The Cavapoo: Is It the Right Breed for You?

 What do you get when you cross-breed the affectionate Cavalier King Charles Spaniel with the lovable Toy Poodle? Only the cutest dog: the Cavapoo. Cavapoos are the ultimate designer dogs; they are beautiful, playful, and a joy to have around.

It's a no brainer that the Cavapoo is one of the most popular small dog breeds.

If you are considering welcoming a new furry friend into your family, then a Cavapoo may just be just the perfect choice for you. In this article we cover what makes Cavapoos special and what to expect when bringing one home.

So, let’s see how this breed may be the right match for your family.

Cavapoo Features, Personality, and More

As you make the decision for your home, it’s important to consider the physical appearance, personality traits, dietary requirements, activity needs, and common ailments of the breed. 

This doodle breed has distinct differences from other doodle breeds that are worth pointing out. So here’s a rundown of the key traits of the Cavapoo breed.

Small Size

Cavapoos are the mixture of two small dog breeds: the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Toy Poodle. As such, these dogs grow up to be only 9-25lb in weight and range between 9 to 14 inches in height.  The variability in size is mainly dependent on the size of the Poodle parent.

They’re perfect lap dogs and adapt well to small living spaces too, like apartments. But they of course also do well in larger homes with a backyard.

Visual Appearance

Cavapoos have large, round eyes and long, floppy ears. They have small noses, too.  These features, when combined, give them a cute and innocent appearance, which matches perfectly with their personality.

The Cavapoos have silky, smooth, and slightly wavy hair. The fur is easy to manage and does not shed much. This is thanks to their Poodle genes. They also come in many colors, like black, brown, red, orange, tan, beige, and golden. That said, when bringing a puppy home, don’t be surprised if the colors change as they grow up – it can take a puppy 6-12 months to settle into its adult coat.

Personality Traits

Cavapoos are gentle, loving, and docile animals. They possess a wonderfully kind personality which makes them excellent family dogs. They are also intelligent and can be easily trained.

They are caring and loyal to the core. They are attached to their families and love to spend time with them – so it’s important to keep in mind your time availability as you bring a new Cavapoo home.

Cavapoos also get along very well with other dogs, pets, and kids. This trait makes them a good choice for households with existing pets, or with small children. Cavapoos are great at assimilating to any kind of environment.

Dietary Requirements

The right diet for a Cavapoo is commonly what is appropriate for small and medium-sized dogs. They require a balanced and nutrition-filled diet, including vitamins and a combination of high-quality wet and dry food.

As a puppy, your Cavapoo should be fed frequently, but in small portions. As your Cavapoo grows older, you should start to feed it larger meals, spaced even throughout the day.  

It’s always best to consult a veterinarian to see if your Cavapoo requires a special diet. A vet can prescribe a specific diet that adapt well with their other medicine, especially if your dog suffers from any underlying health concern, such as kidney or heart disease, or obesity.

Healthy Breed

Cavapoos benefit from hybrid vigor as a cross-breed, and they are generally a quite healthy breed. They have a lifespan of 12 to 15 years, which is in the higher range for dogs. As a hybrid dog breed, Cavapoos typically have an improved health compared to their purebred parents.

Still, there are health concerns that you must be aware of when getting a Cavapoo, and these are in line with common health issues in Cavaliers and Poodles, including Mitral Valve Disease (heart issue), Progressive Retinal Atrophy (eye issue leading to blindness), and Epilepsy. Also, like other small dogs, Cavapoos frequently suffer from joint displacements, specifically hip and knee joints.

Allergies may also affect your Cavapoo, leading to skin or stomach problems. To avoid allergies, it’s important to care for your Cavapoo, frequently groom her, and provide her with a clean and well-maintained environment. This takes us to our next topic of discussion: Grooming.

Low-Maintenance

Cavapoos are generally a low-maintenance breed. They don’t shed much, which is a blessing, but regular brushing keeps their fur clean, silky, and shiny. It is also a way of giving your dog a massage and relaxing their muscles.

How often should you groom and clean your Cavapoo? In general, Cavapoos require grooming similar to most other dogs. A good practice is to provide weekly baths and frequent dental cleaning, hair and nail cutting, and coat brushing.

The frequency of bathing depends on how dirty your dog gets, and varies by season, too. Since Cavapoos are small and spend less time outdoors, they tend to get dirty less frequently. That said, daily brush is a good practice to keep your pup’s fur in best shape. If you Cavapoo spends significant time outdoors, for example in the spring and summer seasons, you should provide grooming care more frequently.  

Hypoallergenic Breed

Cavapoos are a hypoallergenic dog breed. They shed quite little, taking after the dominant low-shedding coat of the Poodle parent which is inherited. They are a good option for families with allergic or asthmatic members.

That said, no dog is 100% hypoallergenic. So it’s important to understand the generation of your Cavapoo and the breeder’s practice to best understand the shedding levels. Also, for a best understanding of the level of shedding, you should wait until the puppy is 6 months old, as it begins to show its adult coat from that age.

Medium Energy Levels

Cavapoos are less anxious and hyper than Poodles and are a bit more laid back. A daily 30 to 45 minutes of exercise is enough for your Cavapoo. They are also highly sociable and friendly, which means you can take them out to the park and walk around or play fetch while interacting with others.

Cavapoos are adaptable and highly intelligent. These aspects of their personality make them easy to train. Even a novice pet owner can easily handle a Cavapoo. Their social requirements also mean that you should frequently socialize with your puppy and avoid leaving her left alone for extended periods.

Bringing Home a Cavapoo

The Cavapoo is an excellent breed of dog. It is a hybrid dog of the Cavalier King Charles and the Toy Poodle, making it a combination of two popular dog breeds. If you are looking for a friendly and loyal family pet who is small, low-shedding, and has an adorable personality, then the Cavapoo is the right dog for you.

Before bringing a new companion home, it's a good idea to check with your local shelter or rescue to see if you can find a Cavapoo rescue dog. There are plenty of loving dogs looking for new homes and your adoption can bring joy to a forever companion.  

Once your Cavapoo is home, make sure to give him or her a lot of attention and care, so that they earn your trust and live a happy and healthy life. They are gentle creatures who deserve a loving home.

Are you unsure if the Cavapoo is the right breed for your family? If so, consider reviewing our guide on the 10 Best Doodle Breeds for Families or taking our Dog Breed Quiz for personalized recommendations.