Are you looking for a dog that is cute as well as sharp? Look nowhere else because Cavoodle might just be the right pup for you. Also known as ‘Cavadoodle’ or ‘Cavapoo,’ it is a popular dog breed produced in the crossbreeding programs in the late 90s. Since this breed is new, it doesn’t have a rich history, but we still know that Cavoodles are healthy and live long. The Cavoodles were bred to be active, small, and healthy dogs with low-shedding coats who could be children’s good companions. They are now very famous in the UK because of their exceptional temperaments.
Cavoodle Puppies Origin
The Cavoodle is a cross between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the miniature or toy Poodle. They can be classified in the category of ‘Poodle-mix’ breeds such as Labradoodles and Cockapoos. However, they shouldn’t be mixed up with Spoodles or Cockapoos as their parents are different. Some people believe that Cavoodles are not designer dogs but were born as accidental litters from Poodles and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. The firstborn Cavoodle was, however, recorded in 1990 in Australia, and thus it is also considered an Australian breed.
This breed is yet to be recognized by the major kennel clubs and breed associations because there’s a huge variety of genetic traits and coat types. Talking about his parents, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel was developed in the 17th century, and the Poodles are very old, dating back to the 15th century. Spaniel dogs were bred for hunting, while the Poodles are considered to have a soft, non-shedding coat. Cavoodles inherit the best traits from their parents and thus is winning the hearts of many dog enthusiasts around the world.
Breed Information
Origin:Australia
Size: Small
Classification: Poodle-cross
Height: 20 – 35 cm
Weight: 4 – 10 kg
Lifespan: 10 – 14 years
Coat: Long
Color: Tan, golden, black, cream, brown
Energy level: Medium/high
Temperament: Lovable, active, social, playful
Cavoodle Puppy Appearance
Cavoodle is a baby-faced dog, and even when fully grown, maintains its adorable puppy-like appearance. They come in a wide variety of colors from black to cream, tan, brown, chestnut, gold, and all the colors in between. The color of the coat depends on the coat color of its parents as well. The coat can be straight or wavy depending on Poodle or Cavalier’s coat structure. Cavoodles have soft long floppy ears and a round compact face with big brows.
If the Cavoodles have a Poodle-like coat, they will shed less compared to the Cavalier-like coat. However, the Poodle-like coat will need more frequent grooming and brushing. No matter which type of coat they have, it is advised to take them to a groomer every six weeks. They’re small-sized dogs with their adults standing between 20 to 35 cm and weighing around 4 – 10 kg. However, the size also depends on the parents they were bred from.
Personality and Temperament of Cavoodle Puppies
Cavoodle puppies are social and loving; they inherit this trait from the laid-back Cavalier who was bred as a loyal companion dog. They combine the best traits from their parents and prove to be playful, smart, and eager-to-please pups. Because of their intelligence and loyalty, these dogs make great pets for families with kids.
They tend to be very obedient and easily trainable, and thus ideal for first-time owners. They are very social and depend on their family members and other pets for their happiness. Cavoodles are great with children, but it is important to teach the children to treat them with love and care and not consider them as toys.
Though Cavoodles are calm and laid-back because of their Cavalier parent, they shouldn’t be left alone for long periods without supervision. They can develop behavioral issues if not given much physical and mental attention. This can also result in separation anxiety in these dogs. It is imperative to keep them with a companion.
A Cavoodle pup proves to be a perfect companion for all types of owners, be it new or experienced, young or old. They are people-oriented, even-tempered, and easily get along with everyone, including other pets. Not only that, they are well aware of their surroundings, and because of their curious nature, they can be great watchdogs as well. Cavoodles can be a bit aggressive around strangers, but since they are intelligent, they become gentle as soon as they realize that the newcomer is a pet lover.
If you have a lot of people at your place, Cavoodle will be more than happy. Some Cavoodle puppies are more of Poodle-type, while others tend to inherit more from their Cavalier parent. To understand more about Cavoodle’s nature and temperament, you can also evaluate the personality traits of Poodles and Cavaliers.
Cavoodle Puppies Training and Exercises
Since Cavoodles are eager to please like their Poodle parent, they’re highly trainable pups. Not only do they learn your commands easily, but they can also be trained to perform various tricks while still young. However, the main thing to remember while training a Cavoodle is that you should remain positive and patient. You should keep on appreciating your pup and offer him his favorite treats whenever he pleases you. To train your Cavoodle, consider the repetition method so that the pup learns easily.
Cavoodles are obedient and learn quickly, but they can also have an independent streak. Go for verbal praise and encouragement, and lots of treats and your Cavoodle will be back to training in no time. Their ability to learn improves as your relationship with them strengthens. Also, a training routine helps because this way they get the mental simulation for keeping themselves engaged for a long time. If you want them to train for games—especially the obstacle courses—Cavoodles are a great choice because they are small dogs. Check out these activities for your pup for some more ideas.
Though Cavoodles are active and playful, they aren’t hyperactive. They will need several exercises and walks daily. Cavoodles will always be ready to accompany you whenever you leave the house because they are fun-loving and loves to interact. Since daily exercise is a must for Cavoodle, it is best to go for a dedicated dog walker so that your pup gets all the activity and exercises he needs to remain healthy.
Health and Care of Cavoodle Puppies
As compared to their purebred counterparts, mixed breed dogs are less likely to develop genetic disorders. Though there is no guarantee that your Cavoodle will always maintain perfect health, there are high chances that your pup will not fall victim to the common genetic disorders that other dog breeds have.
Cavoodle’s parent—Cavelier—is prone to many health issues, such as eye disease, heart valve problems, dislocated hips and kneecaps, neurological disorders, and ear infections. These diseases can be screened at an early stage if you take your pup for examination by a vet. His other parent, the toy Poodle, has lesser health issues. Some common health conditions your Cavoodle may inherit from the Toy Poodle are dislocated knees and hips and eye infections. They may also suffer from immune-mediated disorders and idiopathic epilepsy. Chatting with your vet will help solve these issues along with feeding them with the right supplements and high-quality dog food.
Cavoodle Breed Interesting Facts
Cavoodles get along easily and can adapt well to any type of home or apartment. The mild-mannered pups will fit seamlessly into your lifestyle and prove to be lovable companions. If you’re a Cavoodle enthusiast, you must already know many of the details we described earlier. However, the following are some interesting facts which you might haven’t heard before.
- Cavoodles are classified as ‘mutts,’ which means that they have a greater gene pool to pick from. Cavoodles are a mix between Cavaliers and Poodles, but now there are second-generation Cavoodle puppies too. Second-generation puppies are those that may not have mixed parents, they are born because of breeding between two Cavoodles.
- The best feature of Cavoodle puppies is their easy-to-maintain coat. Their coat sheds very little or not at all. For this reason, these pups can prove ideal pets for dog lovers prone to allergies and are looking for a hypoallergenic dog breed. However, the amount that a Cavoodle shed also depends on the genes which are more prominent in him. For example, if the Poodle-gene is more prominent, he will shed less.
- Cavoodles come in two main sizes depending on the breed of their parent Poodle. If the parent is a toy Poodle, the Cavoodle will be 28 — 35 cm when fully grown, and if the parent is a Miniature Poodle, the Cavoodle will be a bit taller—that is 33 to 45 cm.
Bottom Line
Bringing a Cavoodle home is a big decision—you need to evaluate his personality, traits, health, grooming and make sure whether it goes well with your lifestyle or not. Once you’ve made up your mind to bring a Cavoodle home after weighing all the pros and cons, you’re in for years of playfulness and entertainment.
