A friendly, calm fluffball, the Cavapoo has been in non-stop high demand ever since the breed was first created. And with a non-shedding, unbelievably soft coat, it’s not hard to see why! But why are Cavapoos so expensive?
What can you expect to pay for this designer crossbreed, and are there any ways to get a cheaper Cavapoo? In this article, we explore how the Cavapoo was created, what kind of dog the Cavapoo actually is, and, of course, why they’re so expensive! So, read on for some hints on buying a Cavapoo.
What is a Cavapoo?
The Cavapoo is a cross between the King Charles Cavalier Spaniel and the Poodle. Breeders first developed this fluffy crossbreed in the late 1990s. Breeders of early Cavapoos hoped to combine the calm yet friendly and outgoing personality of the King Charles Cavalier Spaniel with the intelligent nature and hypoallergenic, non-shedding, easy-care coat of the Poodle.
This cross resulted in a popular dog; breeders were struggling to keep up with the demand!
What kind of dog is the Cavapoo?
Since the Cavapoo is a designer dog, with an amicable nature and playful, outgoing, affectionate personality, there is plenty of demand for the breed. Cavapoos are good family dogs and are very people-oriented. In fact, Cavapoos like people so much that many Cavapoos come to suffer from separation anxiety.
Because they’re so friendly and intelligent, you must train your Cavapoo to be alone from an early age. You must also provide toys that they can chew safely and puzzle toys that can keep their brain occupied while you are out, preventing more destructive behavior.
How much is a Cavapoo?
So, what can you expect to pay for a Cavapoo, anyway? Well, throughout most of the US, Cavapoos generally go for anywhere between $1200 to $2000.
This price reflects the Cavapoo’s nature, coat, and how reputable your breeder is. If you see a Cavapoo retailing for anything much lower than this, chances are you’re getting a dubious deal.
So, why are Cavapoos so expensive?
Well, one factor in this dog’s price tag is the breed’s hypoallergenic properties. As we touched upon previously, one of the main reasons breeders developed the Cavapoo breed was to create a playful family dog with a soft, non-shedding coat, and this is where they have succeeded. The Cavapoo has a downy, fluffy coat, just begging to be petted!
Another reason for the steep price is the breed’s winning personality. The Cavapoo is an amiable and playful dog, and this is no accident. The Cavapoo’s nature results from centuries of breeding the most companionable King Charles Cavalier Spaniels to create the friendliest Cavalier possible.
Cavapoos are also expensive when you get a breeder who’s done everything right. Since the Cavapoo breed is a crossbreed, Cavapoos do not generally inherit most of the diseases some purebred Cavaliers and Poodles get. However, Cavapoos are predisposed to some KC Spaniel and Poodle conditions, such as slipping kneecaps, progressive retinal atrophy and congenital heart attacks.
So, a good breeder will get all the necessary health clearances for the two Cavapoos they intend to breed and won’t breed Cavapoos who carry any hereditary conditions. Unfortunately, the cost of this health testing must then be passed on to you, the buyer.
How can I pay less for a Cavapoo?
One way to get a cheaper Cavapoo is to look at the supply and demand in your area. Do you spot lots of Cavapoos in the park or your street? If there are plenty of Cavapoo breeders around where you live, there will be a larger gene pool for them to breed from, and so, your Cavapoo puppy will be cheaper. Or, a neighboring town or city could offer you a substantially cheaper Cavapoo.
As we touched upon earlier, the price of your Cavapoo also depends on how trustworthy your breeder is. The necessary health clearances can be steep and will factor into the price you pay. But a lot of time and love goes into breeding dogs too.
A good breeder also keeps their puppies warm and comfortable and socializes them by letting the litter meet loads of different people and getting them accustomed to the household’s sounds and sights.
If you see a Cavapoo for sale at something like $500, the deal is probably too good to be true. Sure, you’ll save plenty of money on the upfront price. But you will likely end up paying thousands addressing health problem after health problem.
Ever heard the saying, “A dog is for life, not just for Christmas”? While it’s true that some breeders may hike their prices up ahead of the holiday season, surprisingly, it is usually more expensive to buy your Cavapoo puppy in the Spring and Summer. This is because it is thought to be more practical to train a new pup during these drier, warmer months. So, if you want an inexpensive Cavapoo, go shopping during the cooler months of the year.
The generation of your Cavapoo puppy is also a factor in their price. A backcrossed pooch from an earlier generation is more desirable since such a dog is 75% Poodle and therefore sheds very little.
On the subject of genetics, specific colors of Cavapoo pups are also more desirable than others. This is because these colors are harder to achieve during breeding and often surprise the breeder. Tri-colored Cavapoo puppies, for example, are the most expensive.
Should I rescue a Cavapoo?
Their young age is also a significant factor in what makes Cavapoo puppies so expensive. If you wait just a year, the price of a Cavapoo can decrease to just $900, even though all the hard work of housebreaking and command training has been done for you at this point!
However, if you rescue a surrendered dog, the price you pay can be substantially less. You can expect to pay $150 max for the Cavapoo’s adoption fee. If your Cavapoo didn’t get them already, vaccinations are about $50.
Microchipping is a similar price depending on your state, and neutering or spaying anywhere from $50 to $300. All in all, it’s way less than going to a breeder! You’d be making a saving and doing something good. If you like this then read our Complete Cavapoo Guide: Must Read Facts here.
