Talk to me about cavapoos (rather than King Charles cav?)

[Blinkinname]

I've had my heart set on a king Charles cavalier but understand they can be riddled with lots of health problems that can be both hard for them to live with and extremely expensive to treat!

I wanted a king Charles cav as I looked after a friend's dog for six months and he fitted into our lives perfectly and seemed very happy with us . He was playful but chilled and coped well in our apartment (no garden but large terrace and lots of outdoor space on our doorstep). I also just fell in love with him. He was 3 and didn't have any health problems (yet?)

A friend with a long Charles said she wouldn't get one again and suggested we consider a cavapoo to try and avoid some of the worst health issues. Does anyone have a cavapoo? What are they like?

Just me and DP who are likely to keep WFH (DP always has and my contract has changed to say I mainly WFH now). No kids but want them soon ish

[quote 3WildOnes]@icedcoffees I really don’t think they are a puppy farm. When we visited years ago we saw mum with puppies in a house, all looking very healthy and loved. They showed us all the relevant health check for both cava mum and poodle dad.[/quote]
They’ve got a flashy website, Facebook, Instagram... but nothing at all on any of them about how many breeding dogs they actually have

The breed cavapoos, maltipoos, cockapoos - including a surprise unplanned litter.

Which basically indicates lots of bitches of different breeds and is probably why they don’t actually say how many they have, in case anyone does the maths.

They’re also listed on companies house as a limited company...

They’re literally farming puppies as a business.

@tabulahrasa thanks for doing some more research - it's frustrating that so many people are taken in by a flashy website and a council license - it looks good but it will means nothing in terms of safety, health and good breeding.

I literally googled them and spent about 2 minutes on their social media...

There’s nothing glaringly terrible other than the surprise litter, which made me go ... assuming of course you’re fine with puppy farming as long as they health test and meet the very basic welfare standards.

I wouldn’t recommend them, but some people do seem ok with puppy farming as long as it’s done with clean well fed dogs...

I’m a cavapoo breeder. My advice would be whether you choose a cavapoo of CKS make sure both parents have been health tested. That includes BVA eye and heart tested as well as DNA. Good luck.

Also, as other have said, a lot of the larger breeding establishments are glorified puppy farms (not naming names…)

Have you looked into Cavachons a hybrid mix of bichon friese & cavalier king charles...
We are getting a cavachon around Easter, 2nd on breeders list so🤞we have been waiting a good few months for this litter.
I already have 2 bichons & no dogs will ever top them, they're amazing little dogs hence why we're going for a cavachon.
I know many cavapoos & cavachons from our road & local parks & cavachons are much more chilled... Cavapoos generally have the poodle energy which is great if you have loads of time to train & excercise them..

I agree with others who say get a pedigree poodle or a pedigree cavalier - don't get a mongrel.

@tabulahrasa

I literally googled them and spent about 2 minutes on their social media...

There’s nothing glaringly terrible other than the surprise litter, which made me go ... assuming of course you’re fine with puppy farming as long as they health test and meet the very basic welfare standards.

I wouldn’t recommend them, but some people do seem ok with puppy farming as long as it’s done with clean well fed dogs...

The problem is most people won't see them as a puppy farm as they appear nice and clean and as though they're raising the puppies in a home environment.

I'd say the fancy website is the first and main red flag - people with fancy websites are likely commercial breeders and certainly aren't bringing litters and litters up in their kitchen or back bedroom so it's foolish to believe they are house pets just because there is a couple of pictures of them there. Those with the fancy websites will have multiple bitches yet spotless homes no doubt. I wouldn't be concerned a lot not seeing the dad though in fact if they offered it would make me question things. My dogs stud was 300 miles south of where she was bred and I lived 80 miles north. Not really feasible to go and meet him.

Thanks all! You've put me off both a cavapoo and some ckc pups I've seen (dad fully health tested but mum not).

If you really want a Cav then go via the breed club. But research all the health issues.