Category: Breed Info

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Breed Spotlight: Cavoodle

Cavoodle (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Poodle cross)

Cavoodles are a cross between a Poodle and a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Rising in popularity since the late 1990s, they are now one of Australia’s most popular breeds — and for a good reason too! Cavoodles are smart, affectionate and highly trainable, making them a perfect family pet.

Are you thinking of getting a Cavoodle puppy of your own? Here is some crucial Cavoodle dog breed information to help get you started


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Cavoodle Temperament

Do Cavoodles bark a lot?

The Cavoodle temperament highlights the best parts of the Cavalier and the Poodle, meaning Cavoodles are gentle and intelligent dogs who love to please. However, Cavoodles are quite vocal and have a tendency to bark frequently. You can expect them to bark at new people and unknown noises on the street, as well as when they’re hungry, bored or in pain. With the right help, it is possible to train your dog to bark less, but do keep in mind that some barking is inevitable.

Do you leave Cavoodles alone?

Cavoodles are energetic, affectionate and sociable dogs who love attention. As a breed, Cavoodles are prone to separation anxiety, so they are best suited to individuals and families who are home a lot. With some training, they can adapt to spending some time by themselves while you’re at work during the day, as long as they receive frequent and adequate exercise to avoid energy build ups.


Are Cavoodles aggressive?

Cavoodles may bark at new visitors or outside noises, but the Cavoodle temperament is non-aggressive. They can quite happily get along with all age groups and make excellent family dogs. Overall, they are gentle, affectionate and loving with almost everyone they meet. As with all breeds, you should always supervise your Cavoodle when they’re with your children to avoid any accidents.

Exercise needs

Cavoodles are intelligent, high energy dogs who love to play and require both mental and physical stimulation. Generally, one walk a day is enough to satisfy their energy levels, though this can vary and some dogs may need more. While there are some people who take their dogs out twice or even three times a day, a good rule to go by is to make sure your Cavoodle is getting at least 30 minutes of daily exercise. Whether you choose to walk, run or play ball, you will find your Cavoodle will be more than happy to be active with you.

Cavoodle Size & Appearance

How big are Cavoodles?

Cavoodles are a small breed, thought the weight and size varies from dog to dog and also depends on the parents. Overall, the average Cavoodle is around 30cm in height and 10kg in weight.

What does a Cavoodle dog look like?

Cavoodles feature traits from both the Poodle and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. The Cavoodle’s size is small with a round face, a medium-length muzzle and big brown eyes. As a crossbreed, their appearance can vary quite significantly from dog to dog. Generally, they tend to have long ears and a thick soft coat which can be either curly or straight. They can be gold, tan, black, cream brown or tricolour, with or without markings— no two Cavoodles are exactly the same!

How big does a Cavoodle grow?

Cavoodles are small dogs. On average, they can grow up to 12kgs, with a height of up to 38cm tall.

Cavoodle Grooming

Do Cavoodles shed hair?

Since Poodles don’t shed but Cavaliers do, Cavoodles tend to have soft coats that generally shed a very small amount, if at all. Cavoodles are also hypoallergenic dogs, making them a good choice for dog-lovers suffering from allergies.

Are Cavoodle’s high-maintenance dogs?

Despite not shedding very much, Cavoodles do need to be brushed weekly and clipped every 6 weeks. Overall, they require regular trimming and grooming to keep their coats looking their best. Their ears need frequent cleaning to prevent any infections and like all dogs, daily teeth brushing or teeth cleaning treats can help prevent tartar building leading to gingivitis. Cavoodles’ eyes should also be cleaned regularly to prevent discharge from building up and causing future problems.

To answer the question: Cavoodles tend to be moderate to high maintenance so be prepared for this if you decide to adopt one into your family.

Cavoodle Diet

What to feed a Cavoodle puppy

Cavoodle’s diets change throughout the course of their life, and even from dog to dog. At the beginning, when your Cavoodle first starts eating ‘real food’ (as opposed to milk), they will need more protein and fat than the average adult dog. This is because as puppies they will need more energy in order to run around, play and develop.

What to feed a Cavoodle adult

Adult dogs can eat more well rounded diets. Choose nutritionally balanced dog food that contains the fats, proteins and nutrients your dog needs to thrive. Again, ask your local vet for further recommendations.

Cavoodle Lifespan

How old do Cavoodles live to?

Cavoodles are a crossbreed, which luckily puts them at lower risk of developing certain health issues though of course, this cannot be guaranteed. With the correct nutrition, exercise and regular vet checks, a Cavoodle can live to be anywhere from 10-14 years old.

Need help training your new Cavoodle?

Cavoodle puppies are full of energy, and like any dog, it is important to teach them the right behaviours while they’re still young. At Jordan’s Dog Training, we dedicate ourselves to helping dog owners communicate effectively with their furry best friends. Using only positive reinforcement and proven techniques, we can help teach your dog new tricks and solve any issues you may be experiencing.

We can help you hit the ground running with our Puppy Set-up, or help you take the first steps in training your puppy at our Puppy Pre-School. To find out more about training your puppy, contact us today!


If you liked our dog facts and information about the Cavoodle breed, then check out our previous blog on the English Staffy.

English Staffy

Breed Spotlight: Staffordshire Bull Terrier (English Staffy)

English Staffy

Considering buying an English Staffy? Here are some dog facts and information on the Staffy breed to get you started.

English StaffyAppearance

English Staffies are a well-muscled, robust looking dog with a short, smooth coat, broad head and strong tail.

How Big Do English Staffies Get?

A medium-sized dog, English Staffies typically weigh between 11-17 kilograms and stand 35-40 cm tall at the withers.

How Long Do English Staffies Live For?

For an average, healthy English Staffy, their life span can be around 12-14 years.

Their coat may be red, fawn, white, black, blue or brindle, and may be mixed with white to varying degrees.


TemperamentEnglish Staffy lying on a couch

Are English Staffies Smart?

The English Staffy is a courageous, highly intelligent and affectionate breed. Staffies are very human-oriented and loyal, and want to be with you all the time. At the extreme, they can be clingy and occasionally prone to anxiousness when left alone. They are a versatile dog who will happily join the family on the sofa for a movie, trips to the beach, car rides, and may do well at dog sports such as flyball, obedience or agility.

Are English Staffies Good Family Dogs?

English Staffies are happiest when indoors with the family. While known as a “nanny dog” due to their love of children, they are best suited to families with children aged over eight years as they may knock smaller children over with their enthusiasm. As with all dogs, they should not be left with children unsupervised.

Although not known as excessive barkers, English Staffies are vocal: they will often be heard snoring, snorting, grunting and “singing”.

Are English Staffies Good Guard Dogs?

English Staffies have a protective nature; instinctively taking care of their home and family. As mentioned they are often referred to as “nanny dogs” due to their protective nature around children.

Are English Staffies Aggressive?

English Staffies are friendly, family dogs that can be very gentle and affectionate. As with any breed of dog, if they are mistreated at the hands of bad owners, they can become aggressive, however this breed is not considered dangerous or problematic.


English Staffy PuppyExercise and space needs

English Staffies can thrive in any type of home as long as he gets daily exercise. They are notorious diggers, so it is important to ensure that fences are secure by laying a concrete trench or burying chicken wire at the bottom. The best prevention from escaping is to provide your English Staffy with a vigorous walk every day, particularly if they will be left home alone for any length of time.

An energetic and high-spirited breed, they thrive on vigorous athletic activities. All dogs have different preferences – some will love chasing a ball, others will excel at dog sports, others might enjoy taking their human for a jog. You should find a suitable activity for your English Staffy to give them an outlet for their energy and to maintain their muscle tone. They will also benefit from some strong chew toys such as a frozen Kong stuffed with suitable treats and veggies.


GroomingEnglish Staffy Puppy

Do English Staffies Shed?

English Staffies have short, easy-care coats. They shed a low to moderate amount, but this can be minimised with regular brushing. A bath once or twice a month will keep them smelling fresh if they spend most of their time indoors.


What to Feed English Staffies

English Staffies don’t really have any specific dietary requirements, however due to them being prone to potential skin diseases, it’s recommended that you choose a dog food that supports skin and coat health.


Need help training your new English Staffy puppy?



If you liked our dog facts and information about the English Staffy breed, then check out our previous blog on the Labradoor Retriever.

Breed Spotlight: Labrador Retriever

Considering buying a Labrador? Here are some facts and information on the breed to get you started.


Labradors are a robust, athletic looking dog with a tail that will clear your coffee table. Their coat may be black, yellow or chocolate. Labradors typically weigh between 25 to 36 kilograms, and females are usually smaller than males.

Image result for labrador field


Labradors have a cheerful, steady temperament that makes for a wonderful family dog. However, lab puppies in particular can be very bouncy, so care needs to be taken around small children. They are notoriously mouthy and need clear guidelines about what they may and may not chew.

Labradors are intelligent and eager to please, making them very responsive to training. They love company and will likely want to follow you around the house and rest at your feet.


Exercise and space needs

The Labrador Retriever is a large sporting dog, originally bred to work with fishermen and hunters. They are happiest when they have a job to do and when they get plenty and varied exercise, including walking, running, swimming, hiking or retrieving. While the don’t need a large yard, they do need plenty of opportunities to stretch their legs and engage their mental faculties.


Labradors have a short coat with a dense undercoat that does shed, particularly when the seasons change. A good quality de-shedding tool or curry comb will help to reduce the amount of hair drop around your house, but it cannot be avoided entirely.