Cavoodle
My Summary of a Cavoodle:
Photos of First Generation Cavoodles we have bred
The Cavoodle is a hybrid cross between a Miniature/Toy Poodle and a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. This breed has become the most popular small breed dog over the last decade in Australia, so much so that Australian breeders have had to increase breeding numbers to meet the high demand for these little designer dogs. It’s no wonder the Cavoodle is a dog who tops the charts when it comes to companionship, love, and loyalty.
The gentle, sweet Cavoodle is an ideal dog for the single owner or families with kids of any age. With the intelligence of the Mini Poodle and the pleasant nature of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, the Cavoodle is a smart dog who responds positively to training. Although this hybrid is prone to certain medical conditions, the crossbreeding involved with the Cavoodle means that this dog is typically healthier than his purebred parents.
Behaviour
The breed takes a lot of its personality from the Cavalier and is highly affectionate, playful, extremely patient and eager to please. They're great with kids, other dogs, and cats or other animals. Cavoodles are not shy about socialising but the Poodle in them may prefer to be the "number one" dog in your life. They will adapt quickly to almost any environment, family, and location and suit city or country life.
Any dog with Poodle in them are going to be smart, curious dogs that require a lot of attention but also enjoy simply cuddling up on a cushion or lap, making them excellent companion or lap dogs for medical patients and the elderly, kids or any other family.
Cavoodles will be fantastic around any other pets or people, with the only thing to keep in mind is that Toy Cavoodles, being so small, need to be around children who have been taught how to handle such delicately small dogs.
Size
The size of your Cavoodle will depend on the size of Poodle it is mixed with. Most Cavoodles are mixed with a Toy or Miniature Poodle. Toy Cavoodles will grow, on average, between 28cm to 35cm at the shoulder as adults. Mini Cavoodles will grow, on average, between 33cm to 45cm at the shoulder as adults.
Grooming
The Cavoodle is often described as a fuzzy-faced teddy bear. As a hybrid breed, the their coat type is dependent on which parent, the Poodle or the Cavalier, that the dog genetically takes after the most. The three coat types are wiry, fleece, and wool. Most of them have a wavy or curly coat which can grow long unless professionally trimmed; So it requires some high maintenance. The coat should be brushed at least once weekly otherwise knots, mats, and tangles can develop, particularly in the areas around the armpits and the collar.
Basic canine health care includes checking his ears, brushing his teeth, and trimming his toenails. Check your Cavoodle’s ears weekly for any redness, itchiness, dirt, wax, or bad odours as these may be signs of infection. The ears should be cleaned with a pH-balanced gentle cleanser to prevent infections from occurring. Canine oral diseases can lead to heart problems later in life, so gently brushing your dogs teeth two to three times a week is important to his well-being. The dog’s toenails should be trimmed at least once a month unless he is outside frequently enough that the nails wear down on their own.
Exercise
Cavoodles are a low energy breed, requiring minimal exercise. They will generally sleep when no one is home, but love to play and snuggle with their humans when they are around. Cavoodles enjoy an occasional walk, but walking is not necessary.
Due to their high level of intelligence, they are is relatively easy to train. Cavoodles thrive on positive, interactive training methods. Positive, reward-based training techniques combined with upbeat verbal reinforcement will resonate most with this breed. Socialization is also key to raising a well-rounded Cavoodle, so interaction with other people, dogs, and animals is vital.