Cavoodle Dog Breed Info [ aka Cavapoo]

Also known as Cavapoo and Cavadoodle, Cavoodle is a mixture of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Poodle. It is believed that this breed was bred in the US for the first time in the 1950s and is among the most popular hybrid breeds in the country. Later it gained popularity in several countries, especially in Australia. At the moment, it is the most popular designer dog in Australia.

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

If you don’t already know the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a toy dog breed and is crossed with the Miniature or Tiny Poodle; therefore, Cavoodle is also a small-sized dog. It is a highly trainable, friendly, and entertaining dog that is always ready to accompany you anywhere.

If you are looking to get a Cavoodle puppy, it is highly recommended to learn its pros, cons, health-related issues, temperament, and breeders.

In this article, you’ll find all the traits and features of Cavoodle dogs and every single bit of information about this all-rounder dog breed. 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 lovely designer dog is enjoying the perks of popularity in many countries such as Canada, the UK, and the US. It can easily adjust with all types of families and make a strong bond with all the family members including elderly people and younger children. It is a very intelligent, responsive and easy-to-train dog.

Quick Fact: In 2020 and 2021, 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:

Image credit: AER Wilmington DE via Flickr

With a silky and undocked tail, this Toy dog breed is the 19th most popular dog breed in the U.S. It originated in the United Kingdom and 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 easily 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:

Image credit: gabrielsaldana via Flickr

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 its intelligence, sociable behaviour and low-shedding coat, Poodle is crossbred with over 100 different pure 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 learn 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:

Most Poodle crosses have a low to non-shedding coat; therefore, they are ideal dogs for owners who have dander allergies. Similarly, the Cavoodle is one of those dog breeds that are considered hypoallergenic.

Adaptability:

Because of their small size, they can easily adapt to small apartments. So, whether you live in a condo, apartment, or a bigger home, you can have this adorable pup.

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 is ranked as the second most intelligent dog breed in the world. Their intelligence further helps their owners in raising them.

Easy to train:

They learn very fast. Entertaining, short, and consistent training sessions help train them. 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. So, if you can’t give enough time exercising them, the Cavoodles are not for you.

Regular grooming needed:

They need to be groomed at least once a month as they do not shed much. You need to bathe them regularly, brush their fur and clean their teeth daily, and clean their ears every week. That means you need much time to take care of a Cavoodle as compared to 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 is an inherited 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 developing 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 or some genetic problems. Usually, large-sized dog breeds are prone to Hip Dysplasia but other breeds can be affected too.

Hip Dysplasia is a very painful disease but it can be treated by medicine 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.

Litter Size:

The size of any dog’s litter varies. Similarly, in the case of 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 any amount.

Puppy Price and Yearly Maintenance Cost:

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

When it comes to the yearly maintenance cost, the first year of your Cavoodle puppy may cost you around $1000 that covers pet supplies, vaccinations, vet visits, food and various other items. In the following years, the cost may go down to $750 a year.

Final Words:

So, it was Cavoodle or Cavapoo, the dog breed that 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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