Have you seen or heard about the Cavoodle, and you’re curious to know if it’s the perfect dog breed for you, your family, and your home?
Great news! I’ve got all the answers you’ve been looking for.
The Cavoodle is a cute and furry crossbreed dog that enjoys spending time with its family. This affectionate and lively pet is great for families with kids of any age group.
If you’re looking for a dog with a long lifespan and a few health issues, then the Cavoodle could be suitable for you and your family.
There’s a whole lot of things you need to know about a Cavoodle if you’re really interested in getting it. This guide will discuss the Cavoodle’s appearance, health, temperament, basic care, costs, and other essential facts.
Keep reading as I’ll give you detailed and accurate information that will greatly influence your decision to get this breed.
Now, let’s dive into details!
What Is a Cavoodle?
The Cavoodle, also known as the Cavapoo, is a hybrid cross between the Toy or Miniature Poodle and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. This little designer dog is so gentle, loving, eager to please, and enjoys the company, including children and other household pets.
No wonder its reputation as the most popular breed in Australia over the past decade. Even breeders had to increase breeding numbers to meet the great demand for these adorable dogs.
With the charm of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the intelligence of the Mini Poodle, the Cavapoo is a smart pooch who responds positively to socialization and training.
Even though this breed is prone to certain health issues, the crossbreeding that produced the Cavoodle means it is typically healthier than its purebred parents.
History and Origin: Where Does the Cavoodle Come from?
The Cavoodle was actually first created in the United States sometime in the 1950s. At that time, breeders were trying to develop a hypoallergenic, low-shedding breed and experimented by breeding different dog breeds with a Poodle.
They discovered that both the Cavalier Spaniel and Poodle has a lower tendency for causing allergies in their owners. The result between the Poodle and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breeds became the Cavoodle we know and adore today!
After some time, the breed made its way to the United Kingdom and eventually got to Australia, thriving as one of the most loved pets. Breeders in Australia started to breed Cavoodles in the 1990s.
The breed was rapidly recognized and registered with clubs and societies for crossbred dogs such as the American Canine Hybrid Club, the International Designer Canine Registry, and more.
However, they are not recognized by any of the major international kennel clubs, including other designers and hybrid breeds.
Both Toy and Miniature Poodles can be crossed with the Charles Spaniel. However, due to the Toy Poodles’ higher susceptibility to hereditary diseases, it’s recommended to use only the Miniature Poodles during the crossing.
Although the Cavapoo is still a work in progress, the need for a hypoallergenic, adorable, low-shedding, and intelligent canine is bound to keep this breed trendy for many years to come.
Controversy on Mixed Breed Dogs Like Cavoodle
The creation of mixed breed dogs has always sparked controversy in the dog world. Many people have strong views on breed purity as they consider crossbreeds as nothing more than mutts.
However, breeders of hybrid breeds argue that they are only adding vigor to the genetics of breeds they consider have been bred too closely for years past.
Considering the Cavoodle crossbreed, most people believe their advantages outweigh their weaknesses. The unique and beautiful look of these designer dogs, coupled with their adaptability with families, makes them successful breeds in the eyes of many.
Furthermore, careful crossbreeding was ensured during the creation of the Cavapoos, and this actually lowered the chances of inheriting acute genetic conditions from their parents. For this reason, Cavoodle dogs are very much healthier dog breeds even more than some purebred dogs.
Because of the intense controversy of these hybrid dogs generate, some people often overlook the good sides and strongly argue their deficiencies. Truth be told, these crossbreeds, including the Cavoodle, inherit many congenital health issues from their parents.
This happens when both parents are carriers of one or more of the same genetic problems. Some of these congenital health issues are epilepsy, eye diseases, hip dysplasia, amongst others.
Other subjects of controversy on hybrid dogs include their expensive costs, high-risk deliveries, and so on. The fact that there are positives as well as negatives only fuels this breed controversy. But many cross breeders usually downplay the significance of these negative aspects.
In the end, crossbreeding is very much similar to breeding purebreds. It’s just very imperative for cross breeders to select only the healthiest and moderate-sized dogs (Miniature Poodles in the case of the Cavoodle) to use as breeding stock.
And then eventually make sure that each puppy produced goes to a loving and caring family.
What Does the Cavoodle Look Like?
Since Cavoodles are a mixed breed and not a show breed, there is no breed standard for them. In spite of this, they do have some very common characteristics.
The most distinguishing physical characteristic of this hybrid dog is its coat. The parents of this breed (the Poodle and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel) have a luxurious coat, which means the Cavapoo’s coat is always luxurious. The coat may be either feathered or curly in texture.
The Cavoodle’s body is shorter in height than average, but frequently longer from head to tail due to the influence of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
It has a darker facial color relative to its body marking and often bears apricot shades, red, black, or brown with white markings.
The ears often set well right above the eyes and usually hang low past its chin. The Cavapoo’s neck is a little elongated and bends to its straight back. It has a long tail and often hangs easily past the hocks.
Cavapoos generally have round, large, and expressive eyes that may have growing hairs above them, which can be trimmed.
The length of their muzzle ranges from short to medium with a scissor bite, but slightly overextended jaws are common due to the influence of short-faced Cavalier King Charles Spaniels in the creation of this breed.
How Big Do Cavoodles Get When Fully Grown?
Cavoodles are widely known for being small dogs; that’s part of their charm! They come in two different sizes, depending on the Poodle used during crossbreeding – Toy or Miniature Cavoodles.
The smaller Cavoodle size who have a Toy Poodle background has a height of 11 to 14 inches at the shoulder when fully grown. Toy Cavapoos also don’t weigh more than 13 pounds when they reach adulthood.
The bigger of the two sizes who have a Miniature Poodle lineage have a height that ranges from 13 to 16 inches. The Mini-sized Adult Cavoodle can reach 18 inches in height and 27 pounds in weight when fully grown.
How Many Colors Available for Cavoodle?
The Cavoodle is a crossbreed dog that has no written breed standard; therefore, it comes in a wide range of beautiful colors. They can come available in any color the parents carry or exhibit.
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniels has four different colors, including tricolor, ruby, Blenheim, and black and tan.
The Poodle comes in much more diverse colors, including apricot, blue, brown, black, cream, chocolate, caramel, red, silver and white.
The most popular and unique colors of the Cavapoo are:
Red, Ruby, or Chestnut Cavoodle
Out of all colors of this hybrid breed, this color is by far the most popular and requested from Cavoodle dog breeders. The shades of these Cavapoos vary from a deep ruby red color or chestnut.
Photo from @alfie_and_winnie (IG)
The ruby-red colored dogs are likely to have a consistent color all through their lifespan. However, dogs with lighter red variants tend to fade off eventually as the puppy grows.
Black Cavoodle
This color is arguably the strongest and dominant among the Cavapoo breed. It can also come with a few white streaks.
Photo from @theo.the.poo (IG)
Black and White Cavoodle
The white streaks, combined with black, make it less difficult to maintain when compared to white dogs. It’s very unusual to find this color among the Cavoodle breed.
Photo from @cavapoo_benny (IG)
Black and Tan Cavoodle
This color is usually a result of black and red or ruby parents. It can also be a chestnut, pair of Cavapoo parents, and may also come with few white streaks.
Photo from @buna_the_cavapoo (IG)
Tri-Colored Cavoodle
Tri-colored Cavoodle is often a mixture of white, black and chestnut, with white dominating.
Photo from @kobe_kingdom (IG)
Chocolate and Latte Cavoodle
This color is similar to the red or ruby; the darker the color, the more likely they tend to maintain it as an adult.
Photo from @_willowthecavapoo_ (IG)
Blenheim Cavoodle
This color initially involves a combination of white and red or ruby streaks. But as the puppy grows, the red or ruby color begins to change and eventually result in a cream or gold color.
Photo from @misswafflethecavapoo (IG)
Cavoodle Temperament: Do Cavoodles Make Good Family Dogs?
Cavoodles are popularly known for their gentle and sweet nature. They are intelligent and friendly pooches that are sociable and easy-going since both of its parents possess these traits.
Also, their patience and efforts to protect their family members make them very good family dogs. They bond with their owners, often available to cuddle, eager to please, and get along with everyone.
These hybrid dogs love to join their family in activities that may include playing games at home or outside the home, such as walking, running, and more.
They also do well to adapt while on family holidays, and they do not give their family members unnecessary stress about being away from their usual surroundings.
Cavapoos really crave validation and affection from their family members. They always wish to please and do everything possible enough to make sure that their owner is happy.
This need to please is also part of the reason Cavoodles are so nice to train. Their great learning drive is boosted by their innate enthusiasm to do right by their family.
Wondering what is it like to own a Cavapoo puppy? Watch this video!
Day In The Life Of My Two Cavapoo Puppies | Archie & Alfred The Cavapoo<a href="https://youtu.be/JzE2ylylKxM" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><img src="https://www.bubblypet.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-youtube-lyte/lyteCache.php?origThumbUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FJzE2ylylKxM%2F0.jpg" alt="Day In The Life Of My Two Cavapoo Puppies | Archie &amp; Alfred The Cavapoo" width="1280" height="700" /><br />Watch this video on YouTube</a>
Veterinarians and other dog professionals often recommend Cavoodles as a family pet due to their gentle and friendly atmosphere around children.
They are pooches that are very tolerant of children’s playfulness and will often endure the most annoying behaviors from children.
Although they are not a snappy breed as such, they too have limits on what they will put up with, just like we humans.
So it’s very important that young children are carefully supervised while playing with them, especially when the dog is still young and fragile. If you need a dog breed that bonds well with children, then you should consider getting a Cavoodle.
Speaking of Cavapoos temperament towards other dogs and animals, we can say they get along very well with them due to their natural social nature.
They even do much better when other breeds and animals are introduced to them while still very young.
Generally, it’s easier to bring a new puppy into a home with established dogs as they hardly see the puppy as a threat to their own position in the pack.
Even with the Cavoodle’s gentle and easy-going nature, they usually create an impression that the other dogs are not at the bottom of the pack.
However, when bringing a new dog breed in with a Cavapoo, you need to ensure strict supervision, especially when the dog or animal has a territorial nature. When supervision starts early, Cavapoos will blend into a home with an established pet more rapidly.
These hybrid dogs’ low exercise requirement makes them able to fit in small homes with little or no yard. Notwithstanding, they so much enjoy and benefit from a walk, especially Cavoodles staying in units and apartments.
It’s really a plus if Cavapoos live with a younger, active family, and they will even spend time on the couch watching TV with the family.
Keep in mind that Cavapoos can have a propensity to want a great amount of attention and special treatment. This is because one of its parents, the Poodle, also has this character.
Cavoodles nearly excel in all aspects; therefore, they’re almost perfect family dogs!
Cavoodle Health Concerns
Cavoodles are generally healthier than many purebred dogs, especially when created from Mini Poodles. This is because they tend to have serious health problems if Toy Poodles are used with the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel to create them.
Nevertheless, Cavoodles are still prone to some medical conditions and illnesses that an owner should be informed about. A Cavapoo can suffer from any of the following conditions during its life:
Hip Dysplasia
Progressive Retinal Atrophy
Degenerative Mitral Valve Disease
Cataracts
Epilepsy
Syringomyelia
Patellar Luxation
Pros and Cons of Owning a Cavoodle
Owning a Cavoodle is quite beautiful and amazing, but it comes with few deficiencies you have to deal with.
Here are the pros and cons of owning a Cavoodle:
Pros
Cavoodles are low-shedding and hypoallergenic dogs.
They are adorable and colorful dogs.
They can easily adapt to a small apartment due to their small size.
They are highly intelligent breeds.
Cavapoos are relatively healthy hybrid dogs.
They get along with people and other pets and animals.
They have excellent temperaments.
They are very easy to train.
Cons
Cavapoos are heat sensitive pets.
They need regular grooming.
They are not suitable for busy owners.
They are not ideal for families with very small kids.
They require a great deal of housetraining and consistency.
They are prone to having dental problems.
This is a video where the Cavapoo owner discusses the pros and cons of the Cavapoo breed. Rememer to watch this video if you are thinking of getting a Cavoodle puppy.
Pros & Cons Of The Cavapoo Breed | Archie The Cavapoo<a href="https://youtu.be/4Sm7PY1JsLk" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><img src="https://www.bubblypet.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-youtube-lyte/lyteCache.php?origThumbUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2F4Sm7PY1JsLk%2F0.jpg" alt="Pros &amp; Cons Of The Cavapoo Breed | Archie The Cavapoo" width="1280" height="700" /><br />Watch this video on YouTube</a>
How to Care for Your Cavoodle’s Basic Needs?
The basic care requirements for this hybrid dog are nearly the same for any other dog breed. So let’s take a look at some essential things involved in caring for your Cavoodle.
Feeding and Diet
Although most Cavapoos are not picky eaters by nature, some of them can be fussier eaters than others. It’s important to stick to the same diet that your pooch has already been adapted to in order to prevent gastric upsets that can be life-threatening in young puppies.
Because of their small size, feeding costs for Cavoodles are generally cheap. If you want to feed them dry food, you should stick with a premium one as Cavapoos usually eat small amounts at a time so the food needs to provide all the nutrition they need.
Avoid purchasing low-grade dry foods because they lack enough nutritional content that will meet a growing puppy’s needs.
To find out more about the specific Cavoodle’s feeding requirement, make sure you reach out to the breeder or previous owner. Ask them the type of food they’ve been feeding the puppy and how many meals per day so your dog can maintain the same diet.
However, if your veterinarian recommends an entirely different kind of food or diet, making a gradual change in their diet is better than a sudden change.
Cleaning and Grooming
The amount of grooming required for your Cavoodle will depend on how much each parents’ genes are expressed.
For instance, Cavoodles with Poodle-like coats will shed less and they require more combing to prevent mats and tangles while Cavoodles with more Cavalier coats will require regular brushing to get rid of dander.
Nevertheless, you will want to comb or brush your puppy regularly, at least once per day, for at least five minutes.
This will not only get them accustomed to the actual brushing procedure but actually make them enjoy and love it. So when the puppy grows to an adult Cavoodle, you won’t have a hard time brushing them.
If you prefer having your dog’s coat unclipped, then keeping a longer coat will require more grooming to avoid mats and knots.
Cavapoos do not need to be washed frequently as this will only remove the natural oils that help keep their coat beautiful and shining. They only need to be washed once a month at most.
In addition, you must keep your Cavoodle’s face and ears clean always. This will eliminate the chances of your dog’s face getting stained or having any infection risk.
It’s also expedient to trim the hair around their mouth and eyes as this will make them more comfortable and keep their face clean.
Exercise
Because Cavoodles are a social and intelligent breed, they require a fair share of exercise. However, a large yard is not necessary for Cavoodles.
They enjoy themselves whenever you take them out for a walk and especially if you visit a dog park or local park, giving them a chance to mingle with other dogs.
These hybrid dogs need different sets of toys that will keep them engaged and mentally stimulated while you’re away from home. Yes, toys really give them some sort of amusement and happiness.
You don’t need to take them on very long walks when they do go out. A short walk of under 30 minutes should just be enough.
This highly intelligent breed gets a lot of mental stimulation during a short walk and quickly catches up a lot about other dogs in the neighborhood.
Training
Training with your Cavoodle will definitely be an enjoyable bonding experience. This is all thanks to the innate intelligence of this breed.
Whenever you teach them new commands, they grab them quickly and respond to them positively, making the training experience more interesting.
Cavoodles do not need forceful or strict training. They are usually obedient pooches, so it makes more sense to train them with much patience and positivity.
Just give them lots of treats and verbal encouragement, then see what happens! You’ll definitely see them more used to the training sessions and even much more responsive.
By the time you’ve established a strong bond with your Cavapoo dog, they will surprise you with their ability to learn new tricks very fast.
It’s also crucial to set up a training routine as this will provide your dog with the mental stimulation they require to be engaged and happy.
The Cavoodle’s small size even makes them very great for indoor obstacle courses as well as other interesting and engaging games.
If you want to know how to potty train your Cavoodle puppy, you must check out this video.
How To Potty Train Your Puppy Using The Bell System | Quick & Easy Potty Training<a href="https://youtu.be/co7NUgGGF4E" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><img src="https://www.bubblypet.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-youtube-lyte/lyteCache.php?origThumbUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2Fco7NUgGGF4E%2F0.jpg" alt="How To Potty Train Your Puppy Using The Bell System | Quick &amp; Easy Potty Training" width="1280" height="700" /><br />Watch this video on YouTube</a>
Wellness Visits
Since Cavoodles’ health does not really give their owners serious concern, they do not need constant trips to the vet. However, they should be taken to the vet for a full physical check-up at least once in a year.
Like any other dog, they will need vaccinations at 6, 12, and 16 weeks old and then a booster every other year.
If you notice any strange development in their health, you should take them to the vet immediately. However, there is a possibility that they don’t develop any diseases throughout their lifetime.
Where to Find Cavoodle Puppies for Sale?
The main goal of every Cavoodle breeder should be to breed healthy companion dogs that have equally amazing temperaments. However, that is not the case these days.
It’s very disturbing that many people fall victim to some breeders that show zero concern for the Cavoodle dog’s health.
To prevent this, I’ve come up with a list of reputable sources where you can find healthy and well-bred puppies.
Lancaster Puppies – PA, Ohio, Indiana, New York, and other states.
Dobralco Silky Terries & Cavapoos – New York
Smooch My Pups – Michigan
Golden Heart Doodles – California
Cathys Doodles and Poodles – Nevada
Pinewood Cavapoos – Washington
Cavoodle Puppy Price & Expenses: Can You Afford a Cavoodle?
Obviously, the popularity and special regard are given to Cavoodles will likely reflect in their price tag. So the question is, “Can you afford one?” You should expect to spend between $1,000 and $2,000 for a Cavoodle puppy from a responsible, reputable, and quality breeder.
Were you surprised about the price? You are not the only one, though. But the price actually looks fair since a lot goes into producing a healthy, quality, and well socialized Cavoodle.
You should be careful about buying a cheap Cavapoo because some might actually have health, temperament, and bloodline issues. Do proper research in case you see an unusually cheap puppy.
The prices of Cavapoo puppies are influenced by factors such as the breeding practices, quality of the parent dogs, the number of generations involved, genetic testing performed, and health care that was given to the puppies.
Apart from the Cavoodle price, you will also need to purchase some essential items such as food, collar, toys, grooming tools, water bowls, harness, and more.
You also need to consider some expenses such as vaccinations, health checks, veterinary expenses, deworming, housing, etc.
Should You Adopt or Buy Your Cavoodle? Tips on How to Find a Healthy Cavoodle
It is recommended to adopt a Cavoodle dog from a shelter or rescue. By doing this, you’re not only saving money, but you’re also giving yourself the chance to save a dog’s life and eventually getting a wonderful family pet.
Most Cavapoos that are up for adoption are not usually puppies but fully grown puppies.
You can find them available for adoption at places like your local humane society or through rescue organizations. You might even be lucky to find rescues that deal mainly with Cavoodles.
Here are some organizations that offer Cavoodles for adoption.
Keystone Puppies – This is an online company that matches buyers with Cavoodles breeders that have Cavapoos for adoption or sale.
NorCal Poodle Rescue – A California based company that rescues Cavapoos, Poodles, and other dogs and offers them for adoption.
Other Similar Dog Mixes and Breeds
There are also dogs mixes and breeds similar to the Cavoodle. They include:
Labradoodle
Sheepadoodle
Schnoodle
Shihpoo
Yorkipoo
The parent that these breeds that in common with the Cavapoo is the Poodle.
Related Questions
Do Cavoodle Shed?
They are low-shedding dogs, which means they don’t shed much. Aside from being low-shedding dogs, Cavoodles are also known for being virtually odourless.
Are Cavoodles Hypoallergenic?
Yes, Cavoodles are hypoallergenic which is one of the reasons for their creation. They have a very low tendency for causing allergies in their owners.
Do Cavoodles Bark a Lot?
Yes, Cavoodles do bark a lot. But their barking can be minimized if they’re properly trained and socialized.
Can Cavoodles Be Left Alone?
You should never leave your Cavoodle alone for long periods of time as they require the company almost throughout the day.
Are Cavoodles Hard to Train?
Cavoodles are generally easy to train because of their innate obedient trait. With enough patience and consistency, training your Cavoodle puppy can be an enjoyable process.
Final Thoughts: Is Cavoodle Right for You?
From new dog owners to experienced dog lovers, the Cavapoo is the perfect breed. They can bond with anyone, young and old, adapt well to any home, and be very easy to train. They are ever ready to please you till you’re satisfied.
There’s nothing to worry about when it comes to daily care. This happy breed gives its owner an amazing all-round experience during walks and training. Their innate qualities just make them easy to care for and even suitable for a variety of lifestyles.
Although their barking tendency can be quite annoying, it can be easily managed by constant exercise and training.
So if you’re looking for a dog who will seamlessly suit your lifestyle, then the Cavapoo is ready to step up to the challenge. Lavish him with care and attention, then you’ll definitely have an excellent family companion.
Comments