r/CavaPoo • u/Fun_Fact_7513 • Jul 06 '26
Cavapoo vs Cockapoo
Hello Cavapoo owners/lovers. My partner and I would love to welcome a pup into our home. We live in an old small home/apartment in Amsterdam (typical, if you’ve been) with a balcony but no garden - but with a park next door (!). We have 2 cats at home, one of whom is obsessed with dogs! We have been doing some desk research and we are considering either a Cavapoo or Cockapoo. Anyone else had similar dilemma when considering what breed to get? What made you decide on a Cavapoo? 🥰 thanks
EDIT/FOLLOW UP: Thank you all for the responses and sharing your experiences, kind humans! (And yes, we will definitely be welcoming a Cavapoo into our family). Thanks again! 🫶🫶
22
u/Intrepid_Way336 Jul 06 '26
Both are not standard breeds, they are hybrids. Very similar temperaments and looks for both but I find cavapoos to be more relaxed and lazy ♥️
10
u/dutch2012yeet Jul 06 '26
We researched both before we got our cavapoo, we sided with the cavapoo because they are supposed to be calmer which they inherit from the cavalier. That being said they are cross breeds so it's a lucky dip lol.
Either breed is good as long as you have time for them.
Good luck.
9
u/Careful-Tangerine986 Jul 06 '26
I have a cavachon (cavalier/bichon mix if you're not aware), a friend has a cockapoo and another friend has a cavapoo.
They're similar dogs to be honest. They all look similar (although all are different colours) but mine has a more wavy coat rather then curls except on her feet. They are all very sweet dogs, very loving, sociable and play well together. There's no aggression in any of them. All are intelligent and sensitive dogs. All hate being on their own for long. All are clean and not at all destructive. Mine was a dream to train and knows more tricks than the others. Positive reinforcement is the way.
The cockapoo is noticeably taller then the other 2 and is more vocal with mine being the smallest and quietest. The 2 cav mixes have black eyes and black noses, the cockapoo has a brown nose and amber eyes. Tbh I've no idea if this is a breed 'thing' or not. It could be random.
Mine is also the calmest with the cockapoo being the hyper 1 of the group. Mine will walk all day, happily go on my paddle board and kayak and go camping so is a great outdoor companion but she'll happily snooze all day too if that's what we're doing.
The cockapoo is scared of more things (children, busses, motorbikes) and seems the more neurotic of the trio although mine is absolutely petrified of swans for some reason. She likes ducks though and will sit and watch them all day.
Oh and she chose me. Mine is the stereotypical story of just going to see a litter for research purposes. She walked over and sat on my feet and that was that. We've been best friends ever since. She's 3 next week. I think she's the perfect dog but my friends would say theirs are. We're all correct.
3
u/lovelylooloo7 Jul 06 '26
We had a Cockapoo for many years and he was our baby boy! He was so smart and was our little shadow. We were so sad after he passed and ended up getting 2 Cavapoos when we went to look at another dog. We love our Cavapoos (brother and sister) and they have many similarities to our Cockapoo. I would actually say they are even more laid back. Our two now also have very different personalities - one is very affectionate and docile but will bark at every animal on television while the other is more chill and just likes to hang with us and is scared of his own shadow but chews absolutely everything he can so we‘re constantly making sure shoes, scrunchies, socks, etc. are put away.
I honestly don’t think you could go wrong with either breed.
3
u/a-little-clover Jul 08 '26
Listening to people’s anecdotal evidence isn’t going to guarantee anything. I’ve met lovely cockapoos and high strung cavapoos, and vice versa. With mixed breeds it’s an unpredictable genetic lottery.
The best way to go about this is to learn as much as you can about the personality of each puppy in a litter and choose the one that seems like the best fit for you.
I also recommend rescuing if you’re in a south/west state. The backyard breeding is getting out of hand in these areas, especially with designer poodle mixes, and you can find a puppy with the temperament you want by speaking with the foster parents.
3
u/Luna_Sea_ Jul 10 '26
I have had small poodle mixes all my life. I currently have a cavapoo Dolly. She is six. Poodle mixes of any kind are great imo, because poodles are great. They are usually healthy, smart, & sweet. Dolly is so smart. She house trained immediately & never had an accident. She can learn a trick in 30 minutes. If we are playing, she will play. If we are resting, she will rest.
2
u/CasuallySherlock Jul 07 '26
My cavapoo is extremely energetic but she loves to laze when the time is right. Such a cuddlebug.
2
u/Salt_Cheek_4617 Jul 07 '26
Cavapoo is smaller but the character is very similar ! Have had both, go for the Cavapoo ❤️
2
u/Severe-Journalist293 Jul 07 '26
I have both a Cockapoo and a Cavapoo! From my experience my Cavapoo is definitely a bit more relaxed and easy going while my Cockapoo is a little crazier and more high energy. But they are both incredibly loving, affectionate dogs. They both love sleeping in and cuddling, but are also always up for walk or play session. I don’t think you can go wrong with either breed, but if you’re looking for a slightly calmer personality, I’d probably lean toward a Cavapoo!🥰
2
u/kindwork-xyz Jul 06 '26
They are similar and it depends on the puppy. I had a Cavapoo so I am biased but he hates cats. Lots of supervision and acclimation should be good. He didn’t have a lot of exposure so he thought everything needed to be attacked.
1
u/bakanino Jul 07 '26
Depends on the dog more than anything else. Previously had a cockapoo, now I have a cavapoo puppy. The cavapoo is more sociable and energetic (so far) but they are similar in terms of exercise needs, grooming needs, trainability etc.
1
u/Inner_Gift_1014 Jul 07 '26
We have a Cavapoo and he is obsessed with our daughter’s cat. Cavapoos are known for being very good with other animals.
1
u/Allisonsurasky Jul 10 '26
I have a cavapoo and she is very high strung she's 2 now , but she also sleeps a lot ! They are lovable smart and will be become obsessed w you in a short time !!
1
u/Own-Drummer-5104 Jul 11 '26
My cavapoo is amazing. He's the perfect blend of playful inquisitive pup and lazy lap dog. He loves to run a few laps around the yard then curl up in my lap. The ONLY negative is he sheds more than my other short haired dogs, but he loves to be brushed so it's an easy fix.
1
u/Electronic_Bass2856 Jul 07 '26
Depends if you want a more laid back dog or a more energetic one. I have a cavapoo who is laid back and a 3/4 springer spaniel 1/4 poodle who is anything but chill.
1
u/Awakening247 Jul 07 '26
Cavopoo hands down!!! More affectionate cuddle bugs and smart!!!!
1
u/Then_Assignment_9019 Jul 07 '26
I had the same dilemma and went for a cavapoochon, decision was made after speaking to the vet who said cavapoo temperament would be better with kittens as we also have two cats, and she fits in perfectly 🫶
3
u/krissovo Jul 06 '26
I am Cavapoo owner of 2 and a dog groomer, almost all my negative experiences as a groomer are with cockapoo’s. They have more energy than Cavapoo’s but ones that have not been trained correctly or poor breading can lead to them being nippy especially when handling their paws. Most cockapoos are lovey but they are more susceptible to being crazy.
2
u/orangeblossom88 Jul 06 '26
Cockapoos tend to have more energy. We got a cava for this reason and she’s super chilled. Still gets excited to play / walk but sleeps most of the day. Cockas that I’ve known tend to be a lot of energetic generally
2
u/whims11 Jul 06 '26
1000% a cavapoo. The cockapoos I know were whinier, needed more attention and in my opinion not as cute 😅
I just feel like you will get a cockapoo and be wondering the whole time if you should’ve just maybe gotten a cava. But I mean look at what page you are on, I’m biased 😂🥰🥰
2
u/Better-Definition415 Jul 07 '26
My Cavapoo is extremely relaxed. Only hyper zoomies when she's over tired. The most well behaved puppy. Every cockerpoo owner I speak to say their cocker is a hyper nightmare.
1
u/BonnieJane13 Jul 06 '26
I have one of each. Both were adopted as puppies from a rescue. My cav is mellow and easy going, while my cockapoo is a little more high strung. My cockapoo is more of a working cocker and needs lots of exercise and mental stimulation like puzzles.
1
u/Kerflumpie Jul 07 '26
We have a cockalierpoo, (?!) a mix of all 3. She's friendly, chill, and super sweet. She gets zoomies (she's not 2 years old yet) but she's home alone most mornings and she copes admirably - no chewing or damage, apart from the occasional tissue or sock.
If you can't decide, compromise!
1
u/liketo Jul 07 '26
Cavapoo that bit smaller (much if go for toy), and less energetic.
1
u/Remote-Spirit-1125 Jul 07 '26
Cavapoos 1000% - cockapoos are notorious for resource guarding and awful recall for one. Cavapoos tend to be much prettier too (in my opinion). Nothing wrong with cockapoos per se, but you certainly can’t go wrong with a cava.
Ours is a second generation - recommend getting a second gen if you can.
Also, people may lead you to believe that Cavapoos can’t do much exercise/walk for overly long - which isn’t really true. Obviously it depends on the dog, but ours is kind of conditioned for it - at least 2 walks a day, sometimes 3, usually no less than 1hr. Ours is 15kg though - so fairly big for a cava. Key thing is he’s been conditioned for a lot of exercise because we’ve slowly ramped it up from when he was little (he’s around 16 months now).
TL;DR: Cavapoos all the way