Cavort with the Cavoodle – Breed Profile and Traits

Ever heard of the Cavoodle? Well, considering there were almost 10,000 Google searches for the word ‘Cavoodle’ in New Zealand this month alone, you may very well have. With its button nose and tight curls it’s not hard to see why people want to know more.

Cavoodle prices have skyrocketed in recent years, now going for up to $7,000 per dog. And sometimes more. So why are people losing their noodles for Cavoodles? What are their traits, personalities, and health? We took a look…

Cavoodle breed and characteristics

The Cavoodle is also sometimes referred to as a Cavapoo. It’s a cross between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the toy or miniature Poodle. It’s a part of the poodle-mix classification of dogs, including the Cockapoo and Labradoodle.

Want to know more about designer dogs like these? Read our article on hybrid dog breeds.

The Cavoodle is small, and known for being a very friendly cross-breed that loves human companionship. Cavoodles are great at getting along with kids and other pets. This, along with having a long lifespan and few health issues, makes it a very popular choice among adults and children alike. 

Physical characteristics

Cavoodle puppies are born with long, soft, floppy ears. Cavoodle mothers will generally birth 5 to 6 puppies per litter and their coats come in a variety of colours – from black to brown or cream.

Adult Cavoodles are relatively small dogs, usually only around 30cm tall and weighing around 5-10kgs. Because of this they don’t require much space, although they’re highly energetic and love to play! 

Cavoodles tend to have a very good lifespan of around 10-14 years. 

Personality

Cavoodles love human companionship. While they do get along with other pets, they prefer to be in the company of their loving humans. They’ve inherited this from their Cavalier forefathers, which were bred to be companion dogs.

They sure seem to have won the gene lottery, as they’re also highly intelligent and loyal.

Due to their loyalty, intelligence, love of companionship and playfulness, Cavoodles are perfect for kids. A busy household is where full-of-energy Cavoodles thrive. They don’t require much space due to their small stature, which makes them popular in houses with little to no garden space. However, they do require frequent playtime and exercise.

Going for walks is a great way to get some exercise for both of you (read how to teach your puppy to walk on a lead here). If that’s not your thing, there are plenty of other fun ways to provide them with exercise without walking.

Being the ever-loving companion dog, they can suffer from something that’s more common than you think: separation anxiety in pets. Be aware of this if you’re planning on getting a dog that’s going to spend a lot of time alone. 

Psst … ever thought your personality matches the Cavoodle? Now you can find out with our PET PAWSONALITY test! Find out what cat or dog breed you are at heart and share it with your friends – click here:

Grooming

Cavoodles can have straight or curly coats and require a groom at least once every 6 weeks. Along with this, they need to be brushed a few times a week. Because of their long-ish coat they’ll benefit from a weekly bath.

We also recommend that you keep your Cavoodle’s eyes and ears clean to prevent ear infections and tear stains. If the latter does occur, here’s how to remove dog tear stains.

Despite their long hair, their coat doesn’t shed much. One of the biggest reasons people are drawn to Cavoodles are because their coats are hair, not fur, making them hypoallergenic. This means that most people with allergies can enjoy their company without consequence.

Something to note is that Cavoodles that have a bit more of their Cavalier heritage than the Poodle will experience more shedding.

Health

While Cavoodles did perhaps win the gene pool lottery, avoiding a lot of their Poodle and Cavalier health issues, there are still some health conditions you need to be aware of. 

It’s not uncommon for Cavoodles to suffer from:

• Dental problems
• Slipping kneecaps
• Eye defects
• Gastrointestinal (tummy) problems
• Ear conditions (allergies, infections)

As any good pet parent does, you should visit the vet every so often with your precious pup. And when selecting a food brand, remember Cavoodles may benefit from a diet that helps with sensitive tummies.

Also, if you have a smaller household with little to no garden, we’d recommend putting into place good counter measures to avoid your Cavoodle becoming overweight. Pet obesity is not a positive thing, despite the cute pictures it may make. You should follow the recommended feeding guides on the food packaging appropriate to your pet’s size. 

Note that the health of your Cavoodle will often come down to good breeding. That’s one of the reasons why it’s so important to sniff out ethical dog breeders – someone who really takes care of their litters and the parents.

They’ll ensure the breeding is spot on and the doggy family’s environment is ideal, rather than focusing on the potential profit.

Read through our guide on avoiding puppy mills.

How much does a Cavoodle cost?

Cavoodles are considered to be a designer breed. Because of this, you’re looking at paying anywhere between $2,500 – $10,000 depending on the pedigree and breeder.

Due to their high cost, you should be highly vigilant for puppy scams and where you buy your Cavoodle from. Always endeavour to meet the parents and never pay for something online sight unseen.

Cover your Cavoodle

You may be ready and raring to bring home your cute as a button new pup. However, it can be easy to overlook the cost of veterinary bills – both routine and for potential emergencies. Cover your Cavoodle with pet insurance and free of yourself of financial worry in times of accidents, illnesses, allergies and more.

That way, you can focus on what’s important – being the best pet parent you can be!