Cavapoos (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Poodle mix)
 What is a Cavapoo? Cavapoo is a mixed breed dog that results from breeding the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Poodle. Curious, playful, outgoing and very social Cavapoos get along well with both humans and other pets as well. Cavapoo dogs inherit the best traits from their parents including the looks and impressive intelligence. With a lovely temperament, Cavapoos make great family companions and pets.
Cavapoos are also known as Cavoodle or Cavadoodle and were initially meant to be hypoallergenic and low-shedding dogs, which makes them ideal companions for individuals suffering from allergies. Owing to their cute looks and friendly nature, Cavapoo dogs grew to be popular among many dog lovers.
Cavapoo's small stature and low shedding nature make them ideal for apartment dwellers, singles and seniors who love including their dogs in every social activity. Cavapoo dogs generally do well with older kids who know how to appreciate their small nature and will enjoy romping around their owners.
Cavapoo is a designer dog and as with all other mixed breeds, they don't have long histories. In the late 1990s, breeders started intentionally mixing the Poodle and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniels in Australia. Cavapoo breeders initially wanted to mix the intelligence and low shedding nature of a Poodle with the calmer and outgoing nature of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. The main goal was to have a hypoallergenic dog that would be suitable for people with allergies.
Although Toy and Miniature Poodles can be bred to have a Cavapoo, breeders prefer to use the Miniature Poodle instead of the Toy Poodle. This is because Toy Poodles are more prone to hereditary health issues than the Miniature.
Over the years, Cavapoos have gained popularity both in the United Kingdom and the United States. Their popularity has been attributed to their cute looks, great temperament, small size, and hypoallergenic nature. Breeders advise that if you intend to get a Cavapoo to adopt one.
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Poodle mix dogs are also known as first-generation dogs. As a result of two different purebred dogs, one cannot tell which parent's genes will be dominant in the Cavapoo puppies. At times the traits will be evenly distributed while at other times the Cavapoo puppy will tend to have more genes from one parent.
To get a uniform breed, breeders will prefer to do the multigenerational crossing. Either, they will choose to mate a Cavapoo to an unrelated Poodle, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniels or even other Cavapoos. For instance, if the breeder is looking to develop a dog with hypoallergenic coat, then he will add more Poodle genes. It all depends on the ultimate goal of the breeder.
Cavapoos are not recognized by the American Kennel Club, as they are considered to be a hybrid breed. However, Cavadoodle is recognized by the Designer Dogs Kennel Club, the American Canine Hybrid Club, International Designer Canine Registry, Dog Registry of America and Designer Breed Registry.
Cavapoo Lifespan
What is the lifespan of Cavapoo dogs? Cavapoos have an average lifespan of 10 to 15 years.
Cavapoo Size
How big do Cavapoos get? Cavapoos are small to medium size dogs, depending on whether the breeder used a Toy Poodle or a Miniature Poodle to create this mix. For the Toy Cavapoo, size ranges between 28 and 35 cm (11 to 14 inches) while for the Miniature Cavapoo the height ranges between 30 and 40 cm (12 to 16 inches). Generally, Cavapoos weigh between 5 and 10 kilograms (11 to 22lbs)
Cavapoo Temperament
Cavapoos are loyal, friendly, affectionate and very social. Cavadoodles get along well with children and other pets as well. They have gained popularity due to their gentle, friendly nature and winning personality. Owners should, however, know that Cavapoos tend to suffer from separation anxiety, they don't like being left alone for so long. If that happens then they result in destructive behaviors such as excessive barking, chewing furniture or rooting through the garbage.
Since they are eager to please and live for your validation and praises, you will find them fair to train. Cavadoodles are also good athletes which makes them great when it comes to obedience competitions. Once they arrive at your home, they will consider being a part of your family, since they like taking part in every family activity. You will find them following the owner around the house and Cavadoodle dogs are not ideal for people who are not at home most of the day.
Cavapoos require loads of attention and will love anyone, so if your looking forward to kennel your dog doesn't consider Cavapoo as your pet. They thrive well on human companionship and may even greet a stranger with a wagging tail. Anyone looking for a guard dog, Cavapoos may not be a good idea.
Early socialization and training coupled with positive reinforcement and soft treatment will give you a well-rounded and healthy puppy. Consistent is key when it comes to training, although house training may not be easy patience and understanding may work the trick.
Cavapoo with Children and other Pets
Due to their small nature Cavapoos can be easily hurt by overly excited kids and more so the smaller ones. It's highly recommended for any owner to properly teach their children on safer ways of approaching and playing with Cavapoos. Generally, Cavadoodles enjoy playing and romping around children.
In regards to other pets, Cavapoos tend to be friendly and sociable with other dogs and pets provided they are introduced and socialized well in a calm and slow manner. When properly trained, Cavapoos get along well with other dogs and cats. Consider giving Cavapoos some ample attention if you happen to have other pets in the house because Cavapoos love loads of attention from their owner.
Cavapoo Puppies
Toy Cavapoos produce even smaller puppies. Extra care should be taken to safeguard them from either well-meaning children who may hurt them unintentionally due to rough plays. Cavapoo puppies are sensitive to extreme cold or heat and should live indoors with their family.
Considering Cavapoo's high intelligence and eagerness to please, start socialization sessions early, when the dog is still a young puppy. Early socialization will help the Cavadoodle puppy to stay comfortable while interacting with other pets and humans as well.
Cavapoo Appearance
With adorable large eyes, Cavapoos are described as fuzzy faced teddy bears. They will melt anyone's heart on the whole. Cavadoodles are small dogs that have physical features resembling those of their parents the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Poodle. The Cavapoos size will, however, be determined by the size of the Poodle parent, since they come two different sizes the Miniature and the Toy.
These lovely pups may have either a silky or a wavy coat that comes in different colors. Cavapoo coat colors include chestnut, black, white, gold, black white and tan, chestnut and white. Cavapoos have a round face with long floppy ears. Cavapoos coats also come in three different types which include hair, wool and the most common one the fleece.
The fleece coat has a loose curl or wave and is very smooth and soft to the touch. Cavadoodle dogs are also low shed and may need to be clipped regularly for low maintenance. The hair is usually wiry and rough, pups with the hair coat will shed more than those with the other coats. They require less grooming though because the hair doesn't grow so long. The wool coats don't shed much and due to the tight curls, they don't release much dander compared to the other coats. Cavadoodles are best suited for allergic people and will require frequent clipping and brushing to maintain.
How to groom a Cavapoo?
Cavapoos' coats are dictated by their parents the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Poodle. Cavadoodles come in various colors which include fawn, cream, chocolate, chestnut, gold, and white. Mainly they have solid colors or tri-colors. Cavadoodle coat may be wavy or curly and soft to the touch. At times Cavapoo dogs can be quite fluffballs which require regular grooming.
Owing to the nature of their Poodle parent, they shed little which makes them ideal for allergy sufferers. Brushing the coat on a weekly basis should help keep the coat healthy. The curly coats help them tolerate moderate heat and cold. Like with all other dogs, Cavapoos should not be left out in either extreme cold or warm temperatures.
Since Cavapoos are considered low shedders a weekly brush will help keep their coats shiny and healthy while preventing knots at the same time. The amount of grooming will, however, depend on the type of your Cavapoo. Those with long hair will require more grooming and a monthly trimming or clipping may work well for them.
Cavapoos do also experience reddish-brown tear stains, a disease that can be addressed by regularly washing the dog's face, while carefully paying attention to the lower part of the eyes. However, it's advisable to visit a professional groomer every month. Brush their teeth daily, clean their ears occasionally and clip their nails regularly. This routine should give you a superb Cavapoo.
How to care for a Cavapoo?
Cavapoo owners should keep up with the regular vet check-ups, so as to determine any health issues early and diagnose it. Veterinarians are usually ready to offer routine care tips that will ensure that your dog stays strong and healthy.
Keep your Cavapoos weight on check since they are prone to gaining weight fast. This will protect him from any heart disease. To avoid this, make sure your Cavadoodle gets at least one walk per day of at least 30 minutes with active plays.
Due to the nature of their long floppy ears, check Cavapoo's ears for debris or pests on a daily basis to help prevent ear infections that are more frequent in dogs with floppy ears. Signs of ear infections include redness and sensitivity around the ear area. There may also be an unpleasant smell from the ears. If you notice any of these signs of ear infections in your Cavapoo, take the dog to the veterinarian.
Brush your Cavapoos teeth daily as small breeds are prone to dental problems. Always use canine toothpaste on your dog's teeth. Enzyme based toothpaste for dogs works best to help prevent plaque from forming on your dog's teeth.
Cavapoo training
How to train a Cavapoo dog? Cavapoos are not hard to train, owing to their intelligent nature. Begin training and early socialization immediately they get home and at that very tender age. Keep the sessions short and enjoyable while incorporating plays, rewards, and praises whenever a milestone is achieved.
As with other dogs' repetition and consistency is paramount. Train the pup for about 10 to 15 minutes with positive reinforcement and gentleness. Cavapoos don't do well with any harsh treatments. At times, house training will prove to be a little difficult since they may be slower to learn, but patience will work the trick. You will be amazed at how fast the Cavadoodle pup can learn during that tender age, take advantage of those early months while they are still young.
Cavapoo Exercise Requirements
How active are Cavapoos? Cavapoos are small crossbred dogs that don't require extensive physical activities. However, Cavadoodle dogs need at least one long walk per day in addition to indoor structured playtime. Cavapoo dogs enjoy games such as chasing a ball, fetch, or agility activities that make him receive loads of praise from his handler. Cavapoos that don't receive enough physical activity throughout the day may develop various behavior problems as a way to use their energy. Training the dog, playing outdoors with your pet and other fun activities channel Cavapoo's energy into a healthy and productive direction and help prevent various dog behavior issues.
Cavapoos also require plenty of stimulation, both physical and mental. Playing with safe toys is one strategy that would help Cavadoodle release any leftover energy. Such activities will keep the Cavapoo alert and help develop their total potential.
Cavapoo Potty training
Being an intelligent dog, the Cavapoo is moderately easy to train when the right procedures are followed. The very first step is to identify a specific potty area in the yard outside your house. One easy way to potty train your Cavapoo is to always know where they are and what they are doing. By so doing, you can be able to observe them and find out the signs that they need to pee before they do it inside the house. Such signs include sniffing the floor, moving in circular motions and being restless.
Below is a basic schedule that you need to potty train your Cavapoo, although every puppy has a unique personality.
The first thing in the morning avoids greeting your Cavapoo with much enthusiasm because this only makes it hard for the dog to keep it in.
Be keen to watch her, every time she wakes up from a nap rush her out to pee
When your puppy gets too excited during or after plays, they usually need to pee even though they may not know it
Between 5 to 30 minutes after eating a meal your Cavapoo needs to pee, so take them outside and be patient
If the above does not happen, then you will have to wait for about 45 to 60 minutes then take her out as an opportunity to eliminate
Be keen to go to the same dog potty area always, the scent around the area will make your dog want to pee. And eventually, they will know that's their elimination area.
When night falls take out to pee before you rest to bed, be patient even if you feel sleepy
If the dog wants to pee in the middle of the night take her to do so, although keep it silent so that they may not it's time to play. Return the Cavadoodle dog to her bed immediately after.
Encourage your Cavapoo using the same words each time they go pee such as go potty or go pee. Soon the Cavapoo pup will learn to associate those words with elimination business.
Shower praise after the dog eliminates properly. Do not shout or talk loudly. By the tone of your voice, Cavapoo puppy will know that he or she have done well. Use words such as "good pup".
Avoid pouring praise to your dog when they are still in the middle of the act. This may prompt them to stop, which is not a good thing, but praise them immediately after you're sure they are done.
Do not be disappointed, when accidents occur during the potty-training session. Instead, practice patience and persistence soon the results will be worth it.
Cavapoo Diet
Cavadoodle's diet should be formulated according to the size, weight and energy level of the dog. Since Cavapoos have a tendency of gaining weight, it's advisable to stick to a regular feeding schedule as well as limiting treats. Remove any food leftovers as soon as the dog is done with the meal.
As with all other dogs, the diet will definitely change from puppyhood to adulthood and later to the seniors. Cavapoo dogs require dry, healthy and high-quality kibble. Supplement dog's food with healthy additions such as boiled chicken meat or boiled beef and add some boiled or steamed vegetables that your dog likes that may include cabbage. Unlike other dogs, Cavapoos have complex nutrition needs that are met through dry food specifically tailored for them. The right proportions of micronutrients, healthy carbs, fats, and meat-based protein will help keep your Cavapoo strong and healthy.
If you happen to have any concerns about which food is best for your dog, consult with the dogs' vet for advice. Due to their small size and big appetite, Cavapoos are prone to obesity if they get too much food and too little exercise. Giving dry food will promote good dental health and even better if proper hygiene is maintained by brushing your pet's teeth. Be sure not to overfeed your pup if you want your Cavapoo to remain healthy and fit.
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