Over the past approx.20 years, designer dogs have been captivating the eyes of many dog fans. These mix breeds come with unique and exceptional features and temperaments that make them incredible family pets even for novice dog owners.
While that is true, it can be hard to tell what a pup would be like in terms of physical appearance and temperament given the differences in their parents. Yet, if you adopt or buy a crossbreed from a reputable and certified dog breeder, you can have the best family dog and companion.
Are you looking for a comparison between the Cavapoo and the Cockapoo? We have conducted in-depth research and tried to answer all the questions you might ask. But before that…
Table of Contents
Cavapoo Overview
On the one hand, the Cavapoo is a small-sized charming mixed dog breed that possesses a big personality. With the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel’s adorable face and the hypoallergenic coat of a Poodle, the Cavapoo makes a marvelous family dog and companion. Cavadoodles are excellent with kids and have a lifespan of 12 to 15 years.
Cockapoo Overview
The Cockapoo, on the other hand, is the oldest mixed breed among designer dog breeds. This crossbreeds between a Cocker Spaniel and the Miniature Poodle and has a big temperament. Like their cousins, Cavapoos, Cockapoos can be admirable family dogs if trained well from their pup stage. With a lifespan of over 13 years, Cockapoos are kid-friendly and are suitable for homes with a yard to burn off energy.
Comparisons
Today, we shall look at the comparison between the Cavapoo and Cockapoo looking at their genetics, sizes, grooming, personality, health, and barking. By the end of these comparisons, you will fully understand each crossbreed and how to deal with after adoption or purchase.
Cavapoo vs. Cockapoo Genetics
Genetics are an important factor in dog breeding as the puppy inherits genes from each of the parents by contributing 1 allele from each locus. One of the alleles in each locus is dominant and defines the dog’s personalities such as the coat color and more.
The Cavapoo is a breed between a Poodle and a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel which has its origins in Australia and has gained popularity in the country since its establishment. A Cockapoo, on the other hand, is a mixed breed between a Poodle and any Cocker Spaniel regardless of its origin and type.
As you can see in every dog breed, the first evident disparity is in the genetics and the variances in parents define their appearance, health, and personality.
Cavapoo vs. Cockapoo Sizes
At first sight, the Cavapoo seems to be much smaller than the Cockapoo. And while this is true, they can be almost similar in size or a Cavapoo can grow taller than a Cockapoo. The size difference can be little but significant but the Cockapoo features an elongated muzzle.
While the Cockapoo has an average height of 10 to 15 inches, that of the Cavapoo is between 9 to 14 inches.
Cavapoo vs. Cockapoo Coat
Since both the Cavapoo and the Cockapoo have the same Poodle parents, there is a big similarity in their coats. Furthermore, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Cocker Spaniel have the same coats. As such, both crossbreeds can either have the Poodle’s curly coat or the Cavalier/Cocker’s wavy coat.
In addition, both the Cavapoo and Cockapoo coats are available in a range of colors, including white, sable, merle, black & white, tri-color, black, chocolate, apricot, tan, beige, and red.
Cavapoo vs. Cockapoo Grooming
When it comes to grooming, that is where the two crossbreeds have a major difference. Most dog owners say that a Cavapoo is easier to maintain as it requires slight shaving to keep the coats short. As such, Cavapoos require a random bath. Those with a longer coat require weekly brushing to prevent it from knotting.
Cockapoos, on the other hand, have a rapidly-growing coat. As such, grooming them requires regular brushing and cutting to prevent the coat from knotting. If a Cockapoo inherits a Poodle’s coat, they will need to be bathed regularly to keep this long, silky fur hygienic.
Cavapoo vs. Cockapoo Temperament/Personality
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel stands out as the friendliest dogs we have and are also kid-friendly, good to other dogs, and outgoing. The Poodle, on the other hand, ranks among the most intelligent dogs globally, is friendly, and affectionate. This makes the Cavapoo an extremely sociable, affectionate, and playful dog ever.
Like the Cavapoo, the Cockapoo is outgoing, intelligent, loves human companionship, and inherits a cheerful temperament from their Cocker Spaniel parents. Unfortunately, their desire for attention makes them prone to separation anxiety.
Cavapoo vs. Cockapoo Health
Both the Cavapoo and Cockapoo mix breeds share a Poodle parent who is considered to be very healthy. However, their Cocker Spaniel and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel parents are inclined to certain health issues that you should know.
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breed is prone to a life-threatening condition known as MVD or the heart mitral valve disease. With scrupulous breeding, however, the risk of this condition can be reduced in your Cavapoo.
Cocker Spaniels, on the other hand, are predisposed to a kidney disease known as familial nephropathy and eye problems. Like with a Cavapoo, above, purchasing your pup from a reputable breeder minimizes the risks of the infections in your Cockapoo.
Cavapoo vs. Cockapoo Barking
First things first, barking comes naturally in dogs so you expect them to bark. The difference, however, is the pitch and notoriety.
On the one hand, Cavapoos are known to be notorious barkers. They have a somewhat high barking tendency which commonly results from separation anxiety, stress, or fear. Cavapoos can also bark trying to get their owner’s attention or alerting them of an intruder or stranger.
Cockapoos, on the other hand, are known to be calmer or have a low barking tendency. This is a unique trait as both its parents are known to bark but not excessively.
Cavapoo vs. Maltipoo
We know about a Cavapoo already, right? What of a Maltipoo?
A Maltipoo is a crossbreed between a Maltese and a Poodle and are popular for being friendly and playful. Most people love them because they are energetic and attractive hence making excellent family pets, even for novice pet parents.
To begin with, both crossbreeds share a Poodle parent. When it comes to size, Cavapoos can be as tall as 9 to 14 inches depending on the type of Poodle used. Maltipoos, on the other hand, vary in size and can measure 6 to 14 inches in height. However, both have a loving and adorable temperament making them incredible family pets.
When it comes to health issues, Maltipoos are susceptible to a range of diseases inherited from both parents but mostly their Maltese parent, including patellar luxation, Legg Calve Perthes Disease, epilepsy, and White Shaker Syndrome.
The Maltipoo coat is very similar to that of a Cavapoo with medium to long in size, soft, fluffy in texture, and are low-shedding just like their parents. In terms of colors, they range from apricot, white, silver beige, blue, black, cream, and silver which are common in Cavapoos.
Like Cockapoos, however, they are susceptible to separation anxiety. So, how do they compare with Cavapoos? Maltipoos have a lifespan of 10 to 13 years and are fragile which makes them prone to injuries if they are dropped by kids.
Cavapoo vs. Cockapoo vs. Goldendoodle
Yet another designer or hybrid dog, the Goldendoodle is a crossbreed between a Golden Retriever and a Poodle. Like the Cockapoo and Cavapoo, the Goldendoodle is intelligent, affectionate, and low-shedding which makes them splendid family pets even for novices.
Unlike the Cavapoo and Cockapoo, the Goldendoodle or Groodle is larger in size despite having a Poodle as a common parent. The 2 feet height size is inherited from their Golden Retriever parent and is known to be calm, not a barker and has a lifespan of 10 to 15 years.
When it comes to temperament, all the three dogs are friendly and loyal, and while Groodles love being around people; both the Cavapoo and Cockapoo are owner-oriented. However, they are all playful and make excellent family pets.
Like the Cavapoo and Cockapoo, Goldendoodles are prone to some health conditions such as hip problems, atopy, and eye problems. When it comes to coats, Goldendoodles are available in a range of colors including black, brown, blonde, or tri-colors. Their coats are fluffy and curly, non-shedding, and can be hypoallergenic depending on their Poodle parents.
Both Goldendoodles and Cavapoos require regular grooming via brushing at least once a week to prevent tangling. Cockapoos, on the other hand, do not need regular grooming as they do not shed. However, they are susceptible to ear infections so you should clean them often. When it comes to brushing their teeth, do it twice or thrice a week.
Cavapoo vs. Cockapoo vs. Cavachon
Now that we already have reviewed Cavapoos and Cockapoos above, Cavachon is our new entrant in the comparison. What do we know about Cavachons?
In terms of genetics, the Cavachon is a mix breed between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Bichon Frise which has its origins in the Canary Islands in Spain. The crossbreed is known to be an excellent all-around dog with an adorable personality that makes it good with kids and other dogs.
How does the Cavachon compare to the Cavapoo and Cockapoo?
These three mixed dog breeds have similar appearances with a difference in a curlier coat due to Cavapoos and Cockapoos Poodle parents. Both Cavapoos and Cockapoos are almost similar in size at 9 to 14 inches and 10 to 15 inches simultaneously, which is close to the Cavachons’ 10 to13 inches.
Interestingly, all the three crossbreeds are considered and promoted as hypoallergenic dogs which means they are non-shedders or shed a little. Why so, you may ask? This is because Bichon Frise and Poodles, which are parents to one and two of the crossbreeds are single-coated canines that do not shed visibly.
When it comes to grooming, both Cavapoos and Cavachons require frequent brushing to protect the hair from tangling. You can brush them at least thrice or four times a week and they will be okay. In terms of coats, Cavachons are available in some colors similar to the other two, including white, cream, and a unique pied color.
Cavachons, like any other crossbreed, have health issues, some which are similar to those in Cavapoos or Cockapoos, such as mitral valve disease, atomic dermatitis, patellar luxation, and cataracts. Others health problems include Cushing’s disease, heart murmur, and syringomyelia.
Wrap-Up
Hybrid dogs or crossbreeds make excellent companions and additions to our family as pets and they have been around for quite a while now. Even so, finding the best mix dog breed begins from the breeding stage as it defines the health, discipline, and trainability of the dog you adopt.
All the featured cross breeds including Cavapoos, Cockapoos, Maltipoos, Cavachon, and Goldendoodles are prone to health problems inherited from their parents. However, these conditions can be controlled if they are bred by honest dog breeders.
While most of these crossbreeds are promoted as hypoallergenic dogs, it is not guaranteed. So, if you are allergic to dogs but still need one of these crossbreeds, look for breeders with the F2 generation (second filial). It compromises F1 offspring that interbreed.
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Hi there! My name is Ben Domb, an owner of two pets and I am one of the co-founders of OurPets HQ. I have several years of experience as a pet care professional in the New England region having spent time in various roles including a stint at a veterinary hospital in Upstate New York, Syracuse area. I am a certified pet care professional and mostly spend my time researching pet nutrition and sharing my thoughts in various blogs and columns. With quarantine and COVID restrictions, I have been spending a lot of time a lot with my dogs and cat and loving it! I also run a small consulting business providing advice to parents on pet nutrition, and especially safe homemade options to try. You can reach me at ben@ourpetshq.com