Do Cavapoos Coats Change? (Color, Curls and More!)

I have a Cavapoo puppy, and I am interested in knowing if her coat of fur will change.  She is petite, but I also want to know how and when it will change if it does.

Diving into some research on the internet today, here is what I found out.

This color change is related to a specific gene that the Cavapoos inherit from their Poodle parent, and it causes the color to fade or lighten as they get older.   This color change can be pretty drastic and surprising for pet parents who don’t know about this inherited gene. 

Both the color change and the change in a coat from puppy coat to adult will start later in the puppy phase, around six months old, and will continue for a while until they are about two or three years of age.  The pet parent gets when they adopt a Cavapoo puppy is not what they will have when the puppy matures, and they should be prepared for this situation.   It can be hard to determine precisely when the Cavapoos coats will change, but their fur coat usually goes through various changes that happen over time. 

These changes are normal and healthy for this mixed dog breed and nothing to worry about.  Pet parents can rest easy knowing this is a normal process and enjoy the fun of seeing the surprising changes their puppy will go through at each phase.

The Cavapoos is a mixed dog breed that takes qualities from both their pure-bred parents, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Poodle.  These qualities are a direct reflection of who they are as a dog.

When it comes to the Cavapoos fur coat, they most often follow along the Poodle line and develop a fur coat that matches that parent.  This is not a guarantee, but most often the case.

With this, they often gain the qualities of being hypoallergenic and low shedding.  They also gain the qualities of having a fur coat that changes its color.

Cavapoos coats change in two ways. The above-listed change that occurs as they grow, which is related to their genetics.  The other change that occurs for the Cavapoos is when their fur coat goes through the process of growing from puppy to adult dog.

This phase of life is filled with changes as the puppies’ fur coat gradually falls out and makes way for the adult fur coat, different from the soft puppy fur coat.

Along with this change, the Cavapoo will begin the process of a color change, which will vary from one dog to the next.  Depending on the fur coat that the Cavapoo starts with, it will factor into the color fur coat they will have as adults.

Around six months of age, which is a guideline and not a hard rule, the Cavapoo puppy will start to shed its puppy fur coat and grow in its adult fur coat.  The fur coat color will go through various color changes and usually lighten until it reaches its full-color potential as they finish maturing as an adult dog at around two or three years.

The fur coat color change comes from a gene inherited from the Poodle parent, and it is part of a completely normal process that occurs.  Some pet parents may be surprised or shocked when they see how the fur coat is changing color, thinking that something is wrong.  Thankfully, nothing is wrong.

Is there anything that I can do as a pet parent to help the Cavapoos fur coat change color faster or easier?

No, there is nothing that a pet parent can do to help a Cavapoos fur coat change color faster or easier.  This is a normal and healthy process for the dog to go through.  It is related to a specific gene; therefore, it comes from within them and can not be forced from outside them.

During this process, the best course of action is to ensure that their coat of fur is healthy and clean.  This is best accomplished by following good grooming habits that include brushing a few times per week unless the Cavapoos need more and bathing once a month or less.

Feeding the Cavapoos a healthy, nutrient-rich diet that is filling is essential for their overall health and well-being, affecting how their fur coat grows and how beneficial it is.

Besides that, enjoy the color change, perhaps by taking some cute pictures to remember what they looked like at the start of the process as a puppy and reflecting on what they look like. Later on in life, when the process is complete.

It should be noted that even after this process is complete, later in life as a senior, many a dog will begin to lighten around their muzzle with their age.  While no dogs turn grey as we humans can, it is not uncommon for them to lighten in certain areas of their bodies, like their muzzle.

How does the Cavapoo lose its puppy fur and change to adult fur?

The process of any puppy losing their puppy fur and growing in their adult fur is a slow one that happens gradually over time.  At the beginning of this process, the puppy will shed a whole lot of their puppy fur.  In some cases, certain dogs may lose this fur in clumps or bunches that make it look like they have bare patches on their body.

This process usually begins somewhere around six months.  Each dog will be unique regarding when they start this process and how it happens.  Some dogs may begin as early as three months and some as late as eight months.   Like humans, their genetics play a part in determining how this happens.

Once the process has begun, their puppy fur coat will give way to their adult fur coat, and the process can take up to two years depending on the breed of dog and their genetics.  There will be spurts where lots of hair will be lost and moments where hardly any comes out during this time.

For the Cavapoos puppy, their adult fur is soft and fluffy because they most often take after their Poodle parent.  This means that their fur coat may not change that much in softness, but it will likely change in texture.

Is there anything I can do to prevent excess shedding when the puppy fur shedding and making way for the adult fur coat?

Yes, this is much that can be done to reduce the amount of excess shedding you see and deal with.  The Cavapoo puppy should be brushed more often, sometimes as much as every day.  It is a good idea to make this a ritual during this time, perhaps brushing them for fifteen minutes per day to reduce the mess that might accumulate around the house.  This will also help keep the Cavapoo clean and healthy during this process.

It can be helpful to groom them in an easy clean area as it will make the daily clean-up easier on the pet parent.  Teaching good grooming habits and manners at this time can pave the way for future sessions, as grooming and bathing are a part of a healthy lifestyle for a dog.

Besides that, providing a healthy diet can ensure this and other growth processes go smoothly as they transition from puppy to adulthood.

What color will my Cavapoo lighten to?

The color that your Cavapoos coat will lighten to will depend on the color that they start with as a puppy.

Generally speaking, the Cavapoos color will lighten or fade a little or a whole lot, depending on their genetics.  Black might lighten to a grey color, Brown may lighten to a coffee or mocha color, and red may lighten to apricot.

If a pet parent is dead set on a particular color, they should select a puppy with a fur color that is slightly darker than what the pet parent is looking for and then hope that it doesn’t lighten too much.

Final Thoughts

Everything changes in life, the seasons, the weather, and even the coat of a Cavapoo.

These changes begin in puppyhood and continue until around two or three years old, when they have reached their full adult maturity.  The changes that occur include making way for an adult fur coat and fading or lightening their coloring due to a gene they inherit from their Poodle parent.

Whatever changes do come for a Cavapoo and their pet parent, they are sure to bring out the best in this fun-loving mixed dog breed!