Breed information
Cavapoos are known to have kind, affectionate, loyal natures and although they have been around since the fifties, they are not as yet recognised by The Kennel Club here in the UK (June 2016), nor is the Cavapoo recognised by other international dog clubs. However, as time goes by and with careful, selective breeding, a consistency in the Cavapoos looks, temperament and size might be achieved which could as a result mean they would eventually be recognised as a breed in their own right, but this could well take several generations.
Interesting facts about the breed
Cavapoos are among the most popular breeds not only in the UK, but elsewhere in the world even though they are a relative new
breed.
They are renowned for their sweet natures
Cavapoos can have silky or wavy coats depending on which of their parent breeds they have thrown to
Some Cavapoos are hypoallergenic whereas others are not, but all Cavapoos shed dander which could trigger an allergy in people
Cavapoos come in lots of different colours
Every Cavapoo is slightly different when it comes to colour, size, shape and coat texture because it all depends on their parent dogs and whether or not they are first generation Cavapoos. They are thought to be hypoallergenic, although it has to be said, that although they have inherited this from their Poodle lineage, it is the dander a dog sheds that is partly responsible for triggering allergies in people. With this said, the Cavapoo is still considered to a low-shedding little dog and one that’s become a popular choice with people who suffer from allergies.
When it comes to coat colours, the texture and length of a Cavapoos hair can be quite different from dog to dog with some leaning towards the Poodle and others having more of a Cavalier type coat. As such some Cavapoos can have silky coats which they inherit from the Cavalier whereas others have a wavier coat which is a good indication they have thrown more to the Poodle.
Temperament
The Cavapoo can inherit many of the characteristics and personalities of their parent breeds and they are renowned for being affectionate, friendly and loyal companions and family pets which is why they have consistently been among the most popular cross breeds around both here in the UK and elsewhere in the world for such a long time. They are renowned for being extremely sweet-natured which means they get on with everyone and everything.
They are clever dogs having inherited their intelligence from both parent breeds and as such they need to be given the right amount of daily exercise and mental stimulation for them to be truly happy, well-rounded and obedient dogs. When a Cavapoo is well socialised from a young age and correctly trained using positive reinforcement methods, they are a real pleasure to have around and many of these charming dogs do a great job as therapy dogs.
Are they a good choice for first time owners?
Cavapoos are a great choice for first time dog owners because they are so amenable and sweet natured. They thrive on being around people and are therefore very receptive to learning new things and adore the one to one attention they are given when being trained.
What about playfulness?
Cavapoos are playful and they enjoy taking part in lots of canine sports and playing interactive games like "fetch". Being energetic, they excel at activities like agility and thoroughly enjoy the attention they are given when being trained and when they are taking part in competitions, shows and events.
Intelligence / Trainability
The fact that Cavapoos are a cross between a Poodle and a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel means these charming dogs are intelligent. Therefore, they are very trainable and teaching them to do things is an enjoyable experience all round.
Once a puppy is older and they are fully vaccinated, their training can start in earnest. Enrolling a puppy into a puppy class when they are around 10 to 12 weeks old goes a long way in successfully socialising them so they grow up to be confident, outgoing mature dogs.
Cavapoos have earned themselves the reputation for being both wonderful companions and family pets because they get on well with children who know how to behave around small dogs.