The honest read
Ten honest reasons a Cavapoo might not suit you
By Nelson and Kim, AVS licensed pet shop owners · Updated 12 July 2026
What are the downsides of a Cavapoo?
The real ones: a grooming bill and brushing habit you cannot skip, limited tolerance for very long alone days, a picky-eating streak in some individuals, and a purchase-plus-decade cost that starts at $3,288 and runs $1,500 to $2,500 a year. Every one has a fix; none should surprise you after buying.
A shop that sells Cavapoos writing the reasons not to buy one sounds like bad business. It is the opposite: every rehoming starts with a downside somebody discovered too late, and we would rather lose a sale than place a mismatch. Here is the list we run through across the counter, fixes included.
1
Grooming is a real budget line
Curly coats mat in humidity; $600 to $1,100 a year professionally.
The fix: Pick a wavier coat, keep a brushing habit, book trims on schedule.
2
They cannot do 12-hour absences
Better than most, but still a companion breed.
The fix: Alone-time training from day one; midday break until month four.
3
Picky eating streak
Some individuals hold out for better offers.
The fix: Fixed mealtimes, bowl up after 15 minutes; never season the kibble.
4
Puppy teething chews things
Month four is peak destruction.
The fix: Rotate kit chew toys; puppy-proof cables before homecoming.
5
Coat colour fades
The ruby you buy may be apricot at two.
The fix: Choose coat type over shade; see the parents.
6
Boredom barking exists
A moderate barker still barks when under-exercised.
The fix: Morning walk before work, food puzzles during absences.
7
Vet costs of middle age
Heart murmurs need monitoring from year six or so.
The fix: Annual checkups; consider insurance while young.
8
Not a jogging partner
Moderate energy caps out at brisk walks.
The fix: Want a runner? A Cockapoo suits better; we will say so.
9
Waiting lists for specific looks
Rare colours mean months of waiting.
The fix: Flexible on colour = home in weeks.
10
They are not cheap
From $3,288 all-in, plus $1,500 to $2,500 a year.
The fix: The price guide itemises everything; budget the decade, not the deposit.
And the reasons people still choose them
Balance demands the other side, briefly: gentle with children and grandparents, trainable enough for first-timers, quiet enough for HDB corridors, sized for flats, and tolerant of a working household's hours in a way the lookalike breeds are not. That combination is why the Cavapoo became Singapore's default first dog, and why the downsides above are worth managing rather than avoiding.
If three or more of the ten made you wince, take it seriously and look at thebreed comparisons, or tell us your situation and we will suggest something else, including nothing at all for now.
Dealbreaker checklist
- Nobody home 12+ hours: not this breed, not yet
- Zero grooming budget: not this coat
- Severe allergies: meet a puppy first
- Want a runner: consider a Cockapoo
- Everything else: manageable with routine
Frequently asked questions
What is the biggest downside of a Cavapoo?
The grooming commitment. Low-shedding coats mat in Singapore humidity, so budget both brushing time weekly and professional grooming money monthly, roughly $600 to $1,100 a year. Owners who skip it end up with a shaved, sad-looking dog.
Are Cavapoos high maintenance?
Medium, honestly. Grooming is the heavy line; exercise needs are modest at 20 to 30 minutes daily, training is easy, and health is robust for the first decade. Compared with other small crosses, they trade brushing time for forgiving behaviour.
Why do some owners regret getting a Cavapoo?
The pattern in owner forums is consistent: underestimated grooming, a puppy left alone too long too soon, and picky eating that trained the household instead of the dog. All three are preventable with the routine set in the first month.
Who should NOT get a Cavapoo?
Households where nobody is home from morning to late night, buyers who want a wash-and-wear coat, and anyone allergic enough that low-shedding is not enough. We tell walk-ins this directly; a wrong match costs everyone more than a lost sale.
Meet your Cavapoo
Come say hello at Balestier
2 Balestier Road #01-701, Singapore 320002 · Weekdays 12pm–6pm · Weekends 10am–6pm. Or message us first: tell us about your home and routine, and we'll tell you honestly if a Cavapoo fits.
Passed your own test?
Then read what living with one is actually like, the good side this time.
Temperament guide