Designer Breed Puppies: How to Choose the Right One for Your Family

Originally Published on 11/24/2025

Designer Breed Puppies are an incredible choice for a new family member. Choosing the right puppy can feel a little like choosing the right piece of your heart—because that’s exactly what you’re doing. With so many wonderful small, family-friendly hybrids, how do you know which one truly fits your home, lifestyle, and energy?

At Puppies on the Gulf, we’ve spent nearly 30 years raising and matching designer breed puppies with families across the country. From Cavapoos to Cavapoochons, Shihpoos to Poochons, and the beloved Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, we’ve seen firsthand how each breed brings its own kind of magic to a home.

Today, we’ll walk you through the most common questions families ask when deciding which puppy is “the one.” Think of this as sitting down with a cup of coffee and chatting with an experienced matchmaker—because that’s what we are.

Designer Breed Puppies: How Do I Choose the Right Puppy for My Family?

Q1: What’s the Real Difference Between These Designer Breeds?

Choosing among designer breed puppies is a lot like choosing between different musical instruments—each one beautiful, but each creating a different tone in your home.

Cavapoo – “The Sweetheart Companion”

A cross between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Poodle, Cavapoos are gentle, intuitive, and incredibly people-oriented. Many families describe them as “the dog who always knows how you’re feeling.” They are fantastic emotional-support companions.

Best for: Families with children, first-time dog owners, emotional-support needs, or those who want an affectionate lapdog.

Cavapoochon – “The Teddy Bear Personality”

Imagine a Cavapoo… but extra fluffy, extra cheerful, and extra expressive. A Cavapoochon blends the Cavalier, Poodle, and Bichon Frise—creating a pup that looks like a plush toy come to life.

Best for: Families wanting a confident, hypoallergenic dog with a cheerful, easygoing temperament.

Cavabear – “The Curly-Coated Snuggler”

A Cavabear is similar to a Cavapoo but often features a slightly stockier build and soft, thick, teddy-bear fur. They’re incredibly gentle, intuitive, and deeply bonded to their people.

Best for: Homes seeking a calm, affectionate, extremely cuddly dog with minimal shedding.

Shihpoo – “The Playful Social Butterfly”

A Shih Tzu mixed with a Poodle gives you a happy-go-lucky companion full of charm and spunk. Shihpoos are a little smaller and often bring a joyful, clownish energy to the home.

Best for: Apartments, families with young kids, seniors, or households wanting a small dog with a big personality.

Poochon – “The Confident, Curious Explorer”

This Poodle + Bichon mix is bright, outgoing, and quick-learning. They stay small but have big, adventurous hearts.

Best for: Active families who want a small, hypoallergenic dog that can keep up with a fun, busy household.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel – “The Classic Angel”

If you’re looking for pure sweetness and melt-your-heart affection, the Cavalier is as good as it gets. They are velvety-soft, incredibly gentle, and known as one of the world’s most loving companion breeds.

Best for: Families wanting a calm, loving, gentle breed—especially for sentimental or therapeutic companionship.

Q2: Which Breed Fits Best With My Family’s Lifestyle?

Let’s break it down with a simple step-by-step:

If your home is calm and cozy → Cavabear or Cavalier.
If your home is lively → Shihpoo or Poochon.
If your home is “in between” → Cavapoo or Cavapoochon.

Step 2 — Allergies or shedding concerns?
These are the most hypoallergenic—lowest to highest shedding:
1. Cavapoochon
2. Poochon
3. Shihpoo
4. Cavabear
5. Cavapoo
6. Cavalier (not hypoallergenic)
Families with confirmed allergies should lean toward Cavapoochon, Shihpoo, or Poochon to avoid pain and loss down the road.

Step 3 — How important is emotional support?
If you need a dog that “reads the room,” these breeds are naturals:
• Cavapoo
• Cavabear
• Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
These dogs feel like emotional tuning forks—they know when you need extra love.

Q3: Which Breed Is Best With Kids?

All breeds listed are generally fantastic with children, especially when raised using Puppy Culture training like we do at Puppies on the Gulf. But here’s how they differ:

Top Picks for Families with Young Kids
• Cavapoochon
• Cavapoo
• Shihpoo
These pups are patient, playful, and gentle.

Top Picks for Calm, Older Kids or Teens
• Cavabear
• Cavalier
• Poochon
These breeds bond deeply and love affection but thrive in slightly quieter environments.

Q4: Does Grooming Matter in My Decision?

If you enjoy the fluffy-teddy look, choose:
• Cavapoochon
• Cavabear
• Poochon

If you prefer simpler grooming:
• Shihpoo
• Cavalier

If you want something in-between:
• Cavapoo

Q5: How Does Puppies on the Gulf Help Me Choose?

We don’t just hand you a puppy—we help you find the right fit.

At Puppies on the Gulf, we combine nearly 30 years of hands-on experience, family-raised care, and breed-specific knowledge to guide you to the companion that matches your home, personality, and goals.

Every puppy we raise is:
• Socialized from day one
• Raised underfoot in our home
• Given Puppy Culture training
• Health-checked and microchipped
• Backed by a full health guarantee
• Supported with lifetime breeder support

Because you’re not just getting a puppy—
you’re choosing a family member.

Ready to explore some of our Furever Friends that are looking for their new family!

Special thanks to the following source(s) for the image(s) used in this article:

• The Fallible Man LLC