Cavapoos — Cavalier King Charles Spaniel crossed with Poodle — have a soft, wavy-to-curly coat that mats readily and needs professional grooming every 4–6 weeks at $60–$100. Their inherited drop ears also make ear care a permanent job.
The coat
Most Cavapoos land somewhere between the Cavalier's silky feathering and the Poodle's dense curl. Wavy and curly coats shed very little — the reason people choose the cross — and mat correspondingly fast.
Straight-coated Cavapoos exist, shed more, and mat less. Which you get is genuinely unpredictable, especially in first-generation crosses.
The coat change
Between about eight and fourteen months the soft puppy coat gives way to a denser adult coat, and matting accelerates sharply. Brush daily through that window — it's when most Cavapoos need their first serious dematting or shave-down.
Ears — inherited from both sides
Cavapoos get drop ears from the Cavalier and often ear-canal hair from the Poodle. That combination traps moisture and makes infections common.
- Check weekly for redness, odor or head-shaking
- Dry thoroughly after baths and swimming
- Ask your groomer to thin or pluck ear hair and clean the canal
- Comb the ear feathering — it mats before anywhere else
What it costs
| Service | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Full groom | $60–$100 |
| Bath & tidy | $40–$65 |
| Dematting | $15–$30 per 15 min |
| Full shave-down | $70–$120 |
Annual cost: roughly $600–$1,100.
Home care
Line brush daily — part the coat to the skin, brush outward, move the parting up, repeat. Check with a steel comb; if it catches, the section isn't finished.
Priority areas: behind the ears, armpits, collar line, hindquarters. Mist with detangling spray first, and never bathe a matted coat.
Keep the hair trimmed around the eyes — Cavapoos are prone to tear staining, and damp fur under the eyes is where it sets.
Frequently asked questions
Are Cavapoos hypoallergenic?
Wavy and curly coats shed very little, which suits many allergy sufferers. No dog is truly hypoallergenic, and coat type varies within litters.
How often do Cavapoos need grooming?
Every four to six weeks, with daily brushing at home.
Can I shave a Cavapoo?
Yes — the coat regrows normally. Leave half an inch for sun protection.
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