Poodle crossbreeds have become increasingly popular on account of their low shedding coats, trainability, and quite frankly, how blinkin’ cute they are!
One breed that has soared in popularity is the Cavapoochon. Take the charm of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (CKC), the brains of the Poodle, and the small, tight coat of the Bichon Frisé, and the Cavapoochon is born! Let’s take a closer look at the breed profile of this adorable pooch.
Other doodles you might like to read about: Doberdoodle, Micro Sheepadoodle, Mini Bernedoodle, Aussiedoodle
Table of Contents
The history of the Cavapoochon
The Cavapoochon is the result of three popular breeds being combined in 2001 by Texas-based breeders, Steven and Linda Rogers. The couple have been breeding dogs since 1996, and specialize in Cavachons – a mix of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Bichon Frisé.
The breed was popular but still had a tendency to shed fur. This is when the Rogers’ decided to introduce the Toy Poodle into the mix.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Dating back to the 16th Century in England, they were originally bred to warm owners laps who lived in cold castles.
Bichon Frisé
Dating back to the 14th Century, the Bichon is thought to have originated in the Mediterranean islands and was often used as a royal lap warmer, similarly to the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
Toy Poodle
Originating from Germany and dating back to the 1800s, the standard Poodle was originally bred to hunt waterfowl, due to their alertness and ability to successfully track animals.
What does a Cavapoochon look like?
The Cavapoochon can most definitely be described as ‘teddy-bear-like‘, thanks to their small size, beautiful coat, gorgeous face, and adorable nature.
They have large, expressive eyes which make this breed particularly easy to fall in love with.
Due to the mix of different breeds, the Cavapoochon’s appearance can vary depending on the parents, however, whichever traits are inherited, you can guarantee they will be totally cute!
lifespan:
colors:
Sable, Cream, Red, Black, Tan, White, Blenheim, Apricot
height:
weight:
exercise requirements:
grooming frequency:
shedding:
trainability:
friendliness:
good with children:
The Cavapoochon temperament
The Cavapoochon has a brilliant temperament and makes a fantastic addition to any household. The breed boasts the best qualities of all three parent breeds combined into one cute little bundle of fluff.
Cavapoochons make amazing companions that are easy to train, extremely affectionate, and totally devoted to their owners. They will enjoy training sessions, long walks, and lots of social interaction. They most definitely will quickly become your best friend!
Here’s a little summary of the personalities of each of the parent breeds:
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Cuddly and loving lap dogs. They are playful, affectionate and extremely sociable.
They enjoy spending time with their owners and can be prone to separation anxiety. They enjoy outdoor activities and are always keen to please.
Bichon Frisé
The Bichon is very affectionate and gets along well with other dogs and children.
They are playful, enjoy long walks, and most of all, love spending time with their owners. They develop a deep attachment to their owners which can also mean that they are likely to suffer from separation anxiety.
The Poodle
The Poodle is a loyal and extremely intelligent breed that needs plenty of mental stimulation including training, games, and human interaction.
Due to the high IQ of the breed, owners need to have a firm hand and set ground rules as they often outsmart their owners!
Training
On account of the Poodle factor, the Cavapoochon is highly intelligent which makes them an exceptionally easy breed to train.
Positive reinforcement of desired actions is a must, allowing you to easily control their behavior. Find out what motivates your Cavapoochon, whether it’s food, toys, or attention, and use this to your advantage in rewarding them for good behavior.
From an early age, ensure that you socialize your puppy as much as possible. Safely introducing them to different scenarios, other dogs, and strangers will help to avoid behavioral problems in the future.
Exercise requirements
With the Cavapoochon’s relatives having originally been bred as lap warmers, it’s no surprise that the Cavapoochon has relatively low exercise requirements!
That said, dogs should always be given plenty of outdoor exercise – around 30 minutes twice a day. This allows them to be stimulated both mentally and physically.
Due to their high level of intelligence, plenty of mental stimulation should be included in their routine. This can be given by teaching them a variety of different tricks, giving them puzzle toys, and taking them to obedience classes.
Grooming and care
The Cavapoochon generally requires high levels of grooming and care. There are a variety of different coat types and colors that the breed may exhibit, which may affect the level of care they require.
Due to the non-shedding qualities of the breed, the fur can quickly become knotted and matted. Typically brushing should be carried out at least twice weekly, with professional grooms taking place every 6-8 weeks.
Eyes
The eyes should always be clear and free from discharge. Sometimes, dirt can build up in the corners of the eyes which can easily be wiped away.
Inherited from the CKC, the Cavapoochon can have large, bulbous eyes. Ensure that there is no excess discharge coming from them.
Ears
A Cavapoochon’s ears should be clear, free from discharge, and should not emit any foul odors.
Inherited from the Poodle parents, Cavapoochons can sometimes have an excess of hair build up within the ear. This can sometimes cause swelling, discomfort, and infection.
Some groomers may be able to trim or pluck the fur from the ears. If you are worried about your dog’s ears, always seek the advice of a veterinarian.
Teeth
A Cavapoochon’s teeth should be white, free from stains, and there should be minimal smell coming from the mouth. The mouth should be routinely checked.
Thanks to its Poodle relatives, Cavapoochons can suffer from dental disease. In an ideal world, the teeth should be cleaned at least once a day with an enzymatic canine toothpaste and toothbrush.
Over time, plaque and tartar deposits can build up on the teeth. A brilliant, natural treat that can help combat this is dried fish skins.
Feeding a dry food diet can also help to remove excess plaque and dirt from the teeth by having more friction against the tooth than wet food.
Anal glands
Yet another delightful inheritance from its Poodle ancestory – the joys of anal glands! Poodles can be predisposed to anal gland issues. The anal glands are found within the dog’s anus and help to mark territory when passing feces.
Occasionally, the glands can have difficulty expressing or may become impacted. This can become irritating and uncomfortable for the dog.
If you notice a fishy smell to the breath, or your dog scoots their back end across the floor, it may be a sign that they are experiencing anal gland problems. Always contact your veterinary surgery if you’re worried.
Claws
The claws should be routinely checked to ensure that they are not too long or sharp. In some instances, when nails become overly long they can begin to curl round into the paw pad.
A groomer or veterinarian will be able to show you how to clip the claws if you are wanting to try and do so at home. Just be mindful that there is a small blood vessel that runs through the nail that can bleed if the nail is cut too short.
Walking your dog on tarmac and hard surfaces can help naturally file the nails and keep them shorter in length.
What should I feed my Cavapoochon?
Whether you have a Cavapoochon puppy, adult or older dog, you should always feed your dog a well-rounded and balanced diet.
High-quality food should always be offered that is appropriate for their lifestage. Note that a neutered version of food should always be given once your dog has been castrated or spayed as their metabolic rate will slow down, making them more prone to weight gain.
Cavapoochon health problems
The Cavapoochon can be predisposed to the same conditions that its parent breeds suffer from, including:
Heart conditions
Inherited from the Bichon Frisé and CKC, the Cavapoochon can suffer from heart related issues.
Heart conditions can appear at any life stage but are commonly diagnosed in older dogs.
A common disease found in the Cavapoochon is Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) where fluid can build up within the dog’s body due to the heart functioning incorrectly.
Eye conditions
Similarly to the CKC, Cavapoochons can develop eye problems.
A common eye condition is dry eye syndrome which can lead to infections and eye ulcers.
If your dog has discharge coming from the eyes or starts to paw at their face, book a consultation with your veterinarian.
Ear Infections
Inherited from the Poodle parent breed, the Cavapoochon can develop a build-up of hair in the ears. This can cause them to be prone to infection.
If your dog seems bothered by its ears, speak with your veterinarian.
How much does a Cavapoochon cost?
Prices can range between $1000 – $3000+ depending on which state they are from. Due to the increasing popularity of the Cavapoochon, prices can be high.
The cost may be influenced by factors such as coat type, as curly coated, non-shedding Cavapoochons tend to be those that are sought after.
If purchasing from a breeder, ensure that they have a good reputation and read our guide on How to find a reputable dog breeder. Speak to other Cavapoochon owners or check online forums to see where others have purchased a puppy from.
Suggested reading: Adopting vs buying a dog
Can I adopt a Cavapoochon?
Cavapoochons tend to be most commonly purchased from breeders as puppies although you may be lucky enough to come across a rescue on occasion.
There are lots of great reasons to adopt a dog and typically the more popular a breed becomes, the more you will tend to find in rescue centers and shelters.
It may be worth approaching Cavalier, Bichon or Poodle, or doodle rescue organizations during your search.
Pet adoption websites are also a great place to start your search as you can filter by breed, age, and location, and also set up alerts to let you know when new listings are placed that fit your criteria.
Rescue articles that may be of interest: Maltipoo Rescue, Doodle Rescue Califoria, Labradoodle Rescue Florida
Useful articles: Ways to identify a reputable dog rescue shelter, Reasons dogs are returned after adoption, First 24 hours with rescue dog, Why is it so hard to adopt a dog from rescue, Questions to ask when adopting a dog,
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Easily trainable due to high intelligence
- Adorable, loving and cute in nature
- The breed makes a fantastic family dog
- Great with children
- Low shedding and considered hypoallergenic
- Obedient, loyal and playful
Cons
- Some Cavapoochons may have a high-maintenance coat
- Due to attachment issues, dogs may have separation anxiety from their owners
- Expensive to purchase
- Serious health problems, such as heart conditions, inherited from the CKC
Final thoughts on the Cavapoochon
Cavapoochons make a great canine companion, whether they are your first dog or you are an experienced dog owner.
Thanks to the three different breeds that contribute to the adorable Cavapoochon, the result is a fantastic breed that is easy to train, will enjoy a cuddle, and be totally besotted with you!
