The Cavapoo
Sweet-natured, intuitive, and devoted — Cavapoos blend the gentle affection of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel with the intelligence and low-shedding coat of the Poodle.
History & Origin
The Cavapoo (also called Cavoodle) emerged in Australia in the late 1980s and 1990s, when breeders crossed the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel with the Toy or Miniature Poodle to create a sweet, family-friendly companion with a low-shedding coat. Today the Cavapoo is one of the most beloved doodle breeds worldwide for its balanced temperament and adaptability.
Demeanor & Personality
Cavapoos are famously gentle, affectionate, and eager to please. They form deep bonds with their people, are quick to learn, and rarely show aggression. They prefer company over solitude and can experience separation anxiety if left alone for long periods.
Friendliness
Excellent with children, other dogs, and strangers when properly socialized. They thrive in multi-pet homes and are a wonderful choice for first-time dog owners, multigenerational families, and seniors.
Exercise Needs
Moderate — about 30 to 60 minutes per day. A walk, some fetch in the yard, and a few mental enrichment games (puzzle toys, scent work, basic training) keep them happy. They enjoy activity but are equally content cuddling on the couch.
Feeding
High-quality small-breed puppy food, ¼ to ½ cup divided into 3–4 meals per day until 12 weeks, then 3 meals until 6 months, then 2 meals daily. Adults typically eat ½ to 1 cup per day depending on size and activity. Always provide fresh water.
Coat & Grooming
Wavy to curly coat, very low-shedding and a good fit for many allergy-sensitive families. Brush 2–3 times per week, professional groom every 6–8 weeks, and check ears weekly.
Size & Lifespan
Adults stand 9–14 inches tall and weigh 12–25 lb. Lifespan is 12–15 years. Reputable breeders screen parents for mitral valve disease, patellar luxation, syringomyelia, hip dysplasia, and inherited eye conditions — we do.
Best Fit For
Families with children, first-time owners, apartment dwellers, retirees, and households where someone is home much of the day. Not ideal for owners who travel constantly or want a hands-off pet.
The Parent Breeds
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
One of the sweetest, most affectionate companion breeds — known for gentle eyes, a soft expression, and a deep love of human company.
Toy / Miniature Poodle
Highly intelligent, athletic, and low-shedding. Poodles bring trainability and a hypoallergenic-leaning coat to every doodle cross.
We are pairing our Cavapoo dams back with our Toy Poodle stud to produce F1B Cavapoos — even curlier coats, even less shedding, and the most allergy-friendly version of the breed. Join the waitlist to be notified when these litters are announced.
F1, F1B, F2 — what does it all mean?
Doodle generations describe how much Poodle is in the cross. Higher Poodle percentages generally produce curlier, lower-shedding coats that are friendlier for allergy-sensitive families. Our program is currently F1 (Cavalier × Toy Poodle, Yorkshire Terrier × Toy Poodle), F1B with planned multigenerational pairings using Toy Poodle and Cavapoo studs back to our Maltipoo, Cavapoo and Yorkiepoo dams.
| Generation | Cross | Coat / Shedding | Hypoallergenic-leaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | Purebred parent × Purebred Toy Poodle (e.g. Cavalier × Toy Poodle = F1 Cavapoo) | Wavy, light shedding | Often, varies puppy to puppy |
| F1B | F1 doodle × Toy Poodle (e.g. F1 Cavapoo × Toy Poodle) | Curlier, very low shedding | Most allergy-friendly option |
| F1BB | F1B × Toy Poodle | Tightest curl, lowest shedding | Highest |
| F2 | F1 × F1 doodle | Variable — wavy to curly | Variable |
| F2B | F2 × Toy Poodle, or F1 × F1B | Curlier, low shedding | High |
| F2BB | F2B × Toy Poodle | Very curly, very low shedding | Very high |
| F3 / Multigen | F2 or later × F2 or later doodle (or backcross) | Consistent curly coats | Predictable, high |
A note on allergies: no dog is 100% hypoallergenic. High-Poodle-percentage doodles (F1B and beyond) shed minimally and produce far less dander, making them an excellent fit for many allergy-sensitive families. We always recommend spending time with your puppy's parents before committing.