• Puppy Sizing

What Do Our Cavoodle Size Descriptions Mean?

Not sure what some of the size descriptions on our puppy profiles mean? You’re not alone! Terms such as “Toy Cavoodle”, “Mini Cavoodle”, “larger Toy” and “smaller Mini” can sometimes be confusing.

The most important thing to understand is that Toy and Mini Cavoodles are not completely separate breeds. They are both Cavoodles, and there can be some overlap between their adult sizes.

Here are the questions we go through below: 

• What is a Toy cavoodle? 

• What is a Mini Cavoodle?

• What About Cavoodles Expected to Be Between 8kg and 10kg?

• How Do We Estimate a Puppy’s Adult Weight?

• What Does “My Six-Week Weight Indicates I May Be on the Larger Side for a Toy Cavoodle” Mean?

• Why Might a Puppy With a Mini Poodle Dad Be Called a Toy Cavoodle?

• Which Size Is Right for Me?

What is a Toy Cavoodle?

Technically, a Toy Cavoodle is a Cavoodle bred using a Toy Poodle father.

At Banksia Park Puppies, we know people are anticipating a smaller dog when they are classed as a 'toy cavoodle' even though DNA can come into play and some puppies with toy poodle dads look like they will be bigger than a toy cavoodle in generally accepted as being. For this reason we generally describe a puppy as a Toy Cavoodle when we estimate that its adult weight will be approximately 8kg or under.

However, genetics aren’t an exact science. Some Toy Cavoodles may grow a little larger than expected, particularly if they are on the larger side of their litter.

 

What is a Mini Cavoodle?

Technically, a Mini Cavoodle is a Cavoodle bred using a Miniature Poodle father.

We generally describe a puppy as a Mini Cavoodle when we estimate that its adult weight will be approximately 9kg or more.

Some Mini Cavoodles may remain smaller than expected, particularly when their Miniature Poodle father is very small.

 

What About Cavoodles Expected to Be Between 8kg and 10kg?

This is where the Toy and Mini descriptions can overlap.

A Cavoodle expected to grow to between approximately 8kg and 10kg may be described as either:

• a larger Toy Cavoodle; or
• a smaller Mini Cavoodle.

There isn’t a dramatic difference between an 8kg Cavoodle and a 9kg Cavoodle. The descriptions simply help give families a general idea of the puppy’s likely adult size. E.g. if you're looking for a mini cavoodle this indicutes the puppy might be smaller than what you're looking for. If you're looking for a toy cavoodle, this helps you understand this will be a larger toy puppy than others in the litter potentially. 
 

How Do We Estimate a Puppy’s Adult Weight*?

We consider several things when estimating a puppy’s likely adult size*, including:

• the size of the puppy’s parents;
• whether the father is a Toy or Miniature Poodle;
• the puppy’s weight at approximately six weeks of age;
• the size and growth patterns of previous related litters; and
• our experience breeding Cavoodles over many years.

These details help us provide a useful estimate, but *no breeder can guarantee the exact adult weight or height of a young puppy.

What Does “My Six-Week Weight Indicates I May Be on the Larger Side for a Toy Cavoodle” Mean?

This means the puppy is still expected to sit within or close to the Toy Cavoodle size range, but its six-week weight suggests it may grow larger than some of the other Toy Cavoodles.

Similarly, if we say a puppy may be “on the smaller side for a Mini Cavoodle”, it means the puppy is expected to be smaller than some of the other Mini Cavoodles.

These descriptions are included to give you more information about the individual puppy—not because there is anything unusual or concerning about its development.

Why Might a Puppy With a Mini Poodle Dad Be Called a Toy Cavoodle?

Miniature Poodles also vary in size. Some are very small and sit close to the Toy Poodle size range.

If a puppy has a particularly small Miniature Poodle father and its individual weight indicates that it is likely to remain within the Toy Cavoodle range, we may describe it as a Toy Cavoodle.

In these situations, the puppy’s profile will explain both the father’s classification and the puppy’s estimated adult size.

Which Size Is Right for Me?

The difference between a larger Toy Cavoodle and a smaller Mini Cavoodle is often only one or two kilograms. Temperament, energy level and the puppy’s individual personality are generally more important than choosing between two puppies sitting close to the Toy–Mini crossover.

If size is particularly important for your family, please speak with our Puppy Consultants. We can talk you through the puppy’s parents, current weight and estimated adult size to help you make an informed choice.

*Please remember that all anticipated adult weights are estimates only and cannot be guaranteed.