Cavapoos and Toy Poodles are adorable dog breeds known for their curly coats and lovable personalities. While the Toy Poodle is a purebred dog with an old lineage that dates back to the 14^th century, the Cavapoo was first bred in the 1950s and is considered a hybrid breed.

Because of their intelligence and friendly personalities, both Cavapoos and Toy Poodles are popular pets, especially for first-time dog owners. So, it’s absolutely understandable if you’re having trouble deciding which breed you want to bring home.

Even though Cavapoos and Toy Poodles have a lot of similarities, they also have some distinct features. We’ll go through each breed’s characteristics thoroughly so that you’ll have an easier time deciding which one is right for you.

Cavapoo vs Toy Poodle: Visual Differences

At a Glance

Cavapoo Overview

The Cavapoo is a hybrid between a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and either a Toy or Miniature Poodle. This mixed breed first appeared in the 1950s, and while it isn’t officially recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC), it’s still a popular dog. While both Cavapoos and Toy Poodles are smaller dog breeds, Cavapoos have greater variance in sizes. Most Cavapoos average around 10 pounds, but they can also reach 25 pounds if one parent is a Miniature Poodle.

Personality / Character

Cavapoos tend to be extremely friendly and love human companionship. Many inherit a mix of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel’s and Toy Poodle’s endearing traits, such as being easily trainable, affectionate, and intelligent. They’re also quite social dogs that can get along with other dogs and pets. However, early socialization is key to helping Cavapoos acclimate well to living with young children and other pets.

Cavapoos tend to be more energetic than Toy Poodles, so incorporating daily walks into their schedule will help immensely. Some may even learn and enjoy playing fetch and retrieving if they inherit more Poodle traits.

Training

Cavapoos tend to be good pets for first-time dog owners. They love human companionship and are usually very intelligent and eager to please. Cavapoos have a bit of a curious nature and often need a good amount of mental stimulation and enrichment activities in their daily schedules. So, once they get basic training down, they’re quick to learn new tricks and love learning them as well.

Bored Cavapoos can develop destructive behaviors and separation anxiety if they’re left alone for too long. So, it’s important to get a head start on obedience training and incorporate daily walks and other forms of exercise to keep a Cavapoo happy and well-behaved.

Health & Care

Cavapoos are generally quite healthy and can live a long and full life. It’s unclear what kind of specific health care needs Cavapoos may have. Based on their lineage, they may develop genetic health conditions commonly found in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Poodles. Some chronic health issues to look out for include patellar luxation, gastritis, mitral valve disease, and canine hip dysplasia.

Cavapoos have long, droopy ears, so it’s crucial to stay on top of cleaning them and ensuring that they stay dry. Ear cleansers help immensely with preventing ear infections.

Coat maintenance will depend on the type of coat a Cavapoo inherits. Some may have wavy hair and shed more because their coats take after the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel’s coat. Others will have tighter curls and will shed less, like the Poodle. Either way, the Cavapoo requires regular brushing to help with shedding, tangles, and mats. They’ll also benefit from regular trips to the groomer to keep their coat at a manageable length.

Suitable for:

Cavapoos were bred to be companion dogs, so they must live in homes where someone is usually around. They don’t do well being alone for long hours and can develop separation anxiety. Cavapoos also love being included in family activities and tend to need a lot of attention. So, owners shouldn’t expect them to be passive lapdogs and must be prepared to engage in several play sessions throughout the day.

Cavapoos tend to love children, and while they prefer human companionship, they can get along with other dogs and pets if properly socialized. They’re a great choice for first-time owners, with the time to give them a lot of time and attention.

Toy Poodle Overview

The Toy Poodle has been around since the 14^th century. All types of Poodles were originally bred as hunting dogs, and the Toy Poodle excelled in mushroom hunting. This breed has many wonderful traits that have made it popular amongst people for centuries.

Personality / Character

Toy Poodles are loving and loyal pets who love to be part of the action. They quickly establish themselves as important family members and develop strong bonds with everyone in the family.

Toy Poodles can be athletic, but they don’t tend to be as active as Cavapoos. They’re excellent apartment dwellers who can get their exercise needs met by playing indoors or going on short and brisk walks. Many Poodles also enjoy swimming, so they may enjoy splashing around a kiddie pool or playing at a dog-friendly beach.

Many Toy Poodles are content with being lap dogs and spending their days lounging on the sofa with their favorite humans. However, it’s still important to make sure that they have daily exercise to prevent boredom and obesity.

Training

Due to their small size, many Toy Poodles are prone to becoming spoiled and developing bad manners. However, when given the opportunity, Toy Poodles can become wonderful and very capable pets. For the most part, Toy Poodles are easy to train. They’re intelligent and love attention and praise, so it only makes sense that this breed excels in obedience training and learning new tricks. It’s also helpful to have treat-dispensing toys at hand to keep their minds active.

The one area that many owners struggle with is potty training, but this issue isn’t because Toy Poodles are untrainable. Their small bladders make it especially challenging for them to hold everything until they can relieve themselves outside. So, Toy Poodle owners have to be extra vigilant with their dog’s potty schedule and be willing to make very frequent trips to appropriate potty zones.

Health & Care

Toy Poodles come from an old line of dog breeds, so there’s much more data on genetic health concerns. Some common health issues in Toy Poodles include Addison’s disease, bloat, hip dysplasia, bladder stones, and Cushing’s disease.

Owners should also expect to follow a more extensive grooming routine with Toy Poodles than most other dog breeds. Toy Poodles have a single coat that sheds minimally, so they’re a popular choice amongst allergy sufferers. However, their coats require regular maintenance to reduce shedding on furniture and prevent painful tangles and mats. Most Toy Poodles require daily brushing with a slicker brush and a fine-tooth comb to remove tangles.

Grooming appointments are essential, especially if you don’t have time to care for a Toy Poodle’s full coat. Keeping the hair cut short can help prevent tangles and reduce the amount of time you spend brushing.

Suitable for:

Toy Poodles are versatile dogs that can adapt to many different lifestyles. They can live in apartments in busy cities or live in more open spaces. They tend to be a little more independent than Cavapoos, but they still crave human companionship and don’t do well being left home alone for long hours. They’re usually great with children but will do better with older children who are mindful of their small size.

One attractive trait of the Toy Poodle is its trainability. These dogs are an excellent choice for first-time dog owners, but owners must be aware that potty training may take a little more time and require more effort.

Cavapoo vs Toy Poodle: Which Breed Is Right for You?

Both the Cavapoo and Toy Poodle are wonderful dog breeds that are great for first-time dog owners and families with children. The Cavapoo tends to be more active and energetic than the Toy Poodle, so it’s a better fit for people with more active lifestyles.

Regarding allergies, Toy Poodles are better choices for allergy sufferers because they don’t have varying coat types and consistently shed minimally. Cavapoos can be mild to moderate shedders and will shed more if their coat is more like the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel’s coat.

One key factor to remember about both breeds is that they thrive on human companionship. The Toy Poodle may be a little more independent, but both will become active family members and will want to engage in everything happening in the house.

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• EngAm Bulldog (English Bulldog & American Bulldog Mix)
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Featured Image Credit: Top – Mia Anderson, Unsplash | Bottom – evrymmnt, Shutterstock