Maltipoo vs Cavapoo
The two published breed profiles side by side: size, energy, grooming, lifespan, temperament ratings and health.
| Maltipoo | Cavapoo | |
|---|---|---|
| A cross of | Maltese and Poodle | Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Poodle |
| Size class | Small | Small |
| Adult weight | 2.3 to 9.1 kg | 3.6 to 11.3 kg |
| In pounds | 5 to 20 lb | 8 to 25 lb |
| Adult height | 20 to 36 cm | 23 to 36 cm |
| Energy | Moderate | Moderate |
| Grooming | High | High |
| Coat | Long silky to curly | Medium wavy to curly |
| Lifespan | 12 to 16 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Good with children | Fine with supervision | Reliably good |
| Good with other dogs | Usually good | Reliably good |
| Country of origin | Not published | United States |
The main differences
- The Cavapoo is the bigger dog: 3.6 to 11.3 kg against 2.3 to 9.1 kg for the Maltipoo.
- Both have moderate energy in their published profiles.
- Grooming is high for both.
- Life expectancy is similar: 12 to 16 years for the Maltipoo and 12 to 15 years for the Cavapoo.
- With children, the Cavapoo is rated reliably good and the Maltipoo fine with supervision.
Temperament
Maltipoo: The Maltipoo is friendly, outgoing and gentle with children and other pets when socialised early. They are sensitive and eager to please, and are prone to nuisance barking and to separation anxiety.
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.
Maltipoo
- Patellar luxation, graded on orthopaedic examination
- Legg Calve Perthes disease, diagnosed by hip radiographs in a young lame dog
- Periodontal disease, found at annual dental examination
- Progressive retinal atrophy and cataracts, detectable by DNA test and eye examination
- Idiopathic epilepsy, diagnosed from witnessed seizures with other causes excluded on blood work and imaging
- Portosystemic liver shunt from the Maltese side, screened with a serum bile acids test
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 Maltipoo or the Cavapoo?
The Cavapoo. Adults weigh 3.6 to 11.3 kg, against 2.3 to 9.1 kg for the Maltipoo, going by the published breed profiles.
Which lives longer, the Maltipoo or the Cavapoo?
The published life expectancy is 12 to 16 years for the Maltipoo and 12 to 15 years for the Cavapoo. These are typical ranges across the breed, not a promise about one dog.
Is the Maltipoo or the Cavapoo better with children?
The Cavapoo scores higher for children (3 against 5 out of 5). 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:
- petmd.com for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
- 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