Got your heart set on bringing a new furry friend into your home, but you’re not quite sure which breed of dog is best suited to you and your lifestyle? Well, this is the article for you!
Understanding everything there is to know about a dog breed before you add one to your life is super important because not all breeds will suit everyone.
While it goes without saying that dogs are man’s best friend and owning one will, of course, bring years of happiness to your life, the wrong breed could also come with a lot of trouble.
So, without further ado, let’s get going! This article is the ultimate guide to owning a Cavapoo: the fun-loving, cuddle buddy you need in your life!
The Cavapoo is just one of the hundreds of mixed breeds that have risen in popularity in recent years. Hybrid breeds are awesome because they often get all the best bits of each parent breed! The Cavapoo has certainly attained the cuteness of its parents.
So, what is a Cavapoo? The Cavapoo dog is a mix between a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Poodle. So, if you’re looking for a dog that is super affectionate and easy to train, this is the dog for you!
But, as we said, before you take the plunge and settle on a Cavapoo puppy, there are several important things you need to know about them first! While appearance is, of course, an important factor to consider, there are lots of others that come into play, such as health issues, temperament, intelligence, and more.
What is a Cavapoo?
So, let’s begin with the basics, what exactly is a Cavapoo? In recent years this mixed breed has become increasingly popular. A super cute fluffy Cavapoo puppy will have one Cavalier King Charles Spaniel parent and one Poodle parent.
Let’s take a look at the parent breeds to get an understanding of what to expect from a Cavapoo.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
This beautiful small-sized dog is well known as a happy ‘tail wagger’ and is often depicted in movies as being super happy and friendly dogs.
Their large, round eyes make them absolutely adorable and irresistible to pet owners. They’re relatively small-sized dogs and love cuddling up in your lap.
They love treats and being spoiled, but they are prone to weight gain, so this is something owners need to be wary of when treating their furry friend.
They become very attached to their owners and like to follow them around the house, even into the bathroom! So, owning one of these cuddle monsters means you’ll never be lonely again.
As a toy breed, they can struggle with house training at first, but they are intelligent dogs, so can be taught relatively quickly and adapt to their new rules.
Poodle
The Poodle breed is a very popular breed, although it’s more commonly seen in hybrid dogs rather than purebreds.
Poodles are known for their success as best-in-show winners due to their regal looks and intelligence. They are commonly portrayed as elegant, smart dogs with funny fluffy hairdos.
How big they get depends on the type of Poodle, as there are actually three different types of Poodle: standard, miniature, and toy.
Standard Poodles are large dogs, miniature Poodles are medium-sized, and toy Poodles are small dogs.
Their coat is well known for its tight curls and ‘poofy’ style. In terms of color, Poodle fur can vary greatly and can be anything from creamy white to golden brown to chocolate brown to jet black and everything in between.
Their fur is also hypoallergenic and sheds very little, which is great for those that suffer from allergies.
Poodles have high levels of intelligence, too, making them very easy to train hence why when people picture Poodles, they picture show dogs and blue ribbons. In fact, they’re one of the most intelligent dog breeds in the world.
The only downside to this is if they aren’t regularly mentally and physically stimulated, they can become destructive. But, under the right circumstances, Poodles are calm and very affectionate dogs and love the family environment.
Physical traits of a Cavapoo dog
Cavapoos can vary greatly in terms of size depending on the size of the Poodle parent. There are three types of poodles: standard, miniature, and toy. Cavapoos most commonly have either one miniature Poodle parent or one toy Poodle parent.
A miniature Cavapoo will have one Cavalier King Charles Spaniel parent and one miniature Poodle parent. This dog would likely grow to be around 12 and 14 inches in size.
A toy Cavapoo will have one Cavalier King Charles Spaniel parent and one miniature Poodle parent. This dog would likely grow to be around 9 and 11 inches in size.
The average weight of a Cavapoo will depend on the size of the Poodle parent, but, on average, their weight will fall between 12 and 25 pounds.
Cavapoos’ coats are a combination of both parent breeds’ coats. For this reason, a Cavapoos coat could be a range of colors from chocolate brown to creamy white to golden brown. Sometimes they are one block color, but other times they can be tricolored or a mix of two colors.
The breed is prone to developing brown tear stains that white dogs often get if you don’t clean their under eyes regularly.
Personality traits of a Cavapoo dog
Cavapoos are loved for their friendly, bubbly, and affectionate nature, making them ideal family members.
That being said, they become very attached to their family and love deeply, which can result in separation anxiety which can be an issue. Fortunately, they are very smart, so training them and making them aware of what to expect from a young age so that this can be managed.
They don’t tend to bark excessively, only if left alone for too long, so they’re great in smaller homes or even condos or apartments, although they do require a good amount of exercise and space to play due to their playful nature.
Overall, they’re very sociable dogs that love people and other dogs; they love to play and enjoy pleasing their owners.
When they are puppies, they are particularly tiny, so extra care must be taken as they grow stronger. So, they mustn’t be exposed to extreme temperatures or left alone with small children that could accidentally hurt them.
While they may seem weak and vulnerable as puppies, they are intelligent enough to start training from a very young age. The earlier you start, the better.
Health traits of a Cavapoo dog
Cavapoos are generally healthy dogs but as a cross-breed, they are susceptible to inherited issues and diseases associated with the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Poodle breeds.
The main conditions to be wary of include the following:
- Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) – symptoms will present as nighttime blindness at first. Your dog’s pupils may also always appear dilated. As the condition progresses, they will also struggle to see in the light as well and can eventually become completely blind
- Cataracts – cataracts are typically hereditary and affect a dog’s vision. Your dog’s lens will become cloudy which interferes with the passage of light, resulting in vision loss. The cataract could just be a small speck that only causes minimal vision loss in one part of the eye, or it could be much bigger, resulting in more severe sight loss
- Ear infections – dogs with very floppy ears, like Cavapoos, are susceptible to ear infections, so regular cleaning is super important to prevent the build-up of wax and debris
- Dental issues – all dogs are prone to dental problems, so brushing their teeth regularly is super important. You should use vet-approved toothpaste and brush at least a couple of times a week but preferably once a day
- Luxating patella – a disease that affects their legs and is a common cause of ‘slipping knees,’ which is hereditary in making Cavapoos likely to inherit it too. The knees basically slip out of place, affecting movement and causing pain. The condition is very common in small breeds, especially cross breeds
While these conditions are a potential risk, they are not guaranteed and a well-looked-after, healthy and happy Cavapoo will live a long, happy life.
How long does a Cavapoo dog live?
There are lots of contributing factors to lifespan, including diet, exercise, pre-existing conditions, and other issues related to old age.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Poodles are both breeds that tend to live long, healthy lives, with Cavalier King Charles Spaniels living between 9 and 14 years and Poodles living between 12 and 15 years.
The Cavapoo breed will live on average between 12 and 15 years depending on health and lifestyle factors such as inherited diseases, diet, and exercise.
How to take care of a Cavapoo dog
Exercising
Cavapoos are excitable dogs, and while they’re relatively small, they still require daily exercise. This should include at least one walk a day and some playtime such as fetch or other indoor or outdoor games.
These dogs love to please, engaging them in lots of retrieval games that will bring them lots of praise and treats. This is a great way to introduce some exercise into their routine and stimulate them mentally.
Training
The Cavapoo breed is very intelligent and inquisitive, thanks to their parentage. As a result, they learn very quickly, so training them is a breeze if done properly.
They love to please their owners too, so they’re quick to pick up tricks and respond very well to positive reinforcement. By turning their training into a fun experience rewarded with treats and praise is the best way to go.
As long as you start early with socializing them, house training, and other commands, your Cavapoo will be very well-behaved.
Grooming
Their fur is typically short with soft waves or tighter curls, but it can grow quite quickly to become very fluffy and even matted, so regular grooming is important.
Due to their Poodle parentage, they are less likely to shed very much, but it is still recommended that you brush their coat once a week to remove any dead hair and keep it in good condition.
To protect their teeth from dental issues, their teeth must be cleaned a couple of times a week or preferably once a day. You should do this as soon as you bring your Cavapoo puppy home so they become comfortable with the experience.
You should also try to trim their nails each month to keep them from growing too long and sharp. Their long floppy ears are prone to wax and debris build-up which can lead to infections, so you should clean them a couple of times a week.
The average price of a Cavapoo dog
Cavapoos are generally pretty pricey, particularly as Poodle hybrids have grown significantly in popularity in recent years.
The cost of purchasing a Cavapoo puppy can vary quite a lot depending on the breeder and other factors like appearance and lineage.
On average, the price of a Cavapoo puppy can range from $1,000 to $2,000. The price will depend on certain factors such as parentage, vet care, quality of breeding, and more.
While these dogs are incredibly popular, plenty of Cavapoos are abandoned or put up for adoption each year. So, if you have the opportunity to rescue a Cavapoo, this would not only help a pup in need, but it will also be a much cheaper option than buying from a breeder.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Cavapoos yappy?
Cavapoos are pretty small dogs, so they are prone to ‘small dog syndrome,’ which can include excessive barking. This can be easily avoided with firm training from a young age.
This breed likes lots of attention, so you may find they bark when bored or left alone. In fact, Cavapoos do tend to suffer with separation anxiety which can lead to lots of excessive barking. That being said, if you train your Cavapoo from an early age this should be less of an issue.
Are Cavapoos good family pets?
Cavapoos have wonderful temperaments and don’t possess any toxic personality traits. They don’t tend to get jealous or possessive.
Cavapoos are gentle and loving dogs that love cuddles, affection, and playtime, making them great dogs to include in a family environment.
They’re also very loyal and love playing with children, although small children should never be left unsupervised with dogs under any circumstances.
Should I get a girl or boy Cavapoo?
There’s not a huge difference between male and female Cavapoos, but there are a couple of behavioral differences to think about.
Males tend to present more territorial and can be a little unruly during heat as a puppy, and you will find they try to hump anything and everything, which can be an issue.
Females are much more assertive than males though, so if it’s a more docile dog you’re after, you might want to think about getting a boy Cavapoo.
What is the diet of a Cavapoo?
Cavapoos are active, ‘busy’ dogs that love to run around and play. As a result, they need lots of nutritional foods that will keep them energized and healthy.
They should be predominantly fed high-quality dry food, but as a hybrid breed, they also have complex nutritional needs. So, you may find a dry kibble that is made specifically for hybrids that will suit them best.
You should ensure that your Cavapoo gets a good mix of healthy fats and carbohydrates, meat-based protein, and micronutrients to keep them happy and healthy.
Final Say
Cavapoos are incredibly cute and make an excellent addition to family homes. Their playful, friendly personalities make them great with children and other pets. They’re naturally very loyal dogs, so they also make great companions.
Their smaller size means they can inhabit smaller living spaces such as apartments and condos, but they are very energetic, so you would have to take them outside for regular walks to combat this.
Compared to other designer dog breeds, Cavapoos are actually much more affordable in comparison so if cost is a major factor for you; this breed is a good option.
Overall, Cavapoos make an excellent pet for most people. Their adaptable nature and eagerness to please make them ideal pets.
The only major concern to consider is the fact that they’re prone to experiencing separation anxiety. So, if you know you’ll likely need to spend a lot of your time at work or otherwise occupied, it would be unfair to leave a Cavapoo alone for very long periods, and they would likely bark excessively, upsetting your neighbors.
