Cavapoo Coat Types And How To Care For Them

Commonly referred to as the ‘teddy bear’ dog, the charming Cavapoo (Cavoodle) has three main coat types: wool, fleece, and straight hair. In this article, we provide an overview of Cavapoo coats and the associated grooming requirements. Read on to learn more about Cavapoo coats.

The three main Cavapoo coat types are wool coats, fleece coats and straight hair coats. Cavapoo coats can vary from curly, wavy and straight. Wool and fleece coats will need regular grooming while straight hair coats will need the least.

Let’s find out more details about each particular Cavapoo coat and its grooming requirements.

Cavapoo Wool Coats

Cavapoo Wool Coat - Cavapoo Coat Types — Cavapoo with a wool coat

Wool coats are the curliest of the three Cavapoo coat types. With tight curls that have the appearance of lamb’s wool.

Known as a Poodle coat due to the similar appearance, the wool coat is also the coat that requires the most grooming out of the three.

These coats have a thick texture due to the Poodle originally being bred as a water dog. The coat would protect the Poodle from chilly waters.

Cavapoos with wool coats are considered the best coat type to own if you experience dog dander allergies. And this is because they shed the least.

While wool coats do a great job of keeping Cavapoos warm in the winter months, the thickness of the coat may be too warm in the summer months. If you live in a particularly warm area, consider having your Cavapoo shaved during hotter months. This will help them to not overheat when out in hot temperatures.

Cavapoo Wool Coat Grooming Requirements

Wool coats are particularly prone to matting and tangling and should be brushed daily to prevent knotting. Daily brushing does not need to be intensive; it can just be a quick all-over brushing to catch any mats beginning to form.

A curved slicker or a pin brush are recommended for daily brushing at home. Both do a great job of removing mats, tangles, and any loose fur. Try and aim to brush from the base of the coat to catch any possible tangles near the skin.

Using a detangling spray right before brushing can be beneficial as well. The daily brushing will help you avoid large mats forming and accumulating. Which otherwise would require much more brushing down the road. And possibly shaving if the mats are too difficult to brush out.

Wool coats are always growing as well. So it’s generally recommended that Cavapoos with wool coats see professional groomers regularly due to the high level of upkeep required. Many Cavapoo owners report seeing a professional groomer every 6-8 weeks.

Grooming with clippers is something you can also learn to do at home if you feel up to it. If you do decide to clip the fur yourself, purchasing clippers that are either high-level heavy duty or super duty is recommended for both wool and fleece coats. These are made to tackle thicker fur.

Daily brushing at home, regular haircuts, and coat clipping are all recommended to keep your Cavapoo’s wool coat in ideal shape.

Cavapoo Fleece Coats

Cavapoo Fleece Coat - Cavapoo Coat Types — Cavapoo with a fleece coat

Also known as wavy coats, the fleece coat is the most common coat type in Cavapoos. And is the coat type poodle mixed breeds are known for.

These coats have the wavy, loose curls that are extremely soft and silky to the touch. These waves may become a bit curlier as the Cavapoo gets older.

Fleece coats shed very little and are a good potential option for people with allergies.

Fleece coats are a middle ground between wool and hair coat types. They are lower maintenance in comparison to wool coats but require more time and effort than hair coats.

Cavapoo Fleece Coat Grooming Requirements

Overall, the Cavapoo fleece coat is relatively easy to care for and maintain. Fleece coats require the standard, recommended grooming maintenance consisting of brushing, trimming, and bathing for upkeep.

Be sure to trim the fur around the face and eyes to prevent any vision impairment and to keep the face clean. Rounded pet scissors are ideal for this.

For at home brushing, split the hair into sections and brush with a slicker brush (this applies to wool coats as well). Work to brush close to the skin to prevent tangles forming. Mats tend to form on the armpits, neck, chest, and ears. So spend a little extra time in these areas to prevent matting.

For Cavapoos with fleece coats it is recommended that you brush them at least once a week to avoid tangling. But every couple of days is better.

If serious tangling and mats occur that the slicker brush cannot remove, try working the mats out with your hands and a comb. Be careful to avoid pulling the hair, which is painful to the Cavapoo. If you cannot remove the mats on your own, your best option is to take your Cavapoo to the groomers. They can assist you with the removal of hair mats to avoid hurting your Cavapoo.

Some groomers recommend shaving the coat down twice a year, and to have one of these shaves be during warmer months. If the coat has not been shaved, plan to have the coat trimmed every 6-8 weeks.

Cavapoo Straight Hair Coats

Cavapoo Hair Coat - Cavapoo Coat Types — Cavapoo with a hair coat – looking more like the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

The least common of the three coat types, Cavapoo hair coats are a wirier coat inherited from the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel parent. This coat can lead to a scruffier, more terrier-style look.

These coats typically inherit less of the poodle coat genes. And this means they often shed the most. Of the three coats, hair coats may be a less appealing option for those with allergies.

Despite the increased shedding, they are the lowest maintenance coat of the three. The hair is less likely to get matted and tangled.

So if you are concerned about regular grooming upkeep and do not suffer from dog dander allergies, the hair coat Cavapoo may be the best option for you.

Cavapoo Straight Hair Coat Grooming Requirements

Hair coats are also called a straight coat or a loose coat due to the straighter hairstyle of the coat. Despite requiring the least maintenance of the three coats, it is still recommended you brush the coat out at least every few weeks (but once a week is ideal). Use a slicker brush or steel comb to prevent matting and to catch shedding hair.

Visiting a groomer for brushing, a haircut and bathing every few months (or as needed) with weekly brushing is the ideal grooming regimen for Cavapoo hair coats.

Do Cavapoos Shed?

Since the Cavapoo inherits the hypoallergenic trait from the Poodle, this means that Cavapoos shed less than the average dog. The wool coat type sheds the least while the hair coat type sheds the most. But all Cavapoos are low-shedding dogs, so the shedding is minimal and much less noticeable than a non-hypoallergenic breed.

Do Cavapoos Have One or Two Coats?

Cavapoos can have either a single or double coat. A double coat means they have a denser undercoat in addition to a topcoat. The double coat provides insulation from the cold and some protection against UV rays from the sun.

The Cavapoo wool coat type typically has a double coat. And is one of the reasons the wool coat type sheds the least.

Cavapoos with fleece coats may have a double or single coat. And Cavapoos with hair coats are more likely to have a single coat.

Do Cavapoo Coats Change?

Yes, the Cavapoo coat changes as a Cavapoo goes from being a puppy to an adult dog. Typically, this change occurs at around six months of age when the Cavapoo puppy will begin to shed its puppy coat very slowly. The adult coat grows in place over a period of a couple of years.

It is dependent on the dog, but sometimes the coat color and texture may change as the Cavapoo grows in its adult coat.

Do Cavapoos have Fur or Hair?

Wool and fleece coats are typically known as fur, whereas the straight hair coat is more hair than fur. Each of the different coat types have different maintenance and upkeep requirements as detailed above.

General Cavapoo Coat Care

Ideal types of brushes to keep at home are slicker, metal, and double-sided pin and bristle brushes. These brushes help avoid tangles and catch loose fur while grooming your Cavapoo.

Regardless of coat type, aim to bathe your Cavapoo every one to two months. If your Cavapoo is regularly outside in a lot of mud, dirt, dust, or other debris, consider giving a quick bath every other week. Although be mindful that too many baths can dry out the skin. Baths can be done at home or at the groomers and will help keep your Cavapoo healthy and clean.

The Cavapoo’s ears should also be regularly cleaned, nails trimmed regularly, and teeth cleaned. Regular hair trimming around the eyes and bottom area is usually a requirement. They will help your Cavoodle to see and keep him hygienically clean.

There are many different haircut options available (including the teddy bear cut), but the important part is making sure you regularly groom your Cavapoo.

This can be done at home or with a professional groomer. Or by a combination of regular at-home grooming while purchasing occasional professional grooming services.

When considering a Cavapoo, it is important to consider the amount of time and resources you are willing to commit to regular grooming and coat care.

The hair coat type may be best if you are looking for a lower-maintenance Cavapoo grooming regimen. While the wool or fleece coat types may be better if you are looking for a wavy, curlier look and do not mind the increased grooming requirements.

Despite coat type differences, all the coat types do require regular upkeep. And it’s important to be prepared to provide your Cavapoo with consistent and appropriate grooming for its specific coat type.

All Cavapoos regardless of coat type are loyal, loving, extremely affectionate, and excellent companion dogs.