The Cavapoo is a hybrid, or designer breed that is a mix of the Cavalier King Charles spaniel and the toy poodle. Sometimes called a Cavadoodle or Cavoodle, this is a small dog (9-20 pounds) with soft, curly fur. This lovable and compact dog looks like a teddy bear with floppy ears, and 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 humans 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.

What are Cavapoos like with children? 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.

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.

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. They also like playing fetch, and are athletic enough to participate in dog sports like agility, obedience, and rally. This, combined with their small stature, makes them suitable for apartments and urban life.

Exercise is an important part of your dog’s daily life because it gives them the chance to release their energy and helps them stay healthy. Cavapoos are prone to weight gain and should be kept at a healthy weight to prevent heart issues, and exercise will help in this area.  

Grooming

Cavapoos have soft, medium-length fur that can range from wavy to curly and requires regular grooming. Though no dog is truly hypoallergenic, 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, their wavy curls may start to mat. Aside from being uncomfortable and sometimes even painful, mats can make the skin underneath prone to infections. Some pet parents may opt to have their dog's fur cut short to help prevent matting.

In addition to brushing, your Cavapoo should get their nails trimmed regularly to prevent them from snagging or breaking. Also, their long ears make them prone to infections, so they need their ears cleaned regularly, and it's important to clean or trim the fur inside the ears, too.

Cavapoos are prone to tear stains on their light-colored fur. By washing your dog’s face daily, you can prevent this problem. Also, there are tear stain removers for dogs that can be used to keep their face clean.

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 them 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. 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 family, Cavapoos are also prone to suffering from separation anxiety. Work with a certified dog behaviorist to help solve the anxiety. You can also provide your dog with mentally stimulating activities, such as lick mats, KONG toys, and puzzle toys, while they’re home alone to keep them occupied.

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:

• Mitral valve disease: The most common congenital heart defect in Cavapoos is mitral valve disease, in which a valve inside the heart is malformed and doesn't fully occlude when closed.
• Eye diseases: Conditions that impact the eyes, such as progressive retinal atrophy (damages the retinas and can lead to blindness), entropion, cataracts, cherry eye, and dry eye, can affect this breed.
• 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.
• Allergies: 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.
• Hip dysplasia: This orthopedic condition impacts the hip joint’s function and stability. The joint grows and develops abnormally, and this can be caused genetics.
• Epilepsy: This neurological disease causes seizures that can be generalized or focalized. Symptoms of seizures include stiff legs, chattering jaw, staring blankly, and uncontrolled movements.  

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, and avoid giving them too many treats, to help prevent canine obesity. Your veterinarian can provide a diet plan for your specific dog to maintain a healthy weight.

Keep Your Dog Healthy

Where to Adopt or Buy a Cavapoo

Cavapoos are relatively popular dogs. Despite being considered "designer," they are also commonly found at animal shelters due to their popularity. 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 $1,000 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 buy 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).

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 of Cavapoos

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

Cons of Cavapoos

• Weekly to twice weekly brushing required
• 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
• Maltese

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