Cavapoo
Fun Fact
Cavapoo dogs are continuing to gain popularity, becoming a family favorite due to their playfulness and kid-friendly nature.
The Cavapoo is an adorable and lovable designer dog; a mix between a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Poodle. They have been around for over thirty years, but they are continuing to gain popularity, becoming a family favorite due to their playfulness and kid-friendly nature. In this article, you’ll find information about the health conditions that can impact this type of dog, along with tips on care, feeding, and grooming.
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About Cavapoos
Both of the Cavapoo's parent breeds have been around for a long time, but in the 1900s Australian dog breeders began to cross-breed the two to meet the growing demand for designer dogs. The goal of this cross-breeding was to combine the calmer, more friendly aspects of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel with the greater intelligence of the Poodle. Those who created this hybrid breed also hoped that the hypoallergenic traits of Poodles would carry over to this new breed. The result of this cross-breeding turned out to be a success, and the demand for the Cavapoo has grown as more people discover their fun-loving, affectionate nature. -
Physical characteristics
There are no set standards for mixed-breed dogs since it is unpredictable exactly how the genetics will combine in any particular dog. That being said, Cavapoos are generally small dogs, but their exact size depends on the size of their poodle parent. They are generally small to medium-sized dogs ranging in size from 9 to 14 inches and weighing between 9 and 25 pounds. Cavapoos can be found in a variety of colors, including fawn, brown, white, cream, chocolate, and gold. They are sometimes solid-colored, but often they bear two or more colors. -
Nutrition
If you own a Cavapoo, make sure you're providing your dog with a "balanced and complete" diet. You can check out the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) for the current standards around optimum pet nutrition. While shopping for dog food, make sure the food you choose is AAFCO approved. A manufacturer cannot put “balanced and complete” on the packaging unless it has this designation. Because the Cavapoo can vary widely in size, their nutritional needs vary a great deal as well. Talk to your vet to decide on what type of food would be best for your dog, and the amount of food your dog needs to stay healthy. -
Grooming
Like most of the mixed-breed dogs that are crossed with Poodles, shedding is not a big problem, but grooming may be a bit of a challenge. Usually, the hair of a Cavapoo is wavy and soft, not curly like a Poodle’s. Unlike the fur of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, the Cavapoo’s hair does not stop growing when it reaches a certain length. It will need regular trimming to keep it looking neat and attractive. If you are new to dog grooming, it may be wise to bring your Cavapoo to a professional. Not only is a bad haircut unattractive, but if the hair is not properly removed around the eyes, ears, and anus, it could lead to irritation and infections. In addition to professional grooming, you will need to keep up with brushing at home to prevent matted hair from developing. -
Playtime and training
The Cavapoo’s high level of intelligence and eagerness to please makes them relatively easy to train. When your Cavapoo is young and you first begin training them, the basics like housebreaking and simple commands such as "sit" will be enough to keep their quick brain occupied. Once they have mastered those objectives, you may need to find other ways to keep them intellectually stimulated. A bored dog can be unhappy and try to seek attention in inappropriate ways, like barking or being destructive. Though Cavapoos are not known to be high-strung dogs, they still need plenty of exercise and attention to keep them happy, healthy, and mentally stimulated. Because they are smaller in size, they do not necessarily need lots of room to run and can get plenty of exercise by just running around your home. They crave attention, so an interactive game such as vigorous fetch either inside or out is recommended to give them both attention and exercise. The Cavapoo's pleasant nature and small size mean that the whole family can be involved in keeping them occupied. You and your family can take your Cavapoo on frequent walks to explore the outdoors, play games of fetch with them, and teach them new commands. These activities will all help keep your Cavapoo stimulated and happy. -
Health and aging in Cavapoos
The Cavapoo dog's lifespan is approximately 12 to 15 years. Because of their breed mix, Cavapoos are prone to certain genetic health risks. Embark dog DNA tests screen for 250+ genetic health risks, including a number that are particularly important for Cavapoo owners to be aware of. Embark screens for the following breed-specific conditions in Cavapoos:
Did you know?
If you know your dog is prone to a condition before symptoms begin to show, you may be able to start proactive care or treatment. Learn how an Embark dog DNA test can help you work with your veterinarian to give your dog the best care possible. -
Health Conditions
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