The Cavapoo: Characteristics and Care
Written and verified by the biologist Cesar Paul Gonzalez Gonzalez
You may have noticed that here at My Animals recently we’ve been bringing you news about the latest hybrid dogs, and today we have another one for you – the Cavapoo! But what dogs does it come from?
This is a hybrid dog that comes from a cross between a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Poodle. Its appearance is quite cute and its personality has made many people fall in love with it. These dogs inherit the best characteristics of their “parents”, which makes them an excellent choice as pets.
Designer dogs, or hybrids, are produced from crossing pure breeds. The result is a mongrel dog that international dog associations don’t recognize because of their “impurity”. Keep reading this article to learn more about the wonderful Cavapoo.
A hybrid between a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Poodle
Designer dogs are born with the aim of being able to combine the characteristics of two different breeds. This allows breeders to improve certain aspects such as behavior, health, or aesthetics. To achieve this, it’s necessary to crossbreed established (pure) breeds, as the traits don’t change much between their offspring. Even so, the appearance of the hybrids varies a lot and this is one of their biggest problems.
The Cavapoo (also called the Cavadoodle or Cavoodle) is produced with the aim of obtaining a dog with the good temperament of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, but with the hypoallergenic characteristics of the Poodle. This combination is not only excellent, but has become famous for cute it is.
Origin of the Cavapoo
Most hybrid dogs have an uncertain origin and there’s no specific date of its first appearance. The same is true of the Cavapoo. The breed became popular in the late 1990s, although it’s believed that it may have been created around 1950. The only certainty is that Australia was the first country to begin mass breeding.
Breed characteristics
The Cavapoo is considered a relatively new breed, so its physical traits haven’t yet been well determined. Despite this, it can be expected to be between 25 and 38 centimeters (10 to 15 inches) in height. The latter will depend entirely on the type of poodle that fathered it.
Its coat is usually a little curly and bulky, but not as much as the poodle’s. Added to this is its wide variety of coloration patterns, with uniform, bicolor, or tricolor shades. In addition, it’s able to exhibit any variety of colors that exist in the parent breeds.
Personality
The breed is characterized by its friendly, loving, playful, and sociable personality. It tends to be very close to its owners, and can sometimes even be overprotective. Although it’s an excellent companion for the family, the excessive affection it has for its owners means it can’t stand loneliness. For this reason, we don’t recommend you leave this dog alone for too long.
These hybrid dogs are quite intelligent and are easy to train to follow commands. Keep in mind that they love to get attention and please their owners, so using positive reinforcement is a great strategy to train them. You need to be aware that when the Cavapoo feels isolated it can develop destructive behavior.
Main care tips
The size of these dogs is usually suitable for small homes. However, they shouldn’t stay locked in all the time, as they need at least one hour of exercise a day. Remember that they come from quite an active breed – the poodle. For this reason, you need to ensure these dogs get rid of all their excess energy in order to keep them calm.
You need to allow for brushing sessions so that the Cavapoo’s coat doesn’t form any knots. The frequency will depend on the individual and how long or curly the coat is. Even so, you can use this time to spend more time with your pet and strengthen your relationship.
This hybrid dog has a tendency to suffer from infectious diseases in the ears and teeth. For this reason, you need to maintain good hygiene in both these parts of the body. A good idea is to brush your pet’s teeth regularly and prevent them from retaining moisture in their coat. If in doubt, see a veterinarian for guidance.
Common diseases
Hybrid dogs tend to have better health compared to their parent breeds. However, this doesn’t mean that they’re immune illnesses and diseases, so be on the lookout for any warning signs. Some common diseases in the Cavapoo are the following:
- Mitral valve degeneration: A genetic disease that affects the heart valves. This causes heart failure and, in severe cases, death.
- Progressive retinal atrophy: A congenital condition that causes progressive loss of vision in dogs. It’s usually only evident when the symptoms have worsened and the dog has almost completely lost vision.
- Patellar luxation: A slippage of the bone that supports the knee joint (patella). This causes discomfort when walking and can be aggravated to the point of preventing movement.
- Otitis: An infection of the skin of the ear. It is characterized by inflammation, redness, and itching. The Cavapoo’s droopy ears make it more prone to experience these infections.
- Allergies: These are excessive reactions of the immune system to various environmental substances (allergens). They cause inflammation, irritation, and itching, although in some cases this also leads to airway obstruction. Allergies can be triggered by food, insects, or some medications.
- Gingivitis: The uncontrolled growth of bacteria in the gums, causing inflammation, bad smell, and general discomfort. This isn’t usually as visible as in humans, so you should keep up regular visits to the canine dentist for a general check-up.
As you can tell, the Cavapoo is an intelligent, calm, and loving breed that’s a good choice as a pet. Of course, it needs certain basic care minimum care to have a fulfilled life and and not cause any problems to their owners.
Remember that acquiring a dog is a great responsibility, as you need to watch out for its safety throughout its life. Don’t take this lightly and make sure its health and happiness is your priority.
Like to find out about another Poodle hybrid? Click here, and also check out the link below!
All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.
- McGreevy, P. D., & Nicholas, F. W. (1999). Some practical solutions to welfare problems in dog breeding. ANIMAL WELFARE-POTTERS BAR-, 8, 329-342.
- Nicholas, F. W., Arnott, E. R., & McGreevy, P. D. (2016). Hybrid vigour in dogs?. The Veterinary Journal, 214, 77-83.
- Chipayo, Y., Huerta, C., Olazábal, J., & Díaz, D. (2018). Tratamiento quirúrgico temprano de un caso de luxación patelar lateral bilateral en un paciente canino. Revista de Investigaciones Veterinarias del Perú, 29(2), 720-724.
- Dávila, R., & Astoquillca, V. (2014). Degeneración valvular mitral en un canino cruzado: relato de caso. Revista de Investigaciones Veterinarias del Perú, 25(1), 108-112.
- Whitwam, L. (2019) The Cavapoo Handbook: The Essential Guide for New & Prospective Cavapoo Owners. Canine Handbooks Series.
This text is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace consultation with a professional. If in doubt, consult your specialist.