The Cavapoo, also referred to as Cavadoodle or Cavoodle is one of the most sought-after Doodle Dogs . A cross between the affectionate and gentle Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the agile and intelligent miniature Poodle, the designer dog is sure to display a fantastic personality.
A small dog in appearance, with a sweet round face, endearing large eyes, a button nose, and long floppy ears, the Cavadoodle is truly one of the most adorable and cuddly pups.
The Cavapoo hypoallergenic coat is soft and silky, and varies from straight to wavy or curly. It comes in a variety of beautiful colors which are most commonly black, brown, tricolor, white, and yellow.
As a doodle dog or hybrid, the Cava-poo dog (aka Cavadoodle or Cavoodle) embodies the small size of both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Mini Poodle. It has an average weight between 8 to 20 pounds and an average height of 9 to 14 inches.
Breed Type / Mix | Energy | Shedding | Training |
---|---|---|---|
Doodle Hybrid / Poodle crossed with a Cavalier King Charles | Moderate | Minimum | Responsive |
Temperament | Adult Weight | Adult Height | Life Span |
Intelligent, Loving, Social | 8-20 lbs | 9-14 in | 12-15 yrs |
The Cava-poo (Cavadoodle or Cavoodle) is small in stature, with a sweet round face, big beautiful eyes, a button nose, and long adorable floppy ears. Inheriting the small size of both parent breeds, their height reaches 9 to 14 inches and their weight can be anywhere between 8 to 20 pounds.
The Cavoodle’s coat is hypoallergenic (with minimal to no shedding), varies from straight to wavy or curly, and comes in a variety of stunning colors. The most common colors for this breed are black, brown, tricolor, white, and yellow. As with most crossbreeds, this designer dog can resemble either parent more or can have a balanced mix of features from both breeds. That being said, the Cavalier spaniel and poodle mix does take a little more after the Cavalier King Charles spaniel in appearance, and more after the Poodle in coat qualities.
The Cavapoo colors are also, in most cases, variations and mixes of colors from both parent breeds, with the rarest and most sought-after being:
Black or white Cavadoodles are also among the hardest to find. Their size can vary quite a bit as well depending on the size of their Poodle parent. Mini or Toy Poodles are generally used for this Cavalier/Poodle mix. A Cavapoo adult can reach up to 14 inches and 20 pounds.
Related : Cavapoo Size Guide: How Big Do Cavapoos Get?
The Cava-poos (Cavadoodle or Cavoodle) are kind and loyal dogs. Their friendly and cheerful nature coupled with their lack of aggression has made them one of the most sought-after dog breeds. The breed’s temperament is even and calm and that is perhaps their most appreciated quality – gorgeous looks aside. They do not bite or growl, they are neither jumpy nor easily scared and they love just about everyone they meet.
Relaxed, gracious, and well-balanced, this designer dog is fantastic with children of all ages, pets, other dogs, and strangers. Some of their favorite activities include going on long walks and meeting new people, exploring new territories, finding new friends at the dog park, and playing dog games with their human family. With their cheerful nature, their love for games, and cheeky wild side, the Cavoodles will keep everyone around entertained and happy for hours.
They enjoy the occasional dog trick and stunt, and they are quite fond of having all eyes on them. They are sweet, caring, devoted, and family-oriented pups who love being included in every family activity. Although they do become greatly attached to their humans, they are not overly dependent or particularly clingy. This designer dog is known to be independent, and, in most cases, can be left alone for up to 8 hours each day.
With their athletic and outgoing nature, Cavadoodles also make great hiking companions. Even though they are small toy-sized dogs that are not built for trekking through mountains, the Cavipoo does want to be involved in family adventures and is able to keep up on short hikes.
Grooming
Grooming your Cavapoo puppy both at home and at the dog groomer is essential for your dog’s well-being. Puppies and adult Cavapoos generally have low grooming requirements. Like all dog breeds, they need to have their coats brushed, ears cleaned, nails trimmed, and teeth brushed regularly.
Before brushing your Cava-poo’s coat, consider their hair type and what tools are needed for the job. Adult Cavoodles have wavy or curly-textured coats, which means that a bristle brush would work best for them. Ideally, you should brush your dog a few times per week, or daily if time allows. You can also add a slicker brush for your dog to your shopping list, in case your dog’s coat gets matted and needs detangling. Mats are common in dogs that don’t get as much brushing as they should. They most often appear behind the dog’s ear, around the legs, and on the base of the tail.
Exercise Needs
The Cavadoo breed is moderately active. These amazing dogs enjoy canine games and cuddles and are generally relaxed. A 30-minute walk each day coupled with some playtime indoors is enough to keep the dog healthy and happy. Daily mental stimulation is also recommended for this pup.
Health
Cava-poos are generally very healthy dogs. Thanks to reputable breeders and crossbreeding, first-generation dogs, in particular, benefit from hybrid vigor. These dogs are less likely to inherit any conditions that their parents are prone to. Crossing or breeding dogs that don’t belong to the same breed but are both purebred, will produce healthy, resilient puppies.
Although it is unlikely for Cavoodles to inherit any of these health problems, their parents are sometimes prone to hip dysplasia, cataracts, allergies, and luxating patella.
CHD – Canine Hip Dysplasia is a condition that affects a dog’s hip joint as well as its limb movement. This condition is generally seen in larger breeds that have a rapid growth process. Hip dysplasia is not a life-threatening condition, and it is more often seen in large, purebred dog breeds. Cavoodles, which are a mixed breed, are very unlikely to develop this condition. Symptoms of hip dysplasia include unnatural movements, lethargy, leg stiffness, and weakness in the thigh muscles.
Cataract is a condition that generally affects dogs in their senior years. Other causes for cataracts in dogs include injury to the eyes, inflammation, and sugar diabetes. Although it is not life-threatening, it can cause discomfort and loss of sight, and if left untreated, can lead to glaucoma. Signs of Cataracts in dogs include eye discoloration, dizziness, cloudy eyes, lethargy, excessive blinking, and clumsy movements.
The Cavapoo is a designer puppy, a mixed breed of a Cavalier King Charles spaniel crossed with a miniature or toy Poodle.
The first breeders to have crossed a purebred Cavalier King Charles Spaniel with a miniature or toy Poodle are believed to be from Australia. Although the exact date when Cavadoo puppies first appeared is unknown, it is widely believed that the breed may have emerged between 1990 and 1995. During those years, the demand and popularity surrounding designer breeds were at their highest peak in both Australia and the United States.
Cavadoos, like the Cockapoos and Goldendoodles before them, were created to display the best of two breeds. The difference between regular crossbreeds and designer dogs like the Cava-doodle can be better understood by looking at their beginnings.
Crossbreeds can be dated back to the early 14th century when several dog breeds that we know today were still being created. During that time, crossbreeds were bred through six or more generations until the desired result was achieved. The main reason behind crossbreeding at that time was to create better-equipped dog breeds that could be used in various jobs.
Many of the larger breeds we know today were created through crossbreeding for jobs like hunting, herding, retrieving, assisting, guiding, and so on. Combining the strengths, skills, and physical qualities of two different dog breeds resulted in a new breed that was perfectly equipped for a certain job. Examples of early crossbreeds that are now recognized as purebred breeds include the English Pointer, Bull Terrier, and Greyhounds.
Designer breeds, on the other hand, first appeared around 1950 and were created to have more balanced temperaments, better coat qualities, a more unique appearance with traits from two distinct breeds, and a smaller, more manageable size. Unlike larger crossbreeds that are created for working purposes, designer breeds are bred for a smaller, easier to handle size that fits well in an apartment setting and for hypoallergenic purposes that allow them to be owned risk-free by allergy sufferers.
Doodle breeds like the Cava-doodle, which are crossbreeds of a Poodle and a different purebred breed, were bred to inherit the Poodle’s hypoallergenic qualities along with its intelligence and the second breed’s most desirable traits. Like most doodle breeds, Cavipoos are also bred into multiple generations, each generation having certain benefits.