Cavoodles or Cavapoos have grown increasingly popular in Australia for several reasons. These designer dogs can be a fashion statement but are also great family pets. Australians love these dogs because they’re gentle and loving.
They’re also eager to satisfy their owners, making them easier to train. The first cavoodle was believed to be bred in the United States in the 1950s. Around this time, breeders wanted to create a breed that would shed less.
As a result, they managed to create this hypoallergenic breed. These dogs are known for being small, so they’re easier to handle and transport. Some sources indicate that the Cavoodle is the most popular breed in Australia. To get a Cavoodle, a breeder will have to mix a poodle with a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
Pros Of Owning A Cavoodle
As mentioned above, a cavoodle is a crossbreed of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Poodle. Therefore, this dog will have both breeds’ best and worst properties. One of its perks is the fact that the dog has a hypoallergenic coat.
It won’t shed as much hair as other dogs, although extensive grooming is needed. These dogs require less maintenance than others, so they’re great for people who are stuck at home more often.
They also have a longer lifespan than many dogs. If you care for your cavoodle, it will provide you with companionship for many, many years. Is a cavoodle dog right for your family? Learn about the pros and cons before deciding.
1. Hypoallergenic Qualities
You’ve likely heard something about the most common cavoodle hypoallergenic properties. Much of this has to do with the cavoodle hair your dog has. Most cavoodle dogs have wooly fur that doesn’t shed too often.
Dogs with fur and hair shed more profusely. People with severe allergies should be able to tolerate living with cavoodle dogs. When a cavoodle is properly cared for, it won’t produce or shed as much hair and dander into its environment. This provides several benefits for a cavoodle owner.
You won’t experience allergy issues even though you’re a dog owner. Plus, you’re not going to find a lot of stray hairs around your home. You can vacuum less because your dog’s hair won’t shed as much.
2. Friendly And Sociable Nature
People in Australia have fallen in love with Cavoodles because they are very friendly and sociable. It is hard to match the typical cavoodle temperament. The average cavoodle nature is described as gentle.
These dogs tend to be laid-back and easy-going. With a little training, they’ll become a loving member of your family. They’re intelligent and loyal. They’re also gentle enough to live around other pets, young children, and even babies. On the other hand, cavoodle dogs may bark regularly.
If they hear any noise, they’re likely going to start barking. Although this might seem like a problem, it can be good. Some people use cavoodles as guard dogs because they don’t miss anything. They have good ears, and they’re very attentive. This combination makes them great for alerting their owners of strangers.
3. Low Maintenance
Many dogs require a lot of exercise. Surprisingly, the cavoodle does not fit into this category. When it comes to cavoodle exercise needs, these dogs require less than others. These dogs only need moderate exercise each day.
They’re easy-going so you can take them for a quick walk to fulfill this requirement. They also like mental stimulation. You may want to buy a few dog puzzle toys because they work great for this purpose. Typically, you will hide a few treats in the toys, and the cavoodle will try to find them.
Besides exercising, these toys are great for improving the dog’s intelligence. On top of that, most cavoodle dogs have short coats. If your cavoodle has a short coat, you won’t need to take it to the groomer too often.
Nevertheless, these dogs still need to be brushed and bathed. You’ll also want to pay close attention to their eyes, ears, and teeth during grooming. Cavoodle grooming is still essential.
4. Adaptable To Living Spaces
On average, most cavoodles are small and light. They tend to be easy to carry and transport. Their small size also makes them flexible. Housing a cavoodle in apartment accommodations should be okay.
Since the cavoodle size is small, these dogs will thrive even in the smallest settings. They’ll find comfort in your mansion, flat, or apartment. Just remember that it is important to make sure that their other needs are met. Keeping a cavoodle in an apartment may make it harder to meet its exercise requirements.
If you live in an apartment with a cavoodle, make it a habit to walk your dog for at least 20 minutes every day. You can also use puzzles and toys around your apartment to keep your dog active.
5. Life Lifespan And Health
Although serious cavoodle health issues exist, these dogs are healthier than most. They are less prone to problems because they’re crossbreed. Crossbreeding helps reduce the risk of genetic problems commonly found in the parent breeds.
Potential issues associated with the cavoodle breed include heart attacks, skin allergies, progressive retinal atrophy, and slipping kneecaps. Again, these dogs tend to be healthier though.
With a healthy diet and plenty of exercise, your cavoodle can live for a long time. The average cavoodle lifespan is estimated to be between 13 and 15 years. The parent breeds are expected to live between 10 and 15 years.
This is one of the traits passed down to the cavoodle. Just remember that things can happen that could cut the dog’s life short. Always pay attention to your dog and regularly visit the vet for check-ups.
Cons Of Owning A Cavoodle
Cavoodles are great pets for most Australians. These dogs are going to provide you with plenty of fun and years of companionship. If you’re diligent, you can overcome any behavioral issues you encounter.
Still, cavoodles are prone to certain problems that you should be aware of before adopting one. For instance, these dogs tend to be costlier than others because they’re so popular. They also require training from an early age to weed out problematic behaviors.
Owners should also know about common health issues so they can address them before they worsen.
1. Potential Health Issues
Cavoodle dogs are considered healthier than other popular breeds in Australia. Even then, these dogs can experience some health issues. Some of these issues could be deadly. For instance, cavoodles may be prone to heart attacks. Cavoodle ear infection frequency is also high.
Any cavoodle owner needs to be aware of this so they can take steps to prevent ear infections from occurring. Cleaning the dog’s ears regularly will help. Other cavoodle health issues include cataracts, epilepsy, mitral valve disease, hip dysplasia, Syringomyelia, and progressive retinal atrophy.
It is possible to mitigate the risks. Regular grooming will help reduce the likelihood of certain ear, eye, and teeth issues. It is also essential to schedule regular check-ups with your vet. Using a DNA kit is a good way to check for hereditary disease risks. Some of these conditions are not life-threatening even if they’re life-long. Epilepsy can be frightening but can be safely managed with the right medication.
Begin taking your cavoodle to a vet at an early age to ensure that any potential problems are diagnosed as soon as possible. Catching it sooner will give you a better chance of beating it.
2. Cost
One of the biggest cons associated with Cavoodles is the initial cost. If you begin looking for a cavoodle for sale in Australia, you will quickly find out that these dogs are more expensive than most breeds. Some reputable sources say that the cavoodle is the most popular breed of dog in Australia.
As a result, they’re always in high demand. Unfortunately, this gives breeders room to jack up the prices. These dogs can cost up to $9,000 in some cases. The price depends on the breeder, size, color, and gender.
The only way to avoid the cavoodle price is by adopting one of these dogs from a rescue or shelter. Since they’re so popular, this is often harder than it sounds.
3. Training And Socialization
Every dog needs to be properly trained to eliminate unwanted behaviors. One issue with cavoodles is that these dogs require more training than others. They tend to be stubborn so they won’t obey your rules easily. If you’re going to handle the dog’s training, you’ll need to be diligent and consistent.
Daily training is required. You should use a clicker and positive reinforcement because these things work better than other techniques. Although you can use treats from time to time, you don’t want to rely solely on them. You’ll also need to start training your cavoodle in its first year. Don’t wait because it is always harder to train an older dog.
Cavoodle training is difficult although not impossible. In terms of the cavoodle personality, these dogs are usually affectionate. However, they can be jealous and aggressive unless they’ve received training. Always introduce a young cavoodle to other dogs immediately for the best results.
4. Separation Anxiety
It is common for cavoodle owners to spend a lot of time with their pets. If you work from home, you may spend more time with your dog than you do away from it. While this is great, it can lead to certain problems. In particular, you have to worry about your dog developing cavoodle separation anxiety. Your dog is going to get accustomed to you being around so often. When you leave home, the dog will get anxious.
This may cause the cavoodle to lash out to deal with its nerves. It may try to escape your home and get injured. Alternatively, the cavoodle may destroy something. After all, dogs frequently chew when they’re nervous. It could be deadly if your cavoodle gets nervous and chews through a live electrical cord. Cavoodles are more susceptible to separation anxiety so start addressing this problem as soon as you bring the dog home.
5. Regular Grooming Needs
Cavoodle dogs are low-shedding, but you’re still going to have to groom them properly. You’ll need to schedule multiple appointments with a professional groomer to keep the dog’s coat clean and shiny.
You’ll also find that various cavoodle grooming styles are possible. You can explore pictures of cavoodle haircuts until you find what you like. More importantly, you have to make sure that your cavoodle dog’s coat is trimmed at least every six months.
You’ll also need to take steps at home to care for the dog’s coat. For instance, you should bathe the dog once a month. Brush the dog’s coat to prevent the fur from matting.
Conclusion
The Cavoodle is an adorable breed with endless characteristics and behaviors inherited from its parents. Unlike the Cadoodle and Spoodle, the Cavoodle requires fewer trips to the groomer. At-home hair care entails weekly or bi-weekly brushing, monthly baths, and clippings when needed.
A trait inherited from the poodle and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is loyalty. The Cavoodle quietly devotes itself to its master and then to each family member. The breed tends to pick its master from whoever cares for them the most. Being a good Cavoodle master means daily walks, playtime, a healthy diet, and proper hygiene.
An annoying and unwanted genetic trait is excessive vocality. The Cavoodle likes to greet strangers and familiar faces with barks. To combat the annoying behavior, obedience should start as young as eight weeks. To maximize the benefits of professional obedience training, owners should adopt the same techniques for home use.
Interested adoptees should do their homework in advance. If at all possible, exposure with a friend, family member, co-worker, or classmate’s Cavoodle can help ensure a more informed decision.
The Cavoodle was developed by crossbreeding the Poodle and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel in the 90s. The high-demand breed is still difficult to come by in Australia.
Cavoodle breeders are spread throughout the country, but it is rare to find a local breeder. Most adoptions are made through outside sources that require air travel, which can be expensive.
Australian breeding laws require breeders to be registered. To validate a breeder’s registration, visit your local council Dog Breeder Register.