A cavoodle is a designer dog that's crossed between a cavalier king charles spaniel and a poodle (toy or miniature). 

Because cavoodles have grown in popularity over the last decade, there has become a number of different terms for how a cavoodle is bred and how its blood lines are mixed. These terms include a first generation cavoodle (F1 cavoodle), F1B, second generation cavoodle (F2 cavoodle) and multigenerational. 

A F1 Cavoodle - is a first generation cavoodle that is a cross between a pure poodle (usually toy or miniature or mix), and a pure Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.  First generation cavoodles are sometimes more consistent to breed due to the puppies, usually displaying a good even mix of the two breeds, all with a consistent, low shedding wavy coat, and comes with all the health benefits of crossing two different breeds with different genetics. However sometimes this isn't always the case and one parent's gene can take more precedent and you could end up with the straight-haired cavoodle. If you are wondering what a straight haired cavoodle looks like check out this facebook page Straight Coat Cavoodle Owners Australia and Beyond 

A F1B Cavoodle - is a cavoodle that comes from a 1st generation Cavoodle crossed with a poodle, (some breeders may use a cavalier as well if specialising in straight haired coats - this is why it is important to ask what the parents are when buying an F1b cavoodle). However when bred with the poodle, the traits of the pure breed in an F1B Cavoodle are likely to be more present, such as a Cavoodle back to a poodle which means the pup can have more of hypoallergenic wool coat and means it can be less shedding than a 1st generation cavoodle. 

A F2 Cavoodle - is 50% Cavoodle and 50% Cavoodle of each parent, so the puppies ratio of each parent does not change. They are still low to non shedding and can have deep curls, to waves to straight within the one litter. Their appearance can range from cavalier features, poodle features or somewhere in between.

Multigenerational Cavoodle - is a term that can be applied to any cavoodle generation beyond an F2. 

See our chart below:

Because the cavoodles are a hybrid between a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Poodle, it tends to take the best parts of each parent breed including it's laid back nature of the cavalier and it's intelligence and loyalty of the poodle. Making the cavoodle a very friendly, gentle, compact, healthy and well rounded dog.  

Lets go over the good and the bad so you can weight up if a cavoodle is right for your family. 

Pros:
-Loyal
- Friendly 
- Low Shedding
- Even-tempered
- People-orientated
- Can live inside or outside 
- Cuddly and loving lap dog
- Highly intelligent & learns quickly
- Typically not a dog that barks alot 
- Only requires 30 mins of exercise a day
- Make perfect companions or family pets
- Sociable with other dogs or household animals 
- Low risk for developing serious genetic defects due to cross breed

Cons:
- Known to have sensitive tummies and be fussy with food
- Can carry on neurotic tendencies of a poodle and be anxious (suffer from separation anxiety), may tend to cry during the night in puppy stages.
- Known to suffer lower risk health problems like dermatitis, skin allergies, ear infections, anal glad constipation, poo abnormalities from sensitive stomach or change of diets.
- Mid-high maintenance grooming routines (depending on coat, the more woollen or poodle-like it is the more it is likely to matt and regular trips to groomers can be costly. 

Some breeders will tell you cavoodles are a 100% non-shedding, hypoallergenic dogs. Believe it from me when we say that no dog can be 100% non-shedding or perfect for anyone that may suffer from allergies or hay-fever. Cavoodles are definitely a low-shedding dog and are great for people who are sensitive to dog hair or have low-medium allergies. In saying that people can overcome minor allergies and build up a tolerance, however unfortunately I've heard of many scenarios where families buy cavoodles when their children suffer from extreme allergies and have had to re-home them.  

If you or a family member have allergies and are looking into a cavoodle, we recommend talking to any friends, family or neighbours that have cavoodles and seeing if you are able to spend short amounts of time with them to see if you can handle being around one or not. Also you may find an F1B cavoodle that's mixed with a poodle x 1st generation cavoodle could be better suited for you as they are less likely to have straight hair like a cavalier; due to the likely hood of having a woollen or fleece coat having more poodle in their DNA.

Yes, due to the friendly temperament of the cavoodle, they make perfect family members and are typically good with kids. They are usually gentle and because they are small they don't tend to be of harm to children. However, they are energetic and excitable though, which can frighten some kids as they do tend to jump on them.  

However please note all new puppies and dogs should always be supervised when playing with young children. 

Due to the cavoodle being a mixed breed they can vary in size and it really does depend on how big their parents are, however there are two types which usually allude to how big your cavoodle will actually get!

Toy Cavoodles -  are smaller in size and weight. As an adult, a Toy Cavoodle can grow up to 30 cm and weight up to 5 kg. The toy cavoodle means it has been bred between a cavalier and toy poodle or two toy cavoodles.

Miniature Cavoodles - are slightly bigger and can reach  up to 38 cm and with a weight range that can go up to 12 kg as an adult. The miniature cavoodle means it has been bred between a cavalier and miniature poodle or two miniature cavoodles.

Cavoodles will usually reach their full size between 9-12 months old.

Note: It's important to understand breeders and pet shops may charge more for toy cavoodles as they tend to stay smaller, however always ask to see the parents so you know that it will be a good indicator of how big your cavoodle pup will grow. We have seen many cavoodles at the dog park that are the same size or even bigger than a miniature labradoodle, which definitely should not be the case!

Cavoodles are intelligent and also high energy dogs (due to the poodle parent)  who love to play and require mental and physical stimulation, otherwise it can lead to boredom or destructive behaviour. 

Generally, one walk a day is enough to satisfy their energy levels if they are an inside dog, although this can vary and some dogs may need more. You will find cavoodles that live outside and have a good space to play and run around may need less frequent walks, or if you have children as they can help tire them out!

Guide for how long you should walk your cavoodle (by age):
Over 14 weeks after vaccinations till 4.5 months : between 10-15 minutes daily
Between 4.5-6 months: between 20-30 minutes daily
Over 6+ months: 30+ minutes up to an hour daily 

Whether you choose to walk, run or play ball, you will find your Cavoodle will be more than happy to be active with you. A good run at the small local dog park should tire them out too!

Here are 4 great small dog parks we like in South West Sydney:

Catherine fields: Rowland Ave, Catherine Field NSW 2557

Emerald hills:  New Emerald Hills dog park now open 

Shale hills in Cecil hills: Second Ave &, Mannow Ave, West Hoxton NSW 2171

Elderslie: 44 River Rd, Elderslie NSW 2570

According to many pet insurance providers, here are common health problems, minor and major that they see cavoodle owners claim the most for:

Minor and common health problems cavoodles suffer from:
- Dermatitis
- Skin allergies
- Ear infections
- Anal glad constipation
- Poo abnormalities from sensitive stomach or change of diets

Major conditions or diseases cavoodles may or may not suffer from:
- Syringomyelia: a condition where the formation of the skull is too small for the brain. This can cause the dog mild discomfort or a great deal of pain depending on the severity of the condition. If your Cavoodle shows tenderness around the neck, head or shoulders, often whimpers when touched or scratches at the head, take them to the vet as soon as possible for assessment.

- Mitral Valve Disease: Very common in the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, MVD begins with a heart murmur that becomes increasingly problematic until the animal suffers heart failure and dies. This form of heart disease can occur in many breeds but will generally occur at a much younger stage for the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, therefore Cavoodle owners should be aware. The condition is thought to be genetic. You can always get your cavoodle tested for it by Orivet.

- Cataracts: Like in humans, canine cataracts occur when a cloudy membrane forms over the eye, causing vision loss. They can be removed surgically.

- Hip dysplasia: is a condition where the thighbone and hip joint do not fit together properly, causing pain and lameness. Less severe cases can be treated with anti-inflammatory medications, but surgery may be required for serious cases.

- Patellar luxation:  occurs when the bones of the patella are not aligned properly and as a result slip in and out of place, causing pain and an abnormal gait. Mild cases generally do not require treatment and do not impact too much on the dog’s life, but severe cases may require surgery.

- Progressive retinal atrophy: refers to a family of eye diseases which gradually result in the deterioration of the retina, causing first night blindness then full blindness. There is no cure, but most dogs adapt very easily to the vision loss, provided their environment does not change too much.

- Epilepsy: Cavoodles may be prone to idiopathic epilepsy, which are seizures with no known cause. There is treatment available for cavoodles suffering epilepsy.

Read our article Pet insurance for your cavoodle, is it worth it? to find out more whether you getting pet insurance for your cavoodle works for you.

The Cavoodle temperament combines the best traits from the Cavalier and the Poodle to create a smart, affectionate, playful and eager to please dog. They are highly trainable, obedient and are very easy to teach.

They thrive on the company of their family and other household pets. While they are great with children, it is important to teach any young children who come into contact with the Cavoodle to be gentle and that the dog is not a toy.

The Cavalier side of the cavoodle tends to balance out the neuroses of the Poodle side, making it a laid-back and calm companion. Despite this, Cavoodles should not be left alone for long periods of time as they require almost round-the-clock company. Like many breeds, Cavoodles who are left alone and not given enough physical or mental stimulation can develop behavioural problems.

Cavoodles are a crossbreed, which luckily puts them at lower risk of developing certain health issues though of course, this cannot be guaranteed. With the correct nutrition, exercise and regular vet checks, a Cavoodle can live to be anywhere from 10-14 years old.

Grooming your Cavoodle will depend on the type of coat your pup has, but it is important to make brushing part of your daily routine! Start it early from the day your pup gets home, the mycavoodle pin and bristle brush is the perfect brush to start getting your puppy used to a light brush that feels like a massage (the bristle side). 

If your cavoodle has silky and straight hair, like that of the cavalier spaniel, you will need to brush it frequently and give regular baths as the hair does tend to tangle slightly and smell after not bathing frequently.

If your cavoodle has a coat thats fleece or woollen like a poodle then you need to be on the lookout for mats, which are deep knots that form on the legs, under/behind ears and near the skin if you don’t brush regularly. Once those mats form, its best just to cut them out to avoid the ordeal of trying to brush them out. Better, though, to prevent them by brushing your Cavoodle every day.

Note: Cavoodles have hair, not fur. Dogs with hair, like Cavoodles, have a finer coat that does not shed, and needs to be clipped every couple of months because it grows. 

Cavoodles can be a high maintenance breed and do require professional grooming regularly if you are to keep their coat matt free!

For straight haired cavoodles they require less professional grooms per year maybe 1-2 times a year max. This is because their hair is silky and straight which does not matt and as long as they are brushed daily to avoid tangles you can get away with washing them at home!

For cavoodles who have coats that are fleece or woollen, they will need to be taken to the groomers every 6-8 weeks for a maintenance groom or if you are happy to do wash and brush daily at home, you can save a bit of money and only take them when they need a cut or clip! This might be the case coming into spring and summer months and after summer going into autumn allowing them to grow their coat back long enough to get through the winter. 

Because cavoodles have such sensitive skin it is important to pick a product that will not flare up any skin problems. 

The mycavoodle coconut & pomegranate all-in-one shampoo and leave-in conditioner was made specifically with the cavoodle breed in mind. We understand this breed in and out, but also the needs of YOU a cavoodle owner that just wants the absolute best for your furbaby and also for them to smell fresh and clean afterwards. 

That's why mycavoodle shampoo and conditioner have been made in Australia by elite Sydney chemists who have formulated a mix that is:
- soap-free
- tear-free
- sulphate-free
- paraben-free
- hypoallergenic 
- biodegradable
- vegan & plant based
- pH balanced for cavoodles
- safe for use on puppies and dogs
- suitable for all cavoodles hair types, straight, fleece and woollen
- contains aloe vera, vitamin e and oatmeal to soothe, moisturise and detangle

Tear stains are common with both spaniels and poodles, and are usually the result of excessive tear production so you will notice this is definitely something most cavoodles suffer from. A nice, gentle wipe with a warm wash cloth every day will take care of that. However if you find it's still building up excessively some things to try include:

- Buying a tear stain remover
- Feeding a raw balanced diet
- Giving your cavoodle natural plain greek yoghurt everyday (1-2 tablespoons)  
- Giving your cavoodle natural coconut oil everyday (1 tablespoons) or mix in with food

The short answer is NO! Definitely do not wash your cavoodle with human shampoo or body wash. 

Read more here on our article about why you shouldn't wash your cavoodle with human shampoo

mycavoodle all-in-one shampoo and leave in conditioner for cavoodles is made with natural and gentle ingredients that cleans, moisturises, detangles, reduces odours & soothes itchy skin for cavoodle puppies and dogs. With aloe vera, vitamin e, almond oil and coconut oil in our shampoo your cavoodles coat will be left shiny after every wash for a salon-quality finish. 

We know this breed can also suffer from dry, flaky and itchy skin that's why our mycavoodle shampoo is:

pH balanced for cavoodles, Safe to use on puppies, Hypoallergenic, Biodegradable, Contain No sulphates or parabens, Is Plant-based, Soap & tear-free.

It is always best to speak to your vet, breeder or pet shop where you purchased your cavoodle from as they will tell you the current food your puppy has been bought up on or what is best for them. 

However, from our own personal experience with cavoodles this breed is usually either known to be one of two types, fussy or not! 

Fussy cavoodles will sometimes refuse to eat if there is a change in their diet, some will not eat hard food or kibble, and some will only eat boiled chicken!

The non-fussy eaters tend to eat anything, raw, packaged, kibble, fruit, bones, treats etc.. Some meals that you can try feed your cavoodle include mince (beef, turkey, chicken), rice and minced or diced  veggies ( peas, beans, carrots). 

See below a fruits & veggies list your cavoodle can eat and those foods that they shouldn't. 

It is always best to speak to a vet about this question as it will be dependant on your pup's health and weight.

However from experience we feed our cavoodle once in the morning and once at night (wet & dry food) and then some treats or bones sporadically if we are training.