Cavoodle Dog Breed Info [ aka Cavapoo]

The Cavoodle is a delightful crossbreed originating from the combination of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Poodle. This charming breed is believed to have been first intentionally bred in the United States during the 1950s, and it has since become one of the most beloved hybrid breeds in the world. Later it gained popularity in several countries, especially in Australia. Today, it proudly holds the title of being the most popular designer dog in Australia.

Because of its low to non-shedding coat, the Cavoodle is considered a hypoallergenic dog breed. It has an excellent temperament and will do well with the children, elders and strangers.

The recipe for a Cavoodle dog is super simple. This endearing breed is the result of crossing the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel which is a toy dog breed, with a Miniature or Tiny Poodle, making the Cavoodle a small-sized dog. These charming canines are known for their exceptional trainability, friendly disposition, and innate ability to entertain, making them the perfect companions for any adventure.

If you’re considering getting a Cavoodle puppy, it is highly recommended to know more about its pros, cons, health-related issues, grooming requirements and temperament.

In this article, you’ll find all the traits and features of Cavoodle dogs and every single bit of information about them. Check Cavoodle FAQs.

Let’s first find some quick facts about Cavoodle.

Related: CavaPooChon Dog

Quick Facts and Summary:

Name: Cavoodle
Other names: Cavadoodle and Cavapoo
Average weight: 5 to 10 kg
Size: 11 to 14 inches (Toy Cavoodle) and 13 to 18 inches (Mini Cavoodle)
Lifespan: 13 to 15 years
Coat: Non-shedding
Colours: Black, white, chestnut, gold, Blenheim, or tri-coloured
Temperament: Highly playful, loyal, social, friendly, and affectionate
Grooming: Weekly brushing
Activity level: Moderate
Common health issues: Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Slipping Kneecaps, Hip Dysplasia, Eye conditions, and Heart defects.

Cavoodle Dog Breed Overview

This adorable designer dog has basked in the benefits of its popularity in various countries such as Australia, Canada, the UK, and the US. It effortlessly adapts to different households and forms strong bonds with all family members, be they older adults or young children. Known for its high intelligence, responsiveness, and ease of training, this breed is a versatile and cherished companion.

Quick Fact: In 2020, 2021 and 2022, Cavoodle was the best selling designer breed in Australia.

Parent Breeds

Let’s find some quick facts about their parent breeds; Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Poodle.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel:

With a silky and undocked tail, this Toy dog breed is among the top 25 dog breeds in Australia. It originated in the United Kingdom. It comes in several colours including Blenheim and Ruby. It is a social and friendly breed that makes the best companions with children and other pets.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a patient, playful, and entertaining dog and can quickly adapt to any family and environment. As the Spaniels are known for their hunting nature, they may be a threat to birds but training can do wonders and they can live with the birds and small pets like a soulmate.

The Cavaliers have been crossbred with several other pure breeds to get a different dog breed. Some of them are Cavachon (Bichon Frise mix), Cavapoochon (mixed with Toy Poodle and Bichon Frise) and Chilier (Chihuahua mix).

Poodle:

Also known as Caniche or Pudelhund, Poodles come in three major sizes; Standard, Miniature, and Toy. They are ranked as the 2nd most intelligent dog breed and are the best performers.

Their origin is disputed between France and Germany but regardless of any controversies, Poodles are among the best dogs in the world. They are intellectual, sociable, friendly, and highly trainable dogs, and are highly recommended for families that have children.

Because of their intelligence, sociable behaviour and low-shedding coat, Poodles are crossbred with many other dog breeds. Some of them are Shih Poo (Shih Tzu cross), Groodle (Golden Retriever cross) and St. Berdoodle.

Cavoodle Pros and Cons:

Before getting a new dog breed, it’s very important to get to know about the pros and cons to avoid any future problems related to health and behaviour. So, let’s find Cavoodle or Cavapoo’s Pros and Cons below.

Pros:

Low-shedding coat:

Many Poodle crosses typically feature coats that shed minimally or not at all, making them excellent choices for individuals with allergies to pet dander and hair. Similarly, the Cavoodle belongs to the category of dog breeds recognized for their hypoallergenic qualities.

Adaptability:

Thanks to their small size, these dogs can effortlessly adjust to living in smaller apartments. Whether it’s a condo, apartment, or a more spacious home, you can happily accommodate a Cavoodle in it.

Excellent Temperament:

Cavoodles have excellent temperaments and they are kind, loving, sensitive, and sociable. With consistent training at an early age, they can become wonderful pets.

Intelligence:

They are highly intelligent as one of their parent breeds the Poodle is ranked as the second most intelligent dog breed in the world. Their intelligence proves invaluable for their owners in raising them.

Easy to train:

They learn very fast. Try to keep the training sessions entertaining, short, and consistent. Moreover, rewards and treats are a must during the training sessions to get the best results. Avoid rude behaviour and don’t scold them if they do not pick up commands as it may take some time for them to learn something new.

Cons:

Sensitive to heat:

They are heat sensitive and it is highly recommended not to leave them out in hot weather for too long or they may become overheated and dehydrated.

Not suitable for busy owners:

They are highly energetic so they need a fair amount of daily exercise. A couple of daily walks are necessary for their overall health while some indoor playing sessions and outdoor agility activities must be included in their routine to keep them happy. Therefore, if you’re unable to commit to providing them with adequate exercise, the Cavoodle may not be the right choice for you.

Regular grooming needed:

Their coat must be brushed 3-4 times a week and groomed by a professional at least once a month as they do not shed much. You also need to bathe them regularly, clean their teeth daily, and clean their ears on a weekly basis. That means you need more time to care for a Cavoodle than many other breeds.

Health-related issues:

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA):

PRA is a group of several genetic diseases in dogs and cats that can cause blindness. It can be inherited from one or both of their parents but painless disease. Spaniels and Poodles, both are prone to PRA, therefore Cavoodle may inherit it from them.

To avoid your dog developing PRA, get a puppy from a reputable Cavoodle breeder or your dog may end up getting PRA and many other different health conditions.

Hip Dysplasia:

Hip Dysplasia is a hip socket malfunction in dogs that can lead to lameness and arthritis. It can be caused due to several reasons including poorly developed muscles and/or genetic problems. Usually, large-sized dog breeds are prone to Hip Dysplasia but smaller breeds can also be affected.

Hip Dysplasia is a very painful disease but it can be treated by medications or surgery depending on the condition.

Slipping Kneecaps:

Usually known as Patellar Luxation, in this disease, the kneecap of the dog is dislocated from its normal position. It can be caused by a trauma or a genetic malformation. The symptoms of Patellar Luxation are hindlimb lameness, abnormal hindlimb movement, and occasional skipping.

Mitral Valve Disease:

It is a heart defect in dogs when the Mitral Valve in the heart begins to leak and the left side of the heart does not pump blood normally. One of the most common symptoms of this disease is a heart murmur. This disease may lead to heart failure.

To avoid all the mentioned health conditions and other possible diseases, make it a habit to get your pup checked by a vet every six months.

Puppy Price, Litter Size and Yearly Maintenance Cost:

The price of a Cavoodle puppy depends on various factors such as colour, gender and the breeder’s reputation. But on average, a puppy may cost you between $2500 and $5000 Australian Dollars. In the US and Canada, they may cost you up to $3500.

The size of any dog’s litter varies. Similarly, in the case of a Cavoodle, there is no guarantee of how many puppies a Cavoodle can have in a single litter but it lies between 2 and 10. If we talk about the average litter size, it’s about 6 puppies a litter but you may expect the unexpected.

When it comes to the yearly maintenance cost, the first year of your Cavoodle puppy may cost you around $1000 which covers pet supplies, vaccinations, vet visits, food and various other items. In the upcoming years, the expense could potentially decrease to $750 annually.

Final Words:

So, it was Cavoodle, the dog breed which is equally popular in Australia, the US, Canada, and the UK. Always try to get a Cavoodle puppy from a reputable breeder to avoid genetic issues in your dogs.

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