If you like cute small dogs with teddy bear features, you might be interested in the King Charles Spaniel Poodle mix, commonly known as the Cavapoo. This is a designer breed Doodle where cuteness does not stop at its outer appearance; it’s actually very sweet-natured and guaranteed to win the hearts of many family members.
Their small size does not mean you have to have a backyard to own them, as long as you provide them with sufficient exercise. The Cavapoo is also incredibly gentle, making them a great dog breed for both children and seniors.
Plus, their inviting chocolate-like eyes, tiny short back button nose, floppy ear, and silky coat make them a dog you just want to cuddle. However, these are just a few qualities and traits that make the Cavapoo adorable. To know why else they’d be a good match for any home, keep reading.
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Little-Known Facts About the Cavapoo
Before you buy a Cavapoo, here are some snippets of information you must know:
- They have multiple names
The Cavapoo is also referred to as a Cavoodle, Cavadoodle, and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Poodle mix.
- Its Cavalier parent was a favorite dog breed of British royals
The royal King Charles I and his son Charles II liked this dog breed. However, the Cavalier was bred deliberately for the king with the pug, changing the facial structure of the muzzle, making it longer.
- Their parents are highly popular dogs
According to the American Kennel Club, the Poodle and King Charles Spaniel are popular breeds to own. In 2020 the Poodle was ranked the 6th most popular, and the Cavalier was ranked 17th.
🐶 Other Spaniel doodles I’ve also written about are the Cockapoo and the Springerdoodle, so make sure you check them out as well.
Are Cavapoos hypoallergenic
Cavapoos tend to inherit the short, wavy, or curly coat that the Poodle has. It’s a single coat that does not shed that much, making it a bit easy for allergy sufferers to live with. Therefore they’re not fully hypoallergenic but seen as pretty close. However, you have to keep on top of their grooming as they can become a fluff ball quite easily.
Cavapoo Temperament & Intelligence
Cavapoos are one of the most popular Doodle breeds because they have a personality that’s bound to win anyone over. They’re incredibly outgoing, playful, and social, making them a dog that does not disappoint.
Are Cavapoos smart is something that is very often asked. The Cavapoo is an intelligent dog just like its parents, making them easy to train from an early age. However, as they have an eager to please nature, they’re a Doodle that constantly requires validation and things to do. Because of this, they’re often suited to obedience and agility competitions. They do require proper mental stimulation.
The Cavapoo is not an aggressive breed either; therefore, this is not a good option if you’re looking for a guard dog.
Even if strangers approach them, they’re more likely to wag their tail than bark.
Are Cavapoos Good for Families?
If you have young children or elderly relatives in your home, the Cavapoo is a perfect fit. These dogs love to be around people and thrive off constant attention. They don’t do well being left alone as they quickly develop separation anxiety. Therefore they’re a dog best matched to big families. Their smart nature makes them alert and responsive to moods and emotions, understanding them easily.
Do Cavapoos Get Along With Other Pets?
The Cavapoo should get along well with other animals in your home, as long as they’re introduced slowly. Plus, you must pay attention to socialization and consistent positive reinforcement from an early age; they can easily adjust to animals outdoors.
Food & Diet Requirements
The nutritional intake of a Cavapoo can vary based on the stage of life it’s in. You should feed a Cavapoo 3-4 small meals across the day and then 2 as they get older.
Plus, spacing their meals out will help stabilize their blood sugar across the day. If you’re not sure what food to give them, you should speak to a veterinarian who will recommend you the right brands and portion sizes to feed the Cavapoo.
Full-grown sizes
The size of a Cavapoo can differ based on whether their Poodle parent is a Miniature or Toy breed. Because of this, their height can vary between 9-14inches/23-36cm and weigh between 8-25lbs/4-12kg.
Cavapoo Life expectancy
A Cavapoo can live quite a healthy life if looked after well, living up to 12 to 15 years.
Exercise
The topic of exercise can be quite interesting when it comes to a Cavapoo, as one parent is active, the other one is lazier. For instance, the Poodle is highly active, whereas King Charles is a lot more relaxed. Because of this, you should aim to give this Doodle regular walks 2-3 times a day in short intervals. As this breed is playful, you should also play with them and do agility-based games in addition to their daily walks.
Training
Sometimes it can take a bit of time for the Cavapoo to learn basic commands and tricks. However, with a little bit of practice, patience, and consistency from a young age, they will pick them up in no time. You should also not give them too many treats, which will lower their motivation.
Grooming
The Cavapoo is a low-shedding breed. You should aim to brush the coat of a Cavapoo at least three times a week. You should use a slicker brush and dematter to ensure their coat stays in good quality. In addition to this, you should take them for professional grooming every 6 weeks. It’s not uncommon for them to mat around their lower belly, hindquarters, and tail. You should also check their ears frequently and pluck hair surrounding their ears to prevent infection.
Health Problems
Most of the time, the Cavapoo is a healthy breed. If they have any health conditions it’s likely to be inherited, such as the following:
- Progressive retinal atrophy
- Slipping kneecaps
- Hip dysplasia
- Elbow dysplasia
- Cushing’s disease
- Diabetes
- Mitral Valve Disease
To rule out this, you must take them to a vet for frequent checkups who will rule out any health problems.
What’s the Cavapoo puppy Price?
The cost of a Cavapoo can be difficult to determine as both parent breeds are popular dogs to own. Similarly, it sometimes can be difficult to locate one as you have to find a specialist breeder. In addition to this, your location, breeder’s reputation, and their parents may influence the final price of this Doodle.
On average, though, you can expect to pay between $1,200-and $2000 for a cavalier poodle mix. However, if its parents’ lineage is rich or are pedigrees, you could easily pay anything from $3,000 upwards. When buying this dog, you should look to get them from a breeder with a good reputation who conducts health screenings and shows their records when visiting.
In addition to this, you should budget for their expenses which can cost between $1,000-$2,000 a year, factoring in their vet bills, toys, food, vaccinations, and more.
Conclusion
Overall the King Charles Poodle mix is a very popular doodle to own. Due to their popularity and popular parents, they are not the cheapest Doodle. Based on certain factors, you could easily pay anything from $1,000-$2,000, even $3,000 upwards. However, regardless of the cost, this dog is hard not to love. They love to be around humans and animals, making them a fantastic family member.
What qualities attract you to the Cavapoo? Comment with your opinion.
Marko is the founder and author at PoodleHQ, where he blends profound expertise with formal training in Animal Behavior and Canine Genetics. With multiple generations of poodles under his care, he’s a breed connoisseur, honored with the Canine Care Excellence Award and lauded by the International Pet Enthusiasts Association.
