Are Cavapoos Good Dogs?

A cross between the Poodle and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, the Cavapoo (also known as the Cavadoodle) is adorable.

As a Poodle Mix dog expert, I get asked all the time about specific dog breeds. Which dogs are best for families, couples, kids, and those of us who are full-time workers. Are Cavapoos good Dogs?

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are cavapoos good dogs — So are Cavapoos good dogs? Who are they best for?

With the curly fur, slight build, and sweet face, it’s hard not to fall in love with a Cavapoo. Plus, they are intelligent and easy to train, making them a popular choice for new dog owners.

However, no dog is perfect, which applies to the Cavapoo as much as any other breed. Before falling in love with a Cavapoo’s legendary cuteness, explore the following points to determine if a Cavapoo is a good dog for your home and family.

Are Cavapoos Good Dogs?

Yes, most Cavapoo owners consider them to be excellent dogs.

These affectionate canines are intelligent and responsive to humans, and they’re perfect as a family dog. Cavapoos have an extremely mild prey drive, so they have almost non-existent aggression.

Let’s explore some more reasons why Cavapoos are unquestionably good dogs.

Intelligence

The Poodle is one of the most intelligent dog breeds on the planet. In fact, it comes in second after only the Border Collie. Since Cavapoos have Poodle blood, it makes sense that Cavapoos are just as smart.

cavapoo in the sun — A Cavapoo shines in the sun. So cute!

Neither breed makes the list of of the dumbest dog breeds.

Easy Training

Thanks to their intelligence, Cavapoos do well with training and usually enjoy the process. Not only does training mentally stimulate them, the process means they get to spend time with their human companion, and that is their favorite thing ever.

training Cavapoo at the beach — A Cavapoo is being trained at the beach. (Image: Instagram/@kobethecava)

Cavapoos are also typically fast learners. There may be an exception with some Cavapoos when house-training, but this usually occurs when they are just puppies.

Praise and affection are the best rewards for Cavapoos during training. Be patient, gentle, and consistent with training, and you’ll soon see that your Cavapoo is a quick and eager learner.

Sweet Temperament

The Cavapoo’s wonderful temperament is one of the reasons so many people want to adopt this mixed breed. The Cavapoo has minimal prey drive, meaning they can easily live with smaller animals like cats without worry. Plus, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is famous for its sweet personality, and that friendly temperament passes down to Cavapoos.

Cavapoo looks and smiles at owner — The Cavapoo looks and smiles at its owner. (Image: Instagram/@weasley_the_cavapoo)

Many families enjoy having Cavapoos as pets to play with their children. However, you should avoid leaving a child younger than six years old alone with a Cavapoo. A child that young may accidentally injure this relatively delicate and small dog.

Low-Maintenance Grooming

One of the advantages of owning a Cavapoo is how easy they are to groom. As long as you brush your dog once a week, that will often be enough.

cavapoo two dogs — Cavapoo dogs thrive in the company of humans but can also adapt to other dogs, cats, and smaller children

Keep in mind, though, that every individual Cavapoo may have significant differences. As a mixed breed, it can be difficult to predict each dog’s exact fur and grooming needs. For example, if you have a Cavapoo with a longer coat, it will need more consistent grooming, about once a month.

Easy Exercise Requirements

Most adult Cavapoos need between 20 and 30 minutes of physical activity each day. You can easily accomplish this by taking your Cavapoo for walks. Although Cavapoos don’t require as much exercise as some other dogs, don’t neglect to give your Cavapoo physical activity.

running Cavapoo puppy — A Cavapoo puppy running towards the owner. (Image: Instagram/@dave_the_cavapoo)

They need this to stay happy and healthy, just like any other dog.

Adorable Appearance

There’s no doubt about it: Cavapoos are adorable. With such beautiful parentage from the Poodle and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, it’s little wonder the Cavapoo is sought after for its good looks.

red and white parti cavapoo — Distinct Parti or Bicolor coat Cavapoo dogs are super impressive!

It’s also fantastic that you can find various characteristics in Cavapoos. As a mixed breed, each dog will have a unique mixture of traits. For example, some Cavapoos take more heavily after their Poodle parents, while others may inherit more of its appearance from the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

Most cavapoos, however, boast adorably enormous eyes and rounded faces.

Bad Things About Cavapoos

Now that you’ve learned so many fantastic things about the Cavapoo, maybe you are surprised that there are any drawbacks to this breed. But no breed is perfect, and the Cavapoo does have its flaws.

Prone to Separation Anxiety

Your Cavapoo is seriously attached to you, and that is why they’re so prone to separation anxiety. If you need to be away from home for long periods, a Cavapoo isn’t the right dog for you. An example might be if you have a job with very long hours.

Cavapoo biting sock — The Cavapoo puppy biting a sock. (Image: Instagram/@cavapoopep)

Your Cavapoo will almost certainly end up with separation anxiety.

There are symptoms of separation anxiety Cavapoo owners should be aware of. These include:

Excessive barking
Whining
Aggression
General signs of anxiety
Pottying indoors
Being destructive
Chewing on furniture

To help prevent your Cavapoo from experiencing separation anxiety, try the following steps:

Help them get used to being alone for shorter periods before working up to slightly longer ones.
Don’t expect your Cavapoo to adjust immediately.
When you get home, give your Cavapoo lots of praise and make them feel secure.

Possible Medical Conditions

Your Cavapoo may develop one or more health conditions common in Poodles and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. Examples of these conditions include glaucoma and cataracts, mitral valve disease, entropion, epilepsy, hip dysplasia, and luxating patellas. Choose a reputable breeder to cut down on the risk of getting a Cavapoo with any of these conditions.

black and white cavapoo — A Black and white Miniature (Teacup Cavapoo) chills out

The Best Things About Cavapoos

Cavapoos have so many stellar qualities that it’s hard to choose the best one, but I’d have to say it’s their temperament. After that, it would have to be this mixed breed’s intelligence. This combination of sweet temperament and intelligence makes the Cavapoo an excellent therapy dog.

A well-behaved Cavapoo puppy sitting on the cushion. (Image: Instagram/@fleur_the_cavapoo)

Of course, the Cavapoo’s adorable appearance is another stand-out feature. Even more impressively, you can find Cavapoos with a variety of coat textures and colors, as well as in different sizes. Some of the coat colors commonly seen in Cavapoos include brown, black, white, and various shades and combinations of these colors.

Drawing a Conclusion – Are Cavapoos Good Dogs?

Yes, Cavapoos are indeed very good dogs. They are obedient, friendly, and intelligent. While they do have some drawbacks, such as the tendency to separation anxiety, they are often the perfect choice for a family dog.