A Cavapoo is a beautiful dog with a pleasant disposition that can provide joy and company to you and your family. The adorable, cuddly, teddy bear-looking furry companion is a mixed breed dog between a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Poodle parent.
If you own a Cavapoo, it’s important to understand when your designer dog can get pregnant, how many puppies it can have, and the average size of a Cavapoo litter. Here are some exciting insights on the number of puppies in a Cavapoo litter and some top tips for if your dog is pregnant.
A Cavapoo puppy can be pretty expensive, ranging between $2,000 to $4,000 or £3000, depending on the breeder. This means that having a pregnant Cavapoo can save you money, especially if you plan to add a furry companion to your home.
A pregnant dam and her newborn puppies take a lot of looking after, so before you go ahead with your puppy plan, it is important that you understand how many puppies your Cavapoo may have.
Here we will explain everything you need to know about a Cavapoo litter.
How many dogs are in a Cavapoo litter?
Just like other dogs, a Cavapoo will have multiple puppies per litter. A Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has an average of between five and eight puppies per litter, while a Poodle has an average of between three to seven puppies. On average, a Cavapoo litter can have between 2 – 8 dogs depending on the characteristics of the Poodle parent it is bred from.
What is the average litter size for a Cavapoo?
The litter size is determined by several factors such as the dog’s breed. Generally, smaller breeds tend to have a smaller litter size.
For instance, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a small to average dog with between 5 to 8 puppies in one litter. A Standard Poodle can have an average of 7 puppies while a Miniature Poodle can have 5, and a Toy Poodle can have 2-3.
As a Cavalier Spaniel and a Poodle crossbreed, a Cavapoo litter size ranges from 2-5 puppies. However, the size of the litter is also affected by other factors such as the age of the Cavapoo, the litter experience of the mother, and the age of the stud.
Our Cavapoo Rosie, came from a litter of 6 adorable pups, 4 girls and 2 boys who all varied in color.
Age of the mother
The female’s age has a significant effect on the litter size. The litter size tends to increase as the age of the mother increases. For instance, a Cavapoo under 5 years tends to have fewer puppies than older dogs. However, the first litter is relatively smaller regardless of the age of the female.
If the first-time breeding takes place after it is more than 5 years old, the female might have a smaller puppy count throughout her life.
Breeding your Cavapoo at an early age of between 2 to 5 years is recommended, especially if you want your furry companion to make the largest litter size in the future.
The first heat in a Cavapoo occurs between 6 and 18 months. However, breeding should be done at the second or third dog heat for good dog welfare and you should always liaise with your vet first.
Genetics
The genetics of the Cavapoo’s parent breeds might also affect the litter size. Genetic traits such as eye color and coat color have little effect on puppies.
Heritability only influences the litter size by between 10-15%, and therefore the litter size does not entirely rely on the size of the gene pool. However, the size of the dog breed has a significant effect on the number and size of puppies.
Genetics do have an impact on any health issues of any potential pup, so your Cavapoo needs to be fully health checked before getting pregnant. As purebred dogs such as Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Poodles are prone to a few health issues, it is important to get the parent breed health certificates. This can be expensive, which is why a reputable breeder can command such high prices for a health Cavapoo breed.
To find out more about the lineage of these designer dogs, check out the American Kennel Club website.
Our dog Rosie, was born with an umbilical hernia and we were therefore advised not to breed for her as these are often hereditary and can be passed down to future Cavapoo puppies.
Diet of the dam
A poorly fed female will not be able to produce a large litter of healthy puppies. This means that feeding your Cavapoo with a quality diet can improve its health and fertility.
For information on nutrition and essential dietary tips for your dog, check out our blog.
Age of the stud
Although it has a lesser effect than the female’s age, the male’s age also influences the litter size. As the male dog ages, the sperm count and quality reduce. Males below the age of 5 years tend to produce larger litters and are often in higher demand.
When can a Cavapoo get pregnant?
You know that your Cavapoo puppy is old enough to get pregnant if she goes into heat. The first heat occurs between 6 to 18 months and happens around twice a year.
As soon your Cavapoo is sexually active, it tends to display uncharacteristic behavioral patterns such as agitation and anxiety, lack of concentration, frequent urination, vulva swelling, and discharge from the vagina. She may also pay greater attention to her rear end and tends to portray marking behavior.
You will also notice male dogs showing more of an interest in your Cavapoo. This is a particular problem for dogs that are properly socialized and enjoy being off the lead.
How long are Cavapoos pregnant for?
It can be fascinating looking at the behavior changes of your Cavapoo when pregnant.
A Cavapoo has a gestation period of approximately 9 weeks or 63 days from conception. However, it can sometimes be hard to determine the gestation period of your dog since conception can be at times challenging to decide.
Fertilization can take up to 48 hours, which means that the mating cannot be used to provide an accurate approximation of how long Cavapoos are pregnant. At times, breeders use blood tests and regular scans to monitor the hormonal changes and predict the potential due date. Scans can also help to see the incredible developments in the mother’s womb and give an indication of how many puppies she is likely to have.
How to tell if your Cavapoo is pregnant
In humans, there are instantaneous pregnancy tests that can determine whether you are pregnant or not. However, at times, it can be challenging for most owners to determine whether their Cavapoo is pregnant or not.
Various signs indicate that your dog might be pregnant, which include:
- Nesting behaviors
- An enlarged abdomen and excessive weight gain
- Enlarged, discolored nipples
- Decreased activity. Cavapoos are playful dogs that love to exercise and run around regularly. If your dog changes its behavior and loves to spend more time napping and it’s exhausted easily, your dog might be pregnant.
- Changes in appetite
It’s important to visit a veterinarian to determine whether your dog is pregnant or not. Your veterinarian will perform various test methods such as:
- Ultrasound
- Hormone tests
- Palpation
- X-ray
FAQs
Can you mate two Cavapoos?
Yes. Two Cavapoos can mate together. Hybrid vigor tends to develop when two unrelated pure breeds that don’t have similar health problems are bred. Since a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Poodle are pure breeds that do not have common health issues, their crossbreed tends to have vibrant health benefits and a longer lifespan.
The crossbreed between the two pure breeds is known as F1. When two Cavapoos mate, this is referred to as F2. The offspring of F2 have more great physical traits and a larger variety of genes. Plus, they have enhanced coat colors and textures and are generally preferred by allergy sufferers.
To find out more about the differences between these popular dogs, see our blog on what is an F1, F1b and F1bb Cavapoo.
What to do when your Cavapoo gives birth?
When a Cavapoo gives birth, she will need to eat, reset, bond with the puppies, and feed them; so you should make sure that she stays in a comfortable space with little distractions.
You should observe the mother regularly to ensure that she is comfortable, well-fed, relaxed, and healthy. Consult with your veterinarian if you find any warning signs of sickness.
Cleanliness is also a large part of your routine when your Cavapoo gives birth. In the early days, puppies can make a lot of mess since they are not trained yet. This means that a lot of cleaning will be required. It is possible to begin training puppies from a young age using positive reinforcement training.
How big can a Cavapoo puppy get?
Cavapoo puppies grow and mature pretty fast. However, their growth depends on their parent breeds.
For instance, a Toy Cavapoo will take between 7 to 11 months to reach full size, while miniature Cavapoos take 11 to 13 months. At 7 months of age, a Cavapoo can weigh between 10 to 15 pounds.
In addition to genetics being the primary influencer as to how big your Cavapoo will grow, certain factors such as exercise, food consumption and health can also affect a dog’s growth.
A full-sized Cavapoo has an average height of 9 to 14 inches. Click here to find out more about how big your Cavapoo will grow.
Can a breeder increase the litter size?
Breeders can influence puppy counts using techniques like pedigree analysis and selective breeding. However, it’s hard to determine whether the success of these techniques come from luck or actual physiological and biological mechanisms used by the breeders.
When should you stop walking your pregnant Cavapoo?
Cavapoos are energetic dogs that require regular exercise. However, you should isolate your Cavapoo from other dogs for the last three weeks of pregnancy. During this time, she should not be exercised because of her enlarged abdomen.
Conclusion
It’s vital to understand how long your Cavapoo is pregnant, the number of puppies you should expect, and how to care for your puppies. This helps you plan a feeding routine and keep the dogs healthy.
Cavapoos make amazing family pets and bring allergy-friendly coats, energy, and devotion to your home, and having a new set of pups is even better. They are easy to care for and can amuse you with their clowning antics and provide you with the company you need when exercising.
To learn more about Cavapoo dogs, here are a few interesting reads: