Cavapoo vs Goldendoodle
Goldendoodles and Cavapoos are uniquely different hybrid breed dogs with shared characteristics. They are also distinguishable by their personality traits, temperament, appearance, and other factors. You’ll find both dog breeds are highly energetic and playful and make great companions.
The History of the Cavapoo and the Goldendoodle
Cavapoo dogs have been around for many years. However, due to the ideal combination of their parent breeds, they’ve become a designer breed through intentional breeding in Australia by mixing Poodles with Cavalier King Charles Spaniels since the 1990s.
There are several reasons why these two breeds are preferred as a hybrid: Poodles shed less, are intelligent, and hypoallergenic, while the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dog is calmer and more friendly. They are available through reputable breeders and often found at rescue shelters.
Like the Cavapoo, Goldendoodle dogs were bred in the 1990s to combine the preferred characteristics of the Golden Retriever and Poodles. Goldendoodles are hypoallergenic and also don’t shed much. They tend to be highly social, enjoy spending time with human companions, including children, and get along with other household pets.
Breed Comparison: Physical Appearance
Generally, hybrid dog breeds tend to be small to medium in size. The outcome of each pup depends on the characteristics of each pet parent. For example, a Cavapoo mixed breed dog with a standard Poodle will weigh more and reach a taller height than a dog mixed with a Toy Poodle, such as a mini Goldendoodle or Cavapoo.
Goldendoodles are in a similar size range and come in a variety of small and medium sizes based on the pet parents’ attributes. Goldendoodles tend to be larger in size, as Golden Retrievers are considered medium to large dogs. While both dogs appear similar in height, with the Goldendoodle slightly taller, Cavapoos can weigh up to 25 pounds, whereas Goldendoodles can reach a weight of 35 pounds.
Cavapoos and Goldendoodles have a curly, wavy coat type with a soft texture. Their hair is short to medium in length and requires regular grooming to prevent matting and tangles.
Cavapoo coats come in various colors and blends, much like a cocker spaniel and poodle breeds. Their coats come in fawn, gold, white, chocolate, cream, red, apricot, and chestnut, either in solid colors or a blend of two or three (tri-colored) colors.
Goldendoodles have a similar range in coat type, colors, and blends, which include chocolate, brown, tan, gray, blue, black, silver, white, and various brindle and sable patterns. Since both small dog breeds have thin coats, they thrive best in moderate to warm temperatures and shouldn’t be left outside for extended periods in cold weather.
Personality and Temperament
Cavapoos and Goldendoodles are well known for their easy-going, playful personality and friendly nature. They are affectionate and intelligent, which makes training relatively easy for pups. Both hybrid dog breeds enjoy physical activities, such as play and exercise, due to their high energy levels. They are easy to keep active, mainly as they socialize, whether it’s outdoors or at home.
While both dog breeds are loveable, friendly pets, Cavapoos are slightly calmer than the standard Goldendoodle. Both dogs become easily attached to their human companions and don’t handle being left alone for long periods.
These energetic dogs thrive on social activities and may develop separation anxiety if left home throughout the day without any interaction. For this reason, it’s best to arrange dog walking and pet sitting services to provide care and social activities for your dog while you’re away.
Training a Cavapoo and Goldendoodle pup is easy, especially when they are puppies. They are both intelligent and learn quickly, whether you’re teaching them basic commands, providing advanced instruction, or new tricks. As both hybrid dog breeds age, they tend to become more mellow and relaxed, with less energy but remain excited and affectionate.
Health and Life Expectancy
A doodle breed tends to have good health overall and often has fewer instances of illness or medical conditions than its purebred parents due to its unique hybrid blend.
The most common health concerns affecting both Cavapoos and Goldendoodles are in other dog breeds, including elbow dysplasia, hip dysplasia, ear infections, digestive problems, allergies, cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy, and patellar luxation.
Cavapoos may be at a higher risk of developing heart conditions, including a disorder called subvalvular aortic stenosis.
When you adopt a Cavapoo pup or Goldendoodle from a reputable breeder, they can often provide health and genetic testing for your new puppy, which provides you with the details you need to provide a healthy diet and home for your pet. It’s also crucial to follow up with your veterinarian to detect diseases and chronic conditions early for the best prognosis.
While rescue dogs may not have the same information available, especially if they are a mixed breed dog outside of the Goldendoodle and Cavapoo varieties, it’s helpful to get acquainted with each hybrid breed’s common health conditions.
Cavapoos and Goldendoodles enjoy an average lifespan. Where Goldendoodles tend to live between ten and fifteen years, and Cavapoos live between twelve and fifteen years. While not always the case, smaller breed dogs tend to outlive larger breeds, even when the difference in size is minimal.
Cavapoos have a bit of an advantage, as they tend to be slightly smaller than Goldendoodles. You can expect both dogs to live up to fifteen years with proper healthcare and a supportive home environment.
Which Dog Breed Is Best for You?
Generally, you’ll find both Goldendoodles and Cavapoos similar in temperament, size, and appearance. While the main difference is slight, Cavapoos tend to be friendlier and more receptive, though often, Goldendoodles are fairly similar in their temperament.
Each hybrid breed offers great companionship for pet owners of all ages, including lots of affection and a close bond. They require a high level of protein and nutrients in their diet, especially since they are energetic and need regular exercise. Ideally, the best breed option for your home depends largely on preference, as both dogs tend to be overall similar and make excellent pets.
