Author: Dylan Dove

Being a pet parent to a lovable Cavoodle is nothing short of an honor. Anyone who has shared their life with one of these friendly bundles of joys will know just how lovable they are. According to Barkspot, the thing about being a Cavoodle pet parent is that you have to understand the nuances of the breed to ensure that your life together is filled with understanding and mutual comfort. This brief yet thorough guide tells you everything you need to know about raising a happy, healthy Cavoodle.

What is a Cavoodle?

The Cavoodle is the perfect combination of miniature Poodle and King Charles Spaniel. When these cute breeds pair up and produce a Cavoodle, you’re in for a treat. These pups are sweet-natured, gentle, and while they’re excellent with kids, they won’t stand for security breaches either (they’re great guard dogs!).

Where are Cavoodles From?

If your average Cavoodle could speak, you would hear a rather distinct Aussie accent. This is because the Cavoodle comes all the way from down under, where it was first bred into existence in the early 1990s. Australia was excited about this new breed, perfectly combined to be a companion and “family friend.”

Why Were Cavoodles Bred?

Of course, Australians weren’t just crossing Poodles and Spaniels because they’d look cute (and oh my, they really do) but for other reasons too. As mentioned, they make for exceptional companions, and when crossed, they are healthier too, suffering fewer conditions that just happened to plague the ancestors of both breeds.

Characteristics and Traits of Cavoodles

If you don’t have a Cavoodle yet, you might wonder if it’s the right pooch for you. Here’s a brief breakdown of a typical Cavoodle’s traits and characteristics to help you make an educated decision.

• Fiercely loyal

Cavoodles have oodles of time for their loved ones. If your Cavoodle is part of the family, you can expect your pet always to stay nearby and be loyal. Cavoodles are known to stick to the side of the family kids, and if there’s a threat, you’ll know about it moments after your Cavoodle has noticed.

• High intelligence (quick learners)

Are you looking for a companion to do the Sunday crossword with? Okay, your Cavoodle probably won’t be solving the clues, but your pet will show great intelligence in other ways. For starters, tricks and behaviors are extremely easy to teach to a Cavoodle. Sit, stay, roll over are all child’s play for this pet. You can ramp up the tricks and will be astounded at what your pet is willing to learn (and can learn).

• Full of love

Some dogs don’t like to be cuddled and petted, but that’s not the Cavoodle. The Cavoodle wants affection and will give you plenty in return. For someone looking for affection and love in their life, the Cavoodle will provide them with a lot!

• Great with kids

Nothing is worse than worrying if your toddler or even teen is safe with the family pet. A growl here and a boisterous jump there could end in tears for everyone, but that’s not the case with Cavoodles. Cavoodles are super gentle with kids. That said, it’s imperative to teach your children how to be gentle and respectful towards the family dog.

Types of Cavoodles – Pick a Size and Color; There’s a Cavoodle for Everyone!

While we all choose a pet for personality and love, there’s no denying that we have certain preferences regarding size and color. Cavoodles are a combo breed, which means that one litter can produce various colors and appearances.

Coat thickness can vary greatly, so don’t assume that every Cavoodle pup will have the same coat; some are thick, some are sleek, and some have coarse coats. Common colors include black and white, blonde, and auburn.

If you’re looking for a small dog, you’re in luck with the Cavoodle. These dogs are typically 12 to 13 inches tall and don’t weigh more than 18 pounds. In fact, most range in weight from 13 to 18 pounds.

Cavoodle Barking – A Word of Warning

Cavoodles can be quite vocal, especially when confronted with new situations and new people. That said, it all comes down to training. If you spend time teasing your Cavoodle puppy and not correcting inappropriate barking, your pet will grow up into a noisy, highly vocal adult dog. Teach your dog from a young age when it’s okay to bark and don’t encourage barking just for the fun of it.

Exercise Requirements of Cavoodles

If you are a couch potato and never go outside, your Cavoodle will be happy with that, but it must be noted that Cavoodles have exercise requirements. Your pup should get at least 30 to 60 minutes of exercise per day. This will ensure the best health and longest possible lifespan for your pup.

Recommended exercise to reach the daily requirement includes:

• Going for a walk

• Playing with a ball (fetch)

• Games and puzzles for mental stimulation

Cavoodles are highly intelligent and will require both mental and physical exercise.

Food Requirements of Cavoodles

Feeding your Cavoodle the right food is very important. When your Cavoodle is a puppy, you will need to feed them three, possibly even four times a day. You must use puppy-specific food to ensure that your pet is getting all the required nutrients. As your puppy matures, you can reduce meals to once or twice a day. It’s essential to consult the feeding guide on your dog food bag, as this will tell you how much food is ideal for your pet’s size and weight. Remember that feeding your pet is quite lifestyle-based. For instance, if your dog is highly active and slim, you will feed them differently to a pet that’s overweight and never exercises.

Illnesses and Life Expectancy

The Cavoodle breed is lucky enough to have no actual common health conditions that plague it. Pair this good breeding with the proper diet and decent daily exercise, and your Cavoodle will be with you for many years. The official life expectancy of a Cavoodle is listed at 11 to 15 years. However, many Cavoodle parents report their pet living happily, well into their 20s.

Grooming

While no dog breed is 100% hypoallergenic, the Cavoodle is described as such because they shed very little hair. Low shedding does not mean that your Cavoodle’s coat is low-maintenance, though. For example, an adult Cavoodle needs to go for hair clipping at least once every six weeks, and you will need to brush your pet twice a week at least.

Final Thoughts

Cavoodles are fun-loving, gentle, loyal, hypoallergenic pets that give as much affection as they receive. If you’re looking for a pet that will be an excellent addition to the family and life companion, the Cavoodle is a good choice!