When comparing Havapoo vs. Cavapoo, you can easily be assured that both are small breeds in addition to being loving and intelligent dogs. But like all dog groups, it can be difficult to narrow down which doodle breeds are best for you and your family. With this in mind, what are some of the differences between Havapoo vs. Cavapoo doodles?
The main difference between Havapoo vs. Cavapoo breeds is the appearance of the two dogs. Cavapoos are more prone to having wool, curly coat types whereas the Havapoo will most commonly have a hair-type coat. Stature, temperament, lifespan, and behavior are largely the same between both of these mixed breeds.
Are you currently trying to decide between Havapoo vs. Cavapoo? There are many similarities, but in this guide, we will take an in-depth look at both of these dogs to narrow down the differences. Read on to find out which of these adorable doodles is better for you.
At a glance: Cavapoo vs Havapoo
The Havapoo is a cross between a Havanese dog and either a Toy or Miniature Poodle. Owners particularly love this breed thanks to its intelligence and energy levels, which come from Mini and Toy Poodles, as well as its loving and friendly nature that comes from the Havanese parent.
Cavapoos are a cross between a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and different Poodle mixes depending on what the breeder chooses. This breed is also known for its loving nature, but is also distinguishable thanks to its family-oriented nature, whereas Havapoos tend to cling most to one pet parent.
Both the Havanese and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are the main differences in how each dog inherits and displays characteristics, since the Poodle parents are largely the same across the board.
Life span
The Havapoo has a fairly long lifespan, and can easily live up to 15 years. Much of this will depend on their quality of life, and the genetic variations in both the Havanese parent as well as the Poodle mix.
The lifespan of a Cavapoo is generally the same, but a 10-14 year life expectancy seems to be the agreed-upon standard based on the history of these hybrid breeds.
Size
Both breeds are quite small but not tiny. Both will usually stand upwards of 15-18 inches in total height once they reach adulthood.
Price
Cavapoos usually range in price from $1,200 to $1,500. Always make sure you research reputable Cavapoo breeders to ensure authenticity.
For example, take a look at this page which lists 4 reputable Cavapoo breeders in the State of California.
Havapoos can be a bit pricier. You can typically expect a price range of $2,000 to upwards of $5,000 for this breed.
Again, it is important to make sure you research reputable Havapoo breeders.
Other similarities and differences between Cavapoo vs Havapoo
Apart from the above-mentioned differences, there are also many differences between Havapoo vs. Cavapoo to be aware of. Let’s take an in-depth look.
Appearance
Since the Havapoo is a cross between either a Miniature Poodle or a Toy Poodle as well as a Havanese, these are small dogs.
An adult Havapoo typically stands between 8 to 15 inches in total height, so this is a distinction that potential dog owners need to be aware of.
A Havapoo can weigh between 8 to 21 pounds, so they are quite lightweight.
As a cross between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Toy Poodle or Miniature Poodle breeds, a Cavapoo is also on the small side and typically stands between 9 to 14 inches in height, and weighs between 7 to 19 pounds.
The coats of both dog breeds are also a bit different. A Havapoo will typically come in three different coat types of hair, fleece, or wool varieties.
Fleece coats are perhaps the most common, and are noticeable for having a loose wave or curl to them.
Fleece coats are soft to touch and should be fine in terms of maintenance with regular brushing and clipping.
Wool coats are most common with Cavapoos and are noticeable by their tight curls. These tight curls are great at trapping dander, which can easily be washed off, which makes them great for those who have allergies.
With this in mind, wool coats on Cavapoos do grow quite rapidly, so you will need to stay on top of brushing and clipping.
Another type of coat most common with the Havapoo is the hair coat, which has more of a wiry look.
This coat type has very low maintenance, which makes it the least fussy coat type of both the Havapoo and Cavapoo dog breeds.
Ultimately, the appearance of each of these mixed breed dogs will depend on which pet parent it inherits the most traits from in terms of its appearance.
Feeding
As a small breed, Cavapoos require roughly 40 calories per body weight of food per day. So this is about 300 to 600 calories per day.
Make sure you feed a Cavapoo high-quality dog food, and it is always best to mix their food between dry and wet (canned) varieties of food of very high quality.
Havapoos are practically the same in this regard. As adults, Havapoos are still smaller dogs, so the serving size will remain the same as a Cavapoo and come nowhere near the servings required for larger breeds.
To maintain optimal Havapoo and Cavapoo health, it is also important to ensure either breed gets adequate exercise each and every day, which we will discuss in the next section.
Exercise
For the most part, Havapoos have high energy levels. This breed needs roughly 60 minutes of exercise per day.
A large reason behind this is their Poodle parents. Like other dog breeds, a Havapoo loves to be outside in nature and loves this even more if you are out and about with them.
If you do not have a backyard, two, thirty-minute walks per day either around the block or to a dog park will more than suffice.
A Cavapoo is perhaps not quite as energetic as the Havapoo, but since they also have a Poodle parent, bursts of energy throughout the day are common.
A Cavapoo needs at least thirty minutes of exercise each day, but an hour is probably optimal, especially when they are younger.
Like all dogs, both breeds will slow down a bit in their everyday life activities when they reach their senior years.
It should also be understood that both breeds are indoor dogs, and should not be kept outdoors for hours on end.
Shedding
Both breeds are very low-shedding in nearly all circumstances. Both are also hypoallergenic, but it is important to know the ins and outs of grooming when it comes to either a Havapoo or a Cavapoo.
Grooming
Regular grooming is required thanks to the thick coat of the Havapoo in particular. A Cavapoo’s coat can also get moderately thick, but not quite within the range, you can expect from a Havapoo.
But just like the Cavapoo, a Havapoo also has a hypoallergenic, non-shedding coat that is perfect for allergy sufferers.
But when it comes to both breeds, I recommend brushing both two to three times per week to prevent matting and tangling.
For double coat types in the Havapoo in particular, you may want to increase this to every day. Also, make sure you clip either breed’s nails and wipe its eyes regularly to avoid possible infections.
Cavapoos in particular is prone to eye infections.
Since a Cavapoo is known for its curly coat, you will want to make sure you stay on top of grooming because matting is a very real possibility with this mixed breed.
Cavalier poodle crosses are bound to have this occur since both parent breeds also have high-maintenance coats.
So you will want to make sure your Cavapoo’s hair is kept cut short to maintain their hair at all costs and prevent mats and tangles. Check out our ultimate guide to dealing with matted dog hair if this is of particular concern.
Thankfully, both doodle breeds are the specialty of many professional groomers, and you can certainly go this way if you don’t have the time to groom either dog yourself. One to two times per month with the groomer should be adequate.
Trainability and intelligence
Training a Havapoo is relatively easy since these adorable mixed breeds are very adept at modifying their behavior based on how their owners wish them to behave.
This is also true since both the Havanese breed and Toy or Miniature Poodles are highly intelligent and learn quickly.
The Havapoo picks up bathroom training quickly and will learn a daily routine in a matter of a few weeks at the most.
Cavapoos are also very adept at training. We were stunned by just how quickly Rosie learned a daily routine.
Furthermore, the entire family can take part in training a Cavapoo puppy since Cavapoo dogs are family dogs first and foremost.
A Cavapoo responds best to positive reinforcement training and a reward system that is best when it includes verbal praise and treats for good behavior.
It is also important to never get angry or raise your voice with a Cavapoo as this breed has a hard time understanding verbose language and can develop anxiety and fear very easily.
Potty training is not very difficult for both the Cavapoo and the Havapoo.
Health issues
There are certain genetic diseases to be aware of with both breeds.
The crossing of the Havanese with a Miniature Poodle parent certainly helped to remove some of the problems that can strike pure breed dogs.
A Havapoo is prone to cataracts, patellar luxation, hip dysplasia, and hypothyroidism. It is important to maintain regular veterinary checkups to ensure these dispositions are caught in time if they occur.
Cavapoos are about the same in this regard. This breed can be prone to patellar luxation, progressive retinal atrophy, mitral valve disease, as well as hip dysplasia.
To find out more about the the health concerns that comes with owning a Cavapoo, check out our blog.
Temperament
Both the Havapoo and the Cavapoo have excellent temperaments.
A Havapoo is both loving and friendly and loves to be around people practically all day long-except when they are sleeping of course.
I find that this is something that a dog owner interested in this breed should be aware of, because Havapoos require quite a bit of attention and affection from their owners.
Cavapoos also have a gentle and loving temperament, and this was one of the first traits we fell in love with when we got Rosie.
This breed is content being around people and is content spending their days simply watching the world fly by.
Rosie was a boisterous pup, so make sure you start Cavapoo training early to modify your dog to your environment and how you conduct your days.
I will also say that Cavapoos seem to inherit the Poodle parent breed temperament and intelligence characteristics more so than the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
This means Cavapoos are friendly and playful, but do be aware that some may be relaxed whereas others are more energetic. This is common in any mixed breed.
Separation Anxiety
The Havapoo can become quite attached to its owners, which means this breed can develop separation anxiety very easily when you leave the house.
But you should also be aware that Cavapoos are prone to this condition as well.
There is a lot that is still unknown about what causes this psychological condition in dogs, but early training in your daily routine is a great way to ensure it does not occur.
If you want to know how to train your dog to be left alone then we have some great tip and tricks.
FAQs
Which is better Havapoo vs. Cavapoo?
Well, we are a bit biased here since our lovable Rosie is a Cavapoo, but both of these friendly dogs will make a great pet for your home.
I would say that some of the differences to really narrow down between the two would be their activity levels and their temperament.
Havapoos are very energetic and are prone to separation anxiety, but in all honesty, either of these differences could also very well be apparent with a Cavapoo as well.
Ultimately, it is your decision, and either decision will be a worthwhile investment for you and your home.
Conclusion
When determining between Havapoo vs. Cavapoo, make sure you go through all the differences and narrow down which breed best suits your lifestyle and preferences.
Either dog breed is certain to bring you and your family a great amount of joy throughout the years, and although both can be classified as a small dog, referring to either as a companion dog is more accurate since both are so loving.
Intrigued about other Oddle breeds? Read more here: