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Ladies and gentlemen, the fusion of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Poodle, I give you the Cavapoo dog breed! These pups are active, playful, and curious.
The Cavapoo, also known as Cavadoodle or Cavoodle has inherited some of the best traits and behaviors of their parents. They are great family pets, love the outdoor, and they like the attention.
The ideal human for a Cavapoo is a person that's looking for a sidekick on adventures. But if you want someone to cuddle with on the couch, the Cavapoo dog breed can also be the dog for you!
But even though they are known as a designer breed, you can still find Cavapoo puppies in shelters and rescue groups.
Cavapoo Dog Breed History
Before we discuss their temperaments, size, and health, let's talk about where did these adorable pups come from.
The Cavapoo dog breed might have been existing naturally over the years and we were just not aware of it.
But in the late 1990s, designer breeders from Australia started experimenting and intentionally mixed the Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Poodles.
And voila! The rise of the Cavapoo dog breed has started.
The breeders' goal is to get the outgoing and easygoing features of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and mix them with the known intelligence of a Poodle.
Physical Characteristics
Since the Cavapoo is a mixed breed of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Poodle, expect these dogs to be small to medium in size.
A Cavapoo coat may depend on which of its parent coats they inherit. Since Cavapo came from two different breeds with different coat types, it may take some time before their coat may be seen.
Cavapoo may fall into two categories: a tight curly coat or a loose wavy coat.
The texture of their hair can be a little bit unpredictable. It can range from the Cavalier's silky and wavy locks to the Poodle's thick curls.
All in all, the Cavapoo puppy has this mini teddy bear look.
The Cavapoo dog breed has plenty of coat colors. A few of these are red, brown, black, silver, brown, chestnut, brown and white, gray and white, and many more!
There are a lot of possibilities for their hair color since this is a mixed breed.
On average, the Cavapoo weighs around 25 pounds and their height is from 9 to 14 inches at the shoulder. However, they can also be smaller or slightly larger.
Cavapoo Temperament
Now we get into the good stuff because Cavapoos are famous for their exceptional temperament. These dogs are great family pets. They are very friendly and sweet.
Also, if you have children or other pets in your home, you don't have to worry. Because Cavapoos are great with them. Cavapoos thrive in an environment where they get loads of attention.
They are fond of people, however, they might start to develop separation anxiety when left alone. They do not tolerate being alone too much.
This issue is best to be tackled early from puppyhood. Make sure that they are properly socialized and trained at a young age.
Cavapoos are loyal, social, and kind. They also make good therapy dogs.
Cavapoos are so versatile that they can also be decent watchdogs. They can alert the owner when a stranger or a visitor is arriving.
However, if you're looking for a guard dog, the Cavapoo is not your best bet. These dogs get along with everyone they meet. They'll probably greet a stranger with a wag of their tail.
Another good thing about adopting a Cavapoo is that they are not excessive barkers.
If you want peace and just nap in the afternoon, you can snuggle up with your Cavapoo and dream away!
Since they are part Poodle, Cavapoo is an intelligent breed that loves to have your love and praise. Since they are eager to please, they are fairly easy to train.
Training Cavapoos
As we've discussed earlier, Cavapoos are intelligent dogs that can learn quickly. When it comes to training any other dog, consistency and repetition are essential.
Start training them while they are still young. Lack of proper training can result in destructive behaviors.
For instance, they tend to chew furniture, and shoes, and dig up garbage when they're alone.
10 to 15 minutes of daily training is recommended when it comes to Cavapoos. Always remember to be gentle and use positive reinforcement training.
Exercise
Cavapoos are not just intelligent, but they are also energetic. This means that they have to be mentally and physically stimulated.
It is recommended to give them 45 minutes to 1 hour of exercise per day. It can be split into a short walk in the morning(before you go to work), and a longer walk at night (when you get off from work).
My suggestion is to take your Cavapoo to a secured environment where they can run around and see a lot of interesting things.
However, keep in mind that you should never over-exercise them as it can cause long-term problems with their joints.
Health Care of a Cavapoo
Generally, the Cavapoo dog breed is healthy. But just like any other dog breed, they are still prone to certain types of diseases.
Cavapoos are prone to the same health conditions that the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Poodles are prone to.
Make sure to maintain good care of your pups and provide regular vet checkups to make sure they can live their life full and happy.
Cavapoos are surprisingly prone to weight gain. If you're not careful, this can lead to heart problems.
That's why exercise and a proper diet are crucial when it comes to taking care of dogs.
If you want to get the healthiest Cavapoo puppy, my advice is to look for a reputable breeder that can show you health clearances.
These health clearances can show you that what you're adopting is perfectly healthy and free from any hereditary diseases.
In addition, there are other health problems that Cavapoos are prone to. For example, Congenital heart attacks, Patellar Luxation, and Progressive Retinal Atrophy.
Hip Dysplasia
First on our list is Hip Dysplasia. Hip Dysplasia is one of the most common hip problems in dogs.
Hip Dysplasia is a genetic condition where the thighbone doesn't fit into the hip joint. Since this condition is a hereditary problem, it all comes back to researching and finding a responsible breeder.
Dogs that are suffering from hip dysplasia should not be bred and should be spayed or neutered right away.
If you're planning to adopt a Cavapoo, make sure to ask for proof that the dog and its parents have been tested and cleared for hip dysplasia.
Patellar Luxation
Patellar Luxation happens when the kneecap (patella) is dislocating (luxating) out of its proper place. It is one of the most common hindlimb orthopedic pathologies in dogs.
If you see your pup skipping a step or notice that they're running on three legs, it's best to get them checked out. When the kneecap has dislocated, the knee can't extend properly and stays bent.
Fortunately, the kneecap can also slip back to where it's properly placed and it'll be back to normal in a few days.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy
Progressive Retinal Atrophy or PRA for short is an eye problem that slowly leads to blindness.
As the pet owner, it is your job to monitor your dog's eyes as this condition is one of the hardest to spot due to lack of symptoms.
As soon as you notice that your dog is displaying signs of poor eye vision, it is best advised to contact your vet immediately.
This way, they can further examine your dog and can rule out any possible eye conditions like PRA.
Cataracts
Cataracts are the clouding of the lens of the dog's eye. If you're having a hard time understanding what cataracts are, let's put it this way.
Let's say your eyes are like an eyeglass or a camera and the lens is fogging up. The lens helps you to see clearly.
This eye condition can be caused by diabetes, aging, and even genetics. Once again, it all comes down to adopting a dog from a responsible breeder.
Cavapoo Grooming
Grooming heavily depends on the type of coat they inherit. It’s important to watch out for their coat on what grooming regimen fits best on the Cavapoo.
Although Cavapoo is known not to shed frequently, brushing is still needed due to their curly/ wavy hair structure.
Hair Brushing and Trimming
Their coat can be kept long which will require daily brushing to avoid matting and tangles. Even if they are short-trimmed, they’d likely need brisk brushing to remove matting and tangles as well.
It is recommended for Cavapoos hair to be trimmed at least every 1 ½ months. Cavapoos hair does grow quickly as well.
Bath Time
As for bath time, they can bathe at least four times a week or when necessary.
Their coat needs its natural oil to come out, brushing is enough to distribute it. It’s best not to bathe as often to keep their skin and coat healthy.
It’s important to have their ears pat dried after each bath or swim. Cavapoos ears are quite full of fur outside and inside their ear flaps.
Their ears also flop down their face, so it would be difficult to let them dry on their own.
Cavapoos are prone to ear infections and moisturized ears are one of the reasons a dog can acquire ear infections. So make sure to have their ears pat dry at least.
Nail Trimming
Nail trimming should be undemanding. Unless the Cavapoo isn’t used to their paw being held.
This behavior can be easily influenced by any dog as long as they are exposed to these things calmly and casually.
It’s best to hold or caress their paw from time to time so they don’t deem the activity as something unusual.
Tip, have it done after they’re worn out from playtime or just after dinner so they’re relaxed.
As time passes by and they get used to the feeling, nail trimming will be easy-peasy.
Remember during their grooming regimen, have them in their relaxed state and do not feel nervous. Dogs can sense our emotions and mirror them.
Teeth Care
This goes the same for brushing their teeth. It doesn’t need to be a daily activity but doing it at least twice a week is enough.
Brushing their teeth from a young age can help them recognize the activity as a routine. Plus, it can help them familiarize the feeling without feeling fearful of it.
If owners plan to groom, it’s best to check their skin for blemishes, scratches, and inflammation in their face and body before proceeding.
It’s also recommended to address any problems seen in their face or skin immediately.
Cavapoos do not drool normally, so unless their mouth is wet from drinking, it’s not necessary to wipe after them.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Cavapoo Crossbreed
Do Cavapoos shed a lot?
It may depend on what type of coat the Cavapoo inherits. But Cavapoos are known to have extremely low shedding tendencies.
It’s best to know their type of coat when you're about to adopt them and do proper grooming for the type of coat they have.
Can Cavapoos get aggressive?
Cavapoos are generally an affectionate breed. They are known to be great with families and children.
Although they may become vigilant around other dogs, it’s a normal response to unfamiliar situations.
Owners have reported that Cavapoos tend to become aggressive when stressed and terrified but other than that, Cavapoos barely display aggressive behavior.
Likewise, like any other dog, a dog’s personality can be influenced by their lifestyle, experiences, surroundings, people, and other things that they surround themselves with.
If a Cavapoo is exposed to these situations early in their life, they’ll be able to understand and recognize situations. It will be easier for them to tone it down when it comes to playtime then.
Is Cavapoos hard to potty train?
It may require persistence and consistency when potty training these fur balls. Due to their small bladders, nature may get the right timing at the wrong place.
No worries, they’re not stubborn as it looks. It’s just hard to hold on to their bladder when it’s small.
Training may need extended efforts from both the Cavapoo and the owner but with persistent and consistent training, they can learn how to potty train in the right place eventually.
It would be best to have them wear a diaper instead when bringing them out and about, just to avoid unwanted accidents.
Cavapoo Dog Breed Summary
Cavapoo is a cross breed between a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Poodle. These dogs are great family dogs.
They are great for people who love to go on adventures during the day and cuddle up at night.
Cavapoos are great with children and with other pets, so you don't have to worry if your home is too crowded. These dogs love attention and they are eager to please.
They have the energy of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the intelligence of a Poodle.
All in all, if you're looking to adopt a Cavapoo puppy and you haven't found any reputable breeders, you can always look into rescue groups.
Rescue groups or organizations for Poodles and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel often take care of mixes as well.
Two examples of these are the Cavalier Rescue USA and the Carolina Poodle Rescue.
