Cavapoo or Goldendoodle? Both are friendly, curly-to-wavy Poodle crosses that promise a cuddly family pet, so people often cross-shop them. The short answer: the Cavapoo is a small, mellow lap dog that does well in a smaller home, while the Goldendoodle is a bigger, livelier, more trainable dog that can range from small to very large depending on the Poodle parent. Neither cross is recognized by the AKC, neither is guaranteed hypoallergenic, and both need regular grooming and company. Size and energy are the biggest differences.
Soft, wavy to curly or silky; low to moderate shedding, varies by puppy
Wavy to curly, variable; ranges from low-shedding to moderate shedding
Lower-allergen coat
No
No
Energy level
Exercise needs
Trainability
Good with kids
Good with other dogs
Friendly to strangers
Apartment living
Tolerates being alone
Good for first-time owners
Shedding
Grooming needs
Barking
Drooling
General health
Trait scale 1–5. Shedding, grooming, barking and drooling: 5 = more. Highlighted rows are where the two breeds differ.
The key differences
Size
Cavapoos are small, at 9 to 14 in (23 to 36 cm) and 9 to 22 lb (4 to 10 kg) in our profile. Goldendoodles vary far more, at 17 to 24 in (43 to 61 cm) and 15 to 90 lb (7 to 41 kg) overall. Miniature Goldendoodles are reported at 15 to 35 lb (7 to 16 kg) and standards at 51 to 80 lb (23 to 36 kg). If you want a dog that is easy to lift and travel with, the Cavapoo is the safer pick.
Energy and exercise
The Goldendoodle scores 4 out of 5 for energy and exercise, against 3 for the Cavapoo. PetMD describes the Cavapoo as low-key, needing light to moderate exercise, and says the Goldendoodle is high-energy and needs roughly 30 to 60 minutes of activity a day. The Cavapoo scores 4 out of 5 for apartment living and the Goldendoodle 3. Mental games help both.
Coat and grooming
Both score 4 out of 5 for grooming and 2 for shedding, so neither is low-maintenance. PetMD suggests brushing a Cavapoo about three times a week with grooming every six weeks, and brushing a Goldendoodle at least a few times a week with professional grooming every four to eight weeks. Wavy and curly coats mat behind the ears and under the legs. Neither is truly hypoallergenic.
Temperament and training
Both are affectionate (5 out of 5) and great with kids (5). The Goldendoodle is more playful (5 versus 4) and more trainable (5 versus 4). The Cavapoo is the clingier of the two: it scores 1 out of 5 for tolerating time alone against 2 for the Goldendoodle, and PetMD calls separation anxiety its main behavioral concern. PetMD says Goldendoodles are also prone to separation anxiety.
Health and life span
Cavapoos typically live 12 to 15 years and Goldendoodles 10 to 15, with miniatures living longer. PetMD lists hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, eye conditions, mitral valve disease, uncommon syringomyelia, dental disease and allergies for the Cavapoo. For the Goldendoodle it lists hip dysplasia, eye disorders, subvalvular aortic stenosis, dental disease and bloat, especially in larger dogs. A cross does not guarantee a healthier dog, so ask for parent health tests.
Cost and care
The Goldendoodle usually costs more to feed and to groom because of its larger size, and standards need more space. The Cavapoo can cost more in vet attention if its Cavalier parent carries heart disease. Both need professional grooming every few weeks and a walker or daycare if you are out most of the day.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Cavapoo if you want a small, gentle lap dog for a smaller home, and you can be around most of the day. Be ready to ask breeders about heart health in the Cavalier parent. Choose the Goldendoodle if you want a bouncier, more trainable family dog with more size options, and you can offer an hour of activity a day and a bigger grooming budget. Whichever you pick, meet the parents, ask for health test results and ignore any hypoallergenic or non-shedding guarantee. Spend time with adult dogs from the same parents if you can, because puppies in one litter can grow into very different dogs.
Usually the Cavapoo, at 9 to 22 lb (4 to 10 kg). Goldendoodles range from about 15 lb (7 kg) for miniatures to 80 lb (36 kg) or more for standards.
Which is better for apartments, a Cavapoo or a Goldendoodle?
The Cavapoo, at 4 out of 5 on our apartment meter against 3. A miniature Goldendoodle can also work if it gets daily outings.
Are Cavapoos or Goldendoodles hypoallergenic?
No dog is guaranteed hypoallergenic, and coat type varies between puppies. The AKC says no dog is completely hypoallergenic, so spend time with the specific dog first.
