Cavoodle

Breed: Cavoodle (Cavalier King Charles x Miniature Poodle)
Temperament: intelligent, seeks human companionship, friendly
Lifespan: 10-14 years
Maintenance: medium

Recommended for everyone, especially families The Cavoodle is a cross between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Miniature Poodle – and whilst the concept of the ‘designer dog’ is nothing new, purpose-bred’ cross breeds have been very popular for about 20 years with sales steadily increasing

Appearance

Many Cavoodle puppies are born with long, soft floppy ears, large brows and a compact, round face – giving the dog an eternal puppy appearance. However, if you’re interested in purchasing a designer dog, be aware that a great deal of variability can occur amongst the pups. Although all are undoubtedly very cute, not all dogs will look alike. Variation amongst the litter is influenced by the genetic contribution of each parent so some pups will appear more Poodle-like, others more like a Cavalier.

Cavoodle colours can range to anything from solid black, white, blenheim (chestnut and white), tri-colour (black, white and tan) Ruby and white or Ruby all over.

Adults will range in height from 30-35 cm (12-15′), the smaller size an influence from the Cavalier contribution

Temperament

Following on from the success of the Spoodle (a Cocker Spaniel x Poodle), breeders of the Cavoodle set out to bring out the best of the Cavalier and Poodle breeds and produce an intelligent, compact and healthy little animal with a wonderful temperament.

So why choose these particular breeds? The Cavalier is one of Australia’s most popular purebred dogs, and rightly so. Deliberately bred as a companion dog, it has an adorable temperament and is gentle and compliant around children. The Miniature Poodle is another popular small breed and is known for its intelligence and loyalty. Miniature Poodles are also known to have ‘neurotic’ tendencies, especially if over spoilt by their owners. However the crossbreed is likely to have this tendency diminished with the contribution of the Cavalier’s laid back temperament. Regardless, it is important to not spoil the dog excessively.

From the day that you take delivery of your Cavoodle puppy, it will do all that it can to be with you. These dogs prefer people to other dogs. Some owners may find this tendency to be always with them absolutely delightful. Others may find it a bit irritating. However, if you want a faithful, gentle dog that is always with you, Cavoodles are a good choice.

Cavoodles are usually quite intelligent but they are not as biddable as many other breeds. That is, during training they may not wish to comply with your commands.

Fun and positive reinforcement is the key to success, not strong discipline.    Your puppy may be 9-12 months old before the penny drops that co-operation with their owner is the key to a happy life.

While Cavoodles are incredibly friendly, they may totally dominate their owner at the same time. Always make sure that you initiate the play times as they can be quite demanding at times just mention BALL and our cavoodle is ready

Maintenance

Regardless of the Cavoodle puppies appearance, the coat will shed and regular grooming is required. Those animals with a poodle-like coat should be lower shedding but will still need a good brushing several times a week as regular grooming ensures the coat stays tangle free, a cavalier coat perhaps only once a week. Clipping may be necessary three to four time a year. Poodle-like coats, whilst perhaps requiring clipping more often, are less inclined to shed as much as the Cavalier.

The poodle-like coat is very much inclined to get knots in it which quickly become large lumps of fibre if they are not removed.  A visit to the groomer may be needed every month few months on top of the grooming at home.

These dogs love human contact and being groomed, so this can be a mutually enjoyable activity while watching TV etc.

Health and lifespan

Each of the Cavalier and Poodle breeds are susceptible to certain health problems, particularly the Cavalier. However the Cavoodle is less likely to suffer such problems due to the benefits of ‘hybrid vigour’. Hybrids benefit from a more diverse genetic makeup than purebreds, and are often not susceptible to conditions which may effect the parent breeds.

Still, choose your breeder carefully when buying a pup. Responsible breeders are screening parents to eliminate known diseases. Owners can expect a healthy dog to be a member of the family for around 10-14 years.

All our males have undergone full genetic health tests and are clear of all traits

Ideal owners

The lovable little Cavoodle is suitable for all age groups and most lifestyles. Thanks to the influence from its parents, the Cavoodle is an intelligent dog, not as hyperactive as some other cross breeds and adores human companionship. Great for small homes with little or no backyard, however these dogs will still benefit from a regular walk or fun in an open space.

The Cavoodle is far more healthy and active than either of its parent breeds. Do not expect a lazy couch potato, rather expect a fun-loving pet that likes exercise. We throw a ball down the hallway for a couple of minutes each day and this keeps her satisfied.