Is a Cavapoo a Good Family Dog?

Choosing a family dog is an exciting task. But it is one that you will want to take your time when deciding to make sure you get one that is well suited to you.

While researching potential breeds, you might ask questions like, is this breed good with children? Is my schedule appropriate for this type of dog? Does its exercise needs match my activity level?

These are all very good questions to be asking when considering which breed is best for you. Cavapoos are brilliant family dogs with many qualities that make them a top choice.

This article will discuss what makes a Cavapoo such a great choice for a family dog and what you should consider before making this designer breed your new canine companion.

What Makes a Cavapoo a Great Family Dog?

To see what makes a Cavapoo a good family dog, let's look at the main qualities you should look for in a family dog and how the Cavapoo weighs up.

Good with Children

This is going to be a key requirement for anyone with children, especially if they are quite young. The good news is that Cavapoos are very friendly and get along with young children.

You still need to supervise interactions, you should never leave a dog alone with a child. Anything can happen.

Get Along with Other Animals

How well your dog gets along with other animals will also be a key consideration if you have other pets at home.

Luckily Cavapoos get along very well with cats and other dogs. That said, taking care with the first introduction will make sure your new dog gets along well with other pets. Ensuring your dog has been properly socialised at a young age can also help.

Kind Temperament

A fantastic family dog will have a kind and affectionate nature and as I'm sure you can guess from how well they get along with kids and other pets Cavapoos fit the bill here too.

With a Cavapoo temperament, you can expect a gentle and affectionate nature and a strong willingness to please. This designer breed develops a very strong attachment to family members and will always want to be close by.

This easygoing outlook also means that a Cavapoo isn't particularly stubborn, another valuable trait to look for in a good family dog.

There will never be a shortage of cuddles with a Cavapoo around.

Easy to Train

Cavapoos will be quite easy to train with. They are not the brightest mixed breed. But having a Poodle parent definitely helps elevate the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel side, as Poodles are the second smartest of all dog breeds while Cavaliers rank 44th.

Overall this should make teaching your dog the basics quite straightforward. Another plus point for the Cavapoo if you are juggling a busy household.

Size

Dog's come in all sizes and while there are many large dogs who are excellent family members, I personally find that smaller dogs are far easier to manage.

Also, what playing looks like for a large dog and what it looks like for a small dog such as a Cavapoo is quite different. Sometimes they might not know their own strength. And I know many people have little kids and large dogs such as a Golden Retriever who are also excellent family dogs.

Part of this will just come down to personal preference. Something to consider anyway.

Energy Levels

The right answer for this trait will vary from one potential pup parent to the next. Here we are talking about the amount of activity your dog needs. Some need a few hours a day while other dogs even need as little as 40 minutes.

This is in line with a King Charles Spaniels exercise needs

As a small dog, Cavapoos are on the lower end of the scale only requiring around 40 minutes of exercise a day. There is a big difference between trying to fit in a 40-minute walk a day to trying to find the two hours a Springer Spaniel needs.

A Cavapoos lower exercise needs leaves you with more time to keep up with busy family life.

For Cavapoo puppies this is even less again with their bodies still developing, this is pretty consistent across the board for other dogs too.

What Should I Consider Before Getting a Cavapoo?

So now that you have a firm understanding of what makes Cavapoos good family dogs let's look play devil's advocate for a moment and consider a few other aspects of Cavapoos that you should know before committing to this mixed breed.

How Much Time will your Dog be Alone?

While Cavapoos are brilliant family dogs they do suffer from separation anxiety quite a bit. That strong connection these dogs have with their owners does mean that they feel being alone particularly hard.

You will want to think about what your Cavapoos normal day will look like. Try not to leave the dog alone for more than four hours at a time, even less for a puppy as they have a small bladder too.

Of course, there are ways around this with dog walkers, pet sitters, or even doggy daycare facilities. These will all cost quite a bit and that is something else you should factor into the cost of your new dog.

Cavapoos Are Not That Adventurous

Looking for a good family dog that you can also take on your runs with you or sign up for doggy sports such as Canicross or Skijoring? A Cavapoo might not be the best dog for you.

Only requiring 40-minutes a day of exercise to stay healthy Cavapoos are just not built for long-distance running or other activities like this. They were bred as companion dogs and are brilliant at this.

If you are planning a trip to the park for a picnic with the family or a nice relaxing walk the Cavapoo will be delighted. But nothing too strenuous.

Cavapoos are Expensive

Designer breeds are quickly increasing in popularity at a breakneck pace over the past few years, in some cases even to the level of their parent breeds!

The growing desirability also equals a hike in price. This means getting a Cavapoo will be quite expensive and also require a little patience to find a litter from a reputable breeder.

Not a Recognised Dog Breed

Cavapoos are not recognised by the American Kennel Club as a real dog breed. Even though they have been around since the 1950s the Cavapoo still isn't recognised in their own rights.

There is no way of saying if this status is going to change and the Cavapoo will join pure breeds in the AKCs list. In the meantime, we can still appreciate Cockapoos for being such good furry friends.

Conclusion

So, is a Cavapoo a good family dog?

Yes, a Cavapoo is an excellent choice for those looking for a family dog. Benefits from being half Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and half Poodle, the Cavapoo brings the best traits of both together into a top choice for those looking for a new dog.

They are very adaptable dogs who thrive on companionship and affection. There is no shortage of reasons why you would want to bring a Cavapoo into your life.