
Cavapoos are a mixed breed that have becoming increasingly popular in recent decades.
You may have heard of a Cavapoo but not realised it’s a combination of two popular dog breeds.
Also called Cavoodles, these “designer dogs” are a mix between a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Poodle.
They’re popular for their friendly personalities and hypoallergenic qualities.
However, as with all mixed breeds, there’s no guarantee which traits a Cavapoo will inherit from each parent.
In this article, we’re going to take a look at whether Cavapoos shed and how much it can cost to maintain their coats.
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What are Cavapoos?
Cavapoos are a cross between a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Poodle. They’re a mixed breed that can also be referred to as a Cavoodle.
Alternatively, they can simply be described as a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Poodle mix.
Do Cavapoos shed?

Cavapoo puppy (Photo: Adobe Stock)
Cavapoos have earned a reputation for being low-shedding dogs with hypoallergenic qualities. However, every Cavapoo will shed to varying degrees depending on which of their parents they take after more.
The low-shedding element of a Cavapoo is inherited from their Poodle parent. The French breed are notorious for being low-shedding dogs that don’t omit a lot of dander. The American Kennel Club and the British Kennel Club suggest Poodles for anyone looking for a hypoallergenic dog breed.
Their coats don’t shed much if at all and their tight curls catch any dander they do secrete. Here’s the American Lung Association to explain more about pet dander:
Pet dander is composed of tiny, even microscopic, flecks of skin shed by cats, dogs, rodents, birds and other animals with fur or feathers. These bits of skin can cause reactions in people who are specifically allergic to these triggers.
Although Poodles are considered a hypoallergenic dog breed, the AKC underline on their website that no canine is completely hypoallergenic.
While no dog is 100% hypoallergenic, there are a variety of breeds that do well with allergy sufferers. These dogs have a predictable, non-shedding coat which produces less dander.
While Cavapoos could inherit their Poodle parent’s hypoallergenic coat, they could just as easily mirror their Cavalier King Charles Spaniel parent.
Cavaliers aren’t considered a hypoallergenic dog breed as they’re moderate-to-high shedders. They shed all year round so they’ll require a regular brushing and grooming.
Here’s Cavapoo World to explain a little more:
If the Poodle genes dominate in this particular puppy, you can expect your new love to be fairly low-shedding. Their coat will look and feel much more like a poodle’s sleek and curly coat than a Spaniel’s soft one. If your puppy has inherited more of a Spaniel’s goat genes, you will be able to see it too. It will have longer and smoother fur and will likely shed about as much as a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel would.
So you should expect your Cavapoo to shed to some degree, although the degree of shedding will depend on each individual Cavoodle and which parent they more closely mirror.
Will I need to groom a Cavapoo?

Cavapoo (Photo: Adobe Stock)
While you might strike lucky and get a Cavapoo with a low shedding coat, you’ll still have to dedicate time to grooming your furry four-legged friend like every other Cavoodle owner.
These dogs need to be groomed regularly to maintain the health and quality of their beautiful coats. This will require consistency and dedication from Cavapoo owners.
It’s important to groom your Cavapoo to prevent their coat from becoming matted or tangled. If this is allowed to happen, it could lead to further health conditions.
Cavapoos can have different types of coats depending on which genes they inherit. You may find a Cavapoo with a curly or wavy coat, but some can have more of a straight coat.
Generally, it’s recommended you take your Cavapoo to a professional groomer every four to six weeks to have their coats thoroughly brushed and combed. They’ll need a bath every four to six weeks.
Are Cavapoos hypoallergenic?
Cavapoos are considered a mixed breed with hypoallergenic qualities. However, in spite of what you may read online, there’s no guarantee your Cavapoo will be highly hypoallergenic. It depends on each individual dog.
So don’t be lured into advertisements or claims by breeders that they’re Cavapoo puppies are completely hypoallergenic. As we touched upon above, there’s no such thing as a 100 per cent hypoallergenic dog.
Cavapoo World have the following answer to the above question:
To be honest, the question should be: Are cavapoo hypoallergenic for you? The answer to this question will actually depend on what exactly you are allergic to. You aren’t just allergic to a dog. You can be allergic to a dog’s hair, saliva, dander, urine, faecal matter. If you are allergic to saliva, dander or urine, you will likely be allergic to any type of dog, including hypoallergenic ones like Poodles and Cavapoos.
Although Poodles are generally considered hypoallergenic, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are not. Each Cavapoo could inherit different traits from their parents.
Cavapoo coat colors
Cavapoo can come in a wide range of different coat colors. While most Cavapoos tend to be black, white or brown, they can also come in chestnut, tri-color, apricot, cream, phantom, red sable and sable.
Cost of maintaining a Cavapoo’s coat
Cavapoo puppies aren’t cheap so you’ll have to invest a sizeable sum when you pick up your new arrival from the breeder. Not only that, you’ve got other costs such as puppy-proofing your home, getting all the necessary accessories plus food. There’s the small matter of pet insurance plus their vaccinations at the vet. As you can see, owning a dog isn’t cheap.
While Cavapoos have hypoallergenic qualities and might be low shedders, they’ll take up a lot of your budget and time with their grooming requirements. They’ll need regular trips to a professional groomer, which can be pricey. It’s recommended you bring your Cavapoo to the groomer between every four and eight weeks.
Most groomers will charge between $30 (£25) and $50 (£40) each time you visit their salon. So you’ll need to budget for this cost when you’re deciding whether a Cavapoo is the right fit for you and your lifestyle.
Anything else to consider
If you want to learn more Cavapoos and their shedding, you could always speak to some owners on social media. In our experience, pet parents are more than happy to share information and advice with people genuinely interested in the breed.
While you can do a lot of research online, often the best insight into a breed is from a current owner who can share with you the pros and cons of these mixed dogs. We’ve got a list of 20 Cavapoos to check out on Instagram for fans of the breed.
In conclusion

Cavapoo (Photo: Adobe Stock)
We’ve come to the end of our article on Cavapoo shedding.
While Cavapoos can be hypoallergenic and low-shedding dogs, it all depends on whether they take after their Poodle parent or Cavalier King Charles Spaniel parent more.
Even if you find a Cavapoo that doesn’t shed a lot, they’ll still take up a lot of your time and resources with regards to their extensive grooming requirements.