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Having spent some quality time recently with an old friend and her Cavapoo puppy ‘Mello’ I am excited to share all that I found out about the Cavapoo breed for everyone who is looking to bring home a precious puppy of their own. Mello has been a ray of sunshine in my friend’s life in these last 12 months. It was amazing to see her transform into an absolute dog lover in just a year. All thanks to the cozy morning walks around Brooklyn, afternoon snuggles curled up together on the couch and evening playtime at the park with her precious Cavapoo puppy. Here is more about Mello and his fellow dogs of the Cavapoo breed. Cavapoos Breed Information: 10+ Fun Facts You Didn't Know About Cavapoos Cavapoos History and Origin The Cavapoo also known as the ‘Cavoodle’ is one of the oldest Poodle hybrid breeds. It belongs to the breed group ‘Toy’ and was first bred in the 1950s. It is a cross between a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Poodle, hence the name Cava-poo. It is said that the first Cavapoo puppy came into existence by accident. A few experts stated that these specific Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Poodles were not meant to breed, but the accidental results were adorable and brought a lot of attention from serious breeders. These breeders, eventually, wanted to formalize this lovable breed which they named the Cavapoo or Cavoodle. The Cavapoo gained popularity over time and has been in the spotlight only for the last 10-20 years. In fact, it was only in the 1990s that the first-ever Cavapoo litter was born in Australia where it became extremely popular. That is why some say that the Cavapoo is an Australian breed. Today, this breed is very common across both Australia and the UK. Cavapoos Physical Characteristics The Cavapoo is a small to medium-sized dog with a height of about 9-14 inches. Cavapoos usually weigh 12 to 25 pounds and are just the right size for most homes. They have short to long coats which can be black, white, tricolor, Blenheim, or golden in color. They only shed moderately, and the amount of hair that they said is largely dependent on their health status and breed type. Shedding is a natural process of their hair growth cycle and you can look to reduce this by regular brushing. Their life expectancy is anywhere between 12-15 years. Cavapoos Personality And Temperament Cavapoo Temperament The Cavapoo is a charming dog and inherits the loving, playful, and outgoing nature of both its parent breeds. They are not only intelligent but also even-tempered and people-oriented. They make a delightful companion for young or old owners and you will find that they get along with everyone in the family, including other pets. They make wonderful therapy dogs because of their sweet and gentle temperament. Are Cavapoos Affectionate? When it comes to their handlers, Cavapoos are genuinely loyal and shower them with tons of affection. These dogs respond strongly to emotions and you will notice that your happiness will become their happiness. Are Cavapoos Playful? Cavapoos make an excellent companion for people of all ages especially for children since they are playful, caring, and social. However, it is always recommended that your children are under supervision while playing with them. Cavapoos absolutely love to cuddle and be in a household full of people so that they are never bored or lonely. They rely on numerous adorable tactics to garner attention from everyone in the family. Are Cavapoos Sensitive? Cavapoos are a bit more sensitive as compared to other dogs and get quite attached to the people around them. If left alone for prolonged periods of time they can suffer from separation anxiety and can exhibit behavioral issues. If you are unable to be at home with your Cavapoo round the clock, it is advisable to have a dog walker or pet sitter to provide them with ample people time, love, and attention! Additionally, soft punishment can affect them emotionally, therefore, try to go easy on your Cavapoo. Cavapoo Barking Tendency Cavapoos are fairly vocal and bark occasionally. Depending on their level of emotion and what they’re trying to communicate, their braking pattern may change. You will usually find them barking for protection, alarm, fear, boredom, attention-seeking, greeting, or separation anxiety. Socialization Intelligence and curiosity are things that Cavapoos have inherited from their hunting dog origins. Owing to these qualities they are smart and well aware of their surroundings. They are fully equipped to take on the role of a qualified watchdog, barking when strangers approach. However, they also let their guard down once they have sufficiently assessed the situation, and the newcomers they encounter prove themselves to be friendly. Once properly socialized, Cavapoos mingle easily with new people and other animals. Therefore, you can take them with you to public places without worrying. Their origin also stems from Poodles who are known to be hypoallergenic. This means that people who are allergic to dogs can tolerate Cavapoos without any reactions. Although, bear in mind that there are no 100% hypoallergenic dogs in the world. Caring For Your Cavapoo The basic care routines for Cavapoos are very similar to the ones for any other dog breed. Moreover, they do not have any unusual physical characteristics such as large size, flat face, or long back. Therefore, they do not need any extraordinary precautions. Vaccination Their vaccination schedule is similar to other breeds as well. They need to be vaccinated when they are 6, 12, and 16 weeks old. Thereafter, a booster every year is all that they need. Managing Fleas In Cavapoos Fleas and worms are things that Cavapoos will need treatment for. You can use separate products for each of these issues or you can consider using a single product to deal with both issues at the same time. In case you are planning to purchase a flea control product, then look for a ‘spot on’ treatment which is essentially a liquid that you can place at the back of your dog’s neck. In addition to this, avoid using a flea collar since they are typically ineffective in keeping the fleas away. On the other hand, it can actually end up causing skin reactions for many dogs because the chemical in the flea collars ends up sitting on the dog’s neck for weeks. If you are located in an area that is notorious for ticks or heartworms then you might want to keep preventives at hand. You can easily use these preventives to protect your Cavapoo from nasty parasites. The product packaging will help you understand if the product is suitable for a Cavapoo of any age and size. If in doubt about which product to use, I strongly recommend that you reach out to your veterinarian for a consultation. Living With A Cavapoo Cavapoos adapt to their family’s lifestyle very easily. Given their attachment to their loved ones, they usually prefer living indoors and sleeping on the owner’s bed. They are not fussy about having a lot of space and do not need a large apartment. Bear in mind that these are social dogs who will choose cuddles over a large space any day! If you live in close proximity to a park then that is always an added bonus to ensure your Cavapoo has ample time and space to take a walk. Cavapoos are not big fans of kennels and I would strongly advise against keeping your Cavapoo in the backyard or in an outdoor space. In case you have a backyard, then you can always use it for potty breaks but try and let your Cavapoo stay indoors with you. With time, as your Cavapoo grows old, you’d need to make some adjustments to your home. Things like doggie ramps and steps will help your Cavapoo move about the house without any risk of getting hurt. No matter how old your Cavapoo gets, the desire to be with you at all times will always be there! So try and make your home as accessible as possible. Feeding A Cavapoo In most cases, Cavapoos are not fussy eaters. Having said that, it's always best to stick to a particular diet that the Cavapoo is used to so that there are no gastric upsets, especially in young puppies. In case your Cavapoo turns out to be a fussy eater, establishing this routine diet will help the dog get accustomed to eating. Since they are a small dog breed, they are quite economic to feed. The rule of thumb is to adhere to a premium dry food. A Cavapoo usually eats small amounts at a time so you’d need this small amount to pack all possible nutrition. You could plan to serve ½ to 1½ cups of this good quality dry food by dividing them into two meals every day. Getting enough nutrition is more important for growing puppies. Consulting your Cavapoo breeder or previous owner to find out what they have been feeding the dog and how many times is a helpful exercise. This will help you ensure that you keep your dog on the same diet. Also, run your dog food brand past the veterinarian just to be sure that it is suitable. Grooming A Cavapoo If you prefer a longer coat then you don't need to get the Cavapoos coat clipped. Although a Cavapoo with a longer coat will definitely need more grooming to avoid knots and mats. On the other hand, a Cavapoo with a clipped coat doesn't need a lot of brushing each week, but it is still advised that you brush your dog for at least 5 minutes per day to get the dog used to the brushing procedure. No matter your preference, establishing a grooming routine early on will make it easier for you to brush them as adults. As they get used to the process, they will stay still instead of running away whenever you bring the brush out! One thing you don’t need to worry about in case of a Cavapoo is frequent washing. They don’t need to be washed frequently because washing them often might remove their coat’s natural oils which are important for maintaining a beautiful coat. Without these oils, their coats will end up becoming dry. At most, you only need to wash a Cavapoo once a month. Many dog parents, especially the ones who are single prefer visiting a professional groomer for extra care and grooming support. Getting your Cavapoo used to visiting a groomer from a young age will help you form a routine to keep its coat healthy and could eventually become enjoyable for the pup. Apart from taking care of the Cavapoo’s coat be sure to check and clean its ears on a weekly basis. Further, don't forget to brush its teeth with dog toothpaste regularly and clip its nails whenever required. Keeping the Cavapoo’s face clean is also important as it prevents face staining. It is helpful to trim the hair around the eyes and mouth to keep them comfortable at all times. Exercise And Training A Cavapoo Cavapoos are energetic dogs that need moderate exercise coupled with daily walks. Fetching or chasing a ball are games that they love. They are full of potential and can be easily trained. A Cavapoo is quick to learn commands that you introduce and both of you will have a great time exploring tricks. Using positive reinforcement techniques such as praise, food rewards, etc. is the key to training a Cavapoo. Cavapoo Climate preference An average to cold weather condition is best suited for a Cavapoo. Since they have a short muzzle they could be sensitive to heat. Conclusion A Cavapoo is extremely well suited for people living in big cities with busy lifestyles. This is because it can easily adapt to apartments and does not need much space. Plus, since it sheds less it doesn’t demand as much attention for grooming purposes. Therefore, whether you are a first-time dog owner or an age-old dog lover, you will surely love the Cavapoo and all the love and affection it has to give! References:http://globaldogbreeds.com/cavapoo.htmlhttps://dogtime.com/dog-breeds/cavapoo#/slide/1https://thecavoodle.com/cavoodle-information/cavoodle-care/#:~:text=Feeding%20a%20Cavoodle&text=Being%20a%20relatively%20small%20dog,the%20nutrition%20that%20they%20require.