The cavapoo will capture your attention with their friendly demeanor and adorable good looks. Not only are they adorable, but they are incredibly affectionate and will fill your life with joy for years to come if you choose one to be your companion.
Origin and History
The cavapoo is a mixed-breed dog that is a blend of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Poodle. Although the cavapoo designer breed may have evolved organically over time, in the late 1990s, designer breeders in Australia began purposely combining the two parent breeds intentionally to produce the mix.
Breeders aimed to combine the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel's extroverted and calmer disposition with the intellect of a Poodle. Because Poodles shed less than other breeds, they were chosen to help establish a mixed breed for allergy sufferers. In fact, this is partially why so many Poodle mixes are popular today. As demand for mixed-breed puppies grew, breeders continued to produce cavapoos.
Designer Mix Characteristics
Although size and coat types range widely among cavapoos, the mix is known to be a well-rounded, friendly designer dog with a fun-loving personality.
Appearance
Because the cavapoo is a relatively new designer breed, there are no actual size guidelines. Generally, cavapoos are small to medium, depending on the size of the Poodle parent.
The majority weigh 9 to 25 pounds and stand 9 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder. However, many do not fit this range of sizes and can be smaller or larger.
Cavapoos can have three different coat types:
- Hair: A wiry, tough coat that barely sheds and resembles that of a terrier. This coat type requires the least amount of grooming.
- Fleece: A loose, wavy coat that requires grooming more often and is less allergy-friendly than the other types.
- Wool: A tightly curled coat that most resembles that of the Poodle. It's low-shed and very allergy-friendly.
Cavapoos come in a variety of colors:
- Cream
- Fawn
- Chocolate
- Gold
- Chestnut
- White
They can be solid colors, although they are most commonly chestnut and white, or even tri-colored.
Temperament
Cavapoos have become increasingly popular as a result of their friendly and appealing disposition. Because of their outgoing, playful, and friendly demeanor, they're a popular family dog. However, the Cavapoo is not a dog who tolerates being alone well, and if not properly socialized, they may develop severe separation anxiety.
Training
Cavapoos are not fond of harsh voices, severe training methods, or conflict. Because of their great intelligence, they are easy to train and respond well to positive reinforcement. A calm, gentle approach to any disobedience will get you the desired result faster than a harsh or severe reply. Positive reinforcement is key with all breeds, but with this mix, it's particularly important.
When left alone, your cavapoo may engage in destructive habits such as chewing furniture and shoes or searching through the garbage if they have not been properly trained.
Exercise Requirements
Cavapoos are prone to obesity, and if they do not maintain a healthy weight, they may have heart problems. Make sure your dog gets at least one decent half-hour to hour-long walk every day, with some energetic play sessions and shorter walks thrown in.
Agility, treasure hunts, and activities like hide-and-seek keep your cavapoo in shape physically and mentally while simultaneously reinforcing vital social bonds.
Health
The cavapoo is prone to some of the same health issues as the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Poodle.
- Patellar Luxation: A kneecap condition that is painful and sometimes requires surgery to correct.
- Mitral valve disease: A heart murmur caused by leakage into the mitral valve. This condition can develop into congestive heart failure.
- Hip dysplasia: A congenital hip problem that can cause pain and lead to difficulty walking.
- Progressive retinal atrophy: A degenerative disease that affects the photoreceptor cells in the eyes. If left untreated, it will lead to blindness.
- Tracheal collapse: A problem that causes the trachea rings to lose rigidity and strength.
Both parent breeds are prone to joint problems, such as hip dysplasia and patellar luxation, which occurs when the kneecap pops out of position. According to VCA Hospitals, many small and toy breeds have a genetic tendency to develop luxating patella.
Lifespan
Cavapoos are happy, healthy dogs that live for an average of 10 to 15 years, but have been known to live for considerably longer.
Grooming
Their coats are normally short, silky, and wavy or curly. However, they can grow to be rather fluffy and need to be groomed on a regular basis. Cavapoos are less prone to shedding as a result of their Poodle parentage, which is why some allergy sufferers find cavapoos to be a good fit. Brushing your cavapoo's coat once a week should help them stay in good condition.
Prepare for ongoing grooming and set aside funds for this vital component of upkeep. Grooming may help prevent infections of the ears, eyes, and skin, so it's a crucial part of your dog's health that shouldn't be disregarded.
Fun Facts About the Cavapoo
Even though cavapoos are beginning to gain in popularity, there are still tidbits you may not be aware of:
- The cavapoo may also be referred to as cavadoodle, cavoodle, cava-doodle, and cavipoodle.
- Cavapoos function as PTSD dogs, trauma dogs, depression dogs, and therapy dogs because they are easily trained and responsive to companions' needs.
- They form a strong bond with their humans quite quickly.
- Since the cavapoo is descended from two hunting breeds, it's probable that they have a strong prey drive.
Purchasing or Adopting a Cavapoo
If you're looking for a cavapoo puppy, a good place to start is the Cavapoo Club. The group has a breeder directory as well as helpful tips on how to find responsible breeders with quality dogs. The AKC Marketplace page also has a breeder search. Expect to pay around $1,200 to $1,500, although dogs from popular breeders can cost as much as $2,000.
Rescue Organizations
If you're searching for a rescue, you can begin by searching the directories on PetFinder and Save-a-Rescue. You can also search these breed-specific rescue organizations:
- Cavalier Crazy Rescue: This nonprofit rescue locates Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and cavapoos and adopts them to good homes throughout Utah.
- Carolina Poodle Rescue: A private rescue group that helps poodles, poodle mixes, and other small dogs in South Carolina.
- Doodle Rescue Collective: A volunteer rescue network locating and adopting cavapoos among other small breeds throughout the United States.
Is this the Mix for You?
Cavapoos are bright dogs who are easy to train. They bring vibrancy, enthusiasm, and allergy-friendly outerwear to the table. In so many respects, this hybrid between the Poodle and the King Charles Spaniel makes a lovely addition to the family. Look no farther than the cavapoo for a constant friend who will not only snuggle you but also entertain you with their fun-loving personality.
