Learn all about the popular Cavapoo below. We explain what kind of characters they tend to have and if they make good pets.
Cavapoo Characteristics:
Height: 9-14 inches
Cavapoo Weight: 4-11 kilos
Lifespan: 12-15 years
Pedigree? (registered with the KC?): No, this breed isn’t registered with the Kennel Club.
Positives and Negatives
Check out some key Cavapoo information below.
Pros:
- Intelligent and easy to train
- Hypoallergenic, ideal for allergy sufferers
- Suitable for apartment living
- Ideal watchdog, therapy, and emotional support dog
Cons:
- Doesn’t like being left alone, prone to separation anxiety
- Prone to weight gain
- High grooming maintenance
- High in energy
Overview
The Cavapoo is one of the most popular hybrid dogs, despite its short existence. They are loved by owners across the world, particularly in the UK and Australia for their well-balanced temperament. This breed makes an excellent family pet and its adaptable nature is suitable for a wide range of dog owners.
Although this breed doesn’t shed much fur much, they do require lots of grooming maintenance. Be prepared to attend to this dog weekly in order to keep their coat in the best shape. Tear stains can be an issue for the Cavapoo. Clean their face daily to prevent the stains from setting on their coat.
How big do Cavapoos get? This is a question asked often. The Cavapoo size will vary depending on the type of Poodle the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has been bred with. A toy Cavapoo is created by mixing the toy Poodle with a Cavalier. The Cavapoo at full-grown size shouldn’t surpass 15 inches or 14 kilos in weight.
The Cavapoo has boomed in popularity and already they’re starting to find tasks they’re good at. The breed makes an excellent therapy and emotional support dog due to their kind, calm and gentle temperament. Although Cavapoos are excellent watchdogs, they’re hopeless at guarding.
History
The Cavapoo is a cross between a Poodle and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. They are one of the first designer dogs to have been created. It is thought they were first intentionally bred by Australian breeders in the 1950s although they were thought to have possibly been crossed before then. It was in the 90s when their popularity began to boom.
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a relatively new breed descending from the Toy Spaniel. Due to their popularity amongst King Charles the I and II the breed was named in their honour. It was in the 1920s when the development of the Cavalier led to the modern breed we now know today.
Poodles are a breed with a deep history. Whilst their existence is certainly old, it isn’t ancient. They were bred to hunt Waterfowl and are thought to originate from Germany until they were developed by France. Poodles come in three varieties; standard, miniature, and toy. The breed is well-loved and features as the national dog of France.
Although the Cavapoo hasn’t been in existence as long as other breeds, they have certainly made their mark in the doggy world. As a crossbreed, they haven’t been recognized by any major Kennel Clubs. You can find independent clubs created by Cavapoo enthusiasts who are working hard to try and establish the breed.
Related: Everything you need about the Kerry Blue Terrier breed is here in this comprehensive guide.
Personality
Cavapoo Temperament:
Cavapoos are known for their good-natured temperament. It’s what makes them such ideal family pets. The breed will connect deeply with those in their household and for that reason, can’t be left alone regularly. They’re adaptable by nature and can easily change environments, all that matters to them is being with their family.
This breed doesn’t bark excessively, but that doesn’t mean they won’t display other behaviours such as chewing or digging. Outgoing, playful, sociable, intelligent, kind, and affectionate, the Cavapoo personality is appealing to a variety of potential dog owners.
Are Cavapoos Good With Strangers?
Despite being an excellent watchdog, the Cavapoo won’t follow this up with any guard dog skills. For this reason, they are generally polite and friendly with strangers. Of course, this is dependent on socialization however in general, the breed is not known to be aggressive to strangers.
Are Cavapoos Good With Children?
Yes, this breed is an excellent match for children. They’re playful, outgoing, and could keep children company for hours playing in the garden. Gentle and kind to children of all ages, it’s no wonder why this breed is recommended as a fantastic family pet. No matter the breed always keep play supervised, especially amongst younger children.
Are Cavapoos Ok With Other Dogs?
Yes, this canine is sociable and gets along well with other dogs. With the right socialization, the Cavapoo will enjoy being around different pooches. They can live with dogs and cats including other small household pets. Animals that live together should be introduced to each other as early as possible.
Exercise
The Cavoodle will need at least 45 minutes of exercise each day. Cavapoo puppies will need a little longer as they are much higher in energy. Some days, mental stimulation will also be required. Allowing a dog to sniff and explore are both ways to do this. Doggy puzzles treat finders and other mind games are also ways to mentally stimulate your pet.
These canines have an average prey drive and won’t necessarily dash off into the distance after prey. They’re known to be sociable, especially with other dogs so would happily suit a doggy meet up. With the right socialization, recall, and training this canine can eventually gain an owner’s trust to be allowed off-leash.
Related: Discover more about the Samoyed breed next.
Health
These are some breed-related health conditions that can be common with the Cavapoo.
- Mitral Valve Disease- This cardiac disease is common amongst older canines and is caused by a faulty heart valve. It is the most common cause of a heart murmur.
- Hip Dysplasia- Poor development of the hip joint causes pain, lameness, inflammation, and swelling. Arthritis will eventually form.
- Cataracts- Cloudiness that can appear in the eye. A large cloud will cause blurry vision, preventing light from reaching the retina, eventually causing blindness.
- Syringomyelia- Fluid-filled cavities form within the spinal cord. A dog could feel neck pain, wobbly, or sensations such as pins and needles.
- Luxating Patella- The kneecap dislocates out of position temporarily, before forming back into position. May cause lameness.
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy- As the photoreceptor cells in the eye deteriorate, blindness will eventually occur.
- Epilepsy- The most common neurological disease in dogs causing unprovoked seizures ranging from mild to severe.
Intelligence & Training
This canine may look cute and whilst they are naturally intelligent and easy to train, an experienced dog owner is better suited to the breed. Be patient and positive, Cavapoo dogs pick up on commands fairly quickly. Use the normal voice you use when praising your pet at the exact moment they have perfected your command.
Begin house training as soon as your Cavapoo puppy enters the door. When housebreaking your pet, ensure they have access to a toilet every 2-3 hours and ideally 15 minutes after eating. Potty training can take a little longer for a Cavapoo to get the hang of.
Training must be unique and engaging. The Cavapoo dog can quickly lose interest. As the breed is prone to weight gain, don’t offer numerous food rewards. Socialization is highly important for this breed. Whilst they are known for their happy go lucky temperament, they can become fearful or anxious without socialization.
Take them to different locations where the Cava-poo can meet new people and dogs. At this time you can also test out a quick training session. Allow them to burn off some energy first before trying to gain their attention. Harsh techniques will not be listened to. Keep a calm tone and always be consistent with enforcing your rules.
Related: Are Lakeland Terriers good with children and strangers? Find out the answers here.
Grooming
The Cavalier cross Poodle doesn’t shed much fur. For this reason, they’re classed as hypoallergenic and an ideal breed choice for allergy sufferers. Due to their lack of shedding the loose fur needs to be removed. Brushing will be needed multiple times a week. The best tools to use are pin and bristle brushes.
Baths should be given every 4-6 weeks, of course, if your pooch gets dirty before this time you can still bathe them. After a bath, make sure you brush through their fur once more to prevent frizz from plaguing their coat! This can be done whilst you blow-dry. Occasionally a Cavapoo dog may need a trim. Professional groomers can help in this area.
Cavapoos are prone to developing tear stains underneath their eyes. To prevent any marks from turning into stains, wipe the Cavapoos face daily. Pay most attention to the area surrounding the tear duct. Take advice from your vet if your pet is consistently producing these tear stains.
The Cavapoo has floppy ears making them prone to ear infections. To prevent this clean the ears weekly, plucking away any fur restricting airflow to the canal. Nails will need trimming every 3-4 weeks. Don’t forget to brush their teeth at least three times a week, although vets recommend this is done daily.
