Cavapoo

Several countries lay claim to the Cavapoo, with the first bred in the USA in the 1950s, then subsequently in Australia in the 1990s, and the UK at around the same time, when crossing various breeds with Poodles really became popular. Although initially the idea was to create a small non-shedding or hypo-allergenic breed, the reality soon became apparent. There is no way to predict which puppies would shed, nor whether people would be allergic to them or not. In part this is because people are often not allergic to the shed fur (or that which remains on the dog) but to the dog’s dander (shed skin) and saliva – and of course all dogs will shed skin and have saliva. 

Cavapoos remain popular due to their undeniably adorable appearance and friendly, fun nature. 
 
To understand the Cavapoo better, it is a good idea to understand the parent breeds involved: 

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 

Country of Origin: England 

This is a fairly recent breed and is the latest of the English Toy Spaniels which was developed in the 1920s in an attempt to recreate the famous dogs of King Charles. The name Cavalier was added to distinguish them from the older King Charles Spaniel. 

Up until the 19th century, the King Charles Spaniel had a pointed muzzle but in the Victorian era it became fashionable to breed dogs with shorter faces - and before long the King Charles became a flat-faced breed (as it still is today). 

In 1926 however an American called Roswell Eldridge visited England and was upset not to 

be able to see the dogs he had admired in art - and so for five years running he offered prizes at Crufts for the best ‘long faced King Charles Spaniel’. This started a movement which led to the formation of the Cavalier King Charles Club in 1928 although it took until 1945 for the two breeds to be separately recognised. As the years passed, this new breed became by far the most popular and became one of the UKs best loved breeds. 
 
Poodle 

Country of origin: Germany 

The original Poodle is the Standard Poodle - who was a water retrieving dog so was always 

very much a worker. The Miniature and Toy Poodles were created as smaller versions of the original Poodle for owners who didn’t want such a large dog but were enchanted by their 

personalities and enthusiasm for all kinds of work. The smaller Poodles became well-known in circuses due to the fact they were so easy to train and eager to please. 
 
The Cavapoo can be any combination of Cavalier, Mini or Toy Poodle, so if you’re buying from a breeder, make sure you ask about the breeding of the parent dogs and ideally, their grandparents, as this will give you a clearer idea of what to expect from your puppy. 

Cavapoo owners should enjoy spending time with their dog and lead a life that allows them not to leave their Cavapoo alone very often. They should also enjoy grooming, as even with regular professional grooming appointments, the Cavapoo may mature into a coat that needs daily or weekly brushing – there is no way to tell exactly what coat type a puppy will have as an adult! You’ll need to enjoy training and devising enrichment games and fun, as well as frequent and varied walks to keep your Cavapoo a happy and easy to live with companion. 

Adult Cavapoos need at least an hour of exercise each day, though this can be split into two or three shorter walks if necessary. Exercise should also come from a mixture of off lead running, on-lead walking and games at home. They’re far less bothered about wet weather than you will be, however extreme heat should be avoided, as with any heavy coated breed, if yours is kept clipped out short, remember this may allow them to cool faster, but it will also mean they heat up quicker in direct sun! 

Cavapoos range from small to medium-small, so they can fit into any size of property, though a secure garden is a must for play and training. This busy and intelligent breed may find living in densely populated urban areas over-stimulating, which will result in a very yappy and stressed little dog, so they’re better suited to quieter suburbs or rural living. 

Your dog’s diet needs to have the right balance of all the main nutrient groups including a constant supply of fresh water. It’s important to conduct regular body condition scores to ensure you keep your dog in ideal shape and remember to feed him at least twice daily and in accordance with the feeding guidelines of his particular food. 

Cavapoo coat types will vary, so it’s a good idea to get your puppy used to grooming early on, pairing tasty treats with being brushed, combed, bathed and dried, so that this is viewed as a pleasant experience. 

 
All Cavapoos will need to be brushed properly, down to the skin, several times a week – some coat types will be better off brushed whilst wet and covered in conditioner, others can be brushed whilst dry and some may need to be brushed after a bath, as you dry them, using coat condition sprays. Finding a good professional groomer to advise you (even if you want to do all the grooming yourself) will be invaluable. 

 
Some Cavapoos will shed very little however this means that old coat remains in their fur until you brush it out and can mat incredibly easily! 

 
You should check your dog’s feet, ears, eyes and mouth, and genital region for dirt and tangles on a daily basis. 

Cavapoos are highly intelligent and so training them from a young age is necessary. It is tempting to think that an intelligent breed is easy to train, however the clever pup is as likely to learn the wrong things as the right ones if you’re not careful. Puppies and juveniles have short attention spans, so keep sessions short and fun, including games and play to exercise their brains. Using high value, tasty treats will help keep your puppy motivated and engaged with you. 

Their friendly nature and fun-loving personalities mean the Cavapoo can make an excellent family pet. Ensure children are old enough to understand that this adorable puppy is not a toy or plaything, and that they’re able to follow instructions closely.  While many dogs are traditionally thought of as being good with children, all dogs and children need to be taught to get on with and respect each other, and to be safe together. Even so, dogs and young children should never be left alone together, and adults should supervise all interactions between them.