The Groodle and the Cavoodle are two of the most popular poodle mix breeds available today. While there are many similarities between these designer dog breeds, if you’re considering adding one to your family, there are some important differences that you need to know about.
Both the Groodle and the Cavoodle have proven themselves to make great family dogs for people with and without children. The Cavalier King Charles in the Cavoodle makes a wonderful pet with its sweet temperament and tendency to sleep a lot. The King Charles Cavalier infuses the Cavoodle with a much quieter personality than would be expected from a purebred Poodle alone.
Similarly, the Groodle has the calm, sweet infusion of the Golden Retriever genetics, this combines superbly with the sharp intelligence and fun-loving nature of the Poodle.
First Generation, Second Generation, F1b or Multigenerational?
The First Generation (F1) Cavoodle inherits 50% of its genes from its Cavalier parent and 50% from its Poodle parent. The Second Generation Cavoodle and first-generation cross poodle (or F1b) inherit a mixed percentage of each breed with F1b and F2b’s containing more Poodle in their heritage than Cavalier.
The same principle applies to the First Generation (F1) Groodle, Second Generation Groodle and F1b/F2b Groodles.
Where this is more Poodle in the genetics of a Cavoodle or Groodle, the dogs are generally more hypoallergenic but they also require significantly more grooming.
F1b and F2b Poodle mix breeds can also be more hyper and prone to barking however this is not always the case, particularly when breeders conduct temperament tests on their parent dogs and only breed from those that are mentally sound. For these reasons, many breeders and owners believe that the First Generation Cavoodle and First Gen Groodle are better than the F1b, F2, F2b, F3 and Multigeneration Cavoodle or Groodle.
A well-bred First generation Cavoodle or Groodle will often have a distinct Teddy Bear look, an easy-going personality and a luxuriously fleecy coat. In contrast F1b, F2 generation and Multigenerational Cavoodle and Groodle puppies can contain a mixed bag of high-shedding smooth coats, high-maintenance wool coats and some fleece-coated puppies.
Similarly, the 1st Generation Mini Groodle and Standard Groodle are considered to have the most consistently fleece-coated Goldendoodle puppies.
There are exceptions to the benefits of choosing an F1 Generation Groodle or Cavoodle; uneducated poodle mix breeders who do not understand coat genetics can utilise poodle studs with inferior coat traits. The coat genes responsible for shedding and the much-adored teddy bear-coated Groodle and Cavoodle mixes are the furnishings, curl and shedding genes.
A Poodle stud or dam should have two copies of the furnishing gene to ensure that the puppies produced in a first cross will have a full-quality coat that is less prone to shedding.
Genetic analysis for dog breeding is readily available and affordable; the best Cavoodle and Groodle breeders DNA test their breeding dogs for diseases and coat traits.
Again, genetics is complicated and some fully furnished poodles can still throw some weak, wiry coats that are prone to shedding because they have weak furnishing genes.
Animal Genetics in the USA is one of the only labs that have a test available to identify the gene responsible for weak furnishings.
The best way to determine how your Cavoodle or Groodle pup’s coat will turn out when they are fully grown is to look at fully grown pups from the sire and dam’s previous litters or analyse the parent’s DNA for coat traits.
Similarly, ask your breeder questions to test their understanding of how poodle cross coat traits are inherited and what DNA testing they do on their breeding dogs and puppies to determine potential coat types in their litters.
Are Groodles more hyper than Cavoodles?
The Groodle should not be a hyper dog, nor should the Cavoodle. Extremes of emotion and an inability to regulate excitement are signs of bad breeding practices.
Sadly, with the rising popularity of Cavoodles and Groodles, many unscrupulous backyard breeders and puppy farms have puppies available that often grow to have behaviour problems like aggression, reactivity, a tendency toward separation anxiety, barking and difficulty in toilet training.
There are many factors that determine whether a dog will grow to have behaviour problems but as a puppy buyer, there are three important things to consider before adopting your oodle –
- The temperament genetics of the parent dogs – When buying a puppy it is important to meet at least one of the parents and always meet the mother without exception. By meeting the parents of your Goldendoodle or Cavoodle puppy you can see first-hand how mentally sound the lineage is. Are the parents hyper, aggressive, barking, anxious, frustrated, overly vocal and mouthy? Or are they calm, well-socialised, trained and quiet? Are they the sort of dog you would want to have in your home?
- Why meeting the mother of your puppy is important – The temperament of your puppy and the likelihood of them developing behaviour problems starts from the moment they are conceived. Studies have shown that puppies born in breeding facilities such as puppy farms and mills are exposed to the stress hormones that the mother’s body releases while she is pregnant. Exposure to stress hormones during development alters the nervous system and brain, meaning that when fully grown your dog is likely to be more reactive, fearful, aggressive, less trainable and prone to suffer from separation anxiety.
- Meeting the dog’s needs and providing appropriate outlets for natural behaviours – Poodle mix breeds like the Groodle and the Cavoodle are highly intelligent and require mental stimulation in the form of training, exercise, interactive food toys and long-lasting treat chews. Failure to meet their needs can result in behaviour problems like barking, anxiety, destructive chewing, digging and escaping.
Be prepared to get to know how your poodle cross likes to play, having retriever and spaniel heritage respectively, the Groodle and the Cavoodle often like to retrieve, tug, sniff, swim, chase and thrive in dog sports like agility, flyball and obedience. These activities offer ways you can utilise your dog’s natural behaviours to stimulate their mind and exercise their bodies.
In conclusion, while a well-bred Groodle is not a hyper family dog, if not provided with healthy outlets for their energy, they can become a nuisance.
Similarly, a Cavoodle puppy from a responsible breeder who educates their puppy buyers on training, socialising and caring for their dog, will not be prone to incessant barking, nipping, whining or abnormal repetitive behaviours like spinning, pacing and foot licking.
All dogs go through challenging periods of development, adolescence being the most stressful for many dog owners. During this time, teenage dogs have –
- Less impulse control
- Regress in their comprehension of commands and
- Experience interrupted communication between the parts of the brain associated with emotions (amygdala) and the thinking part of the brain (cortex).
Size
The Groodle is the result of crossing a Golden Retriever with a Standard, Mini or Toy Poodle. They are bigger than the Cavoodle which is the result of crossing a Cavalier King Charles with a Toy or Miniature Poodle.
The largest Groodle is the Standard Groodle and they can be as heavy as 25kg – 40kg. The Mini Groodle weighs between 15kg – 25kg and the Toy Groodle weighs less than 15kg.
The tiniest Cavoodle is the Teacup Cavoodle which weighs less than 3kg. The Toy Cavoodle weighs 3-6kg and the Mini Cavoodle weighs between 6kg-15kg.
Therefore, in terms of size, the Miniature Cavoodle and the Toy Groodle are similar; both are within the range suitable for apartment living (providing sufficient daily exercise is provided).
For those with small spaces, the Mini and Standard Groodle are less suitable, while the Teacup and Toy Cavoodle are often ideal.
Regardless of the size of the dog, training your oodle puppy to be comfortable spending time alone is vital to apartment and suburban life. Cavoodles are particularly prone to barking when their owners leave them alone to go to work. Crate training your oodle puppy from the time you bring them home, will develop their independence and stop separation anxiety.
Some owners find that they can accommodate the needs of their Mini Groodle or Standard Groodle in an apartment – though for many owners, walking their dog multiple times a day is not feasible. Similarly, the loud, sonorous bark of a Standard Groodle can upset neighbours, particularly when it occurs at night or when you’re not home.
Grooming
While the Standard and Mini Groodle can also be washed in the shower, they are much larger and more cumbersome than a Cavoodle.
Similarly, if a Groodle finds a muddy patch at the park or rolls in something smelly, cleaning them represents a much longer time commitment than it is for Cavoodle owners and often entails a much larger mess to clean up afterwards.
The professional grooming cost associated with maintaining a Standard Groodle in a Teddy bear style trim is $170+, which is significantly more than the same style for a Toy or Mini Cavoodle at around $90. Also, keep in mind, Cavoodles and Groodles require a thorough comb and birth through their coat 2-3 times a week. While the type of coat (wool, smooth or fleece) determines how much effort needs to go into combing and brushing in order to prevent matting; the larger the dog the long this process generally takes.
Which is the better family dog?
Both the Groodle and Cavoodle can make wonderful family dogs for people who understand and can meet their needs. However, it’s critical that buyers research ethical breeders and meet the parents of their dog before adopting.
Large dogs like the Standard Groodle can unintentionally knock over small children, particularly during the puppy and adolescent phases of their life. For this reason, some families prefer the Cavoodle, Toy or Mini Groodle if they have small children.
Sound genetics and responsible breeding practices can mean the difference between getting a hyper dog with behaviour problems or a calm dog that is a joy to own.
Are Goldendoodles more hyper than Cavapoos?
The temperament of the Goldendoodle and Cavapoo is similar. They are both composed of similar-natured dogs with the Cavalier King Charles and the Golden Retriever both being renowned for their affectionate natures.
Poodles can be neurotic and highly strung however the best breeders only use calm dogs in their breeding programs.
Therefore, while both the Groodle and the Cavapoo can be noisy and hyper, this is not a characteristic of well-bred poodle mixes. Meeting both parents or at the very least, the mother should be non-negotiable before committing to adopting a puppy.
Meeting a puppy, the breeder and its parents also help to protect buyers against puppy scams.
Should I get a mini Goldendoodle or a Cavapoo?
A Mini Goldendoodle will generally grow to be bigger than a Cavapoo. Therefore, if you have a choice between an ethically bred and raised Mini Groodle or a Cavoodle, make your selection based on what you can best manage in the space you have available.
Also, consider the finances required for grooming and feeding, and time availability for training, brushing and exercising the dog.
Larger dogs will generally require more money to care for in terms of grooming, flea, worming and tick medications, vet bills, insurance, bedding, food etc.
If you’ve found a Cavoodle and a Mini Groodle puppy from responsible breeders who conduct all the relevant health checks on their breeding dogs and if money, space and time are not crucial factors, base your selection on the temperament of the puppies, their parents and knowledge of the breeder.
What’s the difference between Goldendoodle and Cavapoo?
The Goldendoodle is a Golden Retriever Poodle mix while the Cavapoo is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Poodle mix. The Goldendoodle is a larger dog and is available in Toy, Mini and Standard sizes. The Cavoodle is available in Teacup, Toy and Miniature sizes.
The Mini Cavapoo and the Toy Groodle are the most similar in size and most first-generation crosses have a hypoallergenic teddy bear fleece coat.
Both the Goldendoodle and the Cavapoo are also available in smooth, flat and curly or wool coats. These other coat types tend to be associated with F1b, F2b, second generation and multigenerational crosses.
Smooth or flat coated Cavoodles and Groodles are prone to shedding while being lower maintenance in terms of grooming. They require less regular brushing and don’t matt as easily.
Though the wool or curly-coated poodle mixes are non-shedding, they are high maintenance, requiring 30 minutes of brushing and combing 2-3 times a week to prevent knots and matting.
Do mini Goldendoodles bark a lot?
Well-bred Mini Goldendoodles that have their needs met are not likely to bark a lot. Barking is a sign that a dog is overexcited, frustrated or fearful of something in the environment.
Many common poodle cross behaviour problems like barking and separation anxiety could be avoided if puppy buyers, met the parents of their dog before adoption.
Puppies available from parents that are hyper, skittish, noisy, aggressive, anxious, reactive or fearful will carry similar genetic temperament traits.
What’s a mini cavoodle?
A Mini Cavoodle is a cross between a Cavalier King Charles and a Miniature Poodle. They typically weigh 6kg-15kg fully grown. They are more robust than a Toy Cavoodle and are good dogs for families with small children or those wanting a more medium size Cavapoo to cuddle and explore the outdoors with.
Groodle x cavoodle
The Groodle cross Cavoodle is a rare poodle mix in Australia. When breeders start crossing between the poodle mix breeds, there is significant variation in the look of the offspring.
Coat types will vary and litters will have a mix of smooth-coated, fleece and curly-coated puppies. The variation in the coat types of the Groodle x Cavoodle makes it difficult for breeders to guarantee whether an oodle of this variety will shed or not.
Knowledgeable breeders who DNA test and study canine genetics will understand the mode of inheritance for coat traits and are the best place to start if you’re looking to add a Cavoodle cross Groodle to your family.
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