Cavapoo: Dog Breed Characteristics & Care

A Cavapoo is a mix of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the toy poodle. The Cavapoo, sometimes called a Cavadoodle or Cavoodle, is a small dog breed with soft, curly fur. This lovable and compact dog is known for their companionable nature, playful personality, and low-allergen coat, making them a great fit for many families.

Learn more about the Cavapoo, including their care needs, temperament, history, and how to find an ethical breeder or rescue.

Characteristics of the Cavapoo

Cavapoos are a great fit for a variety of lifestyles. They prefer being in the company of their owners rather than in a kennel, so prepare for them to be filled with excitement when you come home from being out, and don’t forget about dog training that can help them be more comfortable with separation. If you’re away from your home for most of the day, these dogs might not be the best fit. Cavapoos are especially affectionate with their families and tend to have a quiet, calm temperament when they’re not exercising. They can also be quite energetic thanks to their playful personalities.

Affection Level	High
Friendliness	High
Kid-Friendly	High
Pet-Friendly	High
Exercise Needs	Medium
Playfulness	High
Energy Level	Medium
Trainability	High
Intelligence	High
Tendency to Bark	Low
Amount of Shedding	Low

History of the Cavapoo

Poodle mixes, including the Cavapoo, have become increasingly popular in the United States in recent decades. These mixes, also called doodles, blend the personality traits of one breed—in this case, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel’s good-naturedness—with the low shedding and hypoallergenic traits of poodles.

Cavaliers have a long history with European royalty, and as you may have guessed, were beloved by King Charles I and II. They are known for being affectionate, sociable, and friendly, and they thrive in the company of humans and other pets. Toy poodles worked as circus dogs, and their larger relative, the standard poodle, was a hunting dog. Poodles are beloved for their athleticism and intelligence.

Cavapoo Care

Like other designer dogs, Cavapoos require a bit more grooming than short-haired breeds because of their curly coats. However, the Cavapoo is also highly trainable, eager to please, and only requires a medium amount of exercise to stay happy and healthy.

Exercise

Despite the Cavapoo’s high energy, this breed has moderate exercise requirements and will love their daily walks. This, combined with their small stature, makes them suitable for apartments and urban life. They certainly have the energy to keep up with children, but as with all pets, make sure that your children have adult supervision when playing with your Cavapoo. Keep in mind that these dogs are on the smaller side, so there is a higher risk of injury with a playful child that gets a little carried away with their roughhousing.

Grooming

Cavapoos have soft, medium-length fur that can range from wavy to curly and requires regular grooming. They are known for shedding very little, making them an ideal breed for those with allergies to pet dander. Their lack of shedding doesn’t mean they don’t need routine brushing, however. If your Cavapoo isn’t brushed at least once to twice a week, its wavy curls may start to mat. Aside from being uncomfortable and sometimes even painful, mats can make the skin underneath prone to infections. Some owners may opt to have their dog’s fur cut short to help prevent matting.

In addition to brushing, your Cavapoo should get his or her nails trimmed regularly to prevent them from snagging or breaking. They also need their ears cleaned to prevent infection, and it’s important to clean or trim the fur inside the ears.

As a smaller breed, Cavapoos are prone to dental disease. Brushing your Cavapoo’s teeth daily, or as often as you can manage, with dog-friendly toothpaste can help keep its teeth clean and healthy. Dental disease is not merely a cosmetic issue. Gingival tissue is vascular, and it is the number one area where bacteria can enter the bloodstream. This can lead to painful tooth abscesses and even endocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle).

Training

Cavapoos are intelligent, highly trainable, and eager to please their owners. This breed can easily be trained (starting as early as 12 weeks of age) in basic obedience with positive reinforcement-based training. Marking the desired behavior with a treat or praise can help reinforce good behavior.

Because they are so closely bonded to their owners, Cavapoos are also prone to suffering from separation anxiety. Work with a certified dog behaviorist to help solve the anxiety.

Common Health Problems

Cavapoos are prone to diseases seen commonly in their parent breeds, the Cavalier King Charles spaniel and toy poodle. Reputable breeders will screen their spaniels, poodles, and Cavapoo puppies for these illnesses and avoid breeding dogs with genetic diseases. Health problems commonly seen in Cavapoos can include:

• Congenital heart defects: The most common is mitral valve disease, in which a valve inside the heart is malformed and doesn’t fully occlude when closed.
  Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA): This ocular disorder affects the dog’s retinas and can lead to blindness.
  Luxating patellas: This condition is an orthopedic issue affecting the kneecaps. The grooves that the kneecaps rest in are shallow, allowing the knees to pop in and out of place.
  Atopy: Also known as skin allergies in dogs, this condition can cause itchiness and discomfort.
  Syringomyelia/Chiari-Like Malformation: This is a condition in which pockets of fluid build up in your dog’s spinal cord.
  Dental disease: Dental infections and abscesses can be painful, and they also affect the bloodstream (which can cause heart disease). Brush your dog’s teeth regularly and maintain a consistent dental cleaning schedule with your veterinarian.

Diet and Nutrition

Cavapoos tend to thrive on nutritious diets made for small- to medium-sized, high-energy dogs. Although the weight range for the breed doesn’t seem very large, it can vary widely. A 9-pound Cavapoo is much smaller than a 20-pound Cavapoo and will require much less dog food per day.

Depending on their size and activity, your Cavapoo may require anywhere from 1/2 cup to 1 cup of food per day. Measure out their food to help prevent canine obesity. Your veterinarian can provide a diet plan for your specific dog to maintain a healthy weight.

Where to Adopt or Buy a Cavapoo

Cavapoos are relatively popular dogs. Despite being considered “designer,” they are also surrendered at shelters like most other breeds. If you are interested in adding a Cavapoo to your family, start at your local shelter or rescue organization.

If you haven’t found any Cavapoos at shelters, it’s important to ensure that any breeder you use is reputable. These puppies typically cost between $1,00 and $2,000, but prices may vary depending on location and pedigree. The breed’s popularity also makes them a common choice for puppy mills. To adopt a healthy dog raised in a safe environment, general rules of thumb include avoiding commercial pet shops and breeders that don’t let you see the parents (or where they’re kept). To start your search, consider these resources for responsible Cavapoo breeders:

• Cavapoo Love
  Best Cavapoos

Pros and Cons of Cavapoos

Cavapoos are wonderful small- to medium-sized dogs that can make a great addition to many families. However, they require a lot of grooming and are prone to health issues.

Pros

• Affectionate
• Low-shedding and allergy-friendly coat
• Size and adaptability make them good for apartments and small spaces

Cons

• Weekly to twice weekly brushing required
• Prone to separation anxiety
• Prone to dental disease, heart conditions, and eye problems
• Commonly a product of puppy mills and backyard breeders

More Dog Breeds and Further Research

The Cavapoo isn’t the only poodle mix out there. If you’re interested in adopting one, you can also consider their suitability for your home versus similar breeds:

Shih-poo
Goldendoodle
MalteseMaltese