A cross between a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Poodle, the Cavapoo was originally bred in Australia to create a low-shedding dog for people with allergies.
Today, Cavapoos are a highly sought-after ‘designer’ dog breed. This comes as no surprise as their cute appearance and loyal and sociable nature makes them the ideal pet for families and first-time pet owners.
Before you welcome a Cavapoo into your home, it’s important to find out if this dog is suited for your home and lifestyle. Read on to learn about this breed’s key physical traits and how to care for one.
*Disclaimer: This article should not be used in place of professional advice from vets – it’s only meant for general knowledge. You’re recommended to consult a vet for a reliable and accurate diagnosis of your pet’s medical condition.
Key Physical Traits of a Cavapoo
| Weight | 5 - 11kg |
| Height | 35 - 45 cm |
| Life expectancy | 12 - 15 years |
| Fur coat | Varies in length and texture depending on whether he takes after a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or a Poodle. |
| Common coat colours | Black, brown, white, apricot or cream |
Common Personality Traits of a Cavapoo
Cavapoos are eager to please, highly sociable and love being around people. They’re also energetic and need lots of playtime. In fact, they’re ideal family pets. Find out more about their personality below.
Eager to Please
These dogs will do almost anything to make their pawrents happy, so long as they’re spoken to in a sweet and loving way.
Sociable
Cavapoos are incredibly sociable dogs and they often form strong bonds with their owners. They adore attention and enjoy interacting with children, making them a great addition to the family.
Energetic and Playful
Cavapoos are bundles of energy that need lots of stimulation. Apart from daily walks, it’s recommended to play games with your pet or even let him try out a doggy sport such as an agility course or flyball.
Caring for a Cavapoo in Singapore
While Cavapoos make a lovely addition to the family, there are various factors to consider before adopting or buying one. In this section, we’ll cover this dog’s eligibility to stay in an HDB flat, and his grooming and exercise needs.
Staying in an HDB Flat
Though Cavapoos are small in size and seem suitable for apartment living, they aren’t included in the list of HDB approved dogs.
Grooming a Cavapoo
Grooming your dog is a fun way to bond with him and allows you to detect any potential health problems he may have.
If you’d like to try your hand at grooming your dog at home, these are the common grooming activities and how frequently you should do them. To make the process easier, you can check out some dog grooming tips before getting started.
| Grooming activity | Frequency | Reasons (if any) |
|---|---|---|
| Brushing | Daily or once every 2 to 3 days | Brushing helps to get rid of dander. Daily brushing is needed for longer coats, while a brush once every few days is recommended for those with shorter ones. |
| Teeth brushing | Once every 2 to 3 days | Cavapoos are susceptible to dental issues, so it’s best to brush their teeth regularly to prevent the buildup of plaque. |
| Eye cleaning | Once a week | Cavapoos are prone to accumulating eye gunk so weekly cleaning is advised. |
| Nail clipping | Once a week | This ensures that your pup won’t have trouble walking. |
| Nail clipping | Once a month | Cavapoos are prone to ear infections so careful cleaning is essential. |
| Bathing | Every 2 to 3 weeks | This gets rid of yeast and bacterial infections that may cause your Cavapoo to itch. |
If you have a busy schedule or find grooming challenging, you can take your dog to a grooming centre every 4 to 6 weeks.
Exercise Needs of a Cavapoo
In general, a healthy adult Cavapoo needs 40 minutes of exercise per day. This can be split into 2 sessions – one early in the morning and one in the evening.
It’s crucial to avoid exercising in the afternoon as Cavapoos can only tolerate temperatures of up to 30°C. In fact, they may be vulnerable to heat exhaustion if they exercise in high temperatures.
It’s also recommended that Cavapoos participate in dog sports or play games like fetch as they’re highly intelligent and require mental stimulation. Here are some games you can play with your pet.
Treasure Hunt
A great way to stimulate your Cavapoo is to let him find “hidden treasure” around the house. Let him watch you “hide” his favourite treat, and then give him the signal to find it. If he manages to find the treat, you can reward him with it!
You can also increase the difficulty of the game by hiding treats in different rooms, or setting up multiple boxes and hiding a treat in one of them. When he selects the correct box, he’s given the treat as a reward.
Hide-and-Seek
This game is ideal for family bonding as it involves 2 people and family members can take turns playing. One member of the family goes to hide, while the other distracts your Cavapoo or commands him to sit. After the first person is done hiding, it’s time for your dog to look for him!
This can be played indoors in air-conditioning, especially if it’s too hot outside.
Diet of a Cavapoo
It’s recommended that adult Cavapoos have a caloric intake of about 350 to 400 kilocalories a day. Depending on their age, their diet should consist of up to 50% carbohydrates (but no more than that), 22% protein and 5 to 8% fat.
Balancing this ratio of meat-based protein, carbohydrates, and fats is important as Cavapoos tend to become overweight. Overweight canines may be more vulnerable to joint problems and conditions like heat stroke, cardio-respiratory diseases and metabolic diseases.
Here’s a handy chart showing how much you should be feeding your Cavapoo. This includes kibbles, wet food, and raw food.
| Age | Kilocalories (kcal) per day |
|---|---|
| 2 – 3 months | 150 – 200 |
| 4 – 5 months | 150 – 200 |
| 6 – 11 months | 200 – 300 |
| Adults (up to 7 years) | 350 – 400 |
| Seniors (8 years and above) | 250 – 280 |
Training a Cavapoo
Eager to please, intelligent and adaptable, Cavapoos tend to be easy to train. These are some tips on how to train your furry friend.
Keep Training Sessions Short
Training sessions that are too long can fatigue your dog. Instead of hour-long sessions, it’s best to take 10 to 15 minutes each day to teach him basic commands.
Use Positive Reinforcement
- Praise and commend him
As a general rule of thumb, commend your Cavapoo after he exhibits the desired behaviour. Use the same words in a light and cheerful tone of voice so that he understands that you’re commending him.
You’ll want to steer clear of stern words and harsh remarks as your pet might not take well to being reprimanded.
- Give treats
When your Cavapoo does as instructed, give him a treat immediately to reinforce the desired behaviour you’d like to see from him.
- Use loving actions
Like other dogs, it’s always great to give him a scratch between the ears or rub his belly for some positive reinforcement.
Tip!
Some Cavapoos can be playful and might nip and jump at you. Read our guide on how to stop puppies from biting or jumping here.
Potential Health Problems of a Cavapoo
While it can be unpleasant to think about your Cavapoo falling ill, it’s good to know some health conditions that he may be susceptible to. This ensures that you can seek treatment for your pet promptly and potentially prevent the condition from worsening.
Cavapoos may inherit certain health problems from their parent breeds such as entropion, hernias, mitral valve disease, and patellar luxation. If you notice any of the following signs and symptoms, do consult a vet immediately.
Entropion
Entropion occurs during puppyhood and happens when your pooch’s eyes roll inward. This causes the hair on the eyelid’s surface to rub against the cornea, resulting in pain. Other effects of this condition include corneal ulcers and perforations, which may affect your dog’s vision.
Signs and symptoms
- Discharge from the eye
- Squinting
- Keeping one eye shut
- Tearing more than usual
Treatment
Surgical correction is needed to remedy this condition.
Hernias
Your Cavapoo may get a hernia when an internal organ pushes through surrounding tissue walls or muscles.
Signs and symptoms
- Swelling beneath the skin
- Difficulty breathing
- Drooling
- Loss of appetite
Treatment
In puppies, the hernia may close up as they grow older. For mild cases in adults, medication is needed to manage the pain. However, severe cases may require immediate surgery.
Mitral Valve Disease
This condition is a heart disease caused by a deterioration of the mitral valve.
When functioning normally, this valve prevents blood from flowing backwards from the left ventricle to the left atrium. However, when this disease occurs, it’s unable to function properly, causing a leak and a heart murmur.
As a result of the leak, your dog’s heart is required to work harder to circulate blood to the rest of the body. In the long term, this results in congestive heart failure.
Signs and symptoms
- Coughing
- Panting during exercise
- Increased heart rate
- Weight loss
- Collapsing
Treatment
Treatment isn’t required for dogs with a mild form of this disease. However, in severe cases, medication is required.
Note!
A low-salt diet can prevent the condition from deteriorating as it lessens fluid retention so the heart doesn’t have to work so hard at pumping blood. It can also prevent high blood pressure and heart disease.
Patellar Luxation
Common in small dog breeds, patellar luxation occurs when your dog’s kneecap pops out of the socket. This happens due to the misalignment of bones, pulling the kneecap to one side.
Signs and symptoms
- Stiff and awkward gait
- Hopping on unaffected legs
- Dragging of feet
Treatment
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Weight management
- Exercise restrictions
- Surgery
Prevention
Ensuring that your furry friend gets regular exercise can prevent his kneecaps from popping out and strengthen his bones.
Cost of Owning a Cavapoo in Singapore
Buying a Cavapoo in Singapore can cost anywhere between $4,300 and $6,500. You can also choose to adopt one from local dog adoption centres, which will cost $0 to $350.
One-off Costs
Licensing
The first step to owning a dog in Singapore is to apply for a license with the Animal & Veterinary Service (AVS). The type of license and the sterilisation status of your dog will affect the overall cost.
| 1-year license | 2-year license | 3-year license | Lifetime license | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of license for sterilised dogs | $15 per dog | $25 per dog | N.A | $35 |
| Cost of license for non-sterilised dogs | $90 per dog | $165 per dog | $230 per dog | N.A |
Sterilisation
Sterilising your pet is essential. It can prevent unplanned breeding and curb the possibility of health conditions such as testicular and ovarian cancers in male and female dogs respectively. The price ranges from $350 to $550.
Microchipping
You may want to microchip your dog so that he can be identified more easily if he goes missing. The price of this procedure ranges from $50 to $90.
Recurring Costs
When preparing to adopt or buy a dog, it’s good to bear in mind some of the recurring costs. This includes:
- Food: Up to $150 per month
- Grooming: ~$50 per session
- Medical and dental: ~$52 per month
- Vaccinations: $51 – $60 per vaccine
Did you just get your Cavapoo puppy? When you sign up for Pet Lovers Centre’s Puppy Bonus Plan, you’ll get a free Puppy Pack (worth up to $124).
The Puppy Pack contains gifts from reputable brands such as Pronature, Fish4Dogs and Trustie. It includes items such as wet and dry dog food, treats, odour and stain remover, shampoo and a poop bag. New members can also receive a 1-year VIP membership!
*The puppy has to be younger than 12 months.
FAQs About Owning A Cavapoo
Are Cavapoos hypoallergenic?
Cavapoos are bred from poodles, which are among the many hypoallergenic breeds available. This means that they’re less likely to cause sneezing episodes in individuals who are allergic to the dander and saliva found on their pets.
When does a Cavapoo stop growing?
Your Cavapoo will usually continue putting on weight until about 18 months old and his muscles may grow until 2 years old.
Can a Cavapoo be left alone?
If a Cavapoo is left alone, he may suffer from separation anxiety. He may bark excessively and destroy your belongings. However, with training, your Cavapoo can adapt to spending some time by themselves while you’re at work.
How much is the price of a Cavapoo in Singapore?
If you’re purchasing a Cavapoo, one can cost anywhere from $4,300 to $6,500, depending on the breeder. If you’re adopting, this can cost up to $350.
Why are Cavapoos so expensive?
Cavapoos cost a lot as they’re incredibly popular. Prices can vary according to the following factors:
- Reputation of the breeder
- Colour of the dog’s coat
- The dog’s temperament
- The dog’s trainability
What is the difference between a Cavapoo and a Maltipoo?
Cavapoos are generally larger in size (24 – 35cm, 5 – 10kg) and have a longer lifespan of 12 to 15 years. On the other hand, Maltipoos can be smaller (20 – 35cm, 2 – 20kg) and live for only 10 to 13 years.
In addition, Maltipoos have more energy and bark more frequently than Cavapoos.
