Breed Guide
Cavoodle
Australia's most beloved designer breed
Size
Small
Weight
5–12 kg
Lifespan
12-15 years
Origin
Australia, 1990s
Did you know?Cavoodles combine the Cavalier's calm nature with the Poodle's low-shedding coat. Images shown are parent breed.
5/10
Exercise
8/10
Trainability
10/10
Kid-friendly
7/10
Grooming
Personality at a glance
How this breed rates across key traits.
Lower is better
Lower is better
Lower is better
What it's actually like to own one
Cavoodles are the result of crossing a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel with a Toy or Miniature Poodle — and the combination landed perfectly. They inherited the Cavalier's gentle affection and the Poodle's intelligence and low-shedding coat. It's no accident they became Australia's most popular dog.
What to know: as a crossbreed, there's variation between litters. Some are more Poodle (energetic, curly, highly strung), some more Cavalier (calm, silky, prone to heart issues). Research the breeder's lines and ask about parent health testing.
Grooming is ongoing — their wavy/curly coat needs professional attention every 8 weeks. But for apartment living, families, and first-time owners, it's hard to find a better package.
🎓 Training snapshot
Cavoodles have an independent streak — early, consistent training is key. Short sessions with high-value treats work far better than repetition.
Lifestyle match
Is a Cavoodle right for you?
You'll love it if
- First-time dog owners
- Apartment and inner-city living
- Families with children of all ages
- People with mild dog allergies
- Anyone wanting a gentle, trainable companion
Pause if
- Anyone skipping grooming costs — coat matts fast
- People wanting a very active outdoor dog
- Anyone not researching the breeder — health varies widely
- Owners away all day — prone to separation anxiety
Life in Australia
What Australian owners need to know.
Heat Tolerance
Good — but keep coat trimmed short in Australian summers
Tick Risk
Moderate — wavy coat makes ticks harder to find
Apartment Fit
Excellent — one of the top apartment breeds in Australia
Monthly Cost
$250–$400 AUD including regular grooming every 8 weeks
Health watchouts
Common conditions to be aware of with this breed.
Mitral Valve Disease
Inherited from Cavalier side — ask for parent cardiac testing
Eye Conditions
Both parent breeds have eye issues — breeder certificates required
Luxating Patella
Slipping kneecap from the Poodle side — vet check at 6 months
Separation Anxiety
Velcro dogs — crate training from day one prevents this
Your first year together
Key milestones from day one.
Crate training day one
Prevents separation anxiety developing — most important early step
First groom
Introduce the groomer early — makes the lifetime of grooming easier
Basic obedience
Smart and eager to please — basic commands should be solid now
Health baseline
Heart check, eye check, establish annual vet routine
What Cavoodles need
Vet-recommended picks sized for this breed.
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Advance Puppy Small Breed
Small breed puppy formula with the right calorie density for Cavoodle development.
Doodle Grooming Slicker Brush
Daily brushing prevents the matting that makes professional grooms more expensive. Use every 2 days minimum.
KONG Classic — Small
Brilliant for managing separation — fill and leave when you go out. Teaches the Cavoodle that alone time = good things.
Personalised for your dog
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A week-by-week guide tailored to your dog's breed, age, and life stage.
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