Cavapoo vs Mini Goldendoodle: The Differences (With Pictures)

Deciding what dog breed to adopt can be a challenge. So many cute pups exist; how could you pick just one? And when you run across two breeds that are very similar in looks and personality, it becomes even more difficult to figure out which would be most suitable for you.

Today, we’re looking at two very similar dogs—the Cavapoo and the Mini Goldendoodle. Both of these pups have a parent in common, so they are alike in looks and personality. However, there are some vital differences you should know about.

 

Visual Differences

At a Glance

 

Cavapoo Overview

This breed is a mix between a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Poodle. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels date back to the 1600s when King Charles Spaniels were crossbred with Pugs, while Poodles were created roughly 400 years ago to help hunt waterfowl.

It wasn’t until the 1990s that Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Poodles began to be crossbred, though. Australia wanted to create a smart, chill, friendly, and (mostly) hypoallergenic pup, so they started mixing the two breeds. The result was the Cavapoo, a dog that inherits the best traits from its parent breeds, is small in stature but huge in personality, and a better option for those with allergies.

Temperament

The Cavapoo will inherit traits from its parents, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Poodle. That means these pups will be intelligent, friendly, affectionate, and gentle. This breed adores being the center of your attention, so you’ll have a shadow following you around everywhere you go. That need for attention can sometimes become jealousy if the Cavapoo is in a household with other pets, though.

The breed is also excellent with children (though due to their smaller size, one should always monitor these dogs when playing with kids to ensure it isn’t hurt). And while these dogs aren’t the greatest at being guards, given their propensity towards friendliness, they will certainly alert you via barking when someone comes to your home.

Another important thing to know about the Cavapoo is they can suffer from separation anxiety, so if you’re away from home often, this probably isn’t the best breed for you.

Training

Because the Cavapoo is so intelligent and eager to please, training one shouldn’t be difficult. You’ll need to start training and socializing these dogs at a young age, so start as soon as you get your new pet home. These pups will do best with positive reinforcement, so be sure to have lots of treats on hand and give out praise generously.

You’ll likely also need to work with your Cavapoo on separation anxiety. Otherwise, your pet will be clingy when you’re home and destructive when you’re away. You can find many fantastic tips for easing separation anxiety online, though!

Health & Care

Even the healthiest dog breeds will have a few issues they are more likely to get, and the Cavapoo is no different. This hybrid breed can inherit health issues from their parent breeds, such as:

Suitable For:

Cavapoos make excellent family pets because they’re fond of being around people and dislike being alone. However, they may not work best in homes with very small children, as the Cavapoo is a small dog that could be hurt by overexuberant play. Cavapoos will also make great pets for singles and seniors, provided they aren’t left alone too often.

If you have other pets, your Cavapoo should get along fine with them as long as you socialize it from a young age. However, having other pets means your Cavapoo might sometimes become jealous if it feels you aren’t giving it enough attention.

Mini Goldendoodle Overview

The Mini Goldendoodle is an older designer breed than the Cavapoo, as it was first bred in 1969. A mix between the Miniature Poodle and Golden Retriever, these adorable pups were created to be closely hypoallergenic and guide dogs. As a mix between two breeds, the Mini Goldendoodle gets traits from both parents, so it is intelligent, sweet, and a fabulous option for those with allergies.

Since the Mini Goldendoodle breed has been around for a few decades, there are now three generations of the breed available.

Temperament

The Mini Goldendoodle has two parents with great personalities, and it’s inherited the best traits from both. These pups are smart, laidback, affectionate, and gentle, so they’re a wonderful addition to any home. The Mini Goldendoodle loves nothing more than hanging out with its family and wants to be included in absolutely everything the family does. And because they’re so easy-going, the breed gets along with pretty much everyone!

However, this need to be close to loved ones means some Mini Goldendoodles may experience separation anxiety when left on their own. They can occasionally be quite shy, too, so socialization is necessary!

Training

Mini Goldendoodles are big people-pleasers, which makes training them much simpler. The breed is also intelligent and can pick up commands quickly. As with the Cavapoo, you’ll want to focus on positive reinforcement with these pups, such as praise, pets, and plenty of treats. One area the Mini Goldendoodle excels in is agility, so you may want to work that into training. Overall, training a Mini Goldendoodle should be a breeze!

Also, as with the Cavapoo, you’ll want to socialize your pet early and work on separation anxiety since that could be an issue.

Health & Care

Though a reasonably hardy breed, the Mini Goldendoodle can inherit health issues from both the Golden Retriever and Poodle. Here are some of the more likely to occur:

Suitable For:

The Mini Goldendoodle is also an excellent pet, and unlike the Cavapoo, you don’t have to worry about this pup being around younger children because it isn’t small enough to be accidentally injured during play. Of course, the wonderful laidback personality of the Mini Goldendoodle makes it a suitable pet for just about anyone (provided the person isn’t away from home for long periods).

Mini Goldendoodles will get along great with other pets, too, particularly if you’ve socialized the dog early on.

 

 

Which Breed Is Right for You?

The Cavapoo and the Mini Goldendoodle really are quite similar, so deciding which breed is best for you will come down to a handful of things. One is whether you’d rather have a very small dog or one that is a bit bigger. Another is whether you have young children, as the Mini Goldendoodle is more suitable for that situation due to its size. There’s also whether you have other animals in the home, as the Cavapoo is more likely to experience jealousy when other pets are around, whereas the Mini Goldendoodle is not. However, both breeds are prone to separation anxiety, so if you’re away often, leaving pets at home, neither breed would be best for you.

Besides that, it all boils down to personal preference and which pup you think you would enjoy the most!

See Also:

• Mini Goldendoodle vs Goldendoodle: The Differences (With Pictures)
• Havapoo vs Cavapoo: Main Differences (With Pictures)

---

Featured Image Credit: Left – Peps Silvestro, Pexels | Right – SoySendra, Shutterstock