Cavapoo vs Cockapoo: Breed Differences & Similarities

If you’re researching which new dog breed to welcome into your home and rattled it down to the Cavapoo and the Cockapoo, you’ve come to the right place. In this breed comparison guide, we explore everything you need to know about the Cavapoo vs. the Cockapoo. Both designer dog breeds share the same parent, the Poodle, which means they are very similar. But they also have a hint of another dog breed, which makes them slightly different.

In a nutshell, the Cavapoo is a calmer and more affectionate option, thanks to their Cavalier King Charles Spaniel genes. Compared to the Cockapoo, who is much more energetic and slightly more intense, thanks to their Cocker Spaniel influence. Both dog breeds make fantastic family pets, and they love their humans, adore children, and are very adaptable. They are both some of the most popular designer breeds around.

Researching both dog breeds helps you understand the best option for you and your family. Here we explore everything you need to know about them to help you make the right choice. Both are just as sweet, adorable, and family-friendly. So, let’s look at them in detail and discover the right poo breed for you.

Breed History

Both breeds are relatively new mixes compared to purebreds, such as their parent, the Poodle. The Poodle is a German duck hunter famed for their fancy pom-pom haircuts. They are one of the most commonly used breeds in designer dogs because they are intelligent, fun, loyal, adaptable, and relatively easy to train. Making them a doggy dream!

It’s important to know that there are three Poodle sizes, toy, miniature, and standard, each with a slightly different personality. Due to the size similarities, both these breeds are usually bred with a miniature Poodle, but not always. Some breeders use toy or standard Poodles, so checking what Poodle your breeder is working with is crucial.

Cavapoo

The Cavapoo results from a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Poodle. Some people also call them Cavapoodle, Cavadoodle, Cava-Poo, and Cavoodle. Like most designer dog breeds, not much is known about the history of the Cavapoo, but it is believed that they originated in Australia in the 1990s. Cavapoos are similar to Cavachons, another doodle mix that is sweet and affectionate.

The American Kennel Club (AKC) does not recognize the Cavapoo as a breed, which means you cannot buy a Cavapoo puppy with AKC papers. Unlike the Cockapoo, there isn’t a dedicated Cavapoo registry or club where you can register your Cavapoo. For most families looking for a family pet, this is not important. The only thing that matters is that the breeder you work with is responsible and your pup is healthy. But if it is essential to you, you can register your Cavapoo with the Designer Breed Registry.

Cockapoo

The Cockapoo is the result of a Cocker Spaniel and the Poodle. They also go by Cockapoodle, Cockerpoo, Cock-a-Poo, and Spoodle. They are one of the original Poodle mixes, and because of this, they are more popular and common than the Cavapoo. Like the Cavapoo, their history is not as clear-cut as purebreds. But they were first mentioned in the 1960s, so whether they were planned or an accident, no one knows.

The American Cockapoo Club was established in 2004 to standardize the breed. If buying a registered Cockapoo is important, you can look for a breeder registered with the American Cockapoo Club. Like the Cavapoo, the AKC does not recognize the Cockapoo as a breed either. But because the Cockapoo has been around for much longer and there are stricter rules and more generations (explained below), it might not be long until they are accepted as a Foundation Stock breed.

Some breeders only breed Poodles and Cocker Spaniels together, known as an F1 generation. But some breeders mix generations of Cockapoos. For example, the puppies of two F1 Cockapoos are known as an F2 generation. And the puppies of two F2 Cockapoos are known as an F3 generation, and so forth. Because Cockapoos have been around for longer than Cavapoos, there are more generations, so this is something to consider when buying a puppy. Some owners want an F1 pup due to direct breeding between a Poodle and a Cocker Spaniel. Whereas others like the dependability of generational pups.

Appearance

They are both soft and cuddly, looking a lot like teddy bears, so it is essential to teach your children proper dog-handling etiquette. Small(ish) dogs treated like toys often get hurt or injured or get annoyed with the fuss. As you’ll see below, both dogs can have a vast size difference, and their appearance is heavily dependent on their parents. You must check with your breeder what size Poodle they come from.

The Cavapoo is usually a small to medium-sized dog, depending on the size of their Poodle parent. Typically you can expect Cavapoos to measure between 9 and 14 inches tall, from paw to shoulder, and weigh between 9 and 25 pounds. Their coat usually has a wave or slight curl, and although they shed less than their Cavalier parent, they need regular grooming. Their coat comes in a wide range of colors, and the most popular are chocolate, chestnut, gold, brown, fawn, and cream. Some pups have a solid color or a coat with two or three shades.

The Cockapoo is also a small to medium-sized dog, and again, this depends on the size of their Poodle parent. As Cocker Spaniels are typically larger than Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, you can expect a Cockapoo pup to be slightly bigger than a Cavapoo. But this is not always the case. Expect most Cockapoos to measure between 10 and 15 inches tall and between 12 and 40 pounds. However, some Cockapoos can tip the scales over 50 pounds. The most common coat colors are black, white, buff, cream, apricot, red, and chocolate, although there are many more.

Temperament

The mild-mannered and calmer Cavalier King Charles Spaniel influences the Cavapoo. This means that they are less active and demanding than a Cockapoo, who is similar to the more energetic Cocker Spaniel. As Cockapoos are slightly more energized than Cavapoos, you can expect them to be a bit more intense and demand more of your time when it comes to activity.

Cockapoos need a little more mental stimulation throughout the day too. And their higher prey drive means they love to chase and play fetch. So, if you’re looking for a forever fun-seeking and active pooch, the Cockapoo might be your better option. But if you’re looking for a slightly calmer dog who can sit still and chill for longer, the Cavapoo could be the more suitable pick.

Both prone to suffering from separation anxiety. For this reason, they both need a family who can keep them company for most of the day. Neither of them like being alone for hours on end. They love nothing more than to be involved with the family, and they both make great companions.

Both the Cavapoo and the Cockapoo are resilient and adaptive, which is one of the reasons why they make brilliant family pets. As long as they’re involved, they are happy to tag along with whatever. They also adapt well to change (within reason) and do well in multi-dog households and with young children. Neither of them are guard dogs, and they both welcome visitors to their house without hesitation.

Exercise

Often the most significant deciding factor between the two is exercise requirements. The Cavapoo usually needs around 30 to 45 minutes of exercise a day, compared to a Cockapoo, who needs slightly more towards 60 minutes. Again, if they come from a toy or miniature Poodle, they’ll need less exercise than a pup from a standard-sized Poodle. Less active families might be better suited to the Cavapoo.

It’s also important to remember that the Cockapoo has a naturally higher prey drive thanks to the Cocker Spaniel influence. This is important to remember when exercising your pup because they are more likely to run off and chase small animals or birds. It also means that they are more likely to play fetch. So it would be best to consider what you want from your future canine companion.

Training

They are both eager to please their masters and love receiving praise. Combine these traits, and you have wonderfully trainable dogs. Their trainability is another reason why they make top family-friendly picks. You don’t need much dog experience to train up a well-balanced Cavapoo or Cockapoo compared to other breeds.

The main difference between the two breeds is that the Cavapoo is likely to be motivated by yummy snacks, compared to a Cockapoo is likely to be encouraged by objects and toys. But all dogs are different, and this is not always the case. They are naturally curious, and their training needs to be positive and fun to get the best out of them. Be sure to socialize them both from a young age.

As the Cavapoo and Cockapoo are prone to separation anxiety, it is crucial to crate-train them both. Crate training is an essential tool for both the canine and the owner. It gives the dog a safe space to seek shelter and time out. And it also means that when you have to leave them to their own devices for a short time, they are safe and unable to destroy things or get themselves into trouble.

Health

Like other mixed breeds, they are predisposed to the health concerns that affect their parent breeds. Smaller breeds are usually more likely to outlive larger breeds. And the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has a longer lifespan expectation than a Cocker Spaniel. So you might expect a Cavapoo to live slightly longer, but this depends on many other factors.

They are both prone to suffering from luxating patella, which is essentially a slipped kneecap. This can occur just once or often, either to both or just one knee. A luxating patella can be painful and require surgery. Both breeds are susceptible to several eye conditions, such as progressive retinal atrophy, glaucoma, and cataracts. If you notice your pup is bumping into objects or is uncertain in low visibility environments, you should take them to the vet for an eye examination.

The Cavapoo is more likely to suffer from cardiac concerns, such as mitral valve dysplasia and heart murmurs. The Cockapoo is more likely to experience hip dysplasia and several liver diseases. But every dog is different, and you cannot predict what your pup might suffer from. Like all dog breeds, families should consider investing in pet insurance to help with potentially costly medical bills.

Nutrition

The nutritional needs of the Cavapoo and Cockapoo are similar in that they both need nutritionally balanced and high-quality diets. Look for dog food that meets the standards set out by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), which is age appropriate. Both these breeds do well on high-quality kibble, raw, or fresh food options such as Nom Nom. Look for high-quality proteins, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals.

Just be sure to follow the food instructions and tailor it to your pup. The Cavapoo is usually more food-oriented than the Cockapoo. This means you need to take extra care not to overfeed the Cavapoo as they are prone to becoming overweight. If they do, seek your vet’s advice and consider switching to a weight management diet.

Grooming

The Cavapoo and Cockapoo have a hypoallergenic parent, the Poodle, which means they are likely to shed less than other breeds. However, this is not given because neither the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel nor the Cocker Spaniel is hypoallergenic. So, expect a low-shedding breed, but do not count on them being hypoallergenic dogs. They are both likely to have single-layered coats, which grow quicker than double-layered ones. This means you should think about finding a trustworthy groomer who can cut your pup’s coat regularly.

They both need brushing several times a week to keep their curls matt free and remove any dirt and debris they collect on their adventures. And they need a bath when they get dirty, but not more than once every month. Otherwise, you risk damaging their natural coat oils.

The Cavapoo and the Cockapoo need attention paid to their teeth to prevent periodontal diseases. Start their dental routine at an early age so that they become used to it, brushing their teeth several times a week. Like all dog breeds, their nails need clipping when they become too long. The amount of time you spend grooming your dog depends on their coat. But generally speaking, these pups have similar grooming needs.

Puppy Prices

The average price of a Cavapoo and Cockapoo puppy from a responsible breeder is around $1,500. Although popular or experienced breeders can charge more than this, sometimes in the region of $2,500 or more. Working with a responsible breeder who screens their dogs for hereditary diseases and takes care of their needs is essential. Ask your breeder to supply health certificates and clarify the size of your mixed breed pup’s Poodle parent or lineage.

Watch out for unscrupulous breeders who want to make a quick buck by producing as many puppies as possible without looking after their welfare. Sure, you might save a few hundred dollars on the puppy price. But you should expect to pay more in vet bills in the long run attending to their poor health and behavioral problems. So it’s essential to research your breeder and meet with them and the puppies.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, the Cavapoo and the Cockapoo are very similar dogs, which is why they are so popular with families worldwide. They both have Poodle genes, meaning they are intelligent, loving, and loyal. The main difference between the two breeds is their activity levels. The Cavapoo is usually calmer than the Cockapoo, making them better suited to more relaxed families. Owners looking for an energetic and active pooch might find a better companion in the Cockapoo.

Remember that every dog is different, especially mixed dog breeds like these two. But whichever breed has won your heart, know you’ll find a family-friendly Fido in both designer breeds. They are adorable, fun, and affectionate dogs with the right home and upbringing.