Cavapoo

Facts & Advice

These sweet-natured, adaptable dogs love being the centre of attention and are a top choice for any family.

A cross between a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Poodle, these so-called ‘designer dogs’ (a cross between two pure breeds) are sweet-natured, great with children and known to make good therapy dogs. As yet unrecognised as a breed by the Kennel Club, the low shedding Cavapoo is the smaller cousin of the much-loved Cockapoo and is also known as a Cavoodle, Cavadoo or a Cavapoodle.

Vital Stats

Size:
Coat:
Exercise:
Life span:
Breed group:
Temperament:

Small to medium
Generally low-shedding
1+ hour daily,
10 – 15 years
Cross-breed
Sweet, friendly, intelligent, sensitive

Size

Coat

Exercise

Life span

Cavapoo Temperament & Personality

The intelligence of a Poodle mixed with the sweet nature of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel means that the Cavapoo has one of the most appealing and adaptable personalities of any dog.

Cavapoos are extremely social dogs and form a strong attachment to their owners and the people around them. They thrive on attention and interaction, they’re great with children and they love being part of a household – all of which make them a fantastic family dog.

Their sweet nature, intelligence and adaptability means they respond well to training and fit in easily with most lifestyles. They are an ideal breed for first-time dog owners.

Cavapoos are little bags of energy and very playful. This means they need the right amount of daily exercise and stimulation to avoid boredom – they love nothing more than a game of fetch. In fact, Cavapoos are known to excel at all sorts of canine sports.

As a very sensitive breed, Cavapoos are gentle and loving which means they often make great therapy dogs

Because they form such a strong bond with their owners and other human companions, Cavapoos can often suffer from separation anxiety if left alone for long periods of time. This can sometimes result in excessive barking or being destructive around the home.

Cavapoo Training & Exercise

By inheriting some of the best traits from its parents, the Cavapoo is an extremely trainable and obedient breed that loves to please its owner. With lots of energy to burn and an inquisitive nature, be sure to give it plenty of exercise and mental stimulation.

Training tips

Cavapoos are very intelligent which makes training easy. As with many other dogs, the sooner the training and socialisation starts the better, ideally from a young age and as soon as they arrive in the home.

Their sensitive nature means Cavapoos don’t respond well to heavy-handed training. Be gentle, give them plenty of one-to-one attention and use lots of positive reinforcement

Keeping them happy

Being very smart and sociable dogs means Cavapoos need lots of mental stimulation to avoid boredom. They love lots of human interaction, attention and affection so feel free to give them as much of this as possible.
Knowing their place in the pack is very important to this breed, so they’ll be happy and obedient companions with plenty of consistent training and direction.

Exercise

As an energetic dog, Cavapoos should get plenty of regular exercise – ideally an hour every day. This should include at least one long walk and plenty of time in a secure garden or enclosed open space to sniff around and explore.

Game ideas

A Cavapoo’s playful side means it tends to excel in lots of canine sports and they can often be seen taking part in shows and competitions. Being an energetic breed means they enjoy activities like agility courses where jumping over hurdles, running through tunnels and weaving through poles challenges their minds as well as their bodies.
All dogs love a game of fetch, but with a retriever instinct thanks to their Poodle heritage, Cavapoos enjoy it more than most. Their inquisitive nature and love of interaction means that games such as hide and seek work well too

Common Cavapoo
Health Conditions

As a dog owner you will want what’s best for your pet’s health so they can live a long, happy life. Like all breeds, Cavapoos are prone to certain health conditions. To help you be more aware and prepared for these potential ailments if they should arise, we have put together information on the health issues that we see the most in Cavapoos.

Gastrointestinal disorders

Cavapoos are prone to suffering from problems affecting the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The GI tract is a long, winding tube that starts at the mouth and ends at the anus, with various twists and turns along the way. Conditions such as gastroenteritis or an obstruction within the bowel (due to the dog to eating stones, cloth or string, for example) commonly cause vomiting and/or diarrhoea. Treatment depends on the exact cause, but prompt intervention usually results in a full recovery.

Ear disorders

Cavapoos are susceptible to various common ear diseases. These can affect the external ear flap, the middle/inner ear, or the ear canal (otitis). Irritation from various sources can lead to a condition called otitis, which simply means ‘inflammation of the ear canal’. It causes an intense itch, leading the dog to shake its head, flap its ears and scratch them using its back paws. If the otitis is due to an allergy, treatment is required for the lifetime of the dog.

Patella luxation

The kneecap (or ‘patella’) sits in a groove at the end of the femur (thigh bone). A dislocating (or ‘luxating’) kneecap is one that pops out of its groove. A relatively common condition in Cavapoos and other small breeds, dislocation happens because the alignment of the bones from the hip through the knee to the ankle is not straight, which pulls the kneecap to one side. Treatment depends on the severity of the condition, but surgery may be required to reduce the likelihood of arthritis and enable the dog to live a normal life.

Anal gland disorders

Anal glands in dogs are situated right by their anus, they are filled with a strong smelling liquid that normally empties when they go to the toilet to help share their scent. This is also why dogs sniff each other’s bottoms as their scent lives here. In some dogs like Cavapoos these glands can get blocked and stop emptying properly. When this happens it can become swollen, painful and infected which is something we see more frequently in Cavapoos than other dogs. Speak to your vet about how to prevent any issues in the first place, and to find out what treatment options are available.

Click on the hotspots to see most
common illnesses in a Cavapoo

Cavapoo Grooming

Cavapoo coats come in a wide variety of colours, lengths and textures. The dominance of their parents’ genes will dictate whether your pet has a longer, silky coat (from the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel) or a short and curly coat (from the Poodle).

Your Cavapoo’s grooming regime will depend on the type of coat they inherited. Generally speaking, giving your dog’s coat a daily brush is recommended, especially for longer coats. This will help prevent any unwanted knots, tangles or matting. Professional grooming is recommended every 4-6 weeks.

Cavapoos’ sweet nature means they usually tolerate grooming well. However, as with all breeds, it’s best to allow your pet to get used to the grooming process by using a soft brush on their coat when they are puppies.

Although Cavapoos are generally low shedding, hypoallergenic dogs, this is not the case for all. Depending on the type of coat they have, some dogs can shed quite a lot of hair and all Cavapoos shed dander (flakes of skin found in an animal’s fur) that some owners can be allergic to.

Dental issues are common in Cavapoos so be sure to clean their teeth regularly to remove plaque and maintain good oral hygiene.

Use a damp cloth to clean around your dog’s eyes and ears to remove tear stains and prevent the build-up of wax.

Cavapoo Nutrition

Cavapoos aren’t usually fussy eaters, but like all dogs, giving them the best quality food is essential for them to grow into happy, healthy dogs.

Cavapoo puppies should have 3 meals a day until they are 6 months old. Mature Cavapoos are usually fed twice a day. Be careful not to overfeed as this can lead to obesity.

Always maintain a consistent diet and feeding routine. If you need to change it then do so only gradually to avoid tummy upsets, particularly in puppies.

As an active, energetic breed, Cavapoos should be fed a diet that is high in protein and carbohydrates to give them lots of energy, as well as omega fatty acids that help promote a healthy coat. Make sure your furry friend gets the right amount of exercise to burn off any extra calories and avoid an expanding waistline.

Much like their Poodle and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel parent breeds, Cavapoos can suffer from dental problems such as gingivitis or cavities. To help avoid this – and provide the nutrition they need – use good quality dry dog food that will help scrape their teeth clean.

What to know before you buy or rehome a Cavapoo

If you’re thinking about welcoming a Cavapoo into your home, here are a few important things to keep in mind.

Cavapoos are sweet-natured, energetic dogs that form a strong bond with the people around them. They’re great with children and are a good choice for first-time owners or those looking for a friendly family dog.

Adaptable and intelligent, Cavapoos are easily trained, thrive on guidance and direction and can fit in to almost any lifestyle or household environment.

Because they love attention and interaction, Cavapoos can suffer from separation anxiety if left alone for long periods of time.

Remember to think about the kind of dog you want and be fussy about the breeder you choose. Lucy’s Law dictates that new puppies or kittens must be bought directly from a breeder or adopted from rescue. Third party sellers are illegal.

There are many things to consider before getting a dog. Always find out whether a canine friend is the best pet for you before you make the leap from dog lover to dog owner.

FAQs

Do Cavapoo shed?

A mix between the moderate shedding Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the low shedding Poodle, the Cavapoo’s level of shedding depends on which parent it most takes after. However, in general, Cavapoos are considered a low to no shedding breed.

Are Cavapoos hypoallergenic?

As a low to no shedding breed, the Cavapoo is generally considered to be an allergy-friendly pet. It’s important to remember that no dog breed is truly hypoallergenic, but some breeds are better for those with allergies than others.

When do Cavapoos stop growing?

As a small breed, Cavapoos tend to reach their adult size quicker than other dogs. Puppies usually reach their adult height and weight by a year old. A typical height for an adult Cavapoo is between 23 to 36 cm, depending on the size of their Poodle parent, and they can weigh in at anywhere between 5 and 11 kg. Understanding your Cavapoo’s parentage will help you and your vet to determine the ideal height and weight for your Cavapoo.

Are Cavapoos good with kids?

In general Cavapoos are considered to be friendly and affectionate dogs that make good family pets. However, the breed can be sensitive and smaller dogs can find young children and boisterous play challenging at times. Kids should be taught how to play nicely with your pet, and as with all dogs, you should always supervise playtime between your Cavapoo and children to make sure everyone is safe and happy.

Can Cavapoo be left alone?

Like their Poodle and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel parents, Cavapoos are extremely sociable dogs who love nothing more than spending time with their owners. This means they form an extremely strong bond with their humans and don’t enjoy spending a lot of time on their own. Cavapoos can be prone to separation anxiety which can lead to destructive and unwanted behaviour if not kept in check.

Are Cavapoos good with cats?

Cavapoos are friendly and social by nature and tend to get on well with humans and other animals alike. This means that they usually get on well with cats, provided they are properly introduced and socialised from an early age.

Discover some of the most popular dog breeds

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Cavapoo

Cockapoo

Labradoodle

Poodle

Cavapoo insurance considerations

Cavapoos sometimes suffer with certain health conditions and may
require treatment. Dog insurance offers peace of mind that they
will always be protected.