Cavapoo Breed Information

Grooming

Grooming your Cavapoo puppy both at home and at the dog groomer is essential for your dog’s well-being. Puppies and adult Cavapoos generally have low grooming requirements. Like all dog breeds, they need to have their coats brushed, ears cleaned, nails trimmed, and teeth brushed regularly.

Before brushing your Cava-poo's coat, consider their hair type and what tools are needed for the job. Adult Cavoodles have wavy or curly-textured coats, which means that a bristle brush would work best for them. Ideally, you should brush your dog a few times per week, or daily if time allows. You can also add a slicker brush for your dog to your shopping list, in case your dog's coat gets matted and needs detangling. Mats are common in dogs that don’t get as much brushing as they should. They most often appear behind the dog’s ear, around the legs, and on the base of the tail.

RELATED: Cavapoo Grooming Guide

Cutting your dog's hair is also something that you need to do frequently, especially during summertime. You can choose one of the many popular haircuts that your groomer can do professionally or you can do it yourself at home with the right tools. Favorite haircuts for this breed include the Teddy Bear Cut, the Summer Cut, and the Puppy Cut.

Bathing your Cavalier spaniel and Poodle mix is not something you should do very often. Ideally, one bath every 4 to 6 weeks should be sufficient. Too much bathing is not healthy. It can remove natural oils that are on your dog’s skin and cause dryness and irritation. Dog shampoo is recommended when bathing Cavadoodles. You can opt for mild shampoo for dogs if you choose to bathe your dog at home or allow a professional groomer to choose a shampoo that is right for your dog. 

Most dogs are not eager to sit still while their owners work on giving them a pedicure, which is why it is always recommended to begin this grooming step when the puppies are very young. Overgrown nails are not only uncomfortable for your dog, but they can also cause pain, problems due to breakage, and deformity. If you opt to clip your dog's nails at home, make sure to use nail clippers specially designed for dogs. An ideal time to clip your dog’s nails is after its monthly bath. That is when their nails are softest and easier to clip.  

Ear cleaning is necessary but should not be done daily. Ideally, you should clean the outer part of your dog’s ears with a damp cloth every now and then and allow your dog groomer to take care of cleaning the ear canal every month or so at the vet.  

Teeth brushing is an essential part of grooming that needs to be done on a daily basis. Cava-poos can suffer from poor dental hygiene and other tooth problems if they are not brushed regularly. They can develop bad breath, gum disease, and other unpleasant dental issues. It is recommended to use vet approved dog toothpaste and a toothbrush specifically designed for dogs when brushing your dog's teeth. 

You might also find our blog on Brushing your Puppy’s Teeth useful. 

As always, remember that grooming and training work well hand in hand. Teaching your puppy to be comfortable with being held, inspected, and handled, and allowing them time to become comfortable with the grooming tools before their first brushing or bathing, will set the tone for having an easier time grooming your adult Cavapoo dog in the future. 

RELATED: Grooming your Dog at Home Guide

For more information on how trust can be ruined and rebuilt with dogs, check out our detailed guide.

Exercise Needs

The Cavadoo breed is moderately active. These amazing dogs enjoy canine games and cuddles and are generally relaxed. A 30-minute walk each day coupled with some playtime indoors is enough to keep the dog healthy and happy. Daily mental stimulation is also recommended for this pup.

Health

Cava-poos are generally very healthy dogs. Thanks to reputable breeders and crossbreeding, first-generation dogs, in particular, benefit from hybrid vigor. These dogs are less likely to inherit any conditions that their parents are prone to. Crossing or breeding dogs that don't belong to the same breed but are both purebred, will produce healthy, resilient puppies.  

Although it is unlikely for Cavoodles to inherit any of these health problems, their parents are sometimes prone to cataracts, allergies, and weight issues. 

Cataract is a condition that generally affects dogs in their senior years. Other causes for cataracts in dogs include injury to the eyes, inflammation, and sugar diabetes. Although it is not life-threatening, it can cause discomfort and loss of sight, and if left untreated, can lead to glaucoma. Signs of Cataracts in dogs include eye discoloration, dizziness, cloudy eyes, lethargy, excessive blinking, and clumsy movements.

Allergies in dogs are much like human allergies. They can be environmental, food-related, or skin allergies. Symptoms of allergies in dogs include skin irritation, itchiness, sneeze fits, inflammation, hives, vomiting, and diarrhea. Your veterinarian is best suited to identify what causes your dog’s allergies and to treat them accordingly. Cavipoos are not commonly known to suffer from dog allergies, but their parent breeds sometimes are. 

Cavapoos can be prone to weight gain if they are allowed to overindulge in their favorite treats or food. Monitoring their weight and ensuring their exercise needs are met daily will prevent them from gaining weight and putting strain on their small frames.

RELATED: Do Cavapoos Have Health Problems?

Life Span

The Cavapoo's lifespan is between 12 and 15 years. As with all dogs, regardless of their size, a proper diet for your Cavapoo with just the right amount of exercise and regular vet check-ups will increase their lifespan.  

RELATED: Cavapoo Lifespan: Secrets to Longevity

Training

These dogs are generally easy to train. They very much enjoy the attention they receive during training but can sometimes get bored if not properly motivated. Combining delicious treats with toys, praise, and play will work wonders when training a Cavapoo puppy. Housebreaking and leash training can sometimes be a tricky task, but with proper motivation and positive reinforcement, the puppy will become an eager and obedient student.  

Our Cavadoo breeders as well as our Puppy Agents interact with the puppies daily. This helps in laying down the groundwork for further socialization once the puppies arrive at their new home. Socialization is one of the most essential steps in training. It helps young puppies grow into friendly, sociable adult dogs. These pups are friendly-natured dogs that make fast friends with other dogs and even cats, but they still need to be socialized early on.  

Training your Cavapoo from an early age is key. For those new to training puppies, our guide on early training practices for Cavapoo puppy behaviors can be beneficial.

Puppy socialization should not be rushed, especially in the first few days of the puppy’s arrival home. Allow your little pupppy time to become comfortable with its surroundings and with you before you introduce them to friends, family members, and other pets in the house. Once your puppy is happy with its new surroundings, you can begin introducing friends and family members gradually.

At around 12 weeks old, when your puppy is done with all its vaccinations, you can begin socialization training outdoors where there are other dogs and people for your friendly dog to meet. It is recommended to be patient and not force interactions when the puppy is not ready. If your puppy shows signs of being uncomfortable when meeting or interacting with another dog, it is best that you end the interaction and try again on your next walk. 

Socializing a Cavipoo should go smoothly as they are naturally friendly and outgoing dogs. They are also independent and can be left alone at home for longer periods of time as they are not generally prone to separation anxiety.

RELATED: Can Cavapoos Be Left Alone?

More information on how to train your puppy.