Created as recently as the late 1990’s by an Australian breeder who wanted an intelligent hypoallergenic non-shedder, the Cavapoo is the cute fluffball that results when you breed the lapdog known as the King Charles Cavalier Spaniel with the intelligent, fleecy working breed, the Poodle.
So are Cavapoos Good First Dogs? Cavapoos are devoted, curious, loving, and sociable dogs. They are a well-rounded canine with a lot of good traits. Their sweet-natured, and want to please their owners, so it makes them a good dog for first-time owners.
But are Cavapoos good first dogs? How often do they need exercise? Will they get along with children? And how much care does their coat need?
Well, in this article, we’re going to be answering these questions and loads more! So, if you want to know all the basics of the Cavapoo, read on:
What size is the Cavapoo?
If you’re looking for a dog that’s not so small as to be delicate but not so large as to need to run around all day long, you’re in luck.
Though the Cavapoo is a recently established breed, the Cavapoo is generally a small or medium size dog. Cavapoos can weigh anywhere from 9 to 25 pounds and typically stand at 9 to 14 inches.
That being said, the Cavapoo is still quite a young breed. Because of this, there is still plenty of variation in the Cavapoo breed. So, no one can quite predict a Cavapoo’s adult size.
What are the energy requirements of the Cavapoo?
Every Cavapoo is an individual. However, being a half lapdog – their KC Spaniel side – most Cavapoos have low enough energy requirements.
The Cavapoo is no lapdog itself but doesn’t need as much exercise as a Retriever or Collie, say.
So, when living as a pet, your Cavapoo will need at least one walk a day, lasting from at least 30 minutes up to a whole hour. This should be coupled with some active game session in the yard or park, playing games like frisbee or fetch.
Are Cavapoos good with children?
With the combination of the King Charles Cavalier and Poodle temperaments, the Cavapoo tends to be a fun, friendly and playful pooch. But what about when it comes to children?
Yes, the people-oriented Cavapoo loves children! With zero prey drive, your Cavapoo won’t protest at being made to play all sorts of games with kids, from fetch and frisbee to dressing up and getting makeovers. Cavapoos even get along with small animals, like the family hamster or guinea pig!
Is the Cavapoo easy to train?
Since the Cavapoo inherits the extreme intelligence of the Poodle, the Cavapoo has the capacity to be very easy to train.
However, you must bear in mind that the Cavapoo also has a limited attention span. This attention span is especially limited when the Cavapoo is young.
Because of this, keep training sessions short with your Cavapoo. 10 to 15 minutes of training once or twice a day should work best with the Cavapoo. Bear this in mind and you’ll have your Cavapoo sitting, staying, and rolling over in no time!
The main thing that many owners find difficult when training their Cavapoo is toilet training or housebreaking. One thing many Cavapoo owners swear by is using a crate when their Cavapoo puppy is in the house. This prevents your Cavapoo from peeing on houseplants or old newspapers.
Another good option for this small dog is to use a dedicated indoor dog toilet option. Small dogs are known for having even smaller bladders, after all. These are especially helpful if you live in an apartment. You could use a toilet tray, or go for a realistic grassy one!
Are Cavapoos good guard dogs?
Surprisingly, the placid Cavapoo is quite alert! When at home, the Cavapoo is known for placing themselves at the window and alert barking at anything that seems remotely amiss.
Don’t worry too much about your Cavapoo becoming a problem barker, however – alert barking is likely to be the only barking this watchdog does day-to-day.
Read our full article can a Cavapoo be a Good Guard Dog here.
Do you need to groom a Cavapoo?
Whether wavy or curly, cream, chocolate, or chestnut, a Cavapoo’s non-shedding half-Poodle coat is truly something to admire. But your Cavapoo’s coat isn’t going to stay that way for long if you don’t know how to maintain it!
Thankfully, this maintenance is easy. All you need to do is fully brush out your Cavapoo’s coat once a week, as well as at any time you notice it in a particularly soiled or tangled state. This is all it takes to keep your Cavapoo the envy of all the other pooches!
Dog brushes for a Cavapoo
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Make sure that you use the right brush with your Cavapoo. For most dogs with curly double coats, a slicker brush is ideal. This is a brush with precise, thin, bent metal pins on a rectangular board.
Being non-shedding, if you live in an area with extreme heat at certain times of the year, you may like to give your Cavapoo a helping hand with cooling down by clipping their coat.
A dog groomer can do this for you. You can also clip your Cavapoo at home with handheld electric clippers.
Can you leave a Cavapoo at home alone?
Being a cross between the Poodle and the King Charles Cavalier Spaniel – two breeds that are already very loyal alone – it is not surprising that many Cavapoos develop separation anxiety in the face of being left at home by themselves. However, there are many proven things you can do to alleviate and prevent this.
When you go out to work or school, toss your Cavapoo a couple of highly interactive toys or treats. These can include treat puzzles or dental chews.
Just make sure that whatever you choose is robust, with no sharp edges or small pieces that can break off easily while your Cavapoo is unsupervised.
Yes, the Cavapoo is prone to separation anxiety. But when you take the right steps early on, there’s no reason why you can’t leave your Cavapoo at home by themselves!
Is the Cavapoo healthy?
Did you know that crossbreeds like the Cavapoo are, in general, healthier than purebred dogs? However, there are common health issues occurring in the Cavapoo breed that you should be aware of.
One of these health issues is the slipping kneecap or luxating patella. This problem is more likely to occur in smaller Cavapoos.
The first sign you may see of the condition is your Cavapoo developing an unusual gait; your Cavapoo may skip or hop, for example.
Luxating patella can be caused by an injury like a fall. However, slipping kneecaps can be hereditary too. This is more common.
Another is progressive retinal atrophy. With PRA, a part of your Cavapoo’s eyes slowly wears away. This can lead to blindness or the inability to see in low light. Your Cavapoo may find it difficult to come in from the yard at night, or will walk into walls in unfamiliar buildings.
It is also common for Cavapoos to suffer from congenital heart attacks. You may notice your Cavapoo coughing harshly.
However, a good breeder will test for these common issues before breeding two Cavapoos. Ask your breeder if you can see health clearance papers when adopting your Cavapoo. If you like this then read our Complete Cavapoo Guide: Must Read Facts here.
