed type.
Living with a Cavapoo generally means living with a friendly, biddable small dog that adapts well to flats and families alike. Like the Cavalier, it forms strong attachments to people and can be prone to separation anxiety if left alone too long. Coat type varies considerably between individuals depending on how much Poodle coat they inherit, ranging from loosely wavy to tightly curled, and this affects both shedding and grooming needs; most Cavapoos need brushing several times a week and clipping every six to eight weeks.
Because breeding is not standardised, appearance, size and temperament vary more than in an established breed, and prospective owners should ask breeders about the health testing done on both parent breeds, since a Cavapoo can inherit conditions common to either the Cavalier or the Poodle side.
Today the Cavapoo is one of the most popular crossbreeds in Britain, sought after by families and first-time owners for its size, temperament and coat, though buyers should expect to pay close attention to breeder quality given the unregulated nature of the cross.
Living with one
Temperament & needs
Our own ratings, based on the breed standard and how these dogs behave in ordinary homes.
Friendliness
5/5
How openly the Cavapoo greets people it does not know.
Trainability
4/5
Generally quick to learn, inheriting Poodle intelligence.
Energy
3/5
Moderate energy, enjoys walks and play but settles indoors.
Barking
2/5
Usually quiet, occasional alert barking.
Grooming
4/5
Needs regular brushing and periodic clipping, coat varies by individual.
Suits a first-time owner
4/5
How forgiving the Cavapoo is for someone taking on their first dog.
Sociability
5/5
Very people-focused and friendly with strangers and other pets.
Independence
1/5
Prone to separation anxiety if left alone regularly.
Illustrated breed standard
The points of the breed
Hover or tap a numbered point to read what the standard asks for.
Point 1
Skull
The Cavapoo's skull is judged on balance rather than size — proportionate to the body, with a clean cheek and a stop typical of the breed. Coarseness or an over-refined head are both faulted.
Colours & patterns
Recognised coats
Which coats the standard accepts — and which are simply popular.
Blenheim (chestnut and white)
Standard colour
A common colour inherited from the Cavalier side.
Apricot
Standard colour
A warm golden-tan colour inherited from Poodle lines.
Black and tan
Standard colour
Seen in some lines, particularly with tricolour Cavalier parents.
Cream
Standard colour
A pale, uniform coat colour common in the cross.
Ruby
Standard colour
A rich solid red seen when a ruby Cavalier is a parent.
Timeline
History & development
1990s
Cross first developed
Breeders in Australia and the US began crossing Cavaliers with Poodles for a low-shedding companion.
2000s
Rise in popularity
The cross grew alongside other 'doodle' crosses such as the cockapoo and labradoodle.
2010s
Mainstream family pet
The Cavapoo became one of the most requested crossbreeds among UK and US families.
Reference
Breed standard summary
- body
- Compact and well-proportioned.
- coat
- Wavy to curly, soft, low-shedding.
- ears
- Long, set moderately high, softly feathered or curled.
- eyes
- Large, round, dark and expressive.
- gait
- Light and springy.
- head
- Slightly domed skull with a tapering muzzle.
- size
- Small
- tail
- Carried gently curved over the back or level, varies by individual.
- colour
- Blenheim (chestnut and white), Apricot, Black and tan, Cream, Ruby. Colours outside this list are seen but are not accepted by the kennel clubs.
- temperament
- Typical of the breed: strongest in sociability, trainability, grooming. Nervousness or aggression are serious faults in the show ring and in the home.
- general appearance
- Small, sturdy companion dog with a soft, rounded expression.
Health
What to screen for
Green means little to worry about, amber means ask the breeder for test results, red means manage it actively.
Mitral valve disease
Watch closely
Ask for cardiac testing on the Cavalier parent.
Progressive retinal atrophy
Screen for it
Ask for PRA DNA clearance on the Poodle parent.
Patellar luxation
Screen for it
Request a patella check on both parents.
Syringomyelia
Watch closely
Ask whether the Cavalier parent has been MRI screened.
General information only — always speak to your vet about your own dog.
From real owners
Dogs like this
Cavapoos added by PawPoint members through their pet passports. Share yours to appear here.
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Made for the Cavapoo
The book, plus prints, hoodies and mugs using our own Cavapoo illustration — and one everyday accessory that suits any dog.
The book
Pawpoint: The Complete Dog Breed Book
Every officially recognised breed plus the unofficial ones nobody else documents. 400+ pages, hardback, printed and shipped from the UK.
Own stock — shipped by us
Framed poster
Cavapoo Framed Poster
Museum-weight print of our Cavapoo illustration, framed or unframed.
Printed to order
Hoodie
Cavapoo Hoodie
Heavyweight hoodie carrying the Cavapoo illustration on the chest.
Printed to order
Mug
Cavapoo Mug
Ceramic mug with the Cavapoo illustration wrapped around it.
Printed to order
Accessory
LED Reflective Lead Light
Rechargeable clip-on light for dark walks.
Fits any dog
Pawpoint on YouTube
Watch the full Cavapoo video
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