Cavapoo
| Common nicknames | chloe | ||||||||||||||||||||
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| Origin | Australia | ||||||||||||||||||||
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| Domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris) | |||||||||||||||||||||
The Cavapoo (also known as a Cavoodle) is a crossbreed dog, the offspring of a Poodle and a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.[2] The Cavapoo became especially popular through crossbreeding programs in Australia in the late 1990s.[3] The Cavapoo has since become one of Australia's most popular breeds.[2] Cavapoos were bred by ACA Breeders kennels to be healthy, outgoing, small dogs with a low to non-shedding coats, who would get along well with children.[3] They are a very popular crossbreed dog in Australia due to their exceptional temperaments, robustness and low-shed coats.[3]
Appearance
The Cavapoo is a cross between the Toy or Miniature Poodle, and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.[3] Given their heritage it's not hard to see that the Cavapoo has been purpose bred to get along well with all types of families; from the elderly to those with small children. The typical Cavapoo has a shiny hypoallergenic coat, round face, and long ears.[2] There is some variation within the breed. Some puppies will lean more towards a Poodle like appearance while others will favor the Cavalier in features—with the many variations amongst the breed dependent on the genetic makeup of the parents.[1] Colors are wide ranging so there is plenty of choice including solid black to solid white, chestnut and white (Blenheim), black, white and tan (tri-color), or gold all over.[1]
Temperament
The Cavapoo's temperament matches its looks as they are very gentle and loving canines who get along extremely well with young children. With the average height of a Cavapoo ranging from 11–13" (28–33 cm), the breed is perfectly suited for companionship with small children or other small pets.[2] Cavapoos much prefer the company of humans, and can become rather attached to a specific owner. The Cavapoo is an intelligent dog who will respond well to having light-hearted and fun training, so new owners will need to err on the side of gentle guidance rather than use strong disciplinary measures. As young pups, they will be very inquisitive with a short attention span.[2] However, they will learn the house rules and what is expected of them quite quickly if there is consistency in training.
Activity level and grooming
Cavapoos require only moderate exercise, making them suitable for a wide variety of owners. One short walk outside per day is all that is required to keep the breed healthy. In terms of their grooming requirements, they are considered a low maintenance breed but some owners choose to keep their coat clipped fairly short.[2] If you enjoy a longer coat on your Cavapoo, then a weekly brushing may be required in order to keep the coat healthy and shiny.[2] Without regular brushing, their hair can get knotted and when it comes time to clip, the groomer will have to remove most of their coat. It is therefore advisable to brush their coat regularly to prevent knotting.
Health and lifespan
The Cavapoo has a typical lifespan of around 13–15 years. Both the Cavalier and Poodle breeds are susceptible to a variety of health problems but due to 'hybrid vigor' the Cavapoo is somewhat less likely to develop these health issues.[2] Either a toy poodle or a miniature poodle may be used for breeding purposes, however it is believed that using a miniature poodle is superior due to the health issues associated with the toy.[4] The more reputable breeders actively attempt to breed out known genetic complications such as Progressive Retinal Atrophy using DNA disease testing. Other conditions that may arise in Cavapoos include congenital heart problems and slipping kneecaps (luxating patellas).[2]
References
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Cavoodle. |