Cavapoo: Dog breed characteristics & care

👉 Coming up with a pet name can be fun but tricky. Search no further! According to PetScreening’s 2024 database, the majority of our users name their male Cavapoos Milo; Teddy is the 2nd most popular male name. Meanwhile, most of our users with female Cavapoos love Luna, then Daisy.

• Also known as a Cavadoodle or Cavoodle
• Hearty eaters that gobble up nearly everything you put in front of them.
• Good therapy dogs due to their gentle and loving nature.

Cavapoos adapt easily to various lifestyles, making them great with kids and other pets. They are intelligent, love to play, and thrive on attention and being with their owners, so be prepared for them to get excited when you come home from work or a day out. But although they have high energy drives and get excited easily, they tend to have quiet and calm temperaments.

Although they’re a crossbreed, Cavapoos are still known to develop some health issues. The most common include:

• Patellar luxation
• Mitral valve disease Trusted Source NC State Veterinary Medicine Veterinary school. Go to source
• Hip dysplasia
• Progressive retinal atrophy
• Tracheal collapse
• Dental disease
• Allergies/skin issues
• Ear infections

Cost of caring for Cavapoos

Thanks to the vigor of these dogs, Cavapoos tend to be mostly healthy. If your pup develops a health issue, though, it can cost a hefty sum — joint surgeries can cost upwards of $3,000, and managing degenerative diseases can become expensive over time. Two ways to help prepare for injuries, illnesses, or emergencies are to get your Cavapoo insured and/or create a pet savings account. Owners reap the greatest benefits of insurance when they sign their pet up as early as possible to avoid pre-existing condition exclusions down the road.

Poodle mixes, including the Cavapoo, have become increasingly popular worldwide over the last few decades. Cavapoos originated in Australia in the 1950s but didn’t become popular in America until more recently. It’s thought to have been bred due to the Cavalier King Charles spaniel’s good-naturedness and the poodle’s hypoallergenic traits.

👉 No dog breed is 100% hypoallergenic, but some are better than others for allergy sufferers.

Caring for a new puppy of any breed can be overwhelming. You’ll need to make your first trip to the vet and schedule your dog’s vaccinations. Here are some other basics specific to Cavapoos.

Exercise

Cavapoos have surprisingly low exercise needs in comparison to their high energy level. Short daily walks should be enough to hold these pups over. This attribute makes them great apartment or city dogs.

Grooming

The Cavapoo has a medium-length coat that can be wavy to curly in texture, and while it doesn’t shed much, it does require a good bit of grooming. These dogs need to be brushed a couple of times a week or you’ll risk matting, which can be painful and lead to skin infections. Also getting them groomed monthly by a professional groomer will help. Some owners will opt to keep their Cavapoos’ coats cut into a short “puppy cut” to lessen the grooming needs.

On top of keeping their coat clean, you’ll need to clean your Cavapoo’s ears and teeth regularly to avoid ear infections and help prevent dental issues.

Diet and nutrition

Cavapoos require high-quality dog food meant for small breeds and high energy levels. They are still prone to obesity, so work with your vet to find the right portions for your specific pup. Avoid human foods as this can cause them to become picky eaters, gain unwanted weight, and may also upset their stomachs.

These dogs are intelligent and love to please their owners, so training comes easily. Use positive reinforcement with treats or praise versus aversions or corrections to keep your Cavapoo happy during training sessions. Because these dogs bond so heavily with their owners, they’re prone to separation anxiety — work with a behaviorist to curb these anxieties.

Not quite sure that a Cavapoo is right for you? Even if you are, it’s worth taking the time to research and consider other similar breeds. Here are a few to get you started:

1. Cockapoo — Similar to the Cavapoo in many ways, but require more exercise and can be more vocal.
2. Goldendoodle — Goldendoodles are larger but have similar easygoing and playful personalities.
3. Maltipoo — Maltipoos tend to be more vocal and smaller, which makes them less ideal around families with young kids.