Cavachon or Cavapoo

[embarrassedabout]

Hello

We did some research and it looked like a Cavachon (or Cavapoo) would be a good dog for us.

However, having done even more research now I'm starting to have doubts.

It seems like Cavaliers are prone to quite a few health issues

Also the breed suffers from separation anxiety? The dog would very rarely be left alone, as there would always be someone home, but if things changed perhaps at some point in the future it may be left a few hours a day during the week-maybe 3 hours a day during the week. Is that too long for a little dog to be all alone?

Also, I read another post on here and it seems like people were commenting negatively towards them as they're "designer dogs". I realise we'd have to be very careful and make sure we're buying from a responsible breeder as these types of dogs are often from puppy farms.

Has any got a Cavachon or Cavapoo? Or does anyone have any advice about them wether good or bad?

It’s “proper” breeders who have ruined lovely breeds by showing and breeding more and more exaggerated traits from small gene pools, giving us in-bred deformed dogs with inherited health problems. Health testing the parents is no guarantee of disease free puppies.
Responsible purchasers should steer clear of all the popular breeds.

My last dog was a bichon. He was a fantastic family pet. Loyal, sweet natured with a fun and gentle spirit. I can't say enough what a wonderful breed they are. So if you do go down that route I can vouch for what lovely dogs they are x (although as others have said any breed like that get ready for regular grooming!)

I was sure we'd look at rescues first anyway but the more I'm reading, the more I realise it will have to be a rescue dog/puppy and not from a breeder.

I guess I was naive...I hoped they'd be people that are genuine animal lovers that would thoroughly health check both parents before breeding as a one off and raise them all cosy and well looked after in a family home because they really loved the dogs...sounds like the majority of breeders are just after money

I've told the kids that we will only get a dog if it is adopted, so it may take a while. I really hope we don't have any trouble being accepted as a new family for a dog that needs rehoming. I know that a rescue could have health problems/bred badly etc but at least the rescue will have info and will have properly health checked the dog and it's temperament etc so we'll hopefully know what to expect. And we won't have the guilt of possibly supporting animal cruelty.

I hoped they'd be people that are genuine animal lovers that would thoroughly health check both parents before breeding as a one off and raise them all cosy and well looked after in a family home because they really loved the dogs

There absolutely are plenty of excellent breeders just like this out there!

But unfortunately there are also plenty of unscrupulous people out for the money only and the more popular the breed the more likely you are to struggle finding a 'good' genuine breeder.

I certainly think you'd really struggle to find a decent breeder with a poodle mix like cavachons and the like because they are very popular right now.

There is a lot to be said for a well bred, well socialised, family/gone bred puppy in my opinion, you know its history, you know it's used to household noises, children etc, from looking at its parents and possibly grandparents you get a good idea of how its temperament will likely turn out.

I wouldn't discount a pure bred puppy off a good breeder if I were you.

rescue will have info and will have properly health checked the dog

No they won't.

The health checks posters are referring to are different for every breed of dog, they are for specific inherited health problems for that specific breed and expensive.

For example.

A poodle would need a specific DNA test for PRA (progressive retinal atrophy)

A German Shepherd would need a specific DNA test for Von Willebrands Disease

A Golden retriever would need their hips scanned under general anaesthetic and scored to ensure they don't have hip dysplasia and reduce the risk of the puppies having hip dysplasia

Etc etc etc.

Each breed has a list of diseases it is predisposed to, the health tests are specialist DNA swabs or blood tests or scans.

A rescue will have their dogs checked by a vet, as in a general check up, but no rescue will be 'properly' health checking their dogs like a good, genuine breeder wound I can assure you.

Decent breeders will health check despite only breeding once. My girl’s mum has only ever had one litter. Don’t confuse reputable breeders with a love for their breed with backyard breeders out to make a buck.

“A rescue will have their dogs checked by a vet, as in a general check up, but no rescue will be 'properly' health checking their dogs like a good, genuine breeder wound I can assure you.”

To be fair though, rescues don’t need to do the same tests, the tests are to make sure a health condition that isn’t affecting an adult dog isn’t passed on to potentially affect puppies.

With a rescue it’s either affected or it isn’t, it isn’t going to pass anything on...

It doesn’t really matter if a rescue dog is a non affected carrier for PRA or Von Willebrands and hips are either dysplasic or they’re not it doesn’t matter what the actual score is if you’re not passing on the genes.

So yes, good breeders are doing a lot more health tests than a rescue - but all you need to know with a neutered rescue isif that dog is healthy or not...

It doesn’t really matter if a rescue dog is a non affected carrier for PRA or Von Willebrands and hips are either dysplasic or they’re not
but all you need to know with a neutered rescue is if that dog is healthy or not..

It sounded to me, as if the OP didn't fully understand what health tests actually entailed.

Was just pointing out what is meant by 'health testing' because it sounded like OP thought health test = vet check but it is totally different.

And what seems like a healthy adult rescue may not be.
It would be very upsetting if the OP was to adopt say, a little poodle, bonded with it, was confident it was healthy and the rescue had 'health checked' it only for it to go blind a few years later due to PRA.

Something that could be avoided with a puppy from DNA tested PRA clear parents from a good, decent breeder.

There's nothing 'wrong' with rescues and if that's what the OP wants by all means go that route, I just wouldn't discount a breeders puppy myself because I think there is real benefit in meeting the parents, seeing where it's grown up, knowing its lineage, that is guaranteed free of certain illness etc

There is so much to think about. I honestly was expecting lots of hard work (totally worth it, of course) once we actually had the dog and didn't realise buying responsibly was so tricky. Which is concerning me as I thought we were quite well prepared having done lots of research in other areas (caring for a dog, finding classes, groups, insurance, food, financial side of things etc).
Very grateful that you guys have been so helpful with your advise and tips. Although we would like it to be in the near future, were definitely in no rush to get a dog and I want to make sure we're completely ready and know as much as possible first.
I honestly don't think I worried this much when I had my children

Haha @embarrassedabout I’ve often said the same thing. I’m sure I worried more over the puppy decision! And I’m preparing to do it all over again. Must be mad!!

We have a cavapoo (don’t like admitting that on here for fear of being flamed) He is one and an absolute joy. He did struggle with being left alone to begin with but we can now leave him for a few hours with no worry (3 hours seems to be his limit though). As long as he gets a good walk he sleeps the rest of the day, super friendly and great with kids.

Negatives, hard to find a decent breeder as people have said, they do require a lot of grooming (bath after every muddy walk), loves a bark too 😬

Where are you based? I know of a lovely lady in Southampton who has three cavaliers but she doesn’t breed them very often and has a long waiting list, depends how soon you are looking x

Please don’t buy a cute cross from a lovely lady!
Rescue or focus on health tested parents bred for more than money.