Cavapoo pups, anyone have one or know of one? Discussions

i have put my name on a waiting list for a "cavapoo", a cross between a Cavalier and a Miniture poodle. Does anyone have one or know someone that does? I have done a little research but would value any first hand experience

Because they are simply a first cross there will not be sufficient material out there to do enough reserach. I would suggest that you read up on both Cavaliers and Miniature Poodles so you wont be surprised at what your puppy does as the genes any one puppy inherits from it's parent will vary considerably due to the fact it is a first generation cross.
Is there a reason why you are interested in this cross rather than either of the parent breeds? Both Cavaliers and Miniature Poodles make fantastic pets.
Becky

I've not heard of this particular cross. Presumably these dogs are not much cheaper than a pedigree dog of either breed, so wondered why you don't just go for one or other breed

That is one seriously strange cross! I`m fairly boggled as to what you`d get - either in looks or temperament. Is it an accident? The only Cav I`ve met was very bossy, squirrel-obsessed, greedy and fun. The only poodle I know is in-your-face manic and worky but totally ignores owner when he wants.
I can`t imagine how the looks would go. Have they bred this cross before?
BTW both breeds can have health problems, so I`d insist on health checks. Sounds interesting though - and I`d love to see photos.

I am interested in this cross because we have two Cavaliers already and love the breed. One of our Cavvys has a heart murmer and have been told that a cavvy cross has a better chance of not developing one

Ther is a web site with them on, I guess some look a little like a Tibetian terrier (Pippin)

They are about the same as any other pedigree dog. I have two cavvys already and one with a heart murmer. I have been told that with a cross breed you are less likely to have as many ailments as with a pure breed

Just out of interest, who told you they have a better chance of not developing a heart murmer?

My main worry is that with bad publicity about health issues in pedigree dogs, a lot of less than reputable breeders are 'jumping on the band wagon' with these first crosses, claiming that they are healthier than either of the individual breeds they are using.

On the whole this is just a money making ploy and the risks of an unhealthy dog can be as great as for a pure bred - in fact, possibly worse since, as I say, because most of the people who are breeding these crosses are only in it for the money, they don't do the health checks that each breed needs.

Please don't think that I'm a purebreed snob - I'm not at all (I've had mongrels in the past and all my current dogs are rescues) - I just get really upset that innocent families are getting conned into thinking they are buying a healthier dog when this may well not be the case. x

It is untrue that your dog would have less chance at having a heart murmur if it is a cross. A well bred Cavalier with health tested parents will have the same chance as any other in developing a heart murmur. By crossing a Cavalier with a Poodle you are then also bringing in the chance of Poodle's health issues as well.

Poodles are very different in temperament to Cavaliers - are you prepared for this?

If I were you, instead of taking a risk in a "Cavapoo", I would research a breeder who health tests (Heart, Eye, MRI), as then you will have the best chance of having a healthy dog. Or, go for a Poodle! I have a Cavalier, and love them, but I have a Toy Poodle on the way too, because I adore them as a breed! Get one or the other, not both crossed.

...or even try your local shelter - must be loads of crosses in there.

Wouldn't waste my money on a mongrel that they're charging a fortune for.

JMO of course

T'is very true Vicki! Didn't even think of that. Yes, if I were looking for a crossbreed, would definitely look at the Rescues/Shelters. I imagine they are packed out with them.

As for a crossbreed being less likely to have health issues - I don't think so!!!!! Depends what health issues the parents had and the dogs in the breeding lines. The fact a dog is a crossbreed says nothing about health at all (not saying that to you Vicki just anyone who believes this tosh about crosses being healthier as absolute truth )

I saw an advert for a Chihuahua litter the other week. It went something like..........."Parents are KC registered but will not be registering pups because don't agree with KC policies............." Now, that may very well be true but is it............;-) I'd be very wary about that. Why advertise that the parents are KC if basically you are saying that anything that's KC should be avoided, or perhaps I'm missing the point:?

Though I agree that the Pedigrees Exposed programme was necessary to spread information because of the way SOME breeders are going on, it most certainly has opened up the market for some unscrupulous breeders to sell their unregistered/crossbred "stock" as if being that way is an added bonus;-) I didn't see that initially but having looked at some of the internet advertisers, I see that some breeders are using the programme to their advantage

Just a thought.... are Cav's tested/checked for heart problems?

Boxers are notorious for heart problems, yet any decent breeder heart-scores their dogs and only breeds from dogs who score a 0 or 1.

If this problem is appearing in Cav's, then breeders need to start heart-testing their dogs before breedings to lessen the chance of heart problems.

I'd like to see the study that produced that conclusion.

A challenge in itself.


Before the AGM last Sunday, Simon Swift, Cardiologist, gave a talk to members to inform us of the present situation, current research and to update us on the new BVA/KC heart testing scheme that involves a number of breeds including cavaliers.

His talk was attended by about 25 members, including the committee, out of a current total UK membership of 1050. At the end of his talk Simon had difficulty in leaving the room for the throng of other members waiting outside for the AGM, chatting and drinking coffee, whiling away the time until his talk was over. So much for breeders’ interest in, and concern for heart problems within the breed.

The AGM then followed, attended by 63 members. The agenda contained a proposal from the committee that the Code of Ethics should include the recommended breeding guidelines for SM. These are not mandatory rules, merely recommendations, and would have been in line with Hearts and Eyes breeding guidelines, which have been in place for some years.

These proposals seemed to me to be innocuous and reasonable. However, the proposal was substantially defeated by the meeting. This was a triumph by the members present over neurologists and geneticists, and of course, over the committee. It would seem that cavalier club members continue to progress, like lemmings, towards mandatory breeding regulations that will surely come, as surely as night follows day. There are many members who are still not prepared to health check their breeding stock, and of those who do, it would appear that many would not hesitate to breed from affected animals. I have tried my utmost to defend and support the breed and the club. This weekend was proof, if proof is needed, that there is no point in deluding myself, or others, that self-regulation is possible.

Mrs Lesley Jupp, Chairman CKCS Club
24th March 2009

It's a challenge if you do no research.

Fortunately, most good breeders are now heart and eye testing their Cavaliers - if they're not, they're not good breeders.

I agree that finding a breeder who also MRI scans is difficult, however it is NOT impossible. If you wanted the best chance of a healthy Cavalier, you should be willing to research and wait for one of the breeders who do all the tests.

The answer is not a "Cavapoo".

Most? Or not? Your post is contradictory.

There are "good breeders" (at least in your estimation) who don't?

The breed is damned without outcrossing.

Has the breeder of this crossbreed had the Cavalier half heart tested by a cardiologist?

i very much doubt that anyone breeding crosses are anything but puppy farmers, unlikely to have done health checks but conning the gp saying their dogs are healthier

if you want a cross you shouldnt pay pedigree prices for it
if cavs are unhealthy, and i have no idea about the breed, if you cannot find a good breeder of healthy dogs then pick another breed where you can find a good breeder

sorry but i wouldnt touch someone deliberatly making designer crossbreeds

The breed is damned without outcrossing.

i couldn't agree more

dont give your money to these breeders who wanna make a packet out of selling crosses.

FWIW I agree. I would much prefer people to go to a rescue than but 'designer breeds'.