The Cavapoo Dog Breed Facts – What You Need To Know
Cavapoos are a cross breed between a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a miniature Poodle or toy Poodle. They are also known as Cavadoodles or Cavoodles. Most of these small dogs come from the first generation of designer dogs. The term ‘designer dog’ refers to any type of mix between two purebred dogs; whether it’s one generation removed (F1) or half way between both breeds (F1B). Designer dogs are often popular with pet owners who wish to own a small size dog with a hypoallergenic coat and the unique look of a Poodle.
These hybrid dogs are easy to care for, very gentle and make good companions in both the park and on the couch! Both their parent breeds have long histories.
If you are considering adding a toy Cavapoo puppy to your family members, then this article is for you. Here we will explore the different aspects of this fun-loving and affectionate dog breed.
The Parent Breeds
The Cavapoo is a new hybrid of two breeds, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Poodle. The Poodle side of the parentage is usually not a standard poodle but a miniature. The Cavapoo is an intelligent dog breed that has been known to enjoy playing games as well as being affectionate with its family. These are the two parent breeds in detail:
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a very old breed that originated in the 1700s. The Cavalier was bred to be very sweet tempered and placid by combining his blood with other breeds like the Pug. Cavaliers were used as hunting dogs as well as family companions, which means they are able to get along great with young children of all ages.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels tend to be very calm and quiet, but they also like to play. Cavaliers are known for their easy grooming needs! During the spring and summer months it is important to keep a Cavalier’s coat in great shape by brushing them often with a wire slicker brush or pin brush. Since Cavaliers don’t have an undercoat their coats can get quite matted if brushed infrequently.
The Poodle
Poodles are one of the oldest breeds of dogs originating from Germany. They were used for duck hunting, herding and retrieving waterfowl. Poodles were originally all white which made them perfect to be trained to assist blind people or those with a disability.
Poodles are highly intelligent dogs, alert, affectionate and loyal making them a great family companion. The Poodle parent is non shedding, hypoallergenic (which means they have little dander), with short hair so they require very little maintenance.
Is The Cavapoo A Good Family Dog?
The Cavapoo is undoubtedly an excellent family dog. Their temperament is friendly, family oriented and upbeat. From what you’ve learned about its origin breeds so far, that much should be clear. Whether your family prefers to stay indoors on the weekend and cuddle up on the couch or go out for a hike instead, the Cavapoo can keep up with you, given its cavalier and Poodle roots.
Both the Poodle and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel are good breeds. They have a high energy level and they are good at hunting. The Poodle is known for being a hunting dog. Not many people know that the Poodle was also used as a hunting dog before it became popular as a pet.
While Spaniels tracked down rodents on land, Poodles took to the water. They helped their owners catch ducks, which were one of the European dogs used by people who lived near water. With that said, the Cavapoo is perfect for active families and owners who like sports like agility, walks or hikes at the beach.
Their cuddly characteristics also makes them excellent service dogs, like many other poodle mixed breed dogs. Additionally, as a companion breed, your Cavapoo will need lots of socialization and will prefer to live indoors with the family. If you’re looking for a breed to keep secured in the backyard for protection, livestock guarding, or other purposes, this may not be the breed for you.
Are Cavapoos AKC registered?
Unfortunately, no. The parent purebred dogs can be American Kennel Club registered but when you have a designer mix litter, you can’t register them with AKC.
How Big Do F1 & F1B Cavapoos Get?
Cavapoos are small, playful dogs that grow to be between 9-14 inches in height. At their adult size they weigh 12-25 pounds and usually take a year or two before reaching their full potential size range of weight and height. They can vary in lineage depending on what the parents look like but typically fall within this average for adult Cavapoo measurements at around 10 years old!
All Cavapoos will vary in height and weight. Each puppy is unique and will inherit different traits and characteristics from their parents.
Does A Cavapoo shed?
Yes, Cavapoos shed. They don’t shed a lot though. The loose hair gets trapped in their coat and doesn’t come off of them and make the air dirty. If you are allergic to dogs, Cavapoos are a good choice because they don’t make your allergies worse.
No dog is truly a hypoallergenic dog. This is because of a protein found in dogs’ urine, saliva, and dander. This protein is called Can F1. Allergy sufferers tend to have allergic reactions when they come into contact with this protein through their pet’s dander or when hair comes off their coat. Even though Cavapoo puppies won’t actually shed much fur off its coat (especially if it is a curly coat), you still need to be careful around these things that can cause allergic reactions.
Regular grooming will also keep the loose coat and dander down to a minimum.
Do Cavapoo Dogs Bark A Lot?
Cavapoos are friendly, family-oriented dogs who love to spend time with their human counterparts. When left alone for long periods of time, these pups tend to have separation anxiety and bark excessively as a result. Other than separation anxiety, barking means you will need to use positive reinforcement methods, like giving them a treat or tapping on their nose, so that they know what is good and what is wrong at an early age.
What Should I Know Before Buying a Cavapoo?
Activity and exercise requirements –
How much exercise do Cavapoos need? With a moderate activity level, most would be content with 30-45 minutes of exercises per day. These can take place inside or outside and should include play activities as well as walks. Puppies often require more frequent periods throughout the day because they typically have higher energy levels than adults! So for an adult pup who is 4 months old, 20 minutes twice each day are sufficient to keep them happy and healthy!
Cavapoos usually enjoy about thirty to forty five minutes of exercise daily which could involve some indoor playtime or outdoor time depending on preference but it’s important that puppies get two shorter bursts every single day in order to stay active.
Health Concerns –
Cavapoos are prone to the usual Poodle mix inherited health issues listed below. A reputable breeder will have these genetic defects screened out for the most part, but be aware of some of the weaknesses of this breed.
- Addison’s Disease
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy
- Syringomyelia
- Mitral Valve Disease
- Hip Dysplasia
- Mental Health: Separation Anxiety
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Genetic Diseases –
n addition to many of the conditions listed above, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel parent can also be prone to the following health problems:
- PSOM (Primary secretory otitis media) This is a wax build-up in those floppy ears.
- Patella luxation. Kneecap misalignment
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a pet that will unconditionally love and please you, Cavapoo dogs are the perfect choice. They aren’t fussy about their food or care; they thrive on your attention and want to be near you all of the time. When it comes down to it, owning one of these adorable creatures means having an instant friend who will always make sure that your day improves just by being there.