The time feels right for us, as an active family of four, to open our hearts and home to a four-legged, furry friend. Having extensively researched which breed of dog would be right for us, based on our current lifestyle and the age of our children, we have finally decided that a Cavapoo puppy would be the perfect addition to our family.
Here we will tell you everything you need to know about Cavapoo dogs. Cavapoos are a crossbreed between a Poodle and a King Charles Cavalier Spaniel. They are cute in appearance, have low shedding fur and sweet temperaments, making Cavapoos the perfect pet for families, seniors and singletons alike.
It is important, when choosing a dog, that you do not base your buying decision solely on looks. Temperament, height, exercise, affection and the amount of fur they shed are all factors that should be considered when researching specific types of dog.
Below we will tell you the pros (of which there are many) and the cons (of which there are few), to owning a Cavapoo. Read on to find out more!
What is a Cavapoo?
The Cavapoo is one of the oldest ‘doodle’ dogs and is an excellent combination of two hardy breeds – the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Miniature or Toy Poodle. Originally bred in America in the 1950’s, these designer dogs have become incredibly popular across the globe over the last 20 years.
Whilst some Cavapoos may take more traits from their Poodle parent, others may inherit many physical features from the King Charles Cavalier Spaniel side. It is therefore important that you research your dog’s ancestry to fully understand its character and behavior.
Crossbreed dogs such as Cavapoos are labelled according to their generation, with F1, F2 and F1b being the most popular. To find out more about what these ‘labels’ mean check out our informative guide to crossbreed Cavapoos.
It’s hard not to fall fast for the charms of a Cavapoo, or a Cavadoodle/Cavoodle/Cavoo as they are otherwise known. With their round faces, floppy ears, curly coats and endearing large eyes, they are incredibly cute to look at. But depending on their lineage, there are subtle differences within the breed that can change the temperament and appearance of your Cavapoo puppy.
Cavapoos are now bred to come in several colors and patterns, including chestnut, black, tricolor, white and gold.
Why Cavapoos are the best breed ever
Although it is assumed (and for the most part proven) that Cavapoos take the best traits from their crossbred parents, it goes without saying that all dogs have their own personalities. However, Cavapoos are renowned for their adorable appearance and sweet nature and on the whole, it is fair to assume the following too:
Low shedding fur
Although Cavapoos can have different fur types, depending on which genes they inherit, most have a curly or wavy coat. This makes them great pets for those who suffer with allergies as they tend to shed less hair. However, please note that these dogs are not hypoallergenic as some other websites state.
A Cavapoo will molt to a certain degree, but the amount of hair they shed depends on how much Spaniel and how much Poodle the pup has inherited. Puppies who have more Spaniel genes will shed more, while puppies with a greater number of Poodle genes will shed less. If you are an allergy sufferer and wold like to know if a Cavapoo would be a good dog for you, then read these blog posts for further information – Are Cavapoos hypoallergenic? and Do Cavapoos shed their fur?
A Cavapoo requires constant brushing, especially in the summer months when they are likely to be moulting more. This is something that you can undertake yourself at home, as it helps with bonding, however, regular grooming every 4-6 weeks is highly recommended.
Long life expectancy
Cavapoos may be big on personality but they are small in stature and this plays in their favor when it comes to longevity. Crossbreeds are also known to have longer life spans than those which are often in-bred. And, as a Cavapoo “parents” boast fairly long life spans (with the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel living up to 11-13 years, and a Poodle able to reach the grand old age of 15 years), the average lifespan for a Cavapoo is 10 to 15 years. This is obviously based on a dog which has a healthy and active lifestyle.
Enjoy mental stimulation and exercise
Cavapoos are very energetic, but unlike their close Cockapoo relatives who are constantly on the go, Cavapoos have a more laid back nature. This makes sense as Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are popular for being great lap dogs. What a Cavapoo does require, however, is plenty of mental stimulation as well as exercise. Given their size, these small balls of fluff just love a play in the park, a forage through the forest or a hike up a hill – especially if there is a ball to chase and a reward at the end of it. This combination of mental and physical ability is what makes Cavapoos especially good for agility and obedience training.
Sweet temperament
Cavapoos are renowned for having kind, gentle, sensitive souls but they are also incredibly inquisitive too. Affectionate with a capital ‘A’, you will find that Cavapoos are incredibly loving and devoted to their owners, although they are also good at socialising with other doggy friends as well.
Highly intelligent
These dogs not only have the looks but the brains too. And, because Cavapoos are so eager to please, training them is often a breeze. Quick to pick up commands through positive reinforcements, these fast learners can even perform a trick or two.
Not too vocal
Although you want your dog to alert you to any potential strangers there is nothing worse than a dog that barks excessively all day and night. Luckily the Cavapoo has the balance between watchdog and nap dog exactly right.
Things to consider when buying a Cavapoo
Like all dogs, Cavapoos do come with a small set of challenges which may rule this breed out for certain people. As they are quite demanding you do need to make sure that you have both the time and energy to dedicate to your Cavapoo companion.
Other reasons which may dissuade you from buying a Cavapoo could include: –
Weight gain
Quite often your Cavapoo only needs to cock its head to one side and flutter its imploring eyes at you in order to get what it wants. But too much of a good thing, especially treats, can often be bad for them. Cavapoos are prone to weight gain issues, so as a responsible owner it is up to you to ensure that it keeps to a healthy diet. Or at least eats everything in moderation.
Gaining too much weight can cause various health issues including joint pain and other serious conditions that may be challenging and expensive to manage. You should also bear in mind that although these dogs do not require excessive exercise, they do need walking regularly. Therefore, if you are someone who works away from home during the day or lacks the time required to exercise a Cavapoo properly, then this breed is probably not for you.
House training needs
Puppy training any dog is not for the faint hearted as it takes a strong stomach and an iron like persistence to toilet train a dog. Although Cavapoos are intelligent you will need to ensure that you have plenty of patience, time and consistency in order to get the right message across. If you need some help, take a look at our top tips for toilet training your Cavapoo.
Overly-clingy
Like other breeds such as Labradors and Golden Retrievers, Cavapoos are often devoted to their owners. But, sometimes this overly-loving behavior can turn into a possessive trait. And although they thrive around people and slightly older children, they do not cope well with just their own company. Therefore, if you work long hours or spend a lot of time away from the home, this can cause your pet pooch anxiety and even behavioural issues which can be hard to correct.
Like owner, like dog
Cavapoos are suited to many different types of owners from active retirees to families and singletons who work from home.
Seniors make fabulous Cavapoo owners as they have plenty of time to dedicate to their pet and can take them for frequent walks whilst making the most of their happy demeanor. Families with slightly older children will also benefit from owning this breed as they will have the energy and enthusiasm to help walk, play and train a Cavapoo dog.
These dogs have little prey drive, so if you already own other animals then a Cavapoo is likely to be very accommodating of your furry pets.
Those with young children and babies, however, should consider waiting until the kids reach a more independent age, as Cavapoos require a lot of time and dedication from the owners. As these dogs are small, you also need to take care when handling them as their bones are fragile.
Conclusion
Cavapoos are a great choice of breed for first time dog owners because they are so amenable and sweet natured. We are completely sold on the idea of owning a Cavapoo and feel that their loveable, friendly and outgoing nature will fit in well with our active family lifestyle. Intelligent, people-oriented and easy to train we cannot wait to find our forever dog. We hope you will join us on our Cavapoo journey.