Cavapoo

Lifestyle needs

Cavapoo

The name ‘Cavapoo’ is given to a cross between a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Miniature Poodle (so is not a breed in the accepted sense).  It is a small (but not a toy) dog and will have a variety of coat types and colour.  The offspring of such parents is known as an F1 cross and may have the benefit of heterosis (or ‘hybrid vigor’)  If two Cavapoos are mated together, this is known as an F2.  An F2 bred to an F2 will result in F3, and so on.  If an F1 is bred back to either parent breed it is an F1B.  Temperament will vary, but typically, if well socialised as puppies, the Cavapoo will be a good natured pet.  Frequent and regular grooming is essential.  There is the potential for owners to be less likely to be allergic to these dogs, but zero or low allergy is not guaranteed even within the same litter 

Inbreeding coefficient – COI

(should be as low as possible and not higher than 6%)

An F1 Cavapoo’s COI will be 0%

F1B (an F1 bred back to either breed) should be no higher than 6.25% (ensuring no common ancestry within great grandparents, or third generation)

F2, F3, F4 should be no higher than 6.25% (ensuring no common ancestry on 3 generation lineage record)

See A Beginners Guide to COI.

Health and welfare problems due to conformation

(body shape and physical characteristics)

• The Cavapoo’s coat can become tangled and matted if left ungroomed and could lead to skin problems

BVA/KC Health Schemes www.bva.co.uk

• Chiari malformation Syringomyelia (CMSM) (CKCS: breed from older dogs with no SM and mild CM)
• Eye disease: Cataract (CKCS); Multifocal retinal dysplasia (MRD) (CKCS); Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) (Min Poodle)
• Hip dysplasia (malformation of the hip joint causing pain and disability) breed mean score CKCS 15, Min Poodle 10 (parents should be lower)

DNA tests available

Parents should be tested for:

• Episodic falling syndrome (CKCS)
• Dry eye curly coat (CKCS)
• Progressive retinal atrophy (prcd) (Min Poodle)
• vonWillebrand’s disease type 1 (Min Poodle)

Unofficial (breed club) schemes

• Heart Scheme (CKCS) dogs should only be bred if no heart murmur at two and a half years and grandparents free from murmur at five years.

Ask the breeder to show you the certificates for the above tests/screening for both parents (or check the KC’s health test results finder). If any of the above tests have not been considered necessary by the breeder (and there may be good reasons), ask her to explain why.

Other diseases

(for which there are currently no genetic or screening tests for sire or dam)

• Check Other diseases in both parent breeds

Ask the breeder about the medical history of the parents, grandparents and great grandparents. Consider carefully whether to purchase a puppy if some of these or other diseases are in the family line.

Ask about the breeder’s policy in cases of serious genetic diseases occurring to your puppy in later life. Good breeders will request to be informed of such events in order to improve future breeding decisions. Some breeders will also agree to contribute towards medical costs or refund purchase price.

You are strongly advised to buy from a breeder who uses (or is prepared to use) the RSPCA / BVA AWF Puppy Contract and Puppy Information Pack (PIP):  www.puppycontract.org.uk

You are also advised to buy from a breeder who follows the Dog Advisory Council’s Standard for Breeders: http://www.dogbreedhealth.com/dac-breeding-standard/

 List of Dog Breeds