Cavapoo vs Cockapoo: The Differences (With Pictures)

Cavapoos and Cockapoos are small, fluffy dogs that love attention and socializing. Both crossbreeds come from the Poodle and are mixed with different types of Spaniels. Both make great companions in almost any living situation and love to be showered with praise and attention.

Either breed will take to training easily and want to accompany you anywhere you go, which can make deciding between them that much more difficult. If you’re unsure whether a Cavapoo or a Cockapoo would be better for you, read on as we examine both breeds in more detail.

Cavapoo vs Cockapoo: Visual Differences

At a Glance

Cavapoo Overview

The Cavapoo is a crossbreed between a Poodle and a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. They inherit their parents’ long, floppy ears and perfect little round noses. Their soft, wavy coats come in gorgeous colors: browns, grays, reds, and beiges.

Despite the tri-colored appearance of their King Cavalier Charles Spaniel parent, Cavapoos are much more likely to be one solid color like their Poodle parent. Their eyes are dark and warm, like a cup of hot cocoa on a winter's day, and look up at you with just as much comfort.

Personality / Character

The Cavapoo is a sweet-natured, energetic breed. They love fun and are incredibly friendly with humans and other animals. They’re loyal and intelligent too, meaning they’ll take to training quickly, but they need a lot of positive reassurance to shape their behavior.

Cavapoos are highly sensitive to the human mood, so they’ll be the first to notice when you need extra puppy love. On the flip side, intense anger or upset from their companion may result in excessive barking and digging. Their sensitivity to emotions can also lead to separation anxiety if the Cavapoo is left alone too long; even other animals won’t completely scratch their social itch.

Exercise 🐕

An adult Cavapoo needs a minimum of 30 minutes of exercise daily, but a more energetic pup might want to run around for more than an hour. Due to their social nature, taking these dogs to parks suited for their size so they can meet other pets is a wonderful way to exercise them!

Cavapoos also enjoy the attention and praise of learning new tricks; teaching them to shake, fetch, and roll over is a perfect way to bond with your pet as they get their energy out.

Health & Care

It’s not easy being pretty, but it’s still not painstaking for the Cavapoo. Their Poodle parent’s non-shedding genes prevent them from making a mess of the house with their fur, but they’ll need to be brushed out about three times a week to stave off infections in the eyes, ears, and skin.

A slicker brush and a de-matting brush can get the job done perfectly well! Additionally, it’s best to visit the groomer every 6–8 weeks for all the detail work that will keep your pup looking and feeling their best.

The Cavapoo is not necessarily a sick dog, but the breed does have a predisposition to many afflictions. Dental diseases are near the top of the list, as these pups’ teeth are much more susceptible to damage. Brushing their teeth daily is recommended and can also be a bonding experience!

The Cavapoo’s parents may have also passed down their propensities. The Poodle is prone to endocrine diseases like diabetes and bloat, while the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel may have issues with their heart and eyes.

Suitable For:

The Cavapoo is a lovely choice, suitable for many households and environments, from small apartments to vast plots of farmland. They’re great for children, seniors, and houses with many pets. First-time dog owners may also find the Cavapoo to be a perfect fit. Additionally, with their sensitivity to human emotion and adaptability to training, Cavapoos are great candidates as therapy dogs!

Cockapoo Overview

The Cockapoo is another Poodle-Spaniel crossbreed, featuring the adorable Cocker Spaniel in their lineage. These friendly furballs have long, curly coats that come in a whole gamut of colors: red, cream, black, blue, white, brown, and gold. Their floppy ears frame their face perfectly, and their bi-colored or even tri-colored coats will garner praise from anyone who meets them!

Personality / Character

Cockapoos are outgoing, friendly, and a bit clingy. These loyal little pups are happiest when their owners are nearby, and they won’t let you out of their sight for long. They’re known for following their family members into bathrooms and are prone to separation anxiety. Depending on how they’re brought up, a Cockapoo may prefer to lie on the couch with you while you knit or run around outside rolling in mud and puddles on a rainy day.

Speaking of puddles, Cockapoos love water. Many of these dogs love to swim and will splash around all day with your family. If your family likes to go to lakes or beaches, this breed is perfect to bring along!

Exercise 🐕

Cockapoos are rather energetic dogs and need exercise to burn that energy. Their Cocker Spaniel parent passes down a distractible, fun-loving trait, which means they benefit more from multiple short exercise sessions than one long one. A couple of 30-minute daily walks should do the trick to get them their fill. Cockapoos are also incredibly social and love taking trips to the dog park to meet other pups!

Training comes less easily to Cockapoos but they still love to learn! Their curious yet distractible nature can be a bit of a balancing act when teaching this breed tricks, but with enough treats and praise, they’ll be sure to focus and perform well beyond your expectations!

Health & Care

A Cockapoo's coat is beautiful, that's for sure. But to keep it that way, it’s best to brush their fur daily. That long, curly coat is prone to matting if left unchecked. In addition to daily brushing, a long-coated Cockapoo should visit the groomer every 4–6 weeks, though if their coat is a little shorter, you can get away with up to 8 weeks between visits.

It’s also important to note that this breed should only be bathed if necessary, since they tend not to produce an odor, and the oils in their fur keep their coat nice and healthy.

If your Cockapoo loves to swim, their ears will need checking. Since their ears flop down, it’s possible that any water that gets in them won’t dry, which can cause infections and wax build-up. It’s best to clean their ears weekly to avoid discomfort.

Much like the Cavapoo, the Cockapoo needs regular teeth brushing; however, it’s a far less frequent affair. To keep their teeth shiny and strong, brushing them three to four times a week is perfectly fine.

Like their parent breeds, Cockapoos are prone to eye disorders like cataracts, as well as endocrine diseases, such as diabetes and Cushing's disease. If you’re shopping around for a breeder, it may be best to get a health certificate so you know precisely which conditions to be on the lookout for in your pup.

Suitable For:

Similar to the Cavapoo, Cockapoos are family dogs. They get along well with other pets and are energetic enough to keep up with the kids while also being great lap dogs for senior citizens. So long as their exercise needs are met, they’ll be happy in any size of living space, from an apartment to a mansion.

Grooming Needs

The Cockapoo and the Cavapoo need quite a bit of maintenance, but the specifics of that maintenance are where the two breeds differ.

A Cavapoo's coat is generally shorter than a Cockapoo's, so while you can get away with not brushing a Cavapoo for a couple of days, a Cockapoo needs to be brushed daily to prevent their long, curly coat from developing mats.

Conversely, a Cockapoo’s teeth don't need as much brushing as the Cavapoo's. You can skip the toothbrush once in a while with the former, but for the latter, dental hygiene should be part of their daily care routine.

Cavapoo vs Cockapoo: Which Breed Is Right for You?

At the end of the day, the differences between Cavapoos and Cockapoos are not that notable. They both descend from Poodles, meaning their intelligence makes for a perfect training buddy.

If you’re looking for an emotionally aware, cuddly breed, you may find yourself happier with a Cavapoo. If you’re looking for a lake buddy that won’t ever leave your side, a Cockapoo might be more your speed.

If you’re just looking for a companion to call your own, though, either breed could be an ideal choice for you. You know your family best, and the best dog for you could be anywhere!

See Also:

• Do Cavapoos Bark a Lot? How Much & How to Stop It

• Do Poodles Bark a Lot? Breed Temperament & Personality Explained

Featured Image Credit: Top - Mia Anderson, Unsplash | Bottom - Lee Ph, Shutterstock