The cavapoo, a mix between the cavalier King Charles spaniel and poodle, is one of the most popular designer dog breeds. In fact, they may be the third most popular poodle mix, right after the labradoodle and the goldendoodle, though the exact numbers are unknown.
Nonetheless, there are many traits of the cavapoo that attract people to this designer breed. For example, they are fairly small, weighing under 25 pounds, and possess the potential to have a hypoallergenic coat. While these are among the top reasons why countless people are considering getting a cavapoo, it is the temperament of this breed that determines whether or not you’re a good match.
That is why it is essential to understand the cavapoo’s temperament before starting to work with a breeder or looking for a cavapoo to adopt in your area, and in this article, we will go over just that. Read on to learn all about the cavapoo temperament.
Cavapoo Temperament Overview
Below is an overview of the cavapoo’s temperament. We will cover their family life, relationship with other dogs, how affectionate they are, trainability, and more. By the time you read to the end, you should know if the cavapoo is the right dog breed for you.
Family Life
This cavapoo breed guide from Dog Academy gave the cavapoo four out of five stars (or bones, rather) when it comes to being good with kids, which can be an understatement, as cavapoos are among the best dogs for families. This isn’t a surprise at all, considering that both the cavalier King Charles spaniel and the poodle make equally great dogs for families with kids.
This designer breed enjoys playing with kids, provided the kids interact with them respectfully. If kids don’t know how to behave around dogs, cavapoos, like any dog, can become agitated and exhibit behavioral issues. It is critical that the kids behave well and respect a cavapoo’s boundaries for everyone to get along well with each other.
Relationship With Other Dogs
When it comes to other dogs, cavapoos are generally social and easygoing. They tend to get along well with other dogs, especially when socialized properly from a young age. This designer breed’s friendly nature toward dogs comes from both their purebred parents, making them suitable for multi-dog households.
It is important to note, early socialization from a young age is key to ensuring that a cavapoo is friendly with other dogs, even though they are inherently friendly and even-tempered.
Relationship With Other Household Pets
The same positive remarks can be made about their relationship with other household pets. Cavapoos can live peacefully with other household pets, including cats and smaller animals. They have a very gentle and adaptable temperament, especially when it comes to co-existing with smaller prey animals like rabbits and guinea pigs.
As with any dog, individual personality will have a big influence on this, with some cavapoos exhibiting more prey drive than others. If this ends up being the case for your cavapoo, it may take them more time to accept smaller prey animals as part of their pack, requiring you to be more vigilant.
Affection Level
This is one of the defining traits of the cavapoo temperament. This poodle mix is among the most affectionate and loving breeds and bonds strongly with their owner. Cavapoos often display affection through behaviors like seeking physical contact, following you around, and sitting close.
While this is a nice temperament trait, note that the cavapoo’s affectionate temperament can lead them to develop separation anxiety. Giving them alone time and building confidence is essential with this designer breed to prevent their affectionate nature from turning into an issue.
Trainability
Cavapoos are considered highly trainable due to their intelligence and willingness to please. However, it is safe to say that they aren’t as eager to learn as poodles, though they are generally more trainable than cavalier King Charles spaniels.
With cavapoos, basic obedience training is usually straightforward. They can learn basic commands fairly quickly and don’t take much time to build good leash manners. However, consistency and employing positive reinforcement training are critical for cavapoos to keep up their highly trainable temperament.
Is the Cavapoo Temperament for You?
The cavapoo temperament is well-suited for many types of individuals and families. They are friendly, affectionate, adaptable, and fairly eager to please, making them a good choice for a variety of owners, including those who are first time dog parents.
The only possible concern is their need for attention. If you have a busy life and can’t meet your cavapoo’s emotional and physical needs, this breed can quickly become difficult to manage, despite their small size. It is essential to consider this aspect of owning a cavapoo before taking action to buy or adopt one.