Do Cavoodles Shed?

Cavoodle Profile

Recognized Names: Cavoodle/Cavapoo

Origin: United States of America

Size: Small to medium

Average Height: 9-14 inches

Average Weight: 9-25lbs

Average Lifespan: 10-15 years

Energy level: Medium – this is an active dog that enjoys daily walks and lots of outdoor fun with its family

Question: What do you get if you cross a purebred Cavalier King Charles Spaniel with a purebred Miniature Poodle?

Answer: A Cavoodle!

Since the first Cavoodle puppies appeared on the dog scene back in the 1950s, this genuinely loveable and unique designer dog has become increasingly popular amongst dog owners worldwide.

And, while it’s not currently recognized by the American Kennel Club as an official dog breed, the Cavoodle still continues to be a highly sought-after crossbreed – and that’s all thanks to its parents.

You see, as the offspring of a Miniature Poodle and a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, the Cavoodle really is something quite special.

Because not only does it have big, floppy ears and huge puppy dog eyes that could easily melt the heart of any human – it also has an equally stunning personality.

Like its Poodle parent, the Cavoodle is likely to be highly intelligent and super loyal. Like its other purebred parent, the King Charles, the Cavoodle is warm, affectionate, and very eager to please. This is a gentle-natured dog that will quickly become loved and adored by its lucky owners, to put it bluntly.

But looks and personality aside, what else do we need to know about this charming crossbreed?

So, do Cavoodles shed? Read on to find out!

So, do Cavoodles Shed?

One of the major advantages of crossbreeding two pure breed dogs like the Cavalier King Charles and the Miniature Poodle is the fact that you’re always guaranteed to end up with a puppy that sheds relatively little compared to other dog breeds.

And while it’s impossible to say exactly which genetic traits your Cavapoo pup will inherit from its parents, what we do know for certain is this. The King Charles breed doesn’t shed a great deal – and the Poodle sheds even less.

So, while your Cavoodle puppy will certainly do some shedding – as all dog breeds do – you can rest assured that you won’t be bringing home an absolute ball of fluff that constantly sheds its fur all over your home and clothes.

Furthermore, suppose you’re willing to invest that little bit of time and effort into regularly grooming your Cavoodle. In that case, you’ll be able to keep any shedding that does occur to the absolute bare minimum.

Do Cavoodles Shed Differently Depending on the Season?

Yes, they do. And that’s mainly because of its winter coat – one of the genetic traits the Cavoodle has inherited from its Poodle parents.

As winter turns to spring and weather temperatures begin to rise, that’s the time when your Cavoodle will need to start getting rid of its winter coat. And that means you should expect a little more shedding than normal.

This is a completely natural process, and it’s how your Cavoodle regulates its body temperature. So, you should expect to see a little more shedding and a bit more hair on your grooming brush during the warmer months of the year compared to during the autumn and winter.

Understanding the Cavoodle Coat

By now, you’ve probably started to realize that the coat of a Cavoodle isn’t an exact science. As a dog with parents from two different breeds, it’s just not possible to predict exactly what coat your new furry friend will be born with.

Whether it’s the length of your dog’s fur or the texture, look, and feel, you can never be 100% sure whether you’re going to end up with a puppy that has a short and curly coat like a Poodle or the longer, straighter silky coat that more closely resembles that of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

But what about the color of your Cavoodle’s coat – is that a little more predictable?

No – absolutely not! In fact, when it comes to the color of your Cavapoo’s coat, there’s an even longer list of possibilities that you could end up with, including:

Solid color coats

Cavoodles with solid color coats are the same color all over their body. But exactly what color that will be is impossible to tell. Your Cavoodle could be one of several different solid colors, such as:

• Black
• Chestnut
• Chocolate
• Gold
• Latte
• Red
• Ruby
• White

Bi-color coats

Next, there’s the bi-color coat variations. Or, to put it simply, your Cavoodle’s coat could be made up of two different colors in a random and unique pattern. Typical bi-color Cavoodle coats can be:

• Black and Tan
• Black and White
• Chestnut and White

Tri-color coats

And last, but by no means least, there’s the tri-color coat. This is a much rarer occurrence, but it is possible that your Cavoodle could end up with a tri-color coat that’s made up of three different colors.

However, when it comes to tri-color coats, there really is only one likely outcome here – and that’s a tri-color that we refer to as Blenheim. Or, in other words, a coat that’s black, chestnut and white.

The Poodle Dominant Coat

As we mentioned above, if the Poodle parent’s genes are dominant in your puppy’s coat, what you’ll have is a slightly shorter coat that’s more on the curly side.

What’s more, the Poodle dominant coat also has quite a thick, dense texture – and that’s the result of having that all-important winter coat that helps to keep your dog warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

While there are some clear benefits to the Poodle dominant coat, in that it’s far less prone to shedding, it does come with one downside.

You see, the Poodle style coat is by far the most likely to develop knots, mats, and tangles if not properly groomed regularly.

And when those knots and tangles really get hold of your Cavapoo’s luscious curly locks, they will quickly become the source of much frustration – for you and your dog!

A short, curly coat needs to be well looked after and regularly maintained. And that means taking a trip to the dog groomers every four to six weeks with your Cavoodle so it can have a good haircut. Alternatively, if you’re confident and comfortable clipping your dog at home with your own clippers, then go ahead. It’ll certainly save you a lot of time – not to mention a lot of money.

Regular trimming is a really effective way to help manage the curlier Cavoodle coat. It’ll certainly help prevent mats and knots from developing.

As well as giving your dog a regular haircut, your Cavoodle will also need to be brushed every day, if possible. A good, thorough, daily brushing right down to your pup’s skin will really help to keep those horrible mats and tangles at bay.

If you want to know more about brushing your Cavoodle and the best brushes to use for the job, keep visiting our website as we’ll be doing a deep dive investigation into the best brushes for Cavoodles in the coming weeks.

The Cavalier King Charles Dominant Coat

Now, although your Cavoodle might well shed that little bit more if it inherits the King Charles Spaniel style coat when it comes to grooming, this coat is arguably the easier of the two types to manage.

In contrast to the Poodle dominant coat, the Cavalier Spaniel style coat is longer, slightly wavy, and super silky.

When it comes to bathing, you should aim to give your Cavoodle a good dip in the tub approximately every four to six weeks also – but brushing is required less often.

To maintain a healthy-looking coat that’s also in immaculate condition, you should try to brush your Cavapoo once or twice a week.

Suppose you also want to avoid the potential for knots, mats, and tangles developing. In that case, it might be wise to take your Cavoodle to the groomers every couple of months to be clipped.

That way, your dog’s hair won’t grow too long and run the risk of getting matted. Again, if you’re happy clipping your Cavoodle at home, then go ahead.

As is the case with all breeds, dog grooming is vital. Irrespective of the fact that the Cavoodle is a low shedding dog, regular bathing and brushing are an absolute must if you want to keep your furry friend as healthy and happy as possible.

And if you’re wondering which shampoo is the best to use on your Cavoodle, then you won’t have to wonder for much longer. Because we’ve written about the best shampoos for Cavoodles for you!

Are Cavoodles Hypoallergenic?

To put it bluntly, no. Cavoodles are not hypoallergenic. But then again, there isn’t a single dog breed out there that is hypoallergenic because it’s a myth.

That said, certain types of dog breeds are far less likely to trigger a reaction amongst allergy sufferers – and the Cavoodle just happens to be one of them.

In actual fact, the main reason that this crossbreed exists at all is that the breeders responsible wanted to try and produce a dog that was as close to hypoallergenic as possible.

And with the Cavoodle, they did just that. That’s largely because both the Poodle and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel are breeds that naturally shed very little. And less shedding means less chance of triggering an allergic reaction in humans.

There are a whole host of benefits to be had from being the proud owner of a Cavoodle. Not only are they as cute as a button, but they pack a massive personality that will bring a great deal of joy to their lucky owners.

And when it comes to their grooming and care requirements, Cavoodles are a pretty low maintenance by comparison to other dog breeds because they shed so little.

If you’ve found this article useful and would like to find out more about the nutritional requirements of a Cavoodle, then why not read ‘How much food should you feed a Cavoodle?’