Cavapoo
Cavalier King Charles spanielA cavapoo is half cavalier, half poodle. Cavaliers are well known for heart disease, which is why many people look at the cross.
Side by side
A tick marks the better of the two on each line.
| Cavapoo | Cavalier King Charles spaniel | |
| First year | £3,294 | £3,085✓ |
|---|---|---|
| Each year after | £1,508 | £1,300✓ |
| A month | £126 | £108✓ |
| Food a month | £23 | £20✓ |
| Insurance, a month | £33✓ | £43 |
| Adult weight | 5 to 12kg | 6 to 8kg |
| Lifespan | About 13 years✓ | About 11 years |
| Grooming | Groomer every 8 weeks | At home✓ |
| Breed health problems | Some✓ | Well-known problems |
| Over its life | £21,396 | £16,085 |
Which should you pick?
Pick the cavapoo if…
- A longer life matters to you: about 13 years on average
- You want fewer well-known breed health problems
Pick the cavalier King Charles spaniel if…
- You want the cheaper dog to run: about £208 a year less
- You’d rather not pay for a groomer
Health problems to know about
Cavapoo
- Heart disease (mitral valve disease, from the cavalier side)
- Eye problems
- Slipping kneecaps
Cavalier King Charles spaniel
- Heart disease (mitral valve disease)
- A painful brain and spine condition (syringomyelia)
- Eye problems
Whichever you choose, ask the breeder for health test results for both parents, and look for lifetime insurance with at least £6,000 a year for vet fees.
Compare insurance for either breed
Look for lifetime cover. Quotes for the same puppy can vary a lot between insurers.
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Questions
Which is cheaper, a cavapoo or a cavalier King Charles spaniel?
The cavalier King Charles spaniel is cheaper to run, by about £208 a year.
Which lives longer, a cavapoo or a cavalier King Charles spaniel?
Cavapoos live about 13 years and cavaliers about 11 years on average.
Which is bigger, a cavapoo or a cavalier King Charles spaniel?
Cavapoos usually weigh 5 to 12kg and cavaliers 6 to 8kg as adults.
More comparisons
These use the same starting figures as our breed pages: a girl puppy at £1,000, mid-range food for the adult weight, a week of kennels a year and no daycare. Put in your own figures.