Cross the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Bichon Frise, and Poodle, and you have the adorable little Cavapoochon! Now that we have an absolutely adorable mixture, what will he be like? What kind of personality traits will we get?
All you Need to Know about Cavapoochons
A dog breed’s personality will normally reflect the breeding purpose. For example, Labradors descended from a dog bred off the east coast of Canada to work around the water, and thus usually adore spending time in the water!
In order to understand the traits of the Cavapoochons, we need to first look at the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Bichon Frise, and Poodle.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Originally associated with European nobility, these guys are known for their affinity toward people and eagerness for any sport. As the smallest of the spaniels, they were originally intended to be a family pet, but they also excel at flushing small game.
- 13 to 18 pounds (6 to 8 kilograms)
Bichon Frise
These adorable little fellows are a very old breed, thought to have descended from water Spaniels and originated among the Canary Islands prior to the 13th century. Again, they were bred (or became) more of a lapdog and human companion, always cheerful and grateful for any attention received!
- 12-18 pounds
Poodle
Though likely descending from Toy or Small Poodles, we’ll cover the standard poodle for reference’s sake. Poodles are thought to be among the most intelligent dog breeds in the world, originally bred for duck hunting in Germany (not France). They love human companionship, are highly energetic, and adore water sports!
Cavapoochon Temperament
You’ll have a hard time finding a more cheerful, playful pup! These guys are great with the family and wonderful with kids (although as delicate as most toy breeds). They are extremely eager (and easy) to please, and will stop at nothing to shower you with affection!
Exercise Requirements
Only needing a moderate amount of exercise (as opposed to his Poodle ancestor), These guys make fantastic apartment dwellers! Your pet might be satisfied with the daily walk, or a little time set aside for play.
Grooming and Shedding
Known for his thick coat, the Cavapoochon is as hypoallergenic as they come. Those bred with more Poodle genetics (inherited) will be less likely to shed from that single coat.
Though no breed is completely hypoallergenic since all dogs produce some level of dander, the Cavapoochon is among the best.
Since they only sport a single coat that won’t shed or ‘blow’, grooming is simple! As the pups grow older, their original coats will begin to be replaced with a smoother, silky set.
Feeding and Diet
In general, all dogs require the same type of Animal (not plant) proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, but the Cavapoochon is a smaller breed developed more as a companion and less for rigorous hunting activities. Most small breed dog foods are, but keep a few things in mind.
Omnivores
Dogs are descended from wolves. They are bred with senses to hunt and track animal prey. They are not intended to be herbivores.
Not even the best vegan diets will equal a high-quality meat-based diet. Unfortunately, dog food manufacturers like to pack their foods with cheaply grown and starchy (too many carbs) plant-based ingredients, which can contribute to weight gain.
- Cavapoochons will generally grow to between 12-20 lbs.
Common Health Problems
As the Cavapoochon is bred with other generational Cavapoochons, genetic variance will decrease and the potential for health problems will increase. The healthiest Cavapoochons are first-generation pups!
We’ve listed some of the disorders related to parent breeds, though most reputable breeders will do their best to select against these conditions. Ensure your pup’s health by asking for paperwork and asking about the health history of the parents!
- NEVER purchase a dog over the internet, and you’re always advised against purchasing dogs from pet stores (as opposed to directly from the breeder).
Syringomyelia (SM)
Abnormal cerebrospinal fluid moving along the spinal canal, through the foramen magnum (hole in the skull for spine) can fill cavities they otherwise wouldn’t, due to an unusually little occipital bone (back of the skull).
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are predisposed to Syringomyelia (SM).
“The incidence of CM within the CKCS breed is estimated at 95% (Canadian Veterinary Journal)”
–Syringomyelia in the Cavalier King Charles spaniel (CKCS) dog
Hip Dysplasia
Hip Dysplasia occurs when the ‘ball and socket’ joint doesn’t fit together perfectly, causing pain and other injuries such as; arthritis, decreased movement, lameness, etc. Specifically, it can result in degenerative joint disease or/and osteoarthritis.
This is a hereditary disorder (influenced by things like poor nutrition), more commonly found in larger breeds. Poodles are also predisposed to this one.
Ensuring an ideal weight, along with good nutrition and regular veterinary checkups, are a great way to help with this disorder.
Epilepsy
Also more common with the CKCS and Standard Poodles, this can both be inherited or caused by some type of problem with the brain. Epilepsy causes seizures, and can also become a problem in any other breed.
Legg Perthis Disease
This one will cause your dog to limp on an affected limb, eventually leading to numbness (a refusal to use leg). It’s more common with small breeds weighing less than 20 lbs.
The head ‘ball’ of your dog’s femur will suddenly begin to erode, eventually leading to total hip collapse and arthritis. Though the exact cause is unknown, your veterinarian might recommend surgery for the affected limb.
Ear Infections
Most original dog breeds weren’t meant to have floppy ears; this was achieved through human selective breeding over the ages.
Because their hair tends to grow inside those long, floppy ears that hang on either side of their faces, the Cavapoochon is more susceptible to ear infections.
Check on the ear health often!
Cavapoochon Pros and Cons
PROS | CONS |
Hypoallergenic | Not a Pure Breed |
Great with family & kids | Health problems |
Easy to train | |
Intelligent | |
Loves people | |
Longer lifespan |
Are Cavapoochon’s Easy to Train?
Think of Cavapoochon dog training like any other dog training, but with a twist! These are general ideas.
- Cavapoochons make fantastic apartment dwelling pets!
All dogs are driven by the same basic principles. All dogs learn through repetitive conditioning, most dogs are driven by rewards (treats, etc.), and the best trainers will encourage reward-based positive reinforcement for most things.
Think of socialization (introducing your dog to new people, environments, experiences). All dogs should begin socialization training at a young age!
Whereas some breeds might be ‘predisposed’ to aggression due to breeding history, the Cavapoo certainly is not.
Socialization should be very easy!
- How do I make my dog want to behave for me?
- What kind of reward should I use, what is he really after, and what makes him most pleased?
- Is it praise, play (games), rewards, or simply my attention?
- How can I make training as pleasant as possible?
4 Fun Cavapoochon Facts
1. Cavapoochons are Highly Intelligent!
Most of the world’s smartest dog breeds (i.e. Border Collie, GSD, Labrador, Poodle) were bred originally to fill working and hunting roles. They needed to be able to follow specific orders (herding behaviors in the Border Collie’s Case).
Though the Cavapoochon wasn’t bred for any working purpose, his Poodle ancestor, vying for the most intelligent breed on Earth with the Border Collie, was.
2. Very Sociable
Cavapoochons are extremely sociable and love their humans, making them that much easier to train! It’s easy to reward a dog that just wants your affection and approval.
However, separation anxiety can become a problem in any breed that becomes too attached to human owners, so you might want to work on crate training! Allow your dog to gradually become accustomed to isolation at an early age.
3. Cavapoochons are Hypoallergenic
As a single coated, non-shedding breed (like Poodles), Cavapoochons are considered hypoallergenic! Of course, all dogs will excrete dead skin cells and some degree of dander, but Cavapoochons are some of the better breeds.
If you are allergic to pet dander, there aren’t many better breeds for you.
4. They Live Long
Smaller dogs tend to live longer in general vs. larger breeds, so the Cavapoochon is no exception at an avg. length of 12-15 years. Certain dogs have even been known to live around 20 (140 in human years)!
In Conclusion: Cavapoochons, the Ultimate Companions
If you’re looking for a fun, intelligent, cuddly love-bug of a pet that is also very easy to train and just wants to please you, the Cavapoochon is your guy!
