Next up on our dog breed radar is the Cavoodle. These adorable puppies make the perfect pet for a lot of families. They are easy to care for, great with kids, and ideal breeds for a beginner. You can’t meet a Cavoodle without falling in love with one. But what’s it like to own a Cavoodle (Cavapoo)?
What Are They?
Cavoodle vs Cavapoo, no matter what you call them, they are the same. Cavoodles are a hybrid of two mixed breeds to create the perfect dog. They are half Cavalier King Charles and half Poodle.
The Cavalier King Charles is a small spaniel bred designed for companionship. These dogs love their humans and always want company and attention. But don’t let their loveable appearance fool you. Cavaliers are also sporty, fast, and energetic little dogs.
When you combine this with the loyal and lovable Poodle, you get the perfect breed. The Poodle brings a hypoallergenic coat and intelligence to the table. Most people train Cavapoos as therapy dogs or even service dogs for people with anxiety since they are in tune with their owners.
Cavoodle Temperament
What’s it like to own a Cavoodle (Cavapoo)? Looking at their demeanor will tell you everything. The Cavapoo temperament is everything you could ever want in a dog. They are intelligent and charming. They love spending time with their owners and even do well with kids. Your Cavoodle won’t ever meet a stranger and will welcome attention from anyone.
These pups are also very playful. Your dog will do all sorts of cute things throughout the day to enact play. Whether it’s throwing a ball in the air or pouncing on you to play, they have such warming hearts. Do Cavoodles bark a lot during this? You can expect your dog to speak to you frequently. But it usually has a meaning, so listen carefully.
Intelligence
We believe that Cavapoos don’t get enough credit for how intelligent they are. You won’t find a Cavoodle intelligence ranking, but you can see their purebred relatives. Cavaliers rank #44 on the top 100 smartest breeds list, and Poodles rank #2. So using that reasoning, it’s easy to assume that your Cavapoo will be just as intelligent.
Cavapoos are eager to please their owners and will do anything to make you happy. You can use this to your advantage during the training process. With a few treats and hyping them up as the greatest dogs on earth, your Cavapoo will learn to do anything you want.
Energy Levels
One crucial aspect that everyone should consider is the energy level of their dogs. If you are a laid back homebody, you wouldn’t want a dog that has to go, go, go all the time. In this case, the Cavoodle is a moderate to high energy dog. They love to run and play continuously.
But luckily for you, they are easily worn out. A 30-minute walk is usually enough to keep your Cavapoo in shape and healthy. It’s also enough to burn off some energy so that they aren’t bouncing off the walls. But don’t be surprised if younger puppies need a little more than this.
You will also need to make sure that your Cavoodle is keeping an active mind. Giving lots of toys and activities to do daily is very is crucial. It’s even more important if you work long hours and no one is there to play with your dog. Keeping their minds active will prevent adverse behaviors like chewing, digging, running away, and marking.
Coat Types
Do Cavoodles shed? While there is always a small chance of shedding, most owners see little to none at all. A Cavoodle hypoallergenic coat comes in three types straight, wavy, and curly. In terms of shedding, the straighter the coat is, the more it falls out. But every coat type still produces dander that can upset severe allergies. So if you are allergic to dogs, it is best to do a small test first before committing.
You might also be surprised to know that Cavapoos come in many beautiful colors. The most common colors include red, cream, and black. But you can get them in parti and tri-color as well.
Grooming
What’s it like to own a Cavoodle (Cavapoo)? One part of owning a Doodle is that they require a lot of upkeep. Do Cavapoos shed? Not really, and that means they will need regular hair cuts. The average Cavapoo will need to see a groomer every 6-8 weeks for a trim, bath, and nail grind. But this is only half of the work.
You will also have a lot of maintenance at home. Brushing your dog daily will keep their hair tangle-free and easy to manage. If your Cavoodle gets too many knots, they start to pull on their delicate skin, causing microtears. When Doodles don’t get adequate brushing, these small knots then develop into matting. And the only way to fix that is to shave them completely.
So to do this job, you will need a few tools. Starting with a wide-tooth comb, gently comb through your dog’s hair. These combs help you identify knots without hurting your dog. Next, you will use a dematting rake to break up these tangles working from ends to root. And then finish up with a slicker brush to give your Cavoodle a velvety finish.
Size And Lifespan
The Cavoodle size depends on how large the parents are, but they are generally a small to medium breed. Most Cavoodles come in either a toy or miniature size. A Toy Cavoodle weighs anywhere between 10-15 pounds by crossing a Cavalier with a Toy Poodle. Mini Cavapoos weigh between 15-25 pounds and are a cross of the Cavalier and Mini Poodle.
If you want a better idea of how large your puppy will get, you should look at the parents. Most breeders will let you see and interact with the parents. And some might even have pictures of previous litters to ease your mind.
Another thing that makes these dogs so fantastic is that they have a long lifespan. The average Cavapoo will live anywhere between 10-15 years. But if you take excellent care of your dog throughout life, they could live even longer.
Medical Concerns
If you want your Cavoodle to have a long and healthy life, you should know possible concerns. Every dog can develop any disease. But their genetics can make them prone to certain illnesses.
Cavapoos, for example, are prone to:
- Skin allergies
- Cataracts
- Hip dysplasia
- Mitral Valve disease
- Syringomyelia
- Epilepsy
- And progressive retinal atrophy
But just because your Cavoodle is prone to these doesn’t mean they all get it. There are a few steps to make sure that your Cavoodle grows up healthy and strong. The first step is to pick a reputable breeder. Backyard breeders and puppy mills are notorious for breeding dogs prone to these diseases. A reputable breeder loves their dog and makes sure that they only breed for the best. Often they even guarantee it with DNA testing.
The next part has to do with your care at home. Keeping your dog healthy and eating a quality diet will prevent many diseases. But just to make sure, you should also keep up with regular check-ups. Your vet will screen for any possible issues that your dog could encounter with old age. And the faster a disease is diagnosed, the better the treatment outcome is.
Cavoodle Price
And finally, we come to the price point. The price of your Cavdoodle will vary depending on location, size of the dog, and color variation. But the average Cavoodle in the USA will cost anywhere from $1,000-$2,000. These prices are from reputable breeders that take pride in what they do. Their puppies will be healthier, better tempered, and well adjusted to a new life at home.
There are, of course, other ways to get a Cavoodle. For instance, you could opt to adopt instead of shop. You could adopt an older Cavapoo for a few hundred dollars instead of an expensive puppy. But finding a Cavapoo will take a little digging.
You likely won’t find a Cavapoo in the county shelter. But you can always check with breed-specific rescues. Some Cavalier King Charles rescues might take in a Doodled dog now and then. But you will find better luck when checking with a Poodle rescue. Most Poodle rescues take in all kinds of Doodles and will contact you if they have one available.
In either case, finding the best option for your family is what matters best. There are pros and cons of both adopting and shopping. So being prepared and getting a dog that blends well with your lifestyle is most important.
Are You In Love Too?
Wrapping it up, what’s it like to own a Cavoodle (Cavapoo)? These dogs are the best companions anyone could ever ask for. Cavoodles love their families with such a passion, yet they are the perfect balance of play and cuddling. No matter what lifestyle you have, the Cavapoo is always a great option.
Below is a Pinterest friendly photo…. so you can pin it to your Doodle Board!
