Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs Cavapoo
The two published breed profiles side by side: size, energy, grooming, lifespan, temperament ratings and health.
| Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | Cavapoo | |
|---|---|---|
| A cross of | Purebred | Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Poodle |
| Size class | Small | Small |
| Adult weight | 5.9 to 8.2 kg | 3.6 to 11.3 kg |
| In pounds | 13 to 18 lb | 8 to 25 lb |
| Adult height | 30 to 33 cm | 23 to 36 cm |
| Energy | Moderate | Moderate |
| Grooming | Moderate | High |
| Coat | Medium wavy and silky | Medium wavy to curly |
| Shedding | Low | Not published |
| Lifespan | 12 to 15 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Good with children | Reliably good | Reliably good |
| Good with other dogs | Reliably good | Reliably good |
| Country of origin | Great Britain | United States |
The main differences
- They are about the same size: the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is 5.9 to 8.2 kg and the Cavapoo 3.6 to 11.3 kg.
- Both have moderate energy in their published profiles.
- The Cavapoo takes more grooming (high) than the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (moderate).
- Life expectancy is similar: 12 to 15 years for the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and 12 to 15 years for the Cavapoo.
Temperament
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: Gay, friendly and non-aggressive, a sporting, affectionate and fearless toy spaniel.
Cavapoo: The Cavapoo is gentle and even keeled, one of the lower key Poodle crosses, and suits first time owners. They attach strongly to their household and are prone to separation anxiety.
Health worth asking about
Conditions each breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable: it means ask the breeder for the parents' test results.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Mitral valve disease (MVD), graded by annual heart auscultation and echocardiography under a breed heart scheme
- Syringomyelia, graded by an MRI scan of the skull and neck
- Episodic falling (EF), detectable by DNA test on both parents
- Curly coat and dry eye syndrome (CC/DE), detectable by DNA test on both parents
Cavapoo
- Mitral valve disease from the Cavalier side, detected as a heart murmur on auscultation and graded by echocardiogram
- Syringomyelia and Chiari like malformation, diagnosed by MRI scan
- Patellar luxation, graded on orthopaedic examination
- Hip dysplasia, screened by hip scoring radiographs
- Progressive retinal atrophy and other inherited eye disease, detectable by DNA test and eye examination
- Dental disease in the crowded small jaw, found at annual dental checks
Common questions
Which is bigger, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or the Cavapoo?
They are about the same size. Adults weigh 5.9 to 8.2 kg for the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and 3.6 to 11.3 kg for the Cavapoo, going by the published breed profiles.
Which lives longer, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or the Cavapoo?
The published life expectancy is 12 to 15 years for the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and 12 to 15 years for the Cavapoo. These are typical ranges across the breed, not a promise about one dog.
Is the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or the Cavapoo better with children?
They score the same: reliably good with children. Any dog needs supervising around young children, whatever their breed rating.
Related comparisons
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Not veterinary advice. Breed information is general. Your own dog, and your own vet, always win.
Sources
Every figure on this page comes from the two breed guides, which cite:
- akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
- fci.be for country of origin
- petmd.com for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
- purina.co.uk for country of origin