Puppy Guide
Cavoodle Haircut Styles: 8 Popular Cuts
Feb
Choosing a haircut for your Cavoodle isn’t just about what looks cute (though that matters). It’s about matching style to your lifestyle, your dog’s coat type, and your willingness to brush.
🎯 Quick Answer
The most popular Cavoodle haircut styles are the puppy cut (teddy bear), summer cut, and lamb cut. The puppy cut at 1-2 inches is ideal for most owners. Shorter cuts need less brushing. Longer styles require daily maintenance. Choose based on your brushing commitment, not just looks.
We’ve groomed over 450 Cavoodles at WoofSpark and seen every cavoodle haircut style requested. This guide covers the most popular options, what’s actually involved in each, and which ones suit different situations.
The 8 Most Popular Cavoodle Haircut Styles
1. Puppy Cut (Teddy Bear Cut)
The most requested Cavoodle style.
What it looks like:
- Even length all over the body (typically 1-2 inches)
- Rounded face creating that “teddy bear” look
- Soft, fluffy appearance
- Ears blend into the head
| Area | Length |
|---|---|
| Body | 1-2 inches |
| Face | Round, full, trimmed from eyes |
| Legs | Same as body, blended |
| Maintenance | Brush every 2-3 days |
Best for: Fleece coats, owners who want the classic Cavoodle look, those who can commit to regular brushing.
What to tell your groomer: “Puppy cut, 1 inch all over, round teddy bear face.”
💡 Marine’s Pro Tip
In the salon, I recommend first-time Cavoodle owners start with a puppy cut at 1-1.5 inches. It’s the most forgiving style—looks great fresh and stays manageable as it grows. If you can handle the maintenance, you can always go longer next time.
2. Summer Cut / Short Clip
Practical and cool for Australian weather.
What it looks like:
- Very short all over (half inch or less)
- Still has that Cavoodle face, just trimmed closer
- Cool and clean
- Easy to maintain
Grooming schedule: Professional groom every 8-10 weeks, home brushing just weekly.
Best for: Australian summers, active outdoor dogs, owners who can’t commit to daily brushing, dogs who swim regularly, wool coats that mat easily.
Common concern: “But they won’t look like a Cavoodle anymore!”
They will. A short Cavoodle is still adorable—just a cleaner, cooler version. And a comfortable dog is a happy dog.
What to tell your groomer: “Summer cut, short all over, easy maintenance.”
3. Lamb Cut
A slightly more sculpted look.
What it looks like:
- Shorter body (clipped close)
- Longer, fluffy legs
- Clean face and feet
- Creates a lamb-like silhouette
The catch: Leg furnishings mat easily. If you’re not brushing the legs regularly, they’ll need to come off.
What to tell your groomer: “Lamb cut, short body, keep the legs fluffy.”
4. Cocker Spaniel Cut
Playing up the Cavalier heritage.
What it looks like:
- Shorter on top of the head and body
- Longer, flowing ears
- Feathering on chest and legs
- More traditional dog look
The challenge: Those gorgeous long ears mat incredibly fast. They need daily attention.
Best for: Hair coats or wavy fleece coats, owners who love the Cavalier look, those committed to daily ear maintenance.
What to tell your groomer: “Cocker spaniel style, keep the ears long.”
5. Asian Fusion / Japanese Style
The Instagram aesthetic.
What it looks like:
- Very round, voluminous face
- Large, expressive eyes visible
- Clean, short body
- Fluffy, rounded feet
- Very styled, very cute
The reality: This style requires frequent professional grooming (every 4-6 weeks) to maintain the shape. It looks incredible fresh from the groomer but needs regular upkeep.
What to tell your groomer: “Asian fusion style” or “Japanese teddy bear style.”
💡 Marine’s Pro Tip
Clients often bring me Instagram photos of Asian fusion styles. They look amazing, but I’m honest with them—to keep that look, you need to visit every 4-6 weeks, not every 8 weeks. If that works for you, brilliant. If not, we’ll find a style that holds its shape longer.
6. Kennel Cut / Utility Cut
Maximum practicality.
What it looks like: Very short all over (quarter inch close clip), functional not styled, easy to clean, quick to groom.
Best for: Dogs with severe matting (fresh start), medical situations, senior dogs who don’t tolerate long grooms, dogs who hate being brushed, extremely busy owners.
When it’s necessary: This is often the only option when a dog arrives severely matted. It’s a fresh start, and the coat grows back.
What to tell your groomer: “Clip it short, I need easy maintenance.”
7. Show Poodle Inspired
For the dedicated groomer.
Shaped body with defined lines, topknot on head, pom poms on legs and tail. Very styled and sculpted.
The reality: This requires professional skill to maintain. Most owners don’t have the tools or training. Beautiful but impractical for most pet owners.
8. Natural / Grown Out
The shaggy look.
Longer all over (2+ inches), natural flowing coat, minimal shaping.
The warning: This style only works if you’re brushing thoroughly every single day. One week of missed brushing and you’ll need a shave-down.
Best for: Fleece coats only (wool coats can’t do this), owners who brush daily without fail, cool climates.
Choosing the Right Cavoodle Haircut Style
By Coat Type
| Coat Type | Best Styles | Avoid | Expert Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wool | Short clip, summer cut, short puppy cut | Long styles, lamb cut | Keep it short—legs mat too fast |
| Fleece | Any style works | None | ✅ Most versatile—match to your maintenance commitment |
| Hair | Cocker spaniel, natural, any length | Asian fusion (needs more volume) | Traditional styles work best |
By Lifestyle
| Lifestyle | Best Cavoodle Haircut Styles |
|---|---|
| Busy family, limited time | Summer cut, short puppy cut |
| Active/outdoor dog | Short clip, summer cut |
| Work from home, time to groom | Any style |
| Want minimal maintenance | Summer cut, utility cut |
| Want the classic look | Puppy cut, teddy bear |
| Love grooming and styling | Lamb cut, Asian fusion |
By Season
Summer: Short clips keep them cool. Australia gets hot—don’t make your dog suffer for aesthetics.
Winter: Can go a bit longer, but don’t overdo it. Wet winter coats mat quickly.
Year-round consistency: Many owners keep the same length year-round for easier scheduling.
How to Communicate with Your Groomer
Bring Photos
Show your groomer exactly what you’re after. “Teddy bear cut” means different things to different people. A photo removes confusion.
Specify Length
- Quarter inch = very short
- Half inch = short
- 1 inch = medium
- 2 inches = long
Be Honest About Maintenance
If you don’t brush often, say so. We’d rather recommend a shorter style that stays nice than a longer style that mats between appointments.
💡 Marine’s Pro Tip
The best haircut is one you can actually maintain. I’ve seen too many Cavoodles come in matted because their owners chose a style that looked amazing but required more brushing than they could commit to. Be honest with yourself—and us—about your routine.
Common Cavoodle Haircut Questions
“My Cavoodle doesn’t look like the photos after grooming. Why?”
Coat type, density, and condition all affect results. Photos are often of freshly groomed dogs with ideal fleece coats. Your dog’s individual coat determines what’s possible.
“How long until my Cavoodle’s coat grows back after a short cut?”
Roughly 1-2 inches of growth every 6-8 weeks. A full regrow from a short clip to long coat takes several months.
“What if I hate the haircut?”
It grows back. That’s the beauty of Cavoodle coats—nothing is permanent.
Our Recommendations for Cavoodle Haircut Styles
First-time Cavoodle owner: Start with a puppy cut at 1-1.5 inches. See how the maintenance goes before committing to anything longer or more styled.
Struggling with matting: Go shorter. A well-maintained short coat looks better than a matted long coat.
Love the fluffy look: Commit to the brushing or accept more frequent grooming visits.
Unsure what suits your dog: Ask your groomer. We see your dog’s coat up close and can recommend what will work best.
Written by Marine Ponchaut
Marine is the founder of WoofSpark, a professional dog grooming salon in Cessnock, NSW. Since founding WoofSpark in 2019, she has groomed thousands of dogs — including over 450 Cavoodles in every style imaginable.
Related Guides
- Cavoodle Coat Types — Understand your coat first
- How Often to Groom a Cavoodle — Scheduling guide
- Preventing Cavoodle Matting — Keep any style looking good
- Cavoodle Puppy Checklist — Starting out
Want to Discuss Your Cavoodle’s Style?
Bring them in—we’ll look at their coat and help you choose the perfect style for your lifestyle. Book a grooming appointment or contact us with questions.