These days, you can find many different Poodle-mix dog breeds. While they may share similar appearances of having long ears and curly hair, they still have distinct temperaments and needs. So, it’s important to take time to research which hybrid breeds are a good fit for you and your lifestyle.

Havapoos and Cavapoos share many similarities. Both are wonderful companion dogs that are often good fits for apartment dwellers or families with young children. However, they do have some distinctions that make them a better fit for different types of people. Getting to know each breed will help you decide if either breed is a good match for you.

Visual Differences

At a Glance

Havapoo Overview

Personality / Character

The Havapoo is a mix between a Havanese and Poodle. Havapoos are known to be doting and loyal companion dogs that want nothing more than to be with their favorite humans. So, they must be in homes where they’re not left alone for long hours. While they’re usually friendly with strangers and other dogs, they definitely have their favorites and develop strong loyalty with one or two people.

Havapoos most often have Toy Poodles or Miniature Poodles in their pedigree, so they usually don’t end up weighing more than 20 pounds. Their small size makes them adaptable to apartment living, and they also have pretty easy going personalities. They’re typically easy to train because they’re attentive and eager to please. So, they’re usually a good choice for first-time dog owners.

Training

Havapoos are relatively easy to train due to their intelligence and love of attention and praise. They’re very sensitive to tone of voice, so it’s important to remain gentle and encouraging during training. Expressing frustration at a Havapoo will be extremely discouraging and heavily lower their confidence. So, it’s often best to keep training sessions short and fun and to have them frequently throughout the day.

While Havapoos can grasp basic obedience training fairly well, they may have extra challenges with potty training. Because they tend to be on the small side, they can have a hard time holding their bladder and have to be let out more frequently than larger dog breeds.

Exercise

Havapoos have fairly light exercise needs. Young puppies may need more exercise and playtime, but older Havapoos usually mellow out and are content with about 30 minutes of exercise a day. They’ll enjoy going on leisurely walks around the neighborhood or running around in a fenced yard.

Havapoos are intelligent dogs, and it’s important to keep their minds active and engaged as well. They’ll appreciate engaging in enrichment activities like playing with treat-dispensing toys or learning new tricks.

Health & Care

Havapoos are healthy dogs with relatively few significant health issues. They may develop joint issues, such as hip dysplasia and patellar luxation, as they age. Since they aren’t the most active dogs, it’s important to be on top of their diet to prevent excessive weight gain and obesity.

Due to having thin and curly hair, Havapoos have coats that are prone to tangling and matting. Most Havapoos require brushing at least every other day, and Havapoos with coats that are kept longer usually require daily brushing. If you want to spend less time on grooming, you can have your Havapoo’s coat cut shorter by a professional groomer.

Suitable For:

Havapoos are wonderful family dogs that are usually patient with children. Just keep in mind that young children must learn to interact with them appropriately. As Havapoos tend to be small dogs, they can get easily injured when handled roughly.

Havapoos are also an excellent breed to consider for first-time dog owners and apartment dwellers. They mostly need human companionship and will do best in homes where there’s usually one person around to be with them.

Cavapoo Overview

Personality / Character

Cavapoos are a mix between a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Poodle. Similar to Havapoos, Cavapoos love being the center of attention and love being around people. They do have their favorites, but they’re usually more outgoing than Havapoos and enjoy meeting new people. These dogs are social butterflies, and they don’t like being home alone for too long.

While they prefer human companionship, they may do well living with another dog to feel less lonely. Cavapoos do tend to have a strong prey drive and curiosity, so they usually can’t be trusted to be unsupervised with cats and small pets.

Training

Cavapoos are intelligent dogs and are eager to please. However, they’re also a little more energetic than Havapoos, especially as puppies. So, you may find your Cavapoo getting easily distracted during training sessions. Fortunately, Cavapoos are usually highly motivated by praise and treats. So, it’s pretty easy to regain their attention.

Like Havapoos, Cavapoos will be very sensitive to your tone of voice. They do best by having short and encouraging training sessions. Once they get the basics of obedience training down, they’re quick to learn new tricks and love learning new things. Since they tend to be so people-oriented, many can learn to become successful therapy dogs and emotional support animals.

Exercise

Cavapoos have a little more energy than Havapoos and do best with at least 45 minutes of daily exercise. They’ll enjoy going on walks, visiting the dog park, or playing fetch or tug with you. Larger Cavapoos can usually keep up with outdoor activities like camping and hiking. They can also participate in agility sports. However, they usually don’t have much stamina, so you’ll notice them getting tired more quickly than other dog breeds.

Like Havapoos, Cavapoos enjoy engaging in mentally stimulating activities. So, it’s important to have several treat-dispensing toys and games for them to play every day.

Health & Care

You won’t find too many significant genetic health issues with Cavapoos. They may develop joint issues, heart disease, and Addison’s disease as they age. Some can have sensitive stomachs and gastrointestinal issues.

Cavapoos and Havapoos have similar coats and grooming needs. They’ll also require a minimum of brushing every other day, but their hair can be cut shorter if you don’t want to spend an extended amount of time brushing them.

Suitable For:

Cavapoos are another excellent choice for first-time dog owners. They’re friendly and affectionate, and they’re relatively easy to train. They’re also fairly adaptable and can live in apartments as long as their exercise needs are met. Similar to Havapoos, Cavapoos need to be in homes where they’re not consistently by themselves for long hours. They usually become an active part of the family and enjoy being included in all the action.

Which Breed Is Right for You?

Havapoos and Cavapoos are both excellent choices for first-time dog owners because of their intelligence and eagerness to please. They also require a lot of human interaction and attention, and they’re not known to have aloof or independent personalities. Both are good breeds for families with children, but children just have to be a little more careful around Havapoos due to their smaller size.

Havapoos don’t require as much exercise as Cavapoos, so they’re usually a better fit for homebodies and apartment dwellers. Cavapoos can be a bit more energetic, and larger ones will enjoy accompanying you on outdoor excursions.

Overall, Havapoos and Cavapoos are wonderful dogs that quickly become beloved members of the family. They’re both affectionate and friendly and can become some of the best companion dogs that anyone could ask for.

• See also: EngAm Bulldog (English Bulldog & American Bulldog Mix)

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Featured Image Credit: Top – Tara Lynn and Co, Shutterstock | Bottom – Mia Anderson, Unsplash