Cavapoo

All you need to know about the Cavapoo

Are you ready to learn everything of importance about the Cavapoo? Well, first things first, we should tell you exactly what a Cavapoo is, just in case you don’t know.

The Cavapoo is not a pure breed. It is a cross between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Standard or Miniature Poodle. 

A cross should always be done to bring together the best of both breeds, and this is thankfully true with the Cavapoo. They get the low shedding coat of the Poodle, along with its gentle nature. But also the playfulness and energy of the Cavalier.

You might also see a Cavadoodle, Cavoodle or Cavipoodle. They are all Cavapoos, just by another name. 

Let’s keep them called Cavapoo as we get going with some basics.

Cavapoo Fast Facts

Group - Designer breed (non-official)

Weight - 9 - 25 Pounds

Height - 9 - 14 Inches

Hair Length - Short

Shedding - Low 

Lifespan - 12 - 15 years

Height and weight can vary depending on the gender of each breed crossed. The Cavapoo can be small, but even medium-sized. 

As you have seen already, discussing the look of the Cavapoo is not quite as simple as with a purebred dog. There is more variation, so pay attention to this next part.

Appearance Matters: The Look of the Cavapoo

Once again, it is important to remember that there is no official breed confirmation for the Cavapoo. This also means that not all Cavapoo’s have the commonly held trait of being very low shedding. 

Depending on what generation the Cavapoo is, the look can be a little different. So it is crucial to get all the details about this when you talk to a breeder. 

Firstly we can talk about the F1 Cavapoo, which is simply a cross of Cavalier with Poodle. This is by far the most common Cavapoo you will see available.

Their coat tends to be lush, soft, and luxurious. It can be wavy or curly but not usually straight. It is not possible to tell beforehand which features they will take after. If their coat is closer to their Poodle parent, then they will be low shedding and more suitable for allergy sufferers. 

Usually, Cavapoos have compact faces with floppy ears and have large eyebrows.

There is also a Teacup Cavapoo, a cross between a Cavalier and a Toy Poodle, with the only difference being that they are smaller than the regular Cavapoo. But probably not small enough to fit in your teacup!

Next up is the F1b Cavapoo, which is a Cavapoo breed with either a Poodle or a Cavalier. 

A Cavapoo - Cavalier cross will have a straighter coat, look closer to a Cavalier, and will not be so low shedding. 

A Cavapoo - Poodle cross is a little closer to the standard Cavapoo look, and they will have a curly coat, and be even lower shedding than a regular Cavapoo.

The F2 Cavapoo is a cross of two Cavapoos. This is less popular, as the appearance is very uncertain. The coat can come out in almost any style, wavy, straight, or very curled, and sizing can be a little random. 

Most people would say that the look of the Cavapoo is cute, curly-coated and colorful. So let's get into those colors.

The Cavapoo kaleidoscope of Colors

Variety is the name of the game with this breed, and the Cavapoo has a wide variety of colors. Firstly this is dependent on the colors of their Cavalier and Poodle parents. Secondly, the Cavapoo coat color does tend to lighten as they get older. But if the Poodle was red-colored, this is less likely.

These are the most common colors.

• Cream
• Black
• White
• Red
• Apricot
• Gold
• Tri-colored (black, white and tan) 
• Blenheim (red and white)

It can be tricky to know what color a litter will be when born, as again breeders will be uncertain what parent a littler will take after. However, while color can be random, the temperament of the Cavapoo is more constant.

The Nature and Personality of the Cavapoo

The first aim when creating the Cavapoo was that breeders wanted to combine the friendly and gentle nature of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel with the brains of a Poodle.

Friendly, playful, happy, charming, outgoing, curious. All these qualities are contained within the cute bundle that is the Cavapoo. Some are calmer than others. Some will prefer to lie on your lap, and just play a little. Others will be bouncier, and even goofy, and love to run around. But all are very human-centric and warm-natured.

Luckily if you wait until 8-12 weeks of age before choosing a Cavapoo puppy from a breeder, they can help show you which puppy from a litter has the best nature to suit your lifestyle. 

Whatever Cavapoo puppy you get, you can be sure that you choose a dog ideal for family life or a companion for an older person. They just love to be around people, whether kids, family, or friends. 

This breed is also well suited to a novice dog owner, as they are usually adaptable and very easygoing. 

The only minor drawback to Cavapoos nature is that they are very prone to separation anxiety because of their friendliness. They are not a great breed to own if you have to leave them home alone all day.

All Cavapoos have moderate exercise needs. They don’t need hours and hours of long walks, but a couple of 30-minute outings per day can suit them with plenty of play dispersed in between. 

Training a Cavapooo

We have good news for you here. Cavapoo is reasonably easy to train. 

The pups should have the Poodle’s intelligence, mixed with the friendliness and eagerness of the Cavalier. Ideal for training!

The Cavapoo likes to be with you, likes to listen, and wants to be involved. 

However, gentle training is required, with periods limited to 15-20 minutes, so they are not overwhelmed. Don’t get frustrated, and don’t shout!

One word of caution! There have been examples of puppies struggling with potty training. But no special technique is needed, purely more patience and time when a puppy is adjusting to your home. 

So as training is not too tricky, let us move swiftly on to grooming.

Clean and Tidy. Grooming a Cavapoo

As we mentioned earlier, some, but not all, Cavapoos have a low shedding coat. But all need a regular grooming regime, no matter what the coat.

Ideally, you will have to brush that fairly thick, often curly coat every week. While they may be lower shedding, Cavapoos are very much prone to hair tangling. 

You will have to bathe your Cavapoo monthly too, and always brush them right after bathing. Otherwise, it will be a tangle bonanza after.

The best way to maintain the thick coat is to get a regular haircut from a professional dog groomer. There are a number of fashionable cuts in existence. 

Let’s bring up that popular topic now—hypoallergenic dogs. No doubt you will have seen it mentioned in many places that the Cavapoo is hypoallergenic. 

We cannot say it firmly enough - there is no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog. The reason is simple. Allergies are not caused by the type of coat but by dander, the dead skin cells that every dog sheds.

Some Cavapoo’s have indeed been shown to be a more tolerable choice for allergy sufferers. But they are falsely declared 100% safe for allergy sufferers. 

The Health and Fitness of Cavapoo

The Cavapoo, on the whole, is a healthy breed. But like all dogs, there are health issues they are prone to, and these are the same as the ones that a Cavalier or a Poodle can suffer from.

Heart issues and eye problems can crop up. These can be hard to spot, with less obvious symptoms. Regular vet visits are the best way to ensure these are noticed and treated quickly.  

Other issues include leg difficulties such as hip dysplasia and luxating patella. If you notice your Cavapoo limping or struggling when walking, it is vital to get it looked into right away. 

The best way to reduce health issues is to choose your Cavapoo from a responsible breeder. The best way to keep them healthy is a good diet, regular exercise, and frequent vet visits. 

Speaking of a good diet, the Cavapoo is prone to weight gain. So you will want to make sure you get their food just right and keep them active. The breeder, and your vet, can recommend the right food and right portions based on your particular pup.

Canine History. Where did the Cavapoo come from

It was not until the 1990’s that the deliberate, designer breeding of the Cavapoo began in Australia. Bringing together the Cavalier and the Poodle’s best qualities and producing the cutest pups imaginable, it is no surprise the Cavapoo very rapidly gained in popularity.

While still not considered a purebred, as Cavapoo crossed with Cavapoo is not catching on, they have become the most popular and healthiest designer crossbreeds.