Puppies › Cavapoo › Cavapoo temperament and barking
Cavapoo guideA Cavapoo takes its personality from a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Poodle, and both of those breeds are as affectionate with family as dogs get. The Poodle tends to bark a little more than the Cavalier, and neither one is among the quietest breeds.
Usually sociable, if the parents are a guide. Both breeds are very affectionate with family and very good with young children. Both are friendly toward strangers as well, the Poodle a little more so than the Cavalier.
A Cavapoo has no official breed description, so that's a guide to the parents and no promise about a particular puppy. Our F1 and F1B explainer sets out how much of each parent breed sits in a family tree, and what each breed is like.
A moderate amount, going by the parents. A Cavalier barks a moderate amount and a Miniature Poodle a little more, and both make fair watchdogs. Nobody rates the Cavapoo itself, and a puppy can take after either side.
Our F1B litters have a Miniature Poodle for a papa, so an F1B carries more Poodle in its family tree than a first-generation Cavapoo does, and still no family tree can promise how vocal a given puppy will be.
Work out what the bark is for first. Dogs bark from excitement, worry, frustration or boredom, and there's no single fix, because a bored dog needs something to do while a worried one needs confidence.
One kind of barking is worth heading off early. Many dogs bark for attention when they're lonely or bored, and answering with a toss of the ball, a pat or even a scolding teaches them it works. Three habits help.
It takes some planning. Both parent breeds want people around, and Cavalier puppies don't do well left all day without company, as our Cavalier temperament section explains. The Poodle brings a busy mind that needs plenty to think about, more than a Cavalier does.
Dogs that bark when left alone are often bored, restless, afraid or upset at being apart from you. Give your dog good exercise before you leave and a stuffed chew toy or treat puzzle to work on while you're gone, and practice at home, stepping out for a few seconds and rewarding calm, quiet behavior when you come back. If your house is empty most of the day, tell us about your routine on your application and we'll talk it through with you.
Both parent breeds are very good with young children, and young children, and older ones who haven't been around dogs much, should always have an adult watching when a dog is near. Cavalier puppies are small, so children need watching so the puppy doesn't get hurt.
With other dogs the parents differ more. The Cavalier is very good with other dogs and the Miniature Poodle more mixed, so a Cavapoo could lean either way with the dogs it meets.
Usually, going by the parents. Poodles are very smart and learn easily, and Cavaliers learn well too. Poodles are very people oriented and quick to please when training is fun and positive, as long as you're consistent about what you ask.
The first three months of life are the most important time for socializing, when a puppy should meet as many new people, animals, places and sounds as can be managed safely without frightening it. Since our puppies leave for their new homes at 9 weeks, part of that window falls in your first weeks together. Puppy classes can start as early as 7 to 8 weeks of age, once a puppy has had at least one set of shots at least a week before the first class and its first deworming, so ask your vet when yours is ready.
Tell us about your household and let the puppies' personalities help settle it. The final pick happens at 4 to 5 weeks, and how the choosing works is set out in our guide to picking a puppy. The application's question about your dream puppy has room for the temperament and activity level you're hoping for.
Our Cavapoo puppies and F1B Cavapoo puppies are on their breed pages, each with both parents named, and our Cavapoo size guide covers how big they get.
Each Cavapoo and F1B Cavapoo we list names both of its parents, so you can meet the grown dogs behind the puppy.
Call or text during the day, email any time, or send an application and we will get back to you, usually within 24 hours. You are welcome to visit in Syracuse, Indiana, during our hours or at another time on request.