So, you’re thinking of buying a puppy. Perhaps this is your first dog, or maybe your latest. You’re thinking of getting a Cavapoo – arguably one of the cutest, most adorable breeds there is. Cuteness aside, will a Cavapoo be right for you? We outline the key things you must know before you welcome your new Cavapoo home.
There are six things you should keep in mind when considering a Cavapoo puppy:
- Cavapoos are perfect dogs for first time owners
- Cavapoos like exercise, but can tire easily
- Cavapoos are relatively small dogs
- Cavapoos do not like being left alone
- Cavapoos can be expensive to buy
- Cavapoos require ongoing grooming
We’re going to dive into these six points in a bit more detail to help you decide if a Cavapoo puppy is the best choice for you.
First Time Owner?
One thing that owners love about their Cavapoos is how easily they adapt to a new home and fit right in. If you’re a first-time dog owner, you are probably nervous about what to expect and have a bunch of questions. What will toilet training be like? Will my new puppy whine? What will my new dog be friendly with everyone in the home? The good news is Cavapoos are amongst the best dogs for first-time owners; let’s explore a few characteristics which make them such great choices.
Firstly, by considering a Cavapoo you’re in good company. Australian pet supermarket Petbarn found in their Pet Pulse report [1] found that Cavapoos (called Cavoodles down under) continue to be the most popular dog breed in Australia, holding the coveted number one spot since 2016. In many respects Cavapoos were also the perfect pandemic dog; they love attention so with many folks locked down, or choosing to work from home, Cavapoos were around the world were in their happy place.
Cavapoos are great with kids so they adore families with children – kids will always be happy to give puppies attention! So, you’ll be welcoming home a puppy born to be with people.
First time owners often get worried about training, in particular how to deal with the “1s and 2s”. All new owners need to go through this, there is no ‘magic’ dog which will instinctively learn their expected toilet routine. But the advantage of a Cavapoo is they are smart and very easy to train. This comes from their poodle ancestry. Smart dogs are usually easier to train, so you won’t just be able to get the toilet training down pat, but you’ll also be able to take obedience lessons much further.
The last aspects of Cavapoos which make them ideal first-time dogs are their size. They’re pretty compact! It’s much easier for a new owner to accommodate a dog in their home that is small-to-medium sized, compared to a large breed like a Irish Wolfhound who will definitely make their presence known!
They Love to Exercise and Play (but not too much!)
New owners looking for a puppy should think about what their normal routines of play and exercise look like when making their selection. Every family is different and so too are the dogs which will fit in with their lifestyle.
Do you do a lot of family outdoor activities? Cavapoos love going for walks (and once they learn your word for ‘walk’ they will be very excited when they hear it). But they are small or medium sized dogs, so if your family’s idea of a weekend stroll is hiking up your local 3,000 foot hill, Cavapoos won’t be your best companion.
Equally if you’re prepared to give them attention and play around the home, they will be very happy. Simple games with dog toys will keep them very happy, and can even tire a small puppy out easily. Remember, it’s all about fun in moderation with Cavapoos!
Size Isn’t Everything
Cavapoos are generally compact dogs. If you’re looking for a lap dog, they are perfect. If you’re looking for a hulking great big scary guard dog, Cavapoos won’t be the best choice.
Their size makes them good choices for house or apartment living. Cavapoos generally grow to between 9 and 14 inches (23 to 36 cm) tall and weigh between 9 and 25 pounds (4 to 11 kg).
If you’re a dog that is small and manageable Cavapoos are a great choice. Small dog means less food and smaller poops (less input/output you could say…). They are need smaller beds, or if they end up sharing yours you have half a chance of having undisturbed sleep as opposed to fighting for the sheets with a Golden Retriever!
Don’t Leave Me!
Puppy dog eyes! While Lasana Harris, a professor of social neuroscience at University College London, recently published that puppy dog eyes are not real [2] it’s hard to believe that when you’re leaving for school or work and see your Cavapoo gazing up at you. Put simply, Cavapoos ADORE people. They are the ultimate people’s dog, so naturally they will miss your company when you’re not there.
Cavapoo owners could be forgiven for thinking their dogs are actually a human in disguise. They want to do what you do. You’re at the table? They want to be on your lap. You’re on the sofa? They want to be on your lap. Lying down in bed? They want to be on the bed (you get the idea).
Does your family like to sit around and chill? Many people love this time, but others just don’t have the time. If you’re working multiple jobs or your job requires you to work long shift patterns, your dog will need to be comfortable with this. Being people-orientated, Cavapoos will be happiest when you’re at home giving them attention and cuddles.
So, if you’re a homebody type Cavapoos are a great choice. Do you work from home? Are you elderly? Are you a stay-at home parent? Cavapoos will be thrilled. This doesn’t rule other people out, you just need to be honest about how much time you’ll spend with your Cavapoo. Conversely, you shouldn’t feel guilt when you DO have to go out – trying to explain to your puppy that you’re going to the supermarket and they can’t come is a hard task, but ultimately they can’t follow you everywhere!
Bring Your Wallet
Brace yourself. You’re considering buying one of the most expensive dogs. And prices have never been quite as high as they are now.
The average cost of Cavapoo puppies rose 134% during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic [3]. Lots of people forced to stay home led to a surge in dog purchasing, with those dogs suited to stay-at-home lifestyles – like Cavapoos – topping the list of most in-demand.
Current average prices for Cavapoo / Cavoodle puppies are shown in the table below.
| Country | Average Cost |
| United States | USD $1200 – $3000 |
| United Kingdom | GBP £3000 |
| Australia | AUD $5000 – $9000 |
Post-pandemic prices do not appear to be returning to pre-pandemic levels any time soon, so waiting may not really make much difference.
The slight silver lining to the eye-watering initial outlay are the ongoing costs are relatively modest. Pet insurance is reasonably good value compared to the cost for other breeds, Cavapoos are generally not prone to many expensive health issues and their food intake is fairly small when compared with larger breeds.
So if you have your heart set on a darling little Cavapoo – and no one could blame you really – then take a deep breath before you ask for the price.
Groom, Groom, Groom
So while you get the benefit of a non-shedding hypoallergenic dog, the downside is in the grooming. Cavapoos need a lot of grooming. Exactly how much will depend on the mix of Cavalier King Charles coat with Poodle curls.
Curls are great, but they get tangles. A lot. So as an Cavapoo owner be prepared that you’ll need to take care of that gorgeous ball of fur often. Regular home grooming will pay dividends so when haircut time beckons, the groomer will not need to take drastic action. You’ll soon learn if you’re not grooming enough when your groomer has to shave your pup to deal with matted fur. Not pleasant for you or your poor Cavapoo.
Getting grooming started early when your dog a puppy will prepare your Cavapoo for the routine of grooming, and it can be a nice bonding experience for you both. It’s not a lot of work, but you will need to find a professional groomer, unless you fancy learning the job yourself.
Ready to Decide?
Choosing a puppy for your home is an important step, and it’s important you choose the dog breed that is best for your family. Cavapoos make AMAZING pets and suit a wide range of family situations. Just make sure you bear the facts in this article in mind as part of your decision.
[1] Petbarn Pet Pulse, July 2022, www.petbarn.com.au
[2] Don’t let your pooch fool you … puppy-dog eyes are a myth, 14 August 2022, https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2022/08/14/dont-let-pooch-fool-puppy-dog-eyes-myth
[3] Pandemic Pets: How Covid-19 affected pet sales and pricing in 2020, 23 August 2021, https://www.pets4homes.co.uk/pet-advice/pandemic-pets-how-covid-19-affected-pet-sales-and-pricing-in-2020.html