Any Cavapoo owners? Care to share your wisdom?

[87SPD]

Hello there,

We are going to visit a cavapoo this evening with the intention of putting down a deposit.

We have wanted a second dog for a while now (already have a 7 year old lab retriever who is so laid back and lovable!) and feel this is finally the right time! I have extensively researched and we think a Cavapoo is the perfect fit for our family.

Are there any owners on here who could offer advice or just their experience of owning this cross breed?

We have only ever had Labradors and as much as we love them we didn't want another large dog. I work from home full time and DH is a teacher so he is also home all holidays. We have two DD aged 13 and 9. We love walking and going to the beach, I guess I would like to know:

How much walking can a cavapoo do?
Are they greedy?
Do they genuinely love to snuggle?
Do they chew a lot?
General experience of owning one from a pup?

Many thanks!

Mn hates poodle crosses so you are going to get accused of funding puppy farms.

However, from someone with actually real life experience with cavapoos-

firstly, it’s a crossbreed so you can never be 100% sure exactly what you will end up with, but a decent breeder will be able to give you a good idea.

Walking- as much as you want. If you exercise the dog lots you will end up with a dog that wants a lot of exercise.
2 walks a day will be fine but equally I know a cavapoo that runs marathon distances with their owner.

They aren’t particularly known for being greedy.
They should be calmer than a cockapoo, as cavaliers are generally calmer than cocker spaniels.
Most dogs like a snuggle. Cavaliers are known for being quite needy.
All puppies chew a lot but age and training should eliminate this.

Cavaliers are prone to many horrid health issues. So that would put me off.
MN doesn’t hate crosses. Some of us do hate people who breed again and again from the same bitches to meet demand. Just for the money.

Are you prepared for the grooming they need? They're a lot more high maintenance than labradors and need daily brushing to keep the matts away unless you're going to get them shaved very short very regularly at a groomers.
For your questions, 1-2hrs a day exercise is perfect, they're a mix of two breeds that can be quite energetic so stimulation is key (especially if they've got the poodle brain). I've not know them to be greedy, definitely not compared with a labrador!
They usually love to snuggle, and can be quite clingy especially to one person. They can suffer from separation anxiety too but if you work on that from a puppy and anticipate it I'm sure it can be avoided.
Like all puppies they'll go through a chewy phase, lots of exercise, mental stimulation and distraction should keep that just to a phase though rather than a life long thing!
They can be a lovely dog if they're well exercised and the owner is aware of their grooming requirements. I only stress this as a dog groomer because so many people get them thinking they're low maintenance because lots of them don't shed but what that means in practice is their curly hair just continues to grow and gets knotted very easily. Is anything putting you off having a pure cavalier spaniel or any reason why you're thinking specifically of cavapoos?

I have no idea if mine is a cavapoo, but people who seem to know about cross breeds say he is.
I got him from the dogs home aged about a year so I can’t speak for the puppy days, but as to the rest:

Walking: as much or as little as I like, on a day-by-day basis but he really does need at least one good walk a day. He chases his ball in the morning and has a more sociable walk in the afternoon.

Greedy: not at all. Not motivated by food at all. Ball obsessed though.

Snuggles: OMg so many snuggles. Absolutely no respecter of personal space.

Chew: not at all.

Owning experience: he’s an absolute delight and for someone who only ever had Labs and JRTs before, totally not my kind of dog. But he’s absolutely wonderful. Pic for you to decide if he’s a cavapoo and just because.

My mum used to run a shelter for homeless dogs when I was a child. All dogs have personalities. Sometimes they click, sometimes they don't. There is no rhythm or rhyme to it. Also, your labrador might get jelous. Also, puppies are such hard work (and expense)! Would you consider getting a dog from a shelter? Then, if the adoption breaks down, the shelter will (or should) help you find a suitable companion for your current dog.

Mine is also a rescue and I have had him 13 lovely years.
He followes me everywhere and sleeps on my bed. I'd grown up thinking poodles were naf but I would 100% get another.
Pros ; Bulletproof with kids, no chewing, not greedy , very intelligent, clean and so easy to train.
Cons Barks when people walk past the house . Used to chase cats but has given up now.

There is one reason why people breed crossbreeds: money.
There is just no justification for it whatsoever.
If you want to go to a breeder, please consider somebody who breeds to try to improve the overall health of a breed.
Better still, go visit your local shelter and re-home a dog who needs a home.

Mine little lad is 2 and a delight. Happy with however much exercise is on offer but not needy for it, he's happy to laze away the day so long as he gets the chance to smell out the local news and have a zooming session or 2.

Grooming does need keeping on top of, I do him myself and have had to cut and work out matts that a pro wouldn't have the time to.
Not motivated by food at all and at times was a worry especially while he was still growing, not at all uncommon for CP's if FB groups are anything to go by. Despite not being able to find a treat he would reliably want training was straight forward because of his nature, wanting to please. Toilet training was a breeze.

He comes to work with me so we are together nearly all the time but isn't bothered by being left for a couple of hours.

He went through toys at a pace ripping them to shreds as a pup but rarely chews now, never had a problem with him chewing things he wouldn't.

It took at lot to stop him jumping up at anyone wanting to say hello to him but we're getting there.

All that could vary wildly from dog to dog but I'd say grooming issue is pretty much universal and lack of appetite is common.

I have one (i was not intending to get one because of concerns about pupping farming with cross-breeds of this type, but a relative got her and then had a significant change in circs and we then took her on).

To answer your questions (i think most of my answers are pretty much the same as devilandthedeepbluesea's):

How much walking can a cavapoo do? AS MUCH AS WE WANT (PAST THE SMALL PUPPY STAGE). SHE USUALLY GETS AT LEAST ONE LONG WALK AND A COUPLE OF SHORT ONES BUT EQUALLY HAPPY WITH A COUPLE OF SHORTER SNIFFY WALKS.
Are they greedy? NOT FOOD MOTIVATED AT ALL WHICH MADE TRAINING A BIT HARDER.
Do they genuinely love to snuggle? YES
Do they chew a lot? NOT SINCE PUPPY STAGE
General experience of owning one from a pup? POSITIVE. SHE WAS VERY BITEY AS A PUP BUT GREW OUT OF THAT. SHE DOES NOT LOVE BEING LEFT HOME ALONE, AND IT TOOK US A LONG TIME TO WORK UP TO 3 OR 4 HOURS. HOWEVER, I THINK YOUR OTHER DOG WILL HELP WITH THIS.

Sorry for caps (continuing now without). Re grooming, i think we have got lucky in that she does not need daily grooming. she goes to the groomer's about every 6-8 weeks, so it is a cost but not much required in between visits. She did need more grooming when she had her puppy fur and in particular the period when she was transitioning from puppy fur to adult fur when she was very prone to matting.
You will meet people who are judgey about poodle crosses, which i can understand because it is very hard to be sure you have found a reputable breeder, and there has been the odd occasion when i have felt the need to explain we (kind of) rescued ours!

I think yours is prob a cavapoochon. Looks very similar to mine

I know someone that has a cavapoo pup, she is gorgeous, v lively, jumps up a lot, but she’s a pup, so to be expect. She loves to be picked up and cuddled. Needs a fair bit of grooming, so that’s a consideration, as it’s quite expensive.

Where did you find the breeder? Are you happy they aren’t a puppy farm? Have you done your research into the health and breeding of the pups?

cross breeds it’s difficult to say what they’ll be like. Might be very cavalier, very poodle, somewhere in between. Might have the worst traits of both, or the best.

why do you think a cross is the perfect fit rather than a poodle or a cavalier? What if you don’t get the traits of each dog that makes it “perfect”?

Excellent! So a bona fide mongrel. The best breed 😍

Wow so grateful for all of the comments on here!

We have extensively researched the breeders and they are certainly not a puppy farm. Seen with their lovely Mother and in a beautiful loving home. Both parents come with full DNA checks and certificates along with vet report (it is also the same vet we use for our lab so definitely trust) 6 weeks insurance with pet plan included and they are kennel club registered. They asked us lots of questions about our situation and offered a lot of information etc. They genuinely only want 5* homes for their pups.

I do understand the concerns though and as animal lovers (particularly dogs) I did know this post might receive some backlash.

But we decided to go ahead and have one! It was a chunky little chap calmly watching his siblings fight over toys so we just fell for him straight away! I do know he won’t always be that chill but we just knew and both my DD and I pointed to him at the exact same time! He is amazing!

I really appreciate the responses, I have considered the grooming as this is certainly not something we have to worry about with our Lab! My friend uses a local company so I will go to them and also groom each day at home.

I am never really out of the house for over 4 hours at a time unless it’s out walking the dog! Other times my mum has the dog and has already said she is happy to have our new pup too 😊

So excited! Being cheeky asking for more info now but is there anything that isn’t obvious that come in handy for the pup?

We will get the usual crate, bedding, toys, pup pads etc…

Thanks again and for the poster with the picture oh my what a gorgeous little thing! I would have thought cavapoo too but as someone else said cavapoochon good shout!

Here is a pic 🥰

Omg he is gorgeous! I have a 7 year old cavapoo that looked just like your little chap as a pup. She was the best decision we made, we all love her and she loves us! obsessed with me

Enjoy him!

KC register pedigree dogs. I believe there is an activity register. But it is meaningless. DNA also means v little. You need breed specific health tests not a vet check. Heart? Eyes? Hips?

How much walking can a cavapoo do? Alan can and does walk for 3 hours a day, but doesn't care if it's 20 mins. He loves chasing balls and squirrels.
Are they greedy? Nope, as a breed they tend to be fussy blighters. Alan prefers a little human food with his kibble or he will stare at it sadly and refuse to eat it.
Do they genuinely love to snuggle? Yep, Alan loves all his humans, but he definitely has a favourite (me)!
Do they chew a lot? Not really, Alan chewed as a puppy but not now. He really isn't destructive at all.
General experience of owning one from a pup? Like all puppies Alan was bitey. We let him off lead from first walk and he has always been very reliable and stays pretty nearby. We took him to puppy classes which was invaluable. Now he's grown up he's just a lovely natured fellow. Bit barky, loves everyone, bit nervous of strange things (like, say, a person in a large hat or someone carrying a ladder). The socialisation period is particularly vital with this breed as they can be very needy.

@87SPD enjoy falling hopelessly in love 😍

A good old school trick for first nights away from the litter is wrap up an analogue ticking clock in their bed to simulate another's heartbeat