Cockapoo Vs Cavapoo: What’s The Difference?

Kieran Beckles
By Kieran Beckles
Updated on 20 September 2022

Do you know the difference between a Cockapoo and a Cavapoo?

These two hybrid dog breeds have become hugely popular over the past 20 years or so as dog lovers embrace mixed breeds.

Neither the Cockapoo nor the Cavapoo are recognised by the American Kennel Club or the Kennel Club in the United Kingdom.

Having said that, they’re two examples of what are often dubbed designer dog breeds like Goldendoodles and Labradoodles.

In this article, we’re going to take a look at the differences and similarities between the Cockapoo and the Cavapoo.

With the introduction over, let’s take a closer look at the Cockapoo Vs Cavapoo.

What Is A Cockapoo?

Cockapoo (Photo: Adobe Stock)

Cockapoo (Photo: Adobe Stock)

A Cockapoo is a cross between a Cocker Spaniel and a Poodle. They’re commonly called a Cockapoo but they can also be called Cockapoodle or Cock-a-Poo. Or, you could simply refer to these dogs as a Cocker Spaniel Poodle mix.

What Is A Cavapoo?

Cavapoo (Photo: Adobe Stock)

Cavapoo (Photo: Adobe Stock)

The Cavapoo cross breed is created by breeding a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Poodle. You may also hear this hybrid dog being called a Cavadoodle or Cavoodle. Alternatively, you could refer to them as a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Poodle mix.

Where Do Cockapoo Come From?

Cockapoo (Photo: Adobe Stock)

Cockapoo (Photo: Adobe Stock)

Cockapoo were thought to have originated in the 1960s before becoming much more popular in the 1990s and 2000s.

As we’ve already mentioned, Cockapoo are the result of breeding between a Cocker Spaniel and a Poodle.

The Cockapoo Club Of America was founded in 1998 by Mary D Foley before the American Cockapoo Club was created in 2004.

These two Cockapoo clubs are tasked with creating consistency within the cross breed.

Where Do Cavapoo Come From?

Cavapoo (Photo: Adobe Stock)

Cavapoo (Photo: Adobe Stock)

Although their exact origin isn’t clear, the first examples of the Cavapoo cross breed started to appear in the United States in the 1950s.

However, there is some controversy as there is a suggestion that the Cavapoo originated in Australia in the 1990s.

Created by mixing a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Poodle, the Cavapoo breed is a common cross breed like the Cockapoo.

Cockapoo Vs Cavapoo: Size

Cockapoo plays in bluebells (Photo: Adobe Stock)

Cockapoo plays in bluebells (Photo: Adobe Stock)

The Cockapoo is created using a Cocker Spaniel and a Mini or Toy Poodle. There is four potential Cockapoo sizes: Teacup, Toy, Miniature and Standard. They can range from 10 inches to 14 inches in height and 6 to 18 pounds). As you can see, there is quite a range.

Like the Cockapoo, Cavapoo breeders will usually use a Mini or Toy Poodle with a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Cavapoos will usually grow to a height between 9 and 14 inches and they can weigh around 8 to 20 pounds.

Cockapoo Vs Cavapoo: Appearance

Cavapoo (Photo: Adobe Stock)

Cavapoo (Photo: Adobe Stock)

Cockapoos have a round heads, floppy ears, puppy-like eyes under bushy eyebrows. They should have a black nose with a medium-length tail and a curly coat. They can have a wide range of colors, including black, apricot, white, chocolate, red and white. They can have coat patterns like parti, phantom, sable, tri-color, merle and roan.

The Cavapoo cross breed will have a solid head with floppy ears and big eyebrows that tend to be a nod to their Cavalier King Charles Spaniel parent. They’ll have big brown eyes that will melt your heart with a muzzle and black nose. They tend to be black, white or brown but other possible colors include chestnut, tri-color, apricot, cream, phantom, red sable and sable.

Cockapoo Vs Cavapoo: Temperament

Cockapoo relaxes in the grass (Photo: Adobe Stock)

Cockapoo relaxes in the grass (Photo: Adobe Stock)

The Cockapoo tends to be a happy, friendly and outgoing dog breed that have a bouncy personalities. They’ll usually be quite enthusiastic, whether it’s meeting new people or new dogs, going for a walk, playtime in the garden or a training session. They tend to do well in a family setting, although the energetic Cockapoo breed will need constant supervision around children.

Cavapoo is a versatile cross breed that can be both excellent workout companions as well as snuggle bugs. They’ll relish the chance to play whether it’s indoors or outdoors. They can adapt well to the lifestyle of their dog owners provided they get sufficient mental and physical stimulation. So they could be a good option as an apartment-friendly dog.

Cockapoo Vs Cavapoo: Exercise

Cavapoo (Photo: Adobe Stock)

Cavapoo (Photo: Adobe Stock)

As the offspring of two energetic dog breeds, it shouldn’t be a surprise to learn that the Cockapoo will need a lot of exercise. Whether it’s physical or mental stimulation, Cockapoo owners will need to provide their pet with plenty of activities to prevent unwanted behaviours. Wag Walking recommend around 60 minutes of exercise a day.

Cavapoo have similar exercise requirements despite the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel being a more low maintenance dog breed than the Poodle. They could excel at agility or sports if you want to find alternative ways of exercising your dog.

Are Cockapoo or Cavapoo calmer?

Cockapoo Masie (Photo: hellobark.com)

Cockapoo Masie (Photo: hellobark.com)

While the Cockapoo and Cavapoo are both relatively energetic dog cross breeds, the Cockapoo tends to be slightly more energetic. They’re the result of two breeds that were bred to be outside and working alongside their owner. Cavapoo, while having similar exercise needs, are slightly more prone to a snuggle on the sofa especially seeing as one of their parents (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel) is considered the quintessential lapdog.

Cockapoo Vs Cavapoo: Hypoallergenic

Cavapoochon (Photo: Adobe Stock)

Cavapoochon (Photo: Adobe Stock)

The Cockapoo and the Cavapoo are both considered hypoallergenic dogs, explaining why these two designer dogs have become so popular. While there is no such thing as a completely hypoallergenic dog, there are some breeds and mixes that have more hypoallergenic qualities. The influence of the Poodle genes means that both the Cockapoo and the Cavapoo crosses are likely to be more hypoallergenic than some other dogs.

Cockapoo Vs Cavapoo: Shedding

Cockapoo Masie (Photo: hellobark.com)

Cockapoo Masie (Photo: hellobark.com)

Continuing on from our previous point, the Cockapoo and Cavapoo are two examples of cross breeds that have a low shedding coat. It depends on whether the Poodle parent’s genes dominate your Cockapoo or Cavapoo. For example, if you go for a second or third generation Cockapoo or Cavapoo, they’re more likely to shed minimally.

The Cockapoo Owners Club Of UK have the following advice:

Cockapoos can shed hair although a lot are very low moulting especially if they take on more of a poodle coat. But as there is no 100% predictability with coats, then expect that some hair may be shed, especially those who are more cocker like in appearance and have a more cocker spaniel coat or have less curly coats.

Cockapoo Vs Cavapoo: Price

Cavapoo (Photo: Adobe Stock)

Cavapoo (Photo: Adobe Stock)

The Cockapoo will usually cost between $900 (£700) to $2,500 (£1900) but the price can vary depending on the breeder and the puppy’s parents.

The Cavapoo have a similar price range of $1000 (£855) to $2000 (£1700) but like the Cockapoo, the price can range from breeder to breeder.

Cockapoo Vs Cavapoo: Life Expectancy

The Cockapoo has an average life expectancy of 12 to 17 years, while the Cavapoo will usually live to an age between 10 and 15 years.

The Difference Between Cockapoo Vs Cavapoo

Cavapoo puppy (Photo: Adobe Stock)

Cavapoo puppy (Photo: Adobe Stock)

There are some subtle differences between the Cockapoo and the Cavapoo. Perhaps the biggest difference is the energy levels of these two hybrid dogs. The Cockapoo will usually be slightly more energetic seeing as they’re the offspring of a Cocker Spaniel and a Poodle. On the other hand, the Cavapoo is slightly more of a companion pet due to the influence of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel’s genes. They may be more prediposed to a cuddle with their owners and display some lapdog tendencies.

The Similarities Between Cockapoo Vs Cavapoo

The Cockapoo and Cavapoo have more in common than you might have expected. They’re low-shedding cross breeds with hypoallergenic qualities. They’ll need regular grooming to maintain the appearance and health of their coats. They have a similar price tag and live to a similar age. Even though the Cavapoo could be a slightly less energetic than the Cockapoo, they still need around 60 minutes of exercise a day.

Cockapoo Vs Cavapoo – In Conclusion

Cavapoo puppy (Photo: Adobe Stock)

Cavapoo puppy (Photo: Adobe Stock)

We’ve reached the end of our Cockapoo Vs Cavapoo comparison article.

They’re two similar cross breeds that are becoming increasingly popular thanks to their good temperaments, hypoallergenic and low-shedding coats and high exercise needs.

If you’ve decided that one of these dogs is the right fit for you, you should speak to multiple breeders and ask to see the parents of your puppy before you decide to adopt.

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