10 Dog Breeds Similar to the Cavapoo
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Cavapoos are designer dogs. Specifically, they are part Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and part Poodle. That heritage makes Cavapoos wonderful companions. Still, that doesn’t mean people have to get one. If they want something like these dogs without being these dogs, they should check out the dog breeds similar to the Cavapoo.
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1. Barbet
Since Cavapoos are part-Poodle, it makes sense to look for similar dogs from Poodle relatives. Fortunately, there are a lot of Poodle relatives. For instance, barbet once referred to a dog with a coat so long and curly that it looks like wool. Such dogs were the ancestors of modern Barbets. Furthermore, National Purebred Dog Day says such dogs were the ancestors of the Poodle, the Bichon, the Briard, and other modern dog breeds. As a result, Barbets might be a good choice for people looking for dog breeds similar to the Cavapoo.
One of these dogs’ most recognizable features is the wool-like coat. Most Barbets come in either solid black, solid brown, or one of these two colors with white markings. However, there are rarer colors such as fawn, grey, and white. Mixed colors are a fault for these dogs. White markings are an exception to that rule.
Moving on, Barbets are similar to Poodles in a lot of respects. The former is a bit less intelligent and a bit less trainable, but that means little when the latter tops the list for both of those things. Instead, people might be more concerned about Barbets being less adaptable than their cousins, thus making them less well-suited for small indoor spaces. In exchange, Barbets have one notable advantage in that they have a somewhat reduced need for company, though they are still very social.
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2. Bichon Frise
It is a common belief that barbets gave rise to bichons. The AKC outright says the name bichon is a contraction of “barbichon,” which means “little barbet.” With that said, barbets didn’t just turn into several kinds of bichons all of a sudden. Instead, there was more than one step in the process.
For instance, the Spanish introduced bichons to the Canary Islands. That makes sense because Spain’s first overseas conquest was the Canary Islands. There, bichons became companion animals as much as working animals. Subsequently, the Spanish and other European spread them to other parts of the world, thus paving the way for the creation of several modern dog breeds. The Bichon Frise descends from the bichons reintroduced to Europe.
Originally, these dogs found favor as companion animals to the European elite. Since then, living standards have improved, thus enabling these dogs to become companion animals to a wider range of owners than ever before. The popularity of the Bichon Frise is no coincidence. It is a happy dog with a decent brain and a good-natured demeanor. As a result, people tend to like it as much as it likes people. Please note that the Bichon Frise can become territorial with encouragement, so interested individuals need to watch out for that.
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3. Bolognese
The Bolognese is another bichon. However, it isn’t clear how these dogs came into existence. Your Dog mentions a connection to the Maltese. Sadly, that isn’t that helpful. Yes, the Maltese is supposedly a descendant of ancient Greco-Roman lapdogs. Still, chances are good that it isn’t a pure descendant of those ancient Greco-Roman lapdogs anymore than any other dog breed, particularly since we know it came close to extinction at least once.
In any case, the Bolognese’s name refers to Bologna, but it was by no means limited to Bologna. Italian nobles became fond of these dogs. As a result, it wasn’t too long before these dogs made their way to other European courts. For example, the Bolognese established a strong foothold in France, as shown by how Louis XIV owned one and Madame de Pompadour owned one. Similarly, the Bolognese was popular with other early modern monarchs such as Catherine the Great of Russia.
In the present, these dogs continue to win favor through their extensive charm. They are similar to the other bichons. Still, the Bolognese stands out by being a somewhat more reserved dog than its cousins, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
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4. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Cavapoos are part-Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. As a result, if people want something similar, they should check out that dog breed. Generally speaking, these dogs are adaptable people-pleasers friendly towards both humans and non-humans, which is a good combination of characteristics for a lot of households. Unfortunately, they have more than their fair share of potential issues. To name an example, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have strong hunting instincts. Thanks to that, people should put serious effort into teaching them not to chase other animals. If they need an incentive, they should know those strong hunting instincts extend to chasing motor vehicles. That is extremely dangerous for any dog. Never mind one as small as a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
Still, the most serious potential issue with these dogs would be their health. HelloBark says Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are 20 times likelier to suffer from mitral valve heart disease than the average dog, which is very bad because that disease leads to heart failure. Good dog breeding can reduce the chances of a dog developing it. Even so, mitral valve disease won’t be going away because Cavalier King Charles Spaniels descend from just six dogs. In other words, they are an excellent example of what PBS and other sources call the founder effect.
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5. English Cocker Spaniel
Cocker Spaniels are a kind of land spaniel meant for hunting woodcock and other game birds. There is both an English version and an American version. The former is ancestral to the latter. Originally, the two kinds of Cocker Spaniels were very similar. Over time, they have diverged because of their differing uses. English woodcocks are different from their American counterparts, so it stands to reason that English Cocker Spaniels are different from their American descendants.
Regardless, these dogs are the usual combination of smart, amicable, and affectionate on this list. Indeed, they get along with not just humans but also non-humans because of their famous cheerfulness. Despite that, English Cocker Spaniels are also known for forming an extra-strong bond with a single family member rather than an equally-strong bond with every single family member.
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6. English Toy Spaniel
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel doesn’t make much sense as a name. The dog breed’s name references the time of Charles I and Charles II of England, Scotland, and Ireland. In short, the two were father and son. The father was the one who lost the English Civil War before proceeding to lose his head. Meanwhile, the son was the one who headed the restored monarchy when England’s time as a de facto republic concluded. People created Cavalier King Charles Spaniels to look like Charles II’s spaniels. Unfortunately, the Cavalier makes little sense because the Cavaliers were the supporters of Charles I and Charles II rather than the two men themselves.
By this point, people might be able to guess that there is a King Charles Spaniel that preceded the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Indeed, they might even be familiar with these dogs without knowing it. According to Dogtime, these dogs are called King Charles Spaniels in the United Kingdom but English Toy Spaniels in the United States. The two dog breeds remain similar in many respects, though there are some differences between them. For example, the English Toy Spaniel has a somewhat flatter face. Likewise, it is more common for the English Toy Spaniel to have a short tail, whether natural or not.
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7. Irish Water Spaniel
Spaniels have a longstanding association with Spain, as shown by how the name means “Spanish.” Despite that, people don’t necessarily believe that spaniels made their way to Great Britain in either modern, early modern, or even medieval times. Instead, there are theories about this happening via either the Celts or the Romans, both of which are possible because both of them had extensive contact with the two regions. Whatever the case, the spaniels split into land spaniels and water spaniels. The Irish Water Spaniel is an excellent example of the latter.
Appearance-wise, the Irish Water Spaniel looks like a liver-colored Poodle. However, it is very easy to distinguish it from a Cavapoo. That is because the Irish Water Spaniel is the tallest of the spaniels still in existence. In contrast, Cavapoos descend from the smaller varieties of Poodles.
As a rule, Irish Water Spaniels are good companions to humans. They are easy to train and easy to discipline, particularly since they are natural people-pleasers. On top of that, Irish Water Spaniels have a reputation for being the clowns of the spaniel family, which can be very amusing for interested individuals. Be warned that these dogs don’t necessarily get along with strange humans and strange animals. As always, early training and socialization are useful for preventing any potential problems from coming up.
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8. Japanese Chin
If people are interested in dog breeds similar to the Cavapoo, they don’t necessarily need to stick to Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Poodle relatives. Different people in different places have often had the same desired roles for their dogs. As a result, they have created many dog breeds that are well-suited for being companion animals, which often share the same approximate set of characteristics.
For instance, there is the Japanese Chin. Most people believe these dogs’ ancestors came from China, but it isn’t clear how these dogs’ ancestors went from one country to the other. The transfer might have happened directly, but the transfer might have also happened through Korea, which is situated between those two countries. Whatever the case, the Japanese Chin was a popular companion in its homeland before making its way to the west to continue serving as companion animals.
As mentioned earlier, the Japanese Chin has many of the same characteristics possessed by the other dog breeds on this list. Nonetheless, it stands out because it has some characteristics reminiscent of cats rather than dogs. One example is its fastidiousness, which shows in its face-washing and wiping. Another example is its fondness for high-up and otherwise unexpected locations. Besides these things, the Japanese Chin is a surprisingly alert animal that will bark whenever it notices something strange.
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9. Löwchen
The Löwchen is another bichon. Unsurprisingly, it looks like the Bichon Frise, but there are differences between the two dog breeds. To name an example, the Löwchen is supposed to have a long, flowing coat rather than the Bichon Frise’s fluffy-looking coat. Helpfully, the owners of these dogs often give them lion cuts, which make it much easier to distinguish them from other bichons. After all, the shaving of much of their legs plus much of their tail makes for an unmistakable appearance.
As for the rest, the Löwchen is a good house pet for much the same reasons as the other dogs on this list. It doesn’t even need much maintenance because it is fine with just a small amount of grooming and daily exercise. A Löwchen’s biggest issue is its need for human company. It is very much one of the dog breeds prone to separation anxiety, meaning interested individuals will need to prepare for this.
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10. Poodle
Poodles have claimed a position as one of the most popular dogs on the planet because of their friendliness, their biddability, and their other virtues. Indeed, they are so popular that people have created several sizes of them. As a result, if people want a bigger Poodle, they can just go for the Standard Poodle. In contrast, if they want something easier to take care of, they can choose from Miniature Poodles and Toy Poodles.
Interested individuals are still going to need to give Poodles everything that they would give other dogs. For example, training and socialization are always critical. Similarly, All Poodle Info says adult Poodles need an hour of daily exercise. With that said, Poodles don’t have any particularly notorious problems in the same way as some of the other dogs out there.
