A Cavapoo is a trendy, heartwarming and ideal companion for different kinds of people: first-time dog oners, families, children, seniors, experienced canine aficionados and households with other animals. If you belong to one of these groups, a Cavapoo could be a perfect match for you. This designer breed is a cross between a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Miniature or Toy Poodle. In this article, we will describe this lovely dog’s appearance, temperament, needs, history and care tips.
Cavapoo – cute appearance
Cavapoos are probably one of the cutest animals out there. What makes them so adorable could be explained by the theory proposed by Konrad Lorenz. He suggested an analytical model, which he called the baby schema (Kindchenschema) to capture cuteness. He drew up a list of characteristics that cause people to make “googly eyes”. Let’s see if they
- round face – long, floppy ears and dense hair make a Cavapoo’s face look like a soft ball;
- large head compared to the rest of the body – if you trim the dog’s fur and leave a fluffy head, you can definitely achieve this look;
- large eyes – maybe in the Cavapoo’s case, they are quite average but definitely round and warm;
- chubby cheeks – again, fluffy and unkempt hair contributes to this effect;
- small mouth – this is definitely the case with the Cavapoo;
- short and thick limbs – these furry creatures are rather on a chubby side all over their body.
Cavapoo – head
The Cavapoo’s muzzle looks like the dog is constantly inviting you pet him. His big, round eyes are sweet and soft. His muzzle is raised and has a large black nose on top. The mouth is rather small and has a noticeable small mustache. The ears of the Cavapoo are charming. Just like those of the Poodle and Spaniel, they are long, floppy and fluffy, rounding out his face.
Cavapoo – fur
The coat of the Cavapoo is very pleasant to touch. It is smooth and fluffy. The fur falls into waves. The color of the coat depends on the dog’s parents. It is often cream or reddish-brown, but can also be gray, black, tan, beige or even red. Some puppies are born with one coat color, but when they are fully grown, the coat changes to a different color. How fun! Most Cavapoopo have only one solid coat color, sometimes embellished with different tint around the face, ends of the ears, paws, and chest.
Cavapoo – size
Since the Cavapoo is a relatively new designer breed, there are few standards as far as size is concerned. However, since it is a mix of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Poodle parents, it is safe to gather that Cavapoos will be small to medium-sized dogs. Breeders differentiate between Mini and Toy Cavapoos.
- The Miniature Cavapoo – a mix between a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Miniature Poodle; it is around 13 to 25 pounds, and 12 to 16 inches in height;
- Toy Cavapoo – a mix of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Toy Poodle; it weighs around 7 to 13 pounds, and range from 9 to 12 inches in hight.
Cavapoo – character and temperament
Thanks to their warm, playful and affectionate nature, Cavapoos are popular family dogs. They are sensitive to human moods and immediately understand when someone needs emotional support. As a result, they have a potential to become exceptional therapy dogs. Poodles are one of the most intelligent dog breeds, and Cavalier King Charles dogs are also brilliant. Because of this pedigree, your Cavapoo is likely to be easy to train, but will need consistency and positive reinforcement to be successful.
On a problematic side, Cavapoos can suffer from separation anxiety when left alone for longer periods of time. Since they can be somewhat clingy, it is important to train your Cavapoo early, so they know how to be on their own. Without proper training, your Cavapoo may be prone to destructive behavior, such as chewing up furniture and shoes or rummaging through garbage when left alone. These pretty designer dogs are comfortable among strangers. Sometimes too comfortable. Cavapoos tend to get along with everyone and may even greet intruders with a wag of the tail. So if you are looking for a guard dog, you should go for other breeds.
Cavapoo – health
Although most dogs are generally healthy, the Cavapoo is prone to some of the same conditions as the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Poodle. Good care and regular veterinary examinations are essential to keep your dog’s health at bay. Some health issues Cavapoos may face are:
- congenital heart attacks;
- progressive retinal atrophy – deterioration of cells leading to loss of vision;
- slipping kneecaps;
- entropion – an eyelid rolls upwards; it’s a particularly painful condition that frequently requires surgery;
- cataracts – foggy clouding over an eye’s lens; if ignored, the condition can even lead to complete vision loss;
- epilepsy – dangerous seizures can appear; the condition can be managed with medication;
- patellar luxation – a popular joints disease that results in a dislocation of the kneecap.
The right food for Cavapoo
Because Cavapoos are energetic dogs, their diet should be nutritious enough to meet these needs. They tend to gain weight if overfed, so be sure to schedule regular meal times for them. Avoid free feeding and limit the amount of treats. They should be reserved as a special reward after training.
What nutrients Cavapoos need
The market is abundant with dog food types: wet food, try food, raw food, organic food, fresh food. Regardless of which one you go for, the best way to ensure a long, healthy life is to provide a nutrient-rich diet that includes:
- proteins: they are necessary for wound healing and the promotion of healthy tissues in muscles, bones, skin and hair;
- carbohydrates: give your dog necessary energy to enjoy life; however, too many carbohydrates of poor quality can lead to weight gain;
- minerals: they serve numerous functions that your dog needs to survive; calcium, sodium, magnesium and potassium are just a few to include.
Life expectancy
The average life expectancy of a Cavapoo is 12-15 years, which is rather high compared to other purebred dogs. Feed your puppy high-quality dog food, supplements and probiotics from a young age to give him a head start. Regular exercise will also keep your dog fit and healthy.
Cavapoo – care
Cavapoos tend to gain weight and may develop heart problems if they do not maintain a healthy weight. Make sure your furry friend gets at least one half-hour to one-hour walk per day, with some good, active playtime and shorter walks mixed in the routine. You can buy smart toys, but the best ones are the interactive ones. Thanks to them, you can inadvertently develop a closer bond with your puppy.
Additionally, check your dog’s ears daily for debris and bugs and clean them as recommended by your veterinarian. Good hygiene will decrease the number of potential infections in the future. Trim your dog’s nails before they get too long, which is when you will hear a characteristic cracking sound when your dog walks.
Dental issues are extremely painful for the dog and costly for the owner. You should brush your dog’s teeth daily, as smaller breeds are often prone to dental problems. Ask your veterinarian for advice on choosing brushes and toothpastes or dental supplements.
Cavapoo – breeding
When browsing through various offers with mixed breed dogs, you will come across the concept of generations. It’s worth knowing a few basic genetic-related issues connected with that topic.
- An F1 Cavapoo is the first generation of a Cavapoo crossbred. This means that there is an even division between a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Miniature Poodle.
- The F1b Cavapoo is a first generation Cavapoo hybrid created by mating an F1 Cavapoo to a purebred Poodle. This is preferred by some breeders to try to achieve the true, non-shedding and curly coat characteristics that are descended from the Poodle and not the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
Cavapoo – price
The typical price for a Cavapoo is between $1,200 and $2,000. While this is the average cost for a Cavapoo, there are some instances where a dog may cost more or less, depending on the breeder’s reputation, additional equipment and health clearances. If you manage to find and adopt a Cavapoo from a resue, it will generally only cost around $500. However, it’s pretty rare to adopt a Cavapoo because of how beautiful and good-natured they are.
Cavapoo – breed history
The Cavapoo dog breed may have evolved naturally over the years, but it was in the late 1990s that the breeders in Australia began intentionally mixing Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Poodles. The breed appeared in the United States later on. This hybrid was intended to produce a primarily hypoallergenic dog. However, it should be noted that this is not the case. Neither the Cavapoo nor any other breed protects against the occurrence of an allergic reaction. Although the Cavapoo’s low-shedding hair somewhat reduces allergen transmission, mere contact with the dog can trigger a histamine surge.
The second reason for breeding the Cavapoo was the desire to have a small, easy-going and simply cute dog. However, it is important to remember that it is not possible to predict with 100% accuracy what the Cavapoo will look like. Likewise, it is difficult to determine the character or hair type of a puppy.
Cavapoo – for whom?
There are very few disadvantages to owning a Cavapoo. Aside from the fact that they are somewhat affectionate, they are loving and family-friendly dogs. If you are looking for a fun and entertaining dog that loves to cuddle and is loyal, a Cavapoo could be just the dog for you! With a few basic skills and some basic knowledge about pet care, even first-time dog owners can enjoy the happiness these wonderful dogs can bring.
Cavapoo – trivia
- Cavapoo adults can run as fast as 36 mph (57 kmph);
- therapists often work with Cavapoos when providing canine assisted therapy (CAP), which includes individual, child and family therapy;
- because of the strong prey drive, it is advisable to keep the Cavapoo on a leash when walking outdoors.
If you decide to purchase this relatively small dog with a sunny disposition, your mental health bills will go down. This lovable dog breed is great at reading emotions and is suitable for first-time dog owners. To keep a dog with this level of activity, you need to provide him with plenty of fun and long walks. If you groom him regularly and have any signs or health problems checked regularly at the vet, you should enjoy the Cavoodle’s company for many years.
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