Golden Cavadoodle 101: An Intro To The Goldendoodle-Cavapoo Mix

The Golden Cavadoodle is one of those interesting Poodle mixes that combines not just two, but three purebreds in its lineage. In this guide, you’ll learn everything about the Goldendoodle-Cavapoo mix. We’ll talk about their appearance, coat types, colors, size, personality, exercise and training, health, and even their grooming requirements. Let’s get into it! 

Table of Contents

• What Is A Golden Cavadoodle?
• Golden Cavadoodle Physical Appearance
• Golden Cavadoodle Pictures (Puppy & Adult)
• Golden Cavadoodle Size: How Big Will A Golden Cavadoodle Get?
• Goldendoodle-Cavapoo Mix Variations & Generations
• Personality & Temperament
• Golden Cavadoodle Health: Do Golden Cavadoodles Have Health Problems?
• Golden Cavadoodle Exercise & Training
• Golden Cavadoodle Coat Care & Grooming
• Where Can You Get Golden Cavadoodle Puppies?
• Golden Cavadoodle: FAQ

What Is A Golden Cavadoodle?

The Golden Cavadoodle is a triple hybrid crossbreed that’s made up of the Golden Retriever, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, and Poodle breeds. By the way, Golden Cavadoodles are also considered Double Doodles, as they’re usually created by crossing a Goldendoodle with a Cavapoo. 

While the Golden Cavadoodle’s purebred parents and Doodle parents are all very well-known dogs, the Golden Cavadoodle is still somewhat of a rarity in the Doodle world. But as you can imagine, pairing a Goldendoodle with a Cavapoo is for sure a winning combination!

Hypoallergenic, low-shedding, super intelligent, insanely adorable, and ridiculously friendly, the Golden Cavadoodle really seems to be a perfect dog! Both Cavapoos and Goldendoodles are amazing companions and naturally, their Golden Cavadoodle offspring combine the best of both worlds. 

Whether you’ve been thinking about getting a Doodle that embodies everything that Goldendoodles and Cavapoos have to offer, or simply are curious to learn more about this interesting Poodle mix, then this guide will answer any and all questions you might have about Golden Cavadoodles. 

Golden Cavadoodle Physical Appearance

Usually smaller to medium-sized dogs, Golden Cavadoodles have big wide eyes and floppy ears, giving them that typical adorable Doodle look. They usually have thick and fluffy coats that can range from curly to wavy to straight, ranging from various colors to fun patterns. 

Color

Golden Cavadoodles sport similar coat colors as their Goldendoodle and Cavapoo parents. These include gold, apricot, red, black, tan, white, chocolate, gray, blue, or silver. It’s also not uncommon for some Golden Cavadoodles to inherit the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel’s signature Blenheim coat with a beautiful chestnut and white pattern. In addition to that, some Golden Cavadoodles come in other gorgeous coat patterns like merle, phantom, sable, tuxedo, brindle, and other bi-color and tri-color coats. 

An important thing to keep in mind, however, is that a Golden Cavadoodle’s coat can start to fade lighter as they near adulthood. This is a common occurrence in Poodle mixes, as some Poodles may carry the fading gene that’s then passed onto their Doodle offspring. 

Coat, Shedding, & Hypoallergenic Level

Although all Doodles are often regarded as hypoallergenic and non-shedding dogs, that’s not actually the case. Golden Retrievers are double-coated, which means that Goldendoodles can also sometimes come with a shedding undercoat. And when we’re combining the Cavapoo with the Goldendoodle, some few Golden Cavadoodles may inherit a shedding undercoat as well. 

Fortunately, most of the time breeders strive to produce Golden Cavadoodles that are single-coated and shed as little as possible. Especially considering that purebred Cavaliers are also single-coated, just like Poodles. Nonetheless, it’s crucial to discuss this with your chosen breeder first to ensure that you’re actually getting what you’re looking for. Shedding is what usually triggers those allergies in humans, as dog hair carries the most of the allergy particles coming from dog dander, saliva, and urine. 

In terms of their coat types, Golden Cavadoodles most commonly have either wavy or curly coats. However, some pups may inherit a straight-looking coat that’s more common in F1 Goldendoodles and Cavapoos. 

As a general rule of thumb, the curlier the hair, the least it sheds. Therefore, curly-coated Golden Cavadoodles are also the most hypoallergenic of them all. On the other hand, the curly coat is the most prone to matting and will require the most upkeep of them all. 

Wavy-coated Golden Cavadoodles also tend to be single-coated and they’re usually easier to manage than curly coats. Lastly, straight-coated Golden Cavadoodles may come with a lightly shedding undercoat, which could cause issues for people with severe dog allergies. 

Golden Cavadoodle Pictures (Puppy & Adult)

A Golden Cavadoodle might be one of the cutest dogs we’ve ever laid our eyes on! To be fair, all dogs and Doodles are adorable, but you’re going to absolutely melt when seeing these pups:

Apricot Golden Cavadoodle	@tikkanugget
Black Golden Cavadoodle	@amore.fleur

Golden Cavadoodle Size: How Big Will A Golden Cavadoodle Get?

Golden Cavadoodles are typically small to medium-sized dogs. They can weigh as little as 10 pounds and up to 30 pounds with their height ranging between 10 and 17 inches from the shoulder. 

	Toy Golden Cavadoodle	Mini Golden Cavadoodle
Weight	10-20 pounds	20-30 pounds
Height	10-13 inches	13-17 inches
When Full-Grown?	7.5-11 months	11-13 months

*A dog’s height is measured from its withers, which is the highest part of its shoulder blades.

As with any hybrid cross, the size of a Golden Cavadoodle largely depends on the size of its parents. Because of this, we must first understand more about the Cavapoo’s and the Goldendoodle’s sizes. 

Cavapoos come in two sizes – Toy and Mini. Mini Cavapoos are the larger variation, weighing between 13 and 25 pounds with an average height between 12 and 16 inches. The smaller Toy Cavapoo weighs only 7 to 13 pounds and stands just 9 to 12 inches tall. 

Meanwhile, the Goldendoodle comes in four different sizes. The largest are Standard Goldendoodles with a weight of 50 to 90 pounds as a full-grown adult. Slightly smaller Medium Goldendoodles weigh between 35 and 50 pounds. Then there are also Mini and Toy Goldendoodles. The former weighs between 25 and 35 pounds and stands between 15 and 17 inches tall, whereas the latter weighs between 10 and 25 pounds with a height below 15 inches. 

For the Golden Cavadoodle crossbreed, breeders would most commonly use either Toy or Mini Goldendoodles. That’s because they’re closer in size to miniscule Cavapoos, helping breeders achieve more consistency in their litters. 

Goldendoodle-Cavapoo Mix Variations & Generations

With ‘usual’ Doodle breeds, the pups can come in first-generation (F1), first-generation backcross (F1b), or second-generation (F2) variations, and so on. However, with Double Doodles, we’re always dealing with either second-generation or multigenerational dogs. That’s because Goldendoodles and Cavapoos are already hybrid dogs and they technically can’t be first-generation Doods. 

Here are all the possible Golden Cavadoodle generations: 

	1st Parent	2nd Parent	% Cavalier King Charles Spaniel*	% Golden Retriever*	% Poodle*
F2 Golden Cavadoodle (second-generation)	F1 Cavapoo	F1 Goldendoodle	25%	25%	50%
F2B Golden Cavadoodle (second-generation backcross)	F1 or F1b Cavapoo	F1 or F1b Goldendoodle	Varies	Varies	62.5%
F2B Golden Cavadoodle (alternate cross)	F2 Golden Cavadoodle	Poodle	12.5%	12.5%	75%
F3 / Multigen Golden Cavadoodle	F2 Golden Cavadoodle or higher	F2 Golden Cavadoodle or higher	Varies	Varies	Varies

*These are generic calculations only – genetics are rarely mathematically accurate.

As you can see, a litter of Golden Cavadoodles can be created in numerous different ways. Although the genetic percentages are just rough estimates without proper genetic testing, these variations do help us gain a deeper understanding of the potential outcome. Ultimately, it all boils down to the breeding dogs’ genetic makeup and how they were bred. 

Personality & Temperament

Golden Cavadoodles are friendly, loving, and outgoing dogs that enjoy spending time with their humans and pretty much everyone they encounter. They’re playful and gentle, moderately energetic, intelligent, and eager to please dogs. 

Due to their affectionate nature, Golden Cavadoodles generally easily bond with their human families. While sharing an unbreakable, special bond with your pooch is surely one of the most special things you could ever experience, it also means that these Doods can often suffer from separation anxiety. 

For this reason, the Golden Cavadoodle is best suited for someone who either works from home, gets to bring their pup to the office, or can hire a dog walker during business hours. Of course, teaching your new puppy from an early age how to enjoy spending time alone will also prevent those anxious behaviors later down the line. 

Like their Goldendoodle and Cavapoo parents, Golden Cavadoodles are very sweet-natured and non-aggressive dogs. They usually get along very well with children and other pets, provided that you’ve done your part with early socialization and desensitization techniques. Although responsible breeding with carefully chosen parent dogs does go a long way, it’s ultimately the dog’s environment and upbringing that will shape its behavior and emotional wellbeing. 

Golden Cavadoodle Health: Do Golden Cavadoodles Have Health Problems?

Hybrid breeds like the Golden Cavadoodle are often healthier than their purebred parents. Still, they’re at risk of some health conditions. These include joint problems like hip and elbow dysplasia and patellar luxation, eye diseases including cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), heart conditions like mitral valve disease (MVD) and subvalvular aortic stenosis, and an inflammatory skin condition called sebaceous adenitis. They’re also at risk of hernias, epilepsy, and hormonal conditions like Addison’s Disease. 

Fortunately, with extensive genetic testing and health screening of the breeding dogs, ethical breeders can greatly minimize the chances of their puppies inheriting those health issues. That’s why choosing a responsible breeder is so important. 

Minor conditions that are common in Golden Cavadoodles include food sensitivities and allergies, as well as skin allergies and sensitivities. Often the only way to tackle this issue is to figure out which ingredients either in your dog’s food or shampoo/conditioner are triggering those problems and switch them out for a more suitable formula.

In addition to that, their floppy Doodle ears are also prone to ear infections due to the restricted airflow. Again, this can be easily prevented with a proper ear hygiene regimen. You should gently, but thoroughly clean your Golden Cavadoodle’s ears after bathing or swimming. We also recommend using a dog ear cleaner about once a week to make sure no bad bacteria can start to populate. 

The Golden Cavadoodle’s lifespan ranges between 13 to 15 years on average. Oftentimes, smaller dogs have slightly longer life expectancy. Based on that, a Toy Golden Cavadoodle may sometimes live a few years longer than a larger Mini Golden Cavadoodle. 

Golden Cavadoodle Exercise & Training

Daily exercise, plenty of mentally stimulating activities, and training sessions are vital for those active and intelligent little dogs. About 30 to 60 minutes of exercise is perfect for Golden Cavadoodles, but don’t forget to also add in playtime like fetch, fun puzzle toys, and interactive games for your pup. Basically anything that’ll put your Dood’s brain into workmode. 

Physical and mental stimulation both not just entertain your dog, but also ensure that they’re getting that much-needed activity each day to prevent any unwanted behaviors stemming from boredom. Unfortunately we’ve seen it way too many times – people are wondering why their dogs are acting up, destroying their furniture, or behaving unruly. Well, many times it’s actually because they’re bored and they need an outlet! 

Fortunately, Golden Cavadoodles are very intelligent dogs, just like all of their Doodle cousins. It’s usually very easy to train a Golden Cavadoodle, as they’re smart and eager to please. And if you’re putting in the work with obedience training, potty training, and crate training, your puppy is bound to grow up to become a well-rounded and well-behaved adult. Just make sure to always use positive reinforcement training methods, rewarding your pooch for good behavior with plenty of treats and loving praise. 

Furthermore, we recommend you start with puppy socialization from a young age too. Introduce your pup to as many people of different ages as possible, and safely let them mingle with other dogs and cats once they’ve received all of their puppy shots. 

Online Puppy School by Baxter & Bella

Our top pick for Golden Cavadoodles is the Online Puppy School by Baxter & Bella. It’s such a great program that covers everything from basic training techniques to common behavioral problems. They have countless resources on various topics and what’s best is that you can cover each of them as you please. 

Another perk of this online puppy school is that you’re going to be the one who’s training your pup. This is an excellent way to form a strong bond with your best pal. On the other hand, as it is a remote program that doesn’t include in-person training classes, you’ve got to ensure that your Dood has plenty of opportunities to socialize outside of the house. 

Golden Cavadoodle Coat Care & Grooming

When it comes to the Golden Cavadoodle’s coat care and grooming, you’ve got to be prepared for their daily, weekly, and monthly grooming activities. They need to be brushed, bathed, and groomed regularly to prevent matting and other skin and coat health issues. Of course, by regularly grooming your Golden Cavadoodle, you’ll also maintain that beautiful fluffy, shaggy coat! 

The most important step in a Golden Cavadoodle’s grooming routine is brushing. We recommend you brush your dog daily to prevent matting and to keep your pup’s coat cleaner for longer. Make sure you opt for the right kind of grooming brush. Here we have some great options lined up for Golden Cavadoodles specifically.

Another thing to remember with Golden Cavadoodles is that their hair can grow very long, very fast. So, about every 6 to 8 weeks you should either take your dog to a professional grooming salon or trim their hair at home yourself. Our online course How To Groom A Doodle At Home will teach you all the basics and even some more advanced grooming techniques! 

Bathing is another important topic for Golden Cavadoodles. I mean, who enjoys a smelly and dirty pup snuggling up on their lap, right?! The frequency will depend on your dog’s unique lifestyle and their skin and coat health. Some people bathe their dogs every week while others don’t have to bathe their dogs more than when they’re getting their hair cut. If you do bathe your Dood at home in between grooming sessions, make sure to only use specially formulated dog shampoos and conditioners. 

Lastly, make sure to schedule those weekly nail trims to prevent ingrown nails and pain while walking, as well as weekly ear cleaning, and regular teeth brushing. 

Where Can You Get Golden Cavadoodle Puppies?

Finding reputable Golden Cavadoodle breeders can be tricky, especially with so many Doodle scammers and puppy mills trying to get their piece of the pie. The very first thing you have to do is to learn how to choose a responsible Doodle breeder and what are the red flags to watch out for. 

Now, if you’re all familiar with that information, it’s time to start narrowing down the breeders. For this very reason, we created our Doodle Breeder Directory that we keep up to date with reputable Golden Cavadoodle breeders all across the US and other countries. 

In terms of the Golden Cavadoodle’s price in the US, the average prices can range from $1,500 and up to $4,000 for a puppy. The price includes everything from health screening of the breeding dogs, whelping and raising of the puppies, to early socialization and training, and everything in between. 

Golden Cavadoodle: FAQ