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Are Cavapoos High Maintenance?

Are Cavapoos High Maintenance?

Cavapoos make one of the most amazing family dogs that you could get. They are smart, sweet, and full of love. But how hard is it to take for these dogs? Are Cavapoos high maintenance? To be fair, no breeds of dog can be considered low maintenance. All of them need food, training, mental stimulation, exercise, regular grooming, veterinary care, and more. However, you could say that Cavapoos do need a bit more care than the average dog. They are a Poodle mix, after all. As a Poodle and Cavalier King Charles mix, the Cavapoo dog breed is only for dog owners who will be able to pay for the yearly costs of owning a premium dog.

Cavapoo puppies are teddy bear dogs, which means that their appearance will be especially appealing to young children. However, if you have a toddler at home, this probably won’t be the best breed for you. As we already explained, Cavapoos need a lot of your attention, but they are also fragile dogs. They don’t enjoy rough play and can easily get hurt. They also don’t like to be alone for many hours of the day, because they can develop separation anxiety. There are additional things that make Cavapoos high maintenance, so let’s go over the rest of them. 

Are Cavapoos easy to take care of?

The answer to this question will depend on your expectations. You will have to care for your dog on a regular basis to keep him in good condition. But it’s not unmanageable or a full-time job. They have some basic needs that could fit into a working-life schedule. They need a lot of grooming, because of their Poodle coat and sensitive teeth prone to periodontal disease and other dog teeth problems. But as small dogs, they have pretty moderate exercise needs. So if grooming and brushing your canine is something you enjoy, but you aren’t the active type, this could be the right dog for you. 

The Cavapoo would be an excellent choice for Millenials working from home. Like most other Doodles, they are very social pups. Their sweet nature and endless affection make them the perfect companion. Because of their small size and love for cuddling, they are considered lap dogs. So if you want a dog to brighten up your work-from-home life, have enough time to give your dog lots of attention, and can handle the yearly costs of owning a Poodle mix, then there is no reason Cavapoos wouldn’t be a great choice for you.

A teddy bear dog laying on a couch

Source: Instagram (@teddybear.remy)

Are Cavapoos good for first time owners?

Cavapoos are great first dogs for new owners because they are easy to train and get along with other dogs. Cavapoos are smart dogs, like to try new things and usually learn new skills fast. These canines are great family pets because they are friendly and love people. They love playing with people and having fun at home or in parks.

Cavapoos get along well with both small children and other animals because they are so friendly and easy to train. As long as their needs for food, exercise, and attention are met, they will be happy just about anywhere.

When thinking about whether or not to get a Cavapoo, keep in mind that they can form strong bonds with their family. This means that if they are left alone, they may show signs of separation anxiety.

A Cavapoo can be something to think about if you’ve never owned a dog before. They are well-rounded dogs with many things to like about them. They are great dogs for people who haven’t had much experience with dogs. Cavapoos are friendly, want to please, and don’t shed much. 

Even though these dogs have a lot of good points, each dog may have a different set of problems. Before you contact a breeder or rescue group, you should carefully think about whether or not you have the right conditions to own a dog.

How much exercise does a Cavapoo need?

Cavapoos are a breed that are very active and smart. They will need between 45 minutes and an hour of exercise a day to keep their bodies and minds active. This can be broken up into two walks: a shorter one in the morning and a longer one in the evening.

To keep them happy and healthy, take them to a safe place where they can run around without a leash and where they can see and smell lots of interesting things. As with all breeds, make sure they don’t get too much exercise while they are still growing, as this can hurt their joints in the long run.

Does a Cavapoo shed?

A Cavapoos coat can vary quite a lot from dog to dog. Some of them have straight, wavy coats that they got from their Cavalier King Charles ancestors. This type of coat makes Cavapoos more likely to shed than those with wiry, curly hair. In general, Cavapoos will shed less than the average dog.

You might have heard owners or breeders say that Cavapoos are hypoallergenic. No dog is 100% hypoallergenic, though. But Cavapoos are made from Poodles, one of the least allergenic breeds, so they may cause fewer allergy symptoms in people with them.

Cavapoos need to be groomed often to keep their hair from getting knotted or tangled. A daily brush is a great way to keep your dog’s skin and fur in great shape, and it also gives you a chance to spend time with your dog. The Cavapoo’s coat can be hard to take care of, and depending on how long it is, they may need to go to a groomer every 6 weeks or so.

Why does my Cavapoo smell?

All dogs, in general, sometimes stink. Since Poodles are known as “stink-free” dogs, Poodle mixes like the Cavapoo should smell less than other dogs. Dogs can smell bad for many reasons, such as dirty coats, ear infections, allergies that can cause skin infections, bad breath, tooth problems, poor gut health/bad digestion/flatulence caused by an unhealthy diet, and more.

When dogs play outside, they can get very dirty ( roll in poop or dead stuff or even play with a skunk). Sometimes they pick up smelly dirt on purpose and sometimes they do it by accident, but when they come back to the house, the smell might be overwhelming.

In general, skin infections are also a common reason why dogs smell bad. For example, your dog’s skin may make more oil than usual, which could cause it to smell bad. Possible causes of overproduction include a bad diet with too many grains, additives, and carbohydrates. A yeast infection or candida can also “cause” a bad smell with sweet undertones.

The mouth of your Cavapoo can be a very smelly place too. Either your pet has problems with how he digests food, or he has problems with his teeth. If your dog’s food isn’t digested properly and stays in its stomach longer than it should, he or she will have very bad breath. Also, if your dog’s teeth get a lot of plaque and tartar, it can lead to bacterial infections, which can make the dog’s breath smell very bad.

Are Cavapoos hard to house train?

Toilet training a Cavapoo can be hard because, even though they are smart dogs, they have small bladders and need to go to the bathroom often. The best time to start potty training is when your pup is about 12 weeks old. But sometimes it takes longer for a dog to learn to control his bladder.

If you start potty training your Cavapoo when they are a puppy, it will probably take them a few weeks to learn. Based on their age and habits, it will take longer for your Cavapoo to learn how to use the bathroom. In general, it’s easier to train a dog when he or she is still a puppy. 

Even if your Cavapoo has an accident here and there, you might be wondering how you’ll know for sure when he or she is fully trained. If it’s been a month since your Cavapoo puppy has had an accident in the house, you can be sure that your hard work paid off.

With a little bit of planning, house training your Cavapoo dog can be fun and a great way to bond with your new addition to the family. Important things to remember are that consistency, positive reinforcement, and patience will soon lead to a new puppy that knows how to go to the bathroom outside.

A Cavapoo dog and two pumpkins

Source: Instagram (@the_cheddybear)

What are the Cavapoo health problems?

All mixed-breed dogs can get genetic health problems, just like all purebred dogs can. Run away from any breeder who doesn’t offer a health guarantee on their puppies.

If you don’t pay attention to who you buy from, your Cavapoo may get health problems that are common in both Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Poodles. There are conditions like luxating patellas, hip dysplasia, mitral valve disease, epilepsy, and eye diseases like progressive retinal atrophy, entropion, cataracts, and glaucoma.

Many small dogs and toy breeds have luxating patellas, which means that one or both of their knees are unstable and sometimes slip out of place. Depending on the level of severity, a dog’s luxating patellas can be a minor problem that doesn’t cause much pain or trouble or they can be a serious problem that needs surgery to fix.

Ask the breeder to show proof that both of a puppy’s parents have OFA patella (knee) and cardiac clearances. As well as certification from the Canine Eye Registry Foundation that the eyes are healthy. Do not buy a puppy from a breeder who can’t prove in writing that neither parent has any health issues that are common in the breed. 

Why you shouldn’t get a Cavapoo?

As you can tell by everything that we have said above, Cavapoos definitely can’t be considered low maintenance. You will have to put in time, money, and effort to keep these dogs in good condition.  But we wouldn’t say that Cavapoos are any harder to take care of than other Doodles. With enough training, mental and physical stimulation, checkups at the vet, and a whole lot of grooming, your dog should be happy, healthy, and looking good for many years. 

However, there is one thing that could make owning a Cavapoo a bit tricky. These dogs absolutely despise being alone. They can’t be left alone for hours, because these social dogs just need some type of company. So if you work long hours, and no other family members can care for your dog in the meantime, your best option would be to hire a dog sitter. Cavapoos love their owners more than anything. But, if you have no other choice, leaving them with someone reliable, is still better than leaving them all on their own. 

My name is Katy and I am 27. I love to travel and you would be surprised how good I am at karaoke. 🙂 Passionate dog lover and a "mother" to a beautiful toy puddle named Zara. I work as a volunteer in a local shelter and I am a veterinary assistant helping our four-legged friends every day.