The Cavapoo, often known as the Cavoodle or Cavadoodle, is the result of breeding a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel with a Miniature or Toy Poodle. They were bred to be a companion dog and perfect for those with allergies because of their low shedding coat. This crossbreed is known for being friendly and sociable, making them excellent family pets.
The popularity of the Cavapoo has soared recently and this is all down to their sweet nature. Gentle and cute, this the perfect dog to have in the home with children. They will happily curl up next to you on the couch, but they will also happily spend time running and playing! They’re also very intelligent, making them highly trainable.
Read on below to find out more about this interesting small breed.
History Of The Cavapoo
The Cavapoo first appeared in Australia in the like 1990’s and has since become one of the most popular dogs in the country. More recently, they are also becoming more popular in the United States and in England, too.
Because they are a hybrid breed, the Cavapoo is not currently recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) and therefore does not have a breed standard. It can be difficult to know which parent they are going to take after more and which characteristics they will inherit.
Breed Origin
To understand more about where the Cavapoo dog came from, we can take a look at the origins of the parent breeds.
The Poodle originated from the French and German border in the 15th and 16th century and was associated with the upper class. Because they are excellent water dogs, they were used to hunt water-fowl.
Later on, because of their adorable look, these pups became a very popular dog. The Toy Poodle was bred from the Standard Poodle by choosing the smallest pup from each litter and breeding with them. They were first seen in America in the 20th century.
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel originated in the Roman Times and were primarily used as lapdogs and foot warmers. King Charles II particularly loved these dogs and from the 1700s onwards, they were known as the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. They were imported into the US in the 1940s and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club was founded in 1954. They were finally recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1995.
Characteristics Of The Cavapoo
Because the Cavapoo is not a purebred breed, it can be difficult to know which characteristics they are going to inherit from each parent. One litter may take after the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel parent, while another little may take after the Poodle parent. However, based on past litters, we can make assumptions about many of the traits.
A Cavapoo puppy is normally born in a litter size of anywhere between two and eight puppies. You can expect to pay between $1,200 and $1,800 for one of these dogs. Always ensure you are buying from a reputable breeder.
Appearance
As we have stated, the appearance can differ based on which parent breed the Cavapoo takes more traits from. These pups are normally described as fuzzy faced teddy bears and are extremely cute!
Poodles can come in three sizes — Standard, Miniature and Toy. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel must be bred with either a Miniature or Toy Poodle to create the Cavapoo, because of their small size. This also means that there are two sizes of Cavapoos available.
These dogs can stand between 9 and 14 inches tall and can weigh anywhere between 7 and 18 pounds.
Coat
There are three different coat types that this Poodle Mix could have. These are hair, fleece and wool. Fleece coats are most common and they have a loose wave or curl to them. They are very soft to touch and do not shed much. They are also low maintenance and only require clipping from time to time.
Wool coats are also low shedding coats and have tight curls. Due to these tight curls, they trap dander which makes them the best coat type for those with allergies. However, these coats do grow, so they also require daily brushing and regular clipping.
Hair coats can be wiry and rough which can give the Cavapoo a Terrier look. These coats shed the most out of all three, but also require the least amount of grooming because they don’t grow as much.
Color
The Cavapoo can come in a range of colors. The most common colors are gold, black, white, Blenheim (black and white) and tricolor (black, white and tan).
Temperament
The temperament of the Cavapoo is another factor that can be difficult to pinpoint due to the fact this designer breed is not a pure breed. Often, breeds are crossed to take the most desirable characteristics from each breed. We can take a look at the temperament of the parent breeds to get an idea of what the Cavapoo may be like.
The Cavalier Spaniel is a playful and energetic dog but they are also very loyal and loving. They love to be around people and do not tolerate being left on their own. This can lead to unwanted behaviors including barking and destruction. The Cavalier Spaniel, although not a large dog, has high activity levels and likes to be outside. They will happily walk for hours, especially if it’s with you!
The Poodle is a gentle and caring dog that also loves people. Much like the Cavalier Spaniel, they do not like to be left alone and will want to be by your side all the time. Very intelligent, the Poodle is easy to train and will want to please their owner. They do need to be kept mentally stimulated, so they don’t get bored, and love a good brain game! They also have lots of energy and love to join you on walks.
Crossing The Breeds
It was hoped when crossing the Cavalier Spaniel with the Poodle that the Cavapoo would have the intelligence and hypoallergenic coat from a Poodle whilst keeping the energy, loyalty and playfulness of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. This is mostly true!
The Cavapoo loves people and, like both their parent breeds will want to be near you and doesn’t like to be left alone. They are very loyal to their owners, too. This breed love babies and children and so will thrive in a family home, building bond with everyone in the household.
They are fairly active dogs and like to be outside. They also love to play with their owners and won’t mind where they live, as long as they are close to you!
Lifespan
The life expectancy of the Cavapoo is 10 to 14 years.
Known Health Issues
Although mixed breeds are known for being generally healthier breeds due to the out-breeding of health issues, they can still be prone to health problems their parent breeds face. Unfortunately, the Cavapoo is no different. We have listed the most common health concerns below.
- Patellar Luxation — this is a common condition in smaller dogs and is caused when the patella is not properly aligned. This can cause lameness in the leg or an abnormal gait, sort of like a skip or a hop.
- Mitral Valve Disease — this is a heart defect and is a common condition found in the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) — this is an eye disorder that eventually causes blindness from the loss of photoreceptors at the back of the eye.
- Hip Dysplasia — this is when the thighbone doesn’t fit snugly into the hip joint. Some dogs show pain and lameness on one or both rear legs, but you may not notice any signs of discomfort in a dog with hip dysplasia.
Regular vet checkups and keeping an eye on your dog will ensure you can catch any of these issues before they become untreatable.
Remember — buy from a reputable breeder and the chances your dog will suffer any health conditions will be greatly reduced. Trusted breeders will do health checks on both parent breeds and will not crossbreed if there is a chance of passing on any issues to offspring.
Daily Life
Now we have explored what the temperament and characteristics of the Cavapoo may be, we can take a look at what living with one of these dogs is actually like. We will explore their food and diet needs, their exercise needs and their grooming needs.
Food And Diet
These dogs are a small breed and therefore require around 40 calories of food per pound of body weight a day. This equates to between 300 and 600 calories per day, although you should always check the back of the food packet to see how much of a certain food you should be feeding your dog based on their weight.
Unfortunately, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel can be prone to some weight gain and this can be passed down to their offspring. For this reason, try not to feed your Cavapoo too many treats. If you are worried your Cavapoo is overweight then you can check them. At the correct weight you shouldn’t be able to see a waist and you should be able to feel but not see their ribs without pressing too hard.
Best Dog Food For The Cavapoo
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We recommend the Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula for the Cavapoo. This food is specially formulated for small dog breeds and ensures that a pup of this size gets all the nutrients they need to stay healthy. With high-quality protein from chicken, this kibble helps to maintain your Cavapoo’s lean muscles and there are wholesome whole grains, garden veggies and fruit in the recipe too.
Even better, this Life Protection Formula contains a blend of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that supports immune system health, life stage requirements and a healthy oxidative balance. There are also no artificial colors or flavors in the recipe.
Exercise
The Cavapoo is a gentle and docile dog but they can still take after their Poodle parent. This means that they still love to run and play! The Cavapoo needs around 30 to 60 minutes of exercise every day. This can be a trip to the park or even just running around your back garden. Afterwards, they will be more than happy to lay on the couch and watch TV with you!
Due to their intelligence, the Cavapoo does well with brain games. They like to be with you, so any game you can play that includes them will be great. However, try not to play too many food based games with them because they can be known to gain weight.
Family Compatibility
The Cavapoo can make an excellent family dog. This fun and sociable little dog loves people and is very gentle around babies and children. They can also be energetic around older children and adults, having retained their Poodle parent’s fun-loving nature! These pups will bond to you and will not want to leave your side, which can result in some separation anxiety. Therefore, you shouldn’t think about getting one of these dogs if you are going to be out of the home for hours at a time.
Cavapoos are very adaptable dogs and can live in many different situations. This includes a small apartment or a big house! As long as they get lots of attention from you and get their exercise every day, these pups will be content.
Fortunately, the Cavapoo doesn’t require too much exercise, but you should still be dedicating at leat 30 to 60 minutes of your day to playing with and exercising this pup. Remember, they want lots of attention from you and playing games with them is the best way to show them that you love them! Even better, the Cavapoo is a highly trainable dog which means they make a great first pet. It also means that the entire family can get involved when training, which will be a fun activity.
Training
The Cavapoo is a very trainable dog which is what makes them such great first pets. The entire family can help train these pups and it is a fun activity to get involved in!
The Cavapoo responds best to positive reinforcement training and reward based training. This includes verbal praise and treats. Never get angry or shout at your Cavapoo. They will not understand and they can develop anxiety and fear which can prevent them from ever learning.
Socializing
Like every dog, the Cavapoo has to be socialized. Fortunately, these pups love people and so this should not be difficult. However, socialization should start from a young age, nonetheless. You should introduce them to new sights, sounds, places, smells, people and animals so that they learn there is nothing to be afraid of.
Grooming
As we have mentioned above, because the Cavapoo is a crossbreed, you cannot be sure which coat they are going to inherit. If they inherit the fleece or wool coats, they will need clipping by a professional groomer from time to time. There is no standard grooming style for this hybrid dog, but most owners choose to have a teddy bear clip. This also makes them look really cute!
If your Cavapoo has a hair coat, you won’t need to take them to the groomers but you will need to brush them. You will also need to brush the fleece and wool coats between trips to the groomers. This helps to prevent matting and tangling of the fur and can reduce shedding.
The groomers can help you clip their nails as and when it is needed. You should also keep an eye on your Cavapoo’s ears to check for signs of infection. Teeth brushing is also important, to minimize the occurrence of dental disease and decay. You can get dental sticks to help with this.
Cavapoo FAQ’s
How much does a Cavapoo puppy cost?
A Cavapoo puppy can set you back between $1,200 and $1,800. If this is out of your price range, you can always check your local shelter to see if there is a Cavapoo waiting to be adopted. There are lots of dogs out there that need a forever home!
Is a purebred dog better than a crossbreed dog?
There has been a rise in crossbreeding in recent years. This is because there is a desire to breed dogs with certain characteristics and to get rid of unwanted characteristics within dog breeds. With crossbreeding you can get designer dogs, although some worry that they are more susceptible to health problems.
In fact, in a recent study, there was no indication that mixed dogs were more prone to health issues that purebred dogs. The most important thing to look for in your dog is the breeder. They should be a reputable breeder and both the breed parents should be healthy.
Summary
The Cavapoo dog is an adorable teddy bear breed that is the result of crossing a Miniature Poodle or Toy Poodle with a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. These loving and affectionate pups make excellent family pets and are particularly gentle with children and babies. They develop a close bond with their owners and do not like to be left on their own, preferring to stay by your side and accompanying you wherever! They are just as happy curled up on the couch as they are out running in the park, and their trainability makes them a perfect first pet. What do you think, is a Cavapoo the right dog for you?