Are Cavapoos Good Dogs?
A cross between the Poodle and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, the Cavapoo (also known as the Cavadoodle) is adorable.
As a Poodle Mix dog expert, I get asked all the time about specific dog breeds. Which dogs are best for families, couples, kids, and those of us who are full-time workers. Are Cavapoos good Dogs?
With the curly fur, slight build, and sweet face, it’s hard not to fall in love with a Cavapoo. Plus, they are intelligent and easy to train, making them a popular choice for new dog owners.
However, no dog is perfect, which applies to the Cavapoo as much as any other breed. Before falling in love with a Cavapoo’s legendary cuteness, explore the following points to determine if a Cavapoo is a good dog for your home and family.
Are Cavapoos Good Dogs?
Yes, most Cavapoo owners consider them to be excellent dogs.
These affectionate canines are intelligent and responsive to humans, and they’re perfect as a family dog. Cavapoos have an extremely mild prey drive, so they have almost non-existent aggression.
Let’s explore some more reasons why Cavapoos are unquestionably good dogs.
Intelligence
The Poodle is one of the most intelligent dog breeds on the planet. In fact, it comes in second after only the Border Collie. Since Cavapoos have Poodle blood, it makes sense that Cavapoos are just as smart.
Neither breed makes the list of of the dumbest dog breeds.
Easy Training
Thanks to their intelligence, Cavapoos do well with training and usually enjoy the process. Not only does training mentally stimulate them, the process means they get to spend time with their human companion, and that is their favorite thing ever.
Cavapoos are also typically fast learners. There may be an exception with some Cavapoos when house-training, but this usually occurs when they are just puppies.
Praise and affection are the best rewards for Cavapoos during training. Be patient, gentle, and consistent with training, and you’ll soon see that your Cavapoo is a quick and eager learner.
Sweet Temperament
The Cavapoo’s wonderful temperament is one of the reasons so many people want to adopt this mixed breed. The Cavapoo has minimal prey drive, meaning they can easily live with smaller animals like cats without worry. Plus, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is famous for its sweet personality, and that friendly temperament passes down to Cavapoos.
Many families enjoy having Cavapoos as pets to play with their children. However, you should avoid leaving a child younger than six years old alone with a Cavapoo. A child that young may accidentally injure this relatively delicate and small dog.
Low-Maintenance Grooming
One of the advantages of owning a Cavapoo is how easy they are to groom. As long as you brush your dog once a week, that will often be enough.
Keep in mind, though, that every individual Cavapoo may have significant differences. As a mixed breed, it can be difficult to predict each dog’s exact fur and grooming needs. For example, if you have a Cavapoo with a longer coat, it will need more consistent grooming, about once a month.
Easy Exercise Requirements
Most adult Cavapoos need between 20 and 30 minutes of physical activity each day. You can easily accomplish this by taking your Cavapoo for walks. Although Cavapoos don’t require as much exercise as some other dogs, don’t neglect to give your Cavapoo physical activity.
They need this to stay happy and healthy, just like any other dog.
Adorable Appearance
There’s no doubt about it: Cavapoos are adorable. With such beautiful parentage from the Poodle and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, it’s little wonder the Cavapoo is sought after for its good looks.
It’s also fantastic that you can find various characteristics in Cavapoos. As a mixed breed, each dog will have a unique mixture of traits. For example, some Cavapoos take more heavily after their Poodle parents, while others may inherit more of its appearance from the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
Most cavapoos, however, boast adorably enormous eyes and rounded faces.
Bad Things About Cavapoos
Now that you’ve learned so many fantastic things about the Cavapoo, maybe you are surprised that there are any drawbacks to this breed. But no breed is perfect, and the Cavapoo does have its flaws.
Prone to Separation Anxiety
Your Cavapoo is seriously attached to you, and that is why they’re so prone to separation anxiety. If you need to be away from home for long periods, a Cavapoo isn’t the right dog for you. An example might be if you have a job with very long hours.
Your Cavapoo will almost certainly end up with separation anxiety.
There are symptoms of separation anxiety Cavapoo owners should be aware of. These include:
- Excessive barking
- Whining
- Aggression
- General signs of anxiety
- Pottying indoors
- Being destructive
- Chewing on furniture
To help prevent your Cavapoo from experiencing separation anxiety, try the following steps:
- Help them get used to being alone for shorter periods before working up to slightly longer ones.
- Don’t expect your Cavapoo to adjust immediately.
- When you get home, give your Cavapoo lots of praise and make them feel secure.
Possible Medical Conditions
Your Cavapoo may develop one or more health conditions common in Poodles and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. Examples of these conditions include glaucoma and cataracts, mitral valve disease, entropion, epilepsy, hip dysplasia, and luxating patellas. Choose a reputable breeder to cut down on the risk of getting a Cavapoo with any of these conditions.
The Best Things About Cavapoos
Cavapoos have so many stellar qualities that it’s hard to choose the best one, but I’d have to say it’s their temperament. After that, it would have to be this mixed breed’s intelligence. This combination of sweet temperament and intelligence makes the Cavapoo an excellent therapy dog.
Of course, the Cavapoo’s adorable appearance is another stand-out feature. Even more impressively, you can find Cavapoos with a variety of coat textures and colors, as well as in different sizes. Some of the coat colors commonly seen in Cavapoos include brown, black, white, and various shades and combinations of these colors.
Drawing a Conclusion – Are Cavapoos Good Dogs?
Yes, Cavapoos are indeed very good dogs. They are obedient, friendly, and intelligent. While they do have some drawbacks, such as the tendency to separation anxiety, they are often the perfect choice for a family dog.