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Cavapoo vs Cockapoo: How Are They Different? (With Pictures)

Jessica Kim

By Jessica Kim

Cavapoo vs Cockapoo

Cavapoos and Cockapoos are both popular hybrid dog breeds. Both dogs are bred with dog breeds in the spaniel family. A Cavapoo is a mix between a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Poodle, and Cockapoo is a mix between a Cocker Spaniel and a Poodle.

Both dog breeds were bred to be companion dogs, so they enjoy people’s company and tend to get along with just about anyone. They’re also pretty easygoing and easygoing, making them great choices for first-time dog owners.

While these dog breeds share many similarities, they also have some differences that make them distinguishable designer dogs. We’ll explore each breed to help you decide which one is right for you.

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Visual Differences

Cavapoo vs Cockapoo side by side
Image Credit: (L) Moravian, Shutterstock | (R) Jumpstory

At a Glance

Cavapoo
  • Average height (adult): 9-14 inches
  • Average weight (adult): 8 – 25 pounds
  • Lifespan: 10 – 15 years
  • Exercise: At least 1 hour a day
  • Grooming needs: Moderate
  • Family-friendly: Yes
  • Other pet-friendly: Often
  • Trainability: Intelligent and eager to please
Cockapoo
  • Average height (adult): 10 – 28 inches
  • Average weight (adult): 10 – 35 pounds
  • Lifespan: 12 – 15 years
  • Exercise: 1+ hours a day
  • Grooming needs: Moderate
  • Family-friendly: Yes
  • Other pet-friendly: Often
  • Trainability: Intelligent and easy to train

Divider 5Cavapoo Overview

Cavapoo
Cavapoo, Image Credit: skeeze, Pixabay

Cavapoos are usually small dog breeds, but they can get up to around 25 pounds. Their size will vary slightly depending on if their parent is a Toy Poodle parent or Miniature Poodle.

Personality / Character

Cavapoos were bred as companion dogs, so they enjoy being around people. They’re not known to be shy around strangers and like being included in family activities. They can be good playmates for small children, and they usually get along with other dogs and other kinds of pets.

Just keep in mind that early socialization is key to increasing the success of Cavapoos living harmoniously with young children and other pets. Both dogs and young children should be supervised and taught how to interact and play with each other safely.

Exercise

Cavapoos and Cockapoos have similar exercise needs. Cavapoos need at least two 30-minute exercise sessions a day. They don’t tend to have as much energy as Cockapoos and are usually content with leisurely walks.

Cavapoos are highly intelligent and need mental exercise just as much as physical exercise. They’ll enjoy learning new tricks, especially if the tricks garner a lot of attention and praise. Cavapoos usually enjoy playing with dog puzzles and treat dispensing toys. They can have particularly curious natures, so snuffle mats that encourage sniffing will also be fun for them.

golden Cavapoo puppy in the garden
Cavapoo, Image Credit: Danny Shiers, Shutterstock

Training

Cavapoos tend to be eager to please and love being the center of attention, so they’re easy to train. While no dog should be yelled at, Cavapoos are particularly sensitive to your tone of voice and can easily feel scared or threatened by a harsh tone. They adapt to people’s emotions, so if you’re acting too excited, it’ll make them feel excited with you and have difficulty focusing. So, it’s crucial to find a good balance between being fun and engaging while being calm and firm.

Health & Care

Cavapoos are pretty healthy, but some may develop hereditary illnesses over time. Here are some health issues Cavapoos may face:

  • Luxating patella
  • Progressive retinal atrophy
  • Glaucoma
  • Epilepsy
  • Legg Perthes disease

Cavapoos tend to have wavy or curly coats that shed minimally. However, some may have coats that are closer to a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel’s coat, and these coats will be wavier and shed more. Cavapoos with coats that more closely resemble a Poodle’s coat will have curlier hair and require more intensive grooming.

Cavapoos typically need to be brushed daily or every other day. A slicker brush and fine-tooth comb should suffice, but you could also use a pin brush to help with minor tangles. If you want to minimize brushing, you can request groomers to cut their hair a little shorter to prevent tangling.

Most Cavapoos need baths every 2-3 weeks. Whenever their coats feel greasy or oily, it’s time for a bath.

Cavapoo licking ice
Cavapoo, Image Credit: Scot Col, Shutterstock

Suitable for:

Cavapoos are friendly and loyal. They love to be around people and don’t do well if left home alone for long hours. So, it’s a priority for them to be in homes where they aren’t regularly alone for many hours.

Cavapoos are pretty flexible when it comes to lifestyle. While they’ll enjoy having a small backyard to run around in, they can live in apartments happily if they have daily walks and opportunities to explore outside. They’re also great family dogs, and their easy going nature and trainability make them great dogs for first-time owners.

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Cockapoo Overview

Cockapoo pose
Cockapoo, Image Credit: CC0 Public Domain, pxhere

Cockapoos tend to vary in size more than Cavapoos. They can be bred with Toy Poodles, Miniature Poodles, and Standard Poodles. Most Cockapoos are bred with the American Cocker Spaniel, but some may have English Cocker Spaniel parents. If the size of your dog is important to you, make sure to ask breeders exactly what dog breeds are in their breeding program so that you bring home a Cockapoo that fits well with the size of your home.

Personality / Character

Cockapoos have a lot of energy and love to have fun. They tend to be very playful and must have daily play sessions with their family to feel content. These dogs are also pretty social and enjoy both human company and being around other dogs.

They cannot be left alone for too many hours and are more prone to developing separation anxiety than Cavapoos. So, these dogs do better if there’s usually someone who can be at home with them. They might do well if they have another dog companion with them, but it might be a better option to drop them off at a doggy daycare so that they have human companionship.

Exercise

Cockapoos need at least 30 minutes of exercise twice daily. Walks will suffice, but these dogs love to play, so they’ll most likely find a game of fetch or tug more entertaining and engaging. Cockapoos that take on more Poodle traits may love swimming, so taking them to a dog-friendly pool or beach may end up being a special treat for them that also helps them burn off their energy.

These dogs will also appreciate enrichment activities incorporated into their daily schedule. Playing with mentally stimulating toys, like treat dispensers and puzzles will keep their mind active and prevent boredom.

cockapoo
Cockapoo, Credit: mountaintreks, Shutterstock

Training

Cockapoos are intelligent and relatively easy to train. However, due to their energy, they may have a hard time focusing. Most training sessions are successful if you first expend some of their energy with a short play session. It’ll be helpful to figure out the right amount of exercise that will help your Cockapoo focus without completely tiring them out.

Health & Care

Cockapoos are generally healthy dogs, but they can inherit some genetic conditions from their purebred parents. Their health issues are similar to Cavapoos’ health issues. These are some health issues that a Cockapoo may develop later in life:

  • Luxating patella
  • Hip dysplasia
  • Progressive retinal atrophy
  • Glaucoma
  • Allergies

Cockapoos and Cavapoos share similar coats. So, most Cockapoos have minimally shedding coats. However, if they inherit a coat that more closely resembles a Cocker Spaniel’s coat, it’ll shed more. Like Cavapoos, Cockapoos also need regular brushing to keep their silky hair smooth and tangle-free. Most will do well with a slicker brush and fine-tooth comb.

Cockapoos will also need regular baths to prevent their coats from getting too greasy. Most will need baths every 2-3 weeks, but the frequency will depend on how quickly their coats become oily.

Cockapoo
Image By: Simon Wooler, Pexels

Suitable for:

Cockapoos are great for first-time dog owners because they’re friendly and pretty easy to train. People with more active lifestyles may be a better fit for the Cockapoo’s energetic and playful nature. Cockapoos also tend to be bigger than Cavapoos, so they can hold their own around young children a little better. However, both Cockapoos and children should be allowed opportunities to learn how to interact with each other properly.

One of the most important needs that Cockapoos have is human companionship. So, being in homes where someone is usually around is a must.

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Which Breed Is Right for You?

Cavapoos and Cockapoos share many similarities. They’re both friendly, social, and easy to train. They’re also good with children and can learn to get along with other pets through early socialization. They both can’t be left alone for long hours.

One of the main differences between the two dog breeds is size. Cockapoos tend to be bigger and a little more energetic. While they can live in apartments and other smaller living spaces, they’ll be much happier living in a bigger home with a backyard. Cavapoos tend to have less stamina than Cockapoos and are better suited for apartment life.

Overall, both dogs are intelligent, great companions, and love people. So, if you’re able to meet their needs for attention, playtime, and mental stimulation, either dog will be a great fit for you.

See also:


Featured Image Credit: (L) Steven B Gold, Shutterstock | (R) Lee Ph, Shutterstock

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