Longevity
Life expectancy
With good living conditions, the Cavapoo lives on average between 13 and 15 years. This longevity depends mainly on the quality of the breeding, weight control, lifestyle hygiene, and early monitoring of cardiac, joint, and eye disorders.
Constitution
Is this a robust breed?
Its small size does not prevent the Cavapoo from being hardy and well suited to family life. Its robustness remains average, as certain lines can pass on fragilities of the knee, hip, heart or eyes. A rigorous choice of breeder and consistent health monitoring are therefore essential.
Things to watch for
What to look out for
Health vigilance should mainly focus on the joints, the heart and the eyes. Screening of breeding dogs, regular veterinary visits and prompt attention to the slightest sign of lameness, exercise intolerance, coughing or reduced vision are particularly important in this dog.
Patellar luxation: Common condition in small dogs that can cause limping, locomotor discomfort and progressive joint wear.
Mitral valve disease: Cardiac condition to monitor especially with age, which can lead to a murmur, fatigue or exercise intolerance.
Progressive retinal atrophy: Degenerative disease of the retina likely to impair vision progressively.
Cataract and glaucoma: Eye disorders that can durably affect vision and require prompt veterinary care.
Hip dysplasia: Joint abnormality less consistent but possible depending on bloodlines, a source of pain and stiffness.
Epilepsy: Neurological disorder manifested by convulsive seizures that require an appropriate assessment and follow-up.
Climate
Tolerance to cold and heat
The Cavapoo tolerates cold and heat moderately. Its small size and the variable texture of its coat require limiting prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures, with a coat if needed in winter and outings shifted during periods of intense heat.
Weight
Prone to weight gain
The Cavapoo can be greedy, which requires a well-measured ration and limited treats. Maintaining a stable weight helps protect its joints and its heart, while preventing excess weight that can quickly appear in this small companion dog.
Everyday care
Good habits to keep your pet healthy
- Quickly monitor any limping or skipping of a hind leg.
- Have the heart listened to during routine visits, especially as they age.
- Consult without delay in case of a red, painful eye or decreased vision.
- Maintain a stable weight to limit the load on the joints.
Vaccination
Cavapoo vaccinations: schedule
Which vaccines does a Cavapoo need? Like all dogs, Cavapoos should receive their core vaccines from 8 weeks of age: CHPPi (core vaccine) and Leptospirosis. Puppies receive their initial Cavapoo vaccinations in several shots spaced 4 weeks apart, followed by a first booster at 1 year. Depending on their lifestyle (hunting, hiking, boarding, travel, region), your veterinarian may add vaccines against Rabies, Kennel cough, Piroplasmosis, Lyme disease and Leishmaniasis.
| Vaccine | Primary vaccination | First booster | Then | For whom? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
CHPPi (core vaccine)Core Distemper, Rubarth hepatitis, parvovirosis and parainfluenza | 8 weeks · 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | All animals |
LeptospirosisCore Leptospirosis (bacterium transmitted by rodent urine and stagnant water) | 8 weeks · 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | All animals |
RabiesDepending on lifestyle Rabies | 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | Mandatory for travel abroad, categorized dogs, most boarding kennels and shows |
Kennel coughDepending on lifestyle Bordetella bronchiseptica and parainfluenza | 8 weeks | 1 year | every year | Dogs attending boarding kennels, daycares, dog clubs and shows |
PiroplasmosisDepending on lifestyle Tick-borne babesiosis | 5 months · 6 months | 1 year | every year | Hunting dogs, dogs living in rural or wooded areas, dogs highly exposed to ticks |
Lyme diseaseDepending on lifestyle Tick-borne borreliosis | 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | Hiking dogs, hunting dogs, forest areas of the East and the Center |
LeishmaniasisDepending on lifestyle Leishmaniasis transmitted by sandflies | 6 months | 1 year and 6 months | every year | Dogs living or staying in the South of France, Corsica and the Mediterranean basin |
Adult Cavapoo booster shots are given annually for leptospirosis and rabies. For distemper, hepatitis, and parvovirus, a booster every three years is often enough after the first booster. Your veterinarian will tailor the schedule to your dog's actual risk.
Which boosters does your Cavapoo need?
Enter your companion's age to see which vaccines are due now and when the next boosters are needed.
Choosing well
Adopting a healthy Cavapoo
Appropriate monitoring includes an orthopedic examination of the knees, cardiac monitoring, an ophthalmologic check depending on the lineage history, and a general assessment of mobility and weight. These checks are particularly useful before breeding and throughout adult life.
This information is for guidance only and doesn't replace advice from a veterinarian. If you have any concerns about your pet's health, consult a professional.
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