Cavapoo vs Goldendoodle: Comparing Temperament, Size, & Maintenance

The Cavapoo vs Goldendoodle are two (almost) entirely different hybrid breeds that come with many similarities, but also differences. If you’ve got your eyes set on either of these Doods, but are struggling to make up your mind, then this guide will surely help you choose which one is the right pup for you. 

In this article, we compare the key similarities and differences between the Cavapoo vs Goldendoodle in terms of their temperament, appearance, size, and overall maintenance. Let’s dive in!

Table of Contents

• About Cavapoos: History & Key Characteristics
• About Goldendoodles: History & Key Characteristics
• Cavapoo vs Goldendoodle: Size
• Cavapoo vs Goldendoodle: Temperament
• Goldendoodle vs Cavapoo: Appearance
• Cavapoo vs Goldendoodle: Grooming & Maintenance
• Goldendoodle vs Cavapoo: Health & Wellness
• Goldendoodle vs Cavapoo: Lifespan
• Cavapoo vs Goldendoodle: Training & Environment
• Cavapoo vs Goldendoodle: Cost
• Cavapoo vs Goldendoodle: Are They Family Friendly?
• Cavapoo vs Goldendoodle: Which Is The Puppy For You?

About Cavapoos: History & Key Characteristics

The Cavapoo is a hybrid cross between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Poodle. You might also have heard many people calling these pups by the name of Cavadoodle or Cavdoodle. Like any other Dood, they sure have lots of adorable names to choose from!

The Cavapoo became more of a household name in the 1990s, but they actually have a long history that dates back to the 1950s. They were initially created to combine the sweet and calm personality of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the high levels of intelligence and allergy-friendly coat of the Poodle.

Just like their purebred parents, Cavapoos have a friendly and playful nature, and the sweetest, most affectionate temperament. They’ve got the smarts and learning new tricks just comes naturally to them. And as both Poodles and Cavaliers are energetic pups, Cavapoos also have the knack for all things related to exercise. 

About Goldendoodles: History & Key Characteristics

The Goldendoodle is a hybrid mix of the Golden Retriever and Poodle. Arguably, Goldendoodles have become one of the most popular Doodle breeds in the world – they’ve been around for a while and have equally as many great qualities as the Cavapoo.

The Goldendoodle was first bred in the 1960s as a hypoallergenic guide dog. Today, they’re one of the most coveted family companions, therapy and support dogs, and service dogs. They adore anyone they meet and have the most loving personality. 

Goldendoodles have inherited their high levels of intelligence and their high energy from both of the parent pups. They love to exercise and equally as much cuddling up on the couch with you after a long day of running doggy-errands. Of course, one of the main appeals of Goldendoodles is that they come with low-shedding coats, which makes them suitable even for people who otherwise would not be able to adopt a Golden Retriever. 

Cavapoo vs Goldendoodle: Size

Are standard Goldendoodles bigger than Cavapoos? What about a Mini Goldendoodle vs Cavapoo? One of the biggest differences between the Cavapoo vs Goldendoodle is their size. That’s down to the fact that their purebred parents are very different in terms of their size. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are small-sized pups, whereas Golden Retrievers are considered medium to large-sized dogs. 

On the other hand, as we’re adding the Poodle into the mix, both Cavapoos and Goldendoodles can come in various shapes and sizes. Most commonly, Cavaliers and Cavapoos are crossed with either Toy and Miniature Poodles, resulting in a small-sized Dood. In contrast, the Goldendoodle mix can use either Standard, Miniature, or Toy Poodles. 

Let’s take a closer look at the Cavapoo vs Goldendoodle size comparison:

Naturally, there’s quite a big size difference between Cavapoos and Goldendoodles. On average, Cavapoos weigh between 7 and 25 pounds with a height of 9 to 16 inches. When comparing the Cavapoo vs Mini Goldendoodle, these pups can be quite similar in size. However, Medium and Standard Goldendoodles are considerably taller and heavier, the largest of them reaching the large-sized breed category. 

Cavapoo vs Goldendoodle: Temperament

Are Cavapoos calmer than Goldendoodles? Both Cavapoos and Goldendoodles are praised for their easy-going and social nature. They’re friendly and affectionate pups who love playing and running around just as much as they love spending time with people. In fact, both of these Doods tend to make friends everywhere they go! 

On the flip side of the coin, due to their affectionate and loving nature, neither Cavapoos or Goldendoodles do well on too much alone time. As both of these Doodles become very attached to their humans, they can develop separation anxiety if someone isn’t at home with them throughout the day. 

Of course, every dog has a unique personality – some are just naturally more laid-back, others more independent, and some pups refuse to leave your side. For this reason, ethical breeders often conduct temperament testing on their puppies, which ensures that each puppy gets a family that matches their personality. 

What’s great about Cavapoos and Goldendoodles is that they’re both highly intelligent and tend to learn good manners and pick up new tricks relatively quickly. And even though both Cavapoos and Goldendoodles are active and energetic pups, Cavapoos tend to mellow as they age and become more chilled as they reach adulthood. In contrast, Goldendoodles are well-known for their high energy levels and being super excitable. 

Goldendoodle vs Cavapoo: Appearance

As we mentioned earlier, one of the main differences between the Cavapoo vs Goldendoodle is their size. Overall, Goldendoodles are both taller and heavier than Cavapoos. But that’s not the only difference these pups have regarding their appearance.

From the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Cavapoos have inherited super long and floppy ears. They also have shorter snouts compared to Goldendoodles. Other than that, some Goldendoodles and Cavapoos can look rather similar, especially when comparing the Cavapoo vs Mini Goldendoodle. 

In addition to that, as both Cavapoos and Goldendoodles are Poodle hybrids, they come in three different coat types. Some puppies inherit the curly, more Poodle-like coat, which is the most allergy-friendly of them all. Other pups lean on the other purebred parent’s side with straight and slightly shedding hair. Meanwhile, some Doods have a combination wavy coat. See below for details on Doodle coat type.

Then there are all the possible colors that these pups may come in – some of them more common and others more rare.

Common Cavapoo colors include:

• Blenheim
• White
• Black
• Red a.k.a ruby
• Tan
• Apricot
• Golden
• Chocolate
• Bi-color and tri-color patterns
• Phantom
• Sable
• Merle 

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Goldendoodles can inherit a variety of coat colors and patterns, such as:

• Chocolate
• Apricot
• Cream
• Champagne
• Tan 
• Black
• Gray
• Blue
• Silver
• White
• Sable
• Abstract
• Phantom
• Parti
• Tuxedo
• Merle
• Brindle
• Bi-color and tri-color patterns 

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Cavapoo vs Goldendoodle: Grooming & Maintenance

In terms of Cavapoo vs Goldendoodle grooming, neither of these Doods is better than the other. It all comes down to which coat type your puppy has inherited, which will ultimately dictate your dog’s grooming requirements. 

Curly Coat

Curly coat Cavapoos and Goldendoodles are the most allergy-friendly option, as they’re often non-shedding or shed very little. But with that great power comes great responsibility. Curly coats are the hardest to manage, as their hair is the most prone to matting.

For curly-coated Cavapoos and Goldendoodles, daily brushing is an absolute must to keep their hair healthy and tangle-free. 

Wavy Coat

Wavy coats combine the characteristics of the Poodle’s and the other purebred parent’s coats. The wavy coat may sometimes come with an undercoat, but thanks to the Poodle genes, they usually shed very little. 

Speaking of which, one of the most notable differences between Cavapoos and Goldendoodles is that wavy-haired Cavapoos are always single-coated, whereas wavy-coated Goldendoodles may or may not come with a shedding undercoat.

To gain a better understanding of this, we have to go back to their heritage. While purebred Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are single-coated, purebred Golden Retrievers actually have a double coat. Where this might pose an issue is if you’re looking for the least shedding, most allergy-friendly pup possible. In this area, a Cavapoo might just be a better choice as they don’t have a shedding undercoat. 

Wavy coats are usually the easiest to maintain, as they aren’t as prone to matting and neither do they shed much. On the other hand, you’ll still want to stay on top of your Doodle’s brushing routine, as it’s the best way to keep those knots and tangles at bay. 

Straight Coat

Straight coat Cavapoos and Goldendoodles lean more on the original purebred Cavalier or Golden Retriever side. Again, a straight-haired Goldendoodle will likely inherit a double coat. Meanwhile, a straight-coated Cavapoo will have just a single layer of fur.  

As a result, a straight-coated Goldendoodle isn’t the best choice for people with severe dog dander allergies. To be fair, even straight-haired Cavapoos may shed a little bit more than curly-haired Cavapoos. Nevertheless, both of them still shed considerably less than the purebred Cavaliers and Golden Retrievers. 

Like other coat types, straight coats require regular brushing to prevent matting, as their loose, dead hair can get stuck inside the fur. It’s also a great way to reduce any shedding that would otherwise leave a trail of hair behind your pup. 

Goldendoodle vs Cavapoo: Health & Wellness

Thanks to their highly diverse genetic pool, all Doodles are considered healthier than their purebred parents. That’s because Doodles often benefit from hybrid vigor, which indicates that they’re less likely to inherit any breed-specific health conditions. 

But nevertheless, both of these Doodles are at risk of certain health problems. The most common health issues in both Cavapoos and Goldendoodles include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and patellar luxation, eye diseases like progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) and cataracts, allergies and sensitivities, ear infections, and digestive issues.

Additionally, Cavapoos are at a higher risk of heart mitral valve disease (MVD), which is a common heart condition in Cavaliers. Goldendoodles, on the other hand, are at a higher risk of the heart disorder called subvalvular aortic stenosis (SAS). 

If you’ve decided to adopt your puppy from a breeder, make sure you choose someone who does rigorous health and genetic testing on their breeding dogs, as it’s the best way to reduce the risk of puppies inheriting any serious genetic conditions. 

See Also:

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Goldendoodle vs Cavapoo: Lifespan

When it comes to the Cavapoo vs Goldendoodle lifespan, the smaller Cavapoo does have a slight edge in this area. As a general rule of thumb, smaller dogs tend to outlive larger pups by a few years. 

The average lifespan of a Cavapoo is between 12 and 15 years, whereas Goldendoodles tend to live between 10 to 15 years on average. 

With that being said, you can greatly increase your dog’s quality of life and lifespan with a healthy lifestyle. Make sure you feed your pup a correct amount of high quality dog food (we’ve got some great recommendations for Cavapoos and Goldendoodles here for you), provide them plenty of exercise, give them lots of cuddles and kisses, and keep their overall stress levels at a minimum. 

Cavapoo vs Goldendoodle: Training & Environment

Both Goldendoodles and Cavapoos are clever and intelligent dogs. In addition to that, they’re both eager to please their humans, which means that they’re fairly easy to train. 

On the other hand, intelligent dogs can also be quite a handful if they’re not stimulated properly. Most importantly, these Doods require physical and mental stimulation each and every day. This includes your regular walkies, but also playtime, puzzles, and training. Otherwise, it’s not uncommon for them to become destructive or exhibit other bad behaviors if they’re bored. 

Of course, the key here is to introduce your puppy to obedience training, crate training, potty training, and early socialization as soon as you bring them home. Many ethical breeders already get started with training and socialization so you won’t have to start from scratch once your pup gets home. 

In addition to that, both of these Doodles are active pups who need their daily exercise no matter what. In terms of the Goldendoodle vs Cavapoo comparison, Goldendoodles are usually more energetic and thus require more exercise as well. Cavapoos, on the other hand, tend to be more relaxed and slightly less active. 

In terms of their environment, it’s safe to say that Goldendoodles aren’t as suited for apartment living compared to Cavapoos. Of course, smaller Goldendoodles like the Toy and Mini Goldendoodle might not need as much space as larger Doods. However, they still tend to be more active than Cavapoos. So, a more spacious home with a big fenced backyard would be the best choice for Goldendoodles. 

Cavapoo vs Goldendoodle: Cost

Like any other designer breed dog, these pups don’t come cheap. When comparing the Cavapoo vs Goldendoodle cost, they’re both in the same price range of about $2000 and $4000 for a puppy. Some ethical breeders even charge as low as $1500, but usually no less than that. For more detailed price breakdowns, you can have a look at our guides on the cost of Cavapoos and Goldendoodles.

Of course, the price is determined by a variety of factors, such as your location, the breeder’s reputation, genetic guarantees, health testing protocols, demand, and even what coat type or size of Doodle you’re after. 

It’s important to note that although you might get your hands on a Doodle puppy at a much lower price point, you don’t want to adopt from an unethical breeder or a puppy mill. So, be sure to do your research and only support reputable breeders who thoroughly screen their breeding dogs. 

In addition to the initial costs of adopting a dog, you’ll also want to consider all the daily necessities and other supplies your pup needs. First, you’ll have to prepare your home with food and water bowls, a dog bed, a crate, toys, and so on. Then you’ll also want to factor in the ongoing expenses on food, veterinary care, trips to the groomers (or the investment in good quality grooming tools in case you decide to do this at home), and training.

Cavapoo vs Goldendoodle: Are They Family Friendly?

The great thing about Cavapoos and Goldendoodles is that they’re both great family companions. They get along with everyone, literally! Children, adults, seniors, other dogs, and even cats, provided that your puppy has been socialized properly.

However, as the Cavapoo is such a small and delicate dog, very young children may accidentally hurt them during play. The same goes for smaller Toy Goldendoodles. If you do have small children in your household, make sure you teach them how to treat the small pup accordingly and keep an eye on them just to be safe. Likewise, larger and more excitable Goldendoodles might be a bit too much to handle for very young children. 

Cavapoo vs Goldendoodle: Which Is The Puppy For You?

So, the big final question – when comparing the Cavapoo vs Goldendoodle, which one is the right puppy for you? Although both of these Doods have many amazing and somewhat similar qualities, their differences will determine which one is the best fit for you. 

Opt for a Cavapoo if you:

• Prefer a smaller dog
• Live in an apartment or don’t have too much space in your home
• Are looking for a slightly calmer and more relaxed pup

A Goldendoodle might be a better choice for you if you:

• Are looking for a larger dog
• Don’t mind their high energy levels and excitable personality
• Have a more spacious home with a fenced backyard

In conclusion, both Goldendoodles and Cavapoos are great companions for families and singles alike. They’re both friendly, sweet-natured, and social dogs who thrive on human company. But one of the main differences between these two crossbreeds is their size. Cavapoos are considerably smaller than the much larger Goldendoodle. 

In the end, you’ll want to choose a puppy that fits with your lifestyle, home environment, and family dynamics. Hopefully, this guide has managed to answer all of your questions about these two Doods so you can decide which one of them is better suited for you and your family. 

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