Cavapoo Breed Information
One of Dogdom’s sweetheart dogs, the Cavapoo was made to be loved. Cavapoos are a beautiful hybrid dog breed that mixes the Cavalier King Charles spaniel with the Miniature or Toy Poodle.
Like their parents, Cavapoo puppies are very intelligent and eager to please their owners. And they are just as easy to train as they are to love. They are sweet, kind-hearted dogs at the very core.
What you can expect from this toy breed is a companion pet that loves to play, cuddle, and spread joy. This pooch is very friendly and easy to care for, making it an excellent companion for any owner or family. The toy size of the Cavapoo is just right for apartment life, while their kind personalities are a great fit for families with children.
BREED TYPE / MIX
Doodle Hybrid / Poodle crossed with a Cavalier King Charles
ENERGY
Moderate
SHEDDING
Minimum
TRAINING
Responsive
TEMPERAMENT
Intelligent, Loving, Social
ADULT WEIGHT
8-20 lbs
ADULT HEIGHT
9-14 in
LIFE SPAN
12-15 yrs
Characteristics
- Cavapoos are a mixed breed of dogs – they are a cross between a Cavalier King Charles spaniel and a Miniature or Toy Poodle
- The breed is also commonly known as Cavoodle, Cavadoodle, Cavoo, and Cavipoo
- Among the breed’s most loved features are their unique looks, kind nature, and high intelligence
- Cavapoo puppies are easy to train and care for, making them a great choice for novice owners
- Hypoallergenic Cavapoo coats shed minimally, making these dogs a good fit for allergy sufferers
- Cavapoos have a friendly nature. They get along well with other dogs, cats, and strangers
- Kids and Cavapoo dogs make an excellent pair of friends. These dogs are not reactive or aggressive and make quite wonderful companion pets for small children
Appearance
A truly beautiful designer dog, the Cavapoo mixes the most adorable features of the Cavalier King Charles spaniel and the Poodle. As a mixed breed, the Cavapoo dog doesn’t have a standard when it comes to looks, and this makes them quite unique compared to other dogs. There are some features that all Cavipoos share, like their cute floppy ears and little dark noses, but things like their size, coat type, and colors can vary from one puppy to another.
Being a hybrid of two different dogs, Cavapoos are sometimes bred through more than one generation. They can be a mix between a Cavalier King Charles spaniel and a Mini or Toy Poodle, which makes them an F1 generation, or a mix between a Cavapoo and a Mini or Toy Poodle, which makes them an F1b generation. There is also a third generation that mixes two Cavapoos, but this is quite rare.
The Cavapoo’s generations have a big say in what the puppies will look like. F1s are typically the largest variety. F1 Cavapoos can have straight, wavy, or curly coats depending on which parent they take after more. Unlike F1s, f1b Cavapoos have a wavier or curlier coat and a smaller size. Both the coat and the small size are due to the backcross with the Poodle.
The Cavapoo size is most often toy or miniature, but it can also be standard, which is a bit larger than the miniature variety. Most dogs in the breed will weigh between 8 and 20 pounds and reach a height of 9 to 14 inches in adulthood.
Cavapoo colors are white, black, chocolate, brown, apricot, dark red, Blenheim, golden, black and white, merle, cream, and blue merle.
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Temperament
Cavapoos are one of the best-tempered dogs in the world, having the sweetest behavior around others. They are the type of dogs that thrive in a loving setting where cuddles and attention are what they get. They’re very friendly and playful and lack any trace of aggressive behavior.
Most Cavapoo dogs have a relaxed and open personality, especially when meeting new people, but they can also be shy or reserved if they don’t receive proper socialization during puppyhood. They are happy to make new friends at the dog park and are great with other pets at home.
When it comes to kids, they may be the best breed there is for families. Their playfulness and kind nature are a perfect fit for toddlers, while their loyalty and love for games make them just right for older kids. They are not a reactive breed, which makes them even more ideal for children of all ages.
Another great personality trait that Cavapoos have, is their attentive nature. Because their personality is so kind and cuddly, they can easily be trained for therapy work. They have a natural instinct toward sensing when someone needs help, which makes them ideal candidates for the job. Cheering others up is one of their biggest qualities.
Care
Grooming
Cavapoo grooming at home is easy, given their low-shedding coats and small size. All you need to do is brush their coats a few times per week to ensure they don’t start forming knots or tangles. If you opt for a Cavapoo puppy cut, you can brush your dog for as little as once per week. Cavapoos with longer or curlier hair may require you to brush them more frequently as they are more prone to matting of the hair. Haircuts may be required more frequently if you choose a short cut for your pet.
Other steps you need to take to keep your Cavapoos happy and looking their best, are to bathe them once every month or two and clip their nails short so they don’t cause pain or damage to the nailbed. They also need to have their teeth brushed regularly, preferably daily, to ensure they have excellent dental hygiene.
Exercise Needs
Cavapoos are a moderately energetic breed that often does best in a more relaxed lifestyle. Although they like their daily walks and activities, they are bigger fans of a laid-back lifestyle. Some Cavapoo dogs may be more energetic than others, craving adventures like hikes and bike runs, but most will do best with a few indoor activities and one or two daily walks.
Puzzles and games like hide-and-seek are also a great way to exercise your Cavapoo puppy or dog. Since this is a highly intelligent dog breed, mental stimulation is quite beneficial. It not only keeps your pet from getting bored but also acts as a fun activity to keep their minds active.
Health
Mixed-breed dogs like the Cavapoo are among the healthiest pets you can have. Thanks to careful breeding practices, Cavapoos benefit from hybrid vigor, which means they are healthier and more resilient than their purebred parents.
Breeding two purebred dogs with good health records is something reputable breeders do in order to produce healthy offspring. A mixed gene pool typically means that certain health problems are canceled out and the offspring live longer healthier lives.
Although Cavapoos are not completely immune to health issues, the ones that they do encounter are usually non-life-threatening. Some of these include hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, cataracts, dental issues, allergies, and ear infections.
Lifespan
Much like their parents, Cavapoos live long lives. Most Cavapoos have an average lifespan of 12 to 15 years, but there are some that reach as much as 18 years of age. Both Cavalier Spaniels and Toy or Miniature Poodles have long lifespans, often reaching up to 18-20 years of age.
To ensure your Cavoodle puppy lives a long, good life, it is essential that you provide them with a balanced diet and a set routine for daily exercise. Raising your puppy in a warm, loving environment will also help them develop well and reach their senior years healthy.
Training
Training your Cavapoo will be one of those things you will love doing with your new puppy. Given their eagerness to make you happy, and their high intelligence, training will not only be easy but also fun. Cavapoo puppies adore attention and bonding moments, and training sessions give them the best of both. All you need to do to succeed in training your Cavapoo puppy is to offer rewards and positive reinforcement and to be patient while your pup learns. This breed is easy to train.
One of the things you need to be most patient about is potty training. Accidents will happen, as they often do with all small puppies. Because they are so small, they can’t hold the need to go potty, and will likely have accidents around the house. Potty training your Cavapoo can take up to a few weeks.
Although they hardly need it, socialization training is beneficial to all dogs, even very friendly ones like the Cavapoo. When you socialize your puppy, you offer them good experiences. You also pave the way for a smooth transition from puppyhood to well-behaved adulthood.
Cavapoos are smart dogs that you will have no problem training. All you need to do is be patient, and they will do the rest. Basic commands will be easy for them, as will more advanced training lessons. Just remember to start early and practice daily.
History
Cavapoos are a small breed of hybrid dogs that originated in Australia a little over 30 years ago, and unlike their purebred parents, have a not-so-well-documented history. The cross between the Cavalier King Charles spaniel and the Poodle was done intentionally to create a new breed with the features of Cavaliers and the hypoallergenic qualities of the Poodle.
Crossing two purebred dogs yielded many more benefits than the looks and hypoallergenic qualities that were strived for at the beginning. Cavapoos are healthier than their parents, especially those that are carefully bred.
They have a combination of amazing personality traits that come from both parents and are known for their superior intelligence.
Poodles and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels were chosen for this hybrid mix for good reason. Poodles are the smartest dogs in the world, a trait that Cavapoos possess and show often in training. Cavalier spaniels are lovey-dovey toy dogs that have the looks, brains, and personalities to charm anyone. Putting them together and creating the Cavapoo mix was indeed an achievement.
Although they originated in Australia, Cavapoos were quick to journey the world and find popularity. In the short time they have been around, they have become one of the most loved mixed breeds of our time. They are the favorite pets of celebrities, popular stars on social media, and most importantly, cherished pets for millions of people worldwide.
