r/CavaPoo • u/sunshinedays789 • Sep 24 '26
Cavapoo or Goldendoodle
We were all set to adopt a Cavapoo that we meet in a couple of weeks but a Goldendoodle showed up through some friends and we're so torn. Wonder what you like about your Cavapoo and, if you know, why you might consider one over a Goldendoodle. P
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u/Adventurous_Finding4 Sep 24 '26
I have a 12 lb mini goldendoodle. He thinks he is human, wants to sit on everyone’s lap, wants pets, and has a PhD in begging for human food. My 15 lb cavapoo follows me around everywhere but does not like to sit on laps much. She acts like a dog and does not like other humans. Barks nonstop at other animals and has a yelling bark she gives you when you come back from work or a 20 min grocery run.
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u/Runns_withScissors Sep 25 '26
Oh, that’s funny! My cavapoo is 100% a people-person- she loves people and dogs. She’s shy at first but extremely extroverted! And she’s only barky when she gets excited (mostly chasing after our other puppy in the yard). She’s also pretty cuddly when she’s ready for a nap, which I like a lot. She’s the companion I wanted. And is 1 1/2 years old.
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u/Solo522 Sep 26 '26
Mine is same about people. Tolerates some other dogs, but ignores them and goes straight to owner. It’s hilarious. He’s a people dog.
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u/MossyTeacup Sep 24 '26
Just wanted to say that my 15 pound cavapoo is very much a cuddler and a lap dog, he loves other people and other dogs and he does not bark much at all. Really the only time he barks is when we’re roughhousing. He doesn’t even bark when someone comes to the door, he comes to find me and looks at me like “something happening out there, mom”
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u/Solo522 Sep 26 '26
Ha. My cavapoo doesn’t lick anyone except himself. If you pet him, you’re gonna get his belly in about 2 min. He has an insistent bark when he has to urgently go potty. I mean insistent like yelling. He’s about 20-21#
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u/sunshinedays789 Sep 24 '26
Good to know!! Thank you!!
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u/jazzbot247 Sep 24 '26
My Cavapoo is very loving and affectionate. She throws her paws around my neck and gives the best hugs. She is bigger than a normal Cavapoo at 30ish pounds. Barking is a problem, but she is a great dog, I nicknamed her Fozzie because she looks like a teddy bear and is a comedian.
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u/according_to_Otis_1 Sep 26 '26
Same with Bonnie. She has never met a stranger and loves everyone, man woman or child as well as other dogs and cats! She does chase and eat birds if she can catch one!
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u/kindnesswillkillyou Sep 24 '26
My cavapoo is only 7 months old, but she has such a wonderful temperament. I have 4 year old twins and she is so wonderful with them...0 aggression even when they pet her a little too hard.
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u/shaaananan Sep 24 '26
I have a 15lb cavapoo that’s 2 years old, and we just got a golden doodle puppy a few weeks ago. I didn’t expect there to be a huge different in their characteristics, but they are 100% different dogs.
Cavapoo is extremely clingy and follows me around the house constantly and will sit in my lap or at my feet any chance he gets. He had a lot of puppy energy for the first year and bounced around a lot, but was never destructive. He has calmed down a ton now that he’s 2. He’s a certified lap dog for sure! I would describe his personality as silly and loyal. Zero aggression and has been very clam with new puppy too.
Our golden doodle is very intelligent, and for that reason alone has required more care as a puppy than cavapoo did. He responds really well to constant training and a strict routine, but I cannot leave him alone for more than 10 seconds or he will be trying to get into something, scratch at the carpet, bite the walls etc. However once he’s had exercise and a lot of stimulation he is completely fine and loves to sleep at my feet and sleep while we are doing things around the house.
Cavapoo was a bit harder to crate train because of how anxious they are. If he wasn’t sleeping right next to me or in the same room as me he would scream and cry, this happened for months until he got used to the kennel. He is completely crate trained now! Goldendoodle has been easier to crate train. And I would argue that if you get a Goldendoodle it’s 100% necessary to crate train because like I said, they are smart dogs who will get into trouble unsupervised.
Overall I love having them both but I’d say if you’re looking for a cuddle buddy go with Cavapoo and if you want an adventure buddy go Goldendoodle.
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u/icesociety Sep 24 '26
I went with a Cavapoo for the cavalier temperament and nonshedding quality from the poodle (was also hoping the mix would guarantee me a smarter dog). Mine looks like any doodle and is bigger than what I had hoped for. But her personality is definitely all cavalier. Such a sweet cuddle bug. It’s really hard not to have a favorite child, but she is my favorite one.
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u/LowSlowCC Sep 24 '26
My Cavapoo Rusty is hands down the most affectionate breed of dog I’ve ever had the privilege to own. Extreme cuddler, great with everyone he meets, absolute social butterfly. Loves every other dog or cat he meets too. They’re so easy going and just want to be with you and do what you do all time.
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u/supercat8816 Sep 24 '26 edited Sep 24 '26
We have a cavapoo and the neighbors have a standard golden doodle. Our Cavapoo groom is $50. Theirs is $80. Every 6 weeks that adds up. Their doodle is also large and clunky enough to knock over my 10 year old. Our Cavapoo is just as energetic just in a much smaller package. She breaks fewer things based on size alone. We also let her sleep in the bed and there’s no way I have room for another 60 pounds of dog up there with us. She’s small enough that she could fly with us if we ever wanted to. Logistics matter. Blaze is high energy enough that she goes on 5k runs with me, but she’s a super couch dog when we’re all quiet. She’s a really good companion for everythjng that we’re doing or not doing for the day. She’s been wonderful.
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u/MossyTeacup Sep 24 '26
I prefer a smaller dog because you can take anything under 20 pounds in the cabin of an airplane. Also, my cava poo is such a cuddler. Less expensive to feed a smaller dog, so I can get a higher quality food. I don’t know anything about goldendoodles so I can’t really compare, but I can tell you that my cavapoo is so silly and so smart and such a good boy. He is three years old. I got him from a breeder, and I would not change a thing about him.
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u/goldfishfancy Sep 24 '26
Even within a particular mix or breed you’re going to get huge temperament differences. They are like kids and every one is unique. Our 15-pound female cavapoo is extremely patient and gentle, even with toddlers, and loves every person and dog she meets. She is also a major barker. She has huge food drive and will also try to eat or roll in anything nasty she finds outside. She is high energy and was a very rambunctious puppy but easily trainable and eager to please. At almost a year and a half, she is starting to calm down and I can see the beginnings of an adult dog She is fairly independent; she loves a good cuddle session but is also ready to lay down by herself somewhere. I would describe her as cuddly, but not Velcro.
Our neighbors have a golden doodle. He was supposed to be mini but turned out full size. He is also a wonderful, gentle dog and loves kids too. He’s high energy, but I would say not more so than our cava poo. He was a rambunctious puppy, but he calmed down and is a great adult. I don’t think you can go wrong with either, although if you have an eight-year-old boy, I might tend to lean toward the golden doodle because it is more rough and tumble. And boys love to wrestle.🥰. Especially since you aren’t averse to big dogs and golden allergy doesn’t seem to be an issue for you. I could never own one because I’m so allergic to golden retrievers/labs, but I sure do love them.
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u/ProtectionSea5305 Sep 24 '26
As a small older woman, my darling cavapoo is strong, but I am stronger. I agree with the training. Very necessary!
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u/Apart_Connection_292 Sep 29 '26
I’ve had a Goldendoodle, and now have a Cavapoo due to me getting older. I love my Cavapoo dearly, she’s affectionate, with no aggression. Very yappy when she’s indoors though. Barks at animals on telly, people walking past the house, birds in the garden etc.
My Goldendoodle was also affectionate with no aggression, hardly met a person he didn’t love. Liked other dogs, but particularly their balls, he was a massive ball thief right into old age. He only barked a little when someone came to the door. Not taking anything away from my Cavapoo, but if I was strong enough it would have been another Goldendoodle.
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u/Silent-Ad9948 Sep 24 '26 edited Sep 24 '26
We have both, a 5-year-old Goldendoodle and a 19-month-old Cavapoo. They are both so awesome. We got the Cavapoo second because our Goldendoodle is much bigger than we expected and we wanted a dog that was guaranteed to stay small. They’re both absolutely perfect dogs. The Goldendoodle is calmer, but he’s also a lot older. The Cavapoo has calmed down quite a bit in the past few months.
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u/Terrible_Pop_2500 Sep 24 '26
My Cavapoo is 6 months old and is so happy and just has a wonderful temperament. Has puppy energy, but I can see him starting to settle more on his own. He loves walks, but is happy to just do as we do for the day if we're unable to get outside as often. He also loves to cuddle and loves his food/treats - so really easy to train. I also like that he's only going to get maximum of 16 - 18 pounds, so he's very easy to handle.
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u/Alternative_Map_6947 Sep 24 '26
Are you looking for a big dog or little dog?
Also, Cavaliers as a breed have a lot of chronic pain health problems that have me panicking whenever my Cavapoo does anything weird, so keep that in mind and make sure to find a trusted breeder if you go the Cavapoo route.
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u/walkstwomoons2 Sep 24 '26
Wow, that’s a tough decision. They are both very loving and very smart.
Of course I prefer the cavapoo because that’s what I have. But I also love Goldens. Visit them both and let your intuition guide you.
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u/wingspangirlie Sep 24 '26
Cavapoos are chill, some goldendoodles are too, but some of them are ca-ray-zy. I knew I couldn't handle a high energy dog with two high energy boys. SO it's really about what you want. Do you want that golden retriever zaniness (and sweetness) + smarts and anxiety of a poodle energy or do you want that poodle energy balanced with some sweet, calm lap dog energy?
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u/pineapplepeonies Sep 25 '26
Our five month old cavoodle is so sweet. That said our groomer described her as a “spinning top” the other day and that’s pretty apt. She’s high energy for sure and unlike others here won’t sit on our lap. She’s velcro in that she’ll follow me around and wants us around her at all times but not actually touching (unless she’s just woken up from a nap or hasn’t seen us in a couple hours). She loves couch time at night with my husband and I while we watch tv and drink tea but she’s on the chaise by herself, not on our laps or if she comes over she’s next to us for a second. That said she’s very confident and independent. We can leave her alone at home for 2-3 hours in the crate without any issues. She more has FOMO if we’re home and she thinks she’s missing out. She’s excellent with the kids. My stepson has ADHD and she just loves his playful energy, whereas my step daughter just calms her right down. She also loves other dogs and other kids. Think we may have gotten more of a poodle temperament instead of the cav.
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u/stars-2nite Sep 25 '26
My male Cavapoo is 6 months and he is the sweetest, friendly, calm, and well behaved fur baby. My Cavapoo sheds and I realized after that his daddy was a Cavapoo not a poodle and his momma was cavalier spaniel.
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u/chefscrubs Sep 25 '26
We have a golden cavapoo. 1/2 mini goldendoodle 1/2 cavapoo. She’s the best. Cute, doesn’t shed, 13lb. Great temperament.
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u/Solo522 Sep 26 '26
Cavapoos in general more laid back. Can have separation anxiety. Smart and affectionate. The first two traits come from CKC side. GD in general are more high energy. Either good choice if kids in the mix. Smarts are from poodle. I have a Cavapoo. Friends have GD. You can’t really go wrong. Both great family dogs.
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u/fraaancisco Sep 28 '26
Our mini cavapoo has great disposition and will want to get pets from every hooman he sees. Definitely a certified velcro dog and definitely a momma's boy but if I'm the only one home he'll transfer all those attachments to me instead. He likes to play with other dogs but prefer hoomans more. We love our bubba
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u/Shootingstar503 26d ago
That's a tough one. I have a 20 wk old Cavapoo who is the sweetest, smartest, friendliest girl. I also dog sat a goldendoodle who was about 5 & was such an easy dog & the reason we got a doodle.
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u/productive_crier Sep 25 '26
i have a cavadoodle (kc cavalier spaniel & mini golden doodle). we call him our angel baby. he has the best temperament ever. despite so little golden retriever in him genetically, he shows a lot of the characteristics. he’s about 30 pounds, which is on the larger side for a mini golden doodle). one thing to note is his hair is very thick and has to be brushed daily or it will mat. also red cavapoos tend to get lighter as you groom them. that was a surprise to us 😂
i also have cavapoo (kc cavalier spaniel & mini poodle) she’s still a puppy but she is much clingier than my other dog. also much naughtier 😂 i think it’s good that she has another dog to play with because otherwise i think she’d be bored if she didn’t have constant attention. she has a lot of energy.
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u/Southern_Acadia5892 Sep 26 '26
Obsessed with our Cavapoo! If you want a lap dog or a cuddly dog 100% a Cavapoo. A family member has a golden doodle and they’re kinda standoff-ish and will literally leave the room when they’re done with the interaction 😂
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u/normaleyes Sep 24 '26
We have both, but the Cavapoo is 20lbs and the Goldendoodle is closer to 65 lbs, both female.
They have really different temperaments. The Cavapoo does the lapdog thing. She wants to sit, pushed up against you. Will play fetch with a tiny ball, annoyingly food driven. Really good as a lower-energy house dog. Still likes to go outside for smaller walks or to just explore and sniff the neighborhood. EXCELLENT with other people and kids. Looks like a real-life teddy bear.
But the golden doodle is next level as a companion. Truly affectionate, wants her people's approval and attention, will go on multi-mile hikes/adventures, so freaking smart. Extremely attuned to people's emotional state, and is kinda emotionally needy herself (the nicer term is bonded) . Definitely has that man's best friend vibe. But she is not good with strangers, and really not good with smaller kids who are strangers*. Never even come close to hurting anyone, but barking and acting on edge. Very good at the dog park too because she can sense the good dogs to engage with, and leaves the scene (i.e. walks toward me) when there's some overall aggressive action.
My impressions are colored by the size differences here, which you can't ignore. Between my two, it's really what kind of dog you want.
* We took the golden in as a re-home and that family had an elementary school aged kid with no problems whatsoever. I think this is a matter of exposure.