Cavapoo F1B puppy
adopted in Tampa Bay
born 11/3/2022, Black & White

The Cavapoo is a mixed, designer breed of dog. It’s a cross between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Poodle breeds. The Cavapoo is also known as a Cavadoodle, Cavoodle, Cavipoodle, and Canoodle. A Cavapoo F1 is a first-generation Cavapoo, which means a cross between a purebred Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a purebred Poodle. Therefore, the Cavapoo F1 is 50% Poodle and 50% Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. A Cavapoo F1b is a “backcross” of a Cavapoo F1 bred with a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or a Poodle. The “b” in Cavapoo F1b stands for “backcross,” which means that a first or second-generation Cavapoo has been “bred back” to a purebred Poodle or Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. In other words, the Cavapoo F1b is a cross between an F1 hybrid Cavapoo and either a purebred Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or a purebred Poodle. The purebred parent is usually a Toy Poodle or a Miniature Poodle because they are low shedders and more hypoallergenic. In this case, the Cavapoo F1b is 75% Poodle and 25% Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Therefore, the Cavapoo F1b resembles a Poodle more than a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. With more Poodle genes, the Cavapoo F1b will have a curly coat, longer legs, the energy level of a Poodle, which is a high energy breed, and it will more likely be low to non-shedding. Therefore, the Cavapoo F1B coat is more hypoallergenic, making the breed a good choice for dog lovers with allergies. 

As a designer breed, the Cavapoo is specifically bred to be a cuddly companion trained quickly, and affectionate. The Cavapoo also benefits from hybrid vigor or heterosis (the scientific name), which means that they are bred for the optimal traits in each of the parent breeds leading to a hybrid breed with genes for better health and personalities than the parent breeds. Hybrid vigor also increases the longevity of the breed. However, the Cavapoo F1b is technically a second-generation Cavapoo, which means it will not have the optimal level of hybrid vigor of the Cavapoo F1. Cavapoo F1bs with predominantly Poodle genes are also bred for aesthetic purposes to get the tighter curl and low to the Poodle's non-shedding coat. In addition to the curly coat, other physical attributes include a round face, large eyes, a cute button nose, and long floppy ears. Since the Cavapoo F1b is a hybrid breed, it is not recognized by the American Kennel Club, and, therefore, there are no current breed standards. However, their cuddly and lovable natures giving them a teddy bear look, have made them one of the most popular Doodle breeds. 

The size of a Cavapoo F1b will depend on which size Poodle is bred with a Cavapoo F1. The toy and miniature Poodles are most often used to create the Cavapoo F1b. Therefore Cavapoo F1b’s are small to medium-sized dogs depending on which Poodle is used as a parent breed. The average height for the Cavapoo F1b is 10 to 15 inches, and the average weight is 9 to 25 pounds. Their life expectancy is 10 to 15 years. 

Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Poodle have various coat colors. Therefore, the Cavaopoo can come in any one of the coat colors from each breed or a combination of the colors from both parent breeds. Colors for the Cavapoo include apricot, tan, white, red, black, chocolate, bi-colored, or tri-colored. The coat color of the Cavapoo changes as it gets older. The color fades slightly. 

While it is unknown exactly when breeding of the Cavapoo F1b began, we know that their breeding started in the 1990s in Australia. Breeders began this mixed breed to blend the outgoing and calmer personality of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel with the intelligence and low shedding characteristics of the Poodle. They have become a very popular breed because of their small size and hypoallergenic coats.

The Cavapoo F1b is a loyal, loving, affectionate, and very social breed who loves everyone. In addition to being an ideal pet for the family, they are also great with novice and senior dog owners because of their eagerness to please personalities. The breed is a great family pet because they are very good with children, including young children. However, very young children should always be supervised with your Cavapoo F1b because they tend to be small and more prone to injury. 

They are the calmest of all the Doodle designer breeds. They love to cuddle. More than anything, the Cavapoo loves to spend time with its human family. This is not a breed that can be alone for long periods of time because they can have separation anxiety. However, proper training and socialization will decrease the likelihood of separation anxiety. They thrive with attention from their human family. Therefore, they would be happiest in a home where the family is often at home, or the dog can accompany the family on outings.

They are friendly with strangers. They get along well with other dogs and cats. They are lap dogs whose goals in life are to give and receive love. Because the Cavapoo is such a friendly dog, they are not good guard dogs. They would more likely lick and welcome a thief rather than chase him away. However, their calm and sweet personalities also make them ideal therapy dogs.

Socialization should begin when your Cavapoo F1b is a puppy after vaccinations. Because they are a social breed, they will get along well with other people and dogs provided that they are introduced slowly and calmly to any new stimuli. They will also get along well with cats, provided that your Cavapoo F1b is appropriately socialized. Exposing them to people outside of your home and other dogs or pets as puppies will ensure that they will be comfortable and friendly with people and other animals outside of your home. The socialization process should also include introducing your dog to new situations and environments so that they will be comfortable and well-behaved in any situation. A well-socialized Cavapoo F1b will remain calm without getting jumpy or easily scared when encountering new people, animals, or places. The Cavapoo F1b breed is not an aggressive breed.

As an intelligent, social, and eager to please dog, the Cavapoo F1b is easily trained. Training is simplified and pleasant for both your Cavapoo and yourself because your dog thrives on your attention. They will respond well to the patient and consistent training with positive reinforcement consisting of praise, play, and treats. It is recommended that training sessions should not be longer than 30 minutes. 

Cavapoo F1bs are usually small dogs because the Poodle parent is usually a toy or miniature Poodle bred with a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, which is also a small dog. While Cavapoo F1bs are usually small dogs, they require moderate daily exercise since they are moderately active dogs. A home with a yard would be ideal for the Cavapoo since their exercise should include games, such as fetch. However, they are highly adaptable and can adapt to any living environment, including small apartments or large houses with or without a yard to play. They also adapt well to apartment living because they prefer to remain by the side of their human families throughout the day. They can adjust to living in small homes, provided they receive the required level of exercise.

Since the Cavapoo F1b will have a wavy or curly coat because of its Poodle genes, it will most likely have a low to non-shedding coat making it more hypoallergenic. Dogs with curly coats shed less dander into the air. However, a low to non-shedding Cavapoo F1b will need to be regularly brushed, given regular hair trims with pet clippers every 3 to 4 months, or be taken to the groomers periodically.   

The coat is curly, soft, silky, and fluffy. While this is a low to non-shedding hypoallergenic breed, hair gets loose and trapped under the coat. Therefore, regular brushing is important. The curly coat also requires regular trimming. It is recommended that your Cavapoo F1b be taken to the groomer every three months to ensure it looks its best. Regular brushing and trimming are essential so that the coat does not get tangled. Daily brushing is recommended. If your Cavapoo F1b sheds a little, it will occur in the spring and fall. 

The Cavapoo F1b should be regularly bathed, at least once a month. The Cavapoo F1b’s ears should also be checked regularly and kept clean to avoid irritation or infections. Clipping their nails consistently is also important. Its nails should be clipped once or twice a month. If you hear your dog’s nails clicking on hard surfaces, you will know it’s time to clip its nails. The Cavapoo F1b is also prone to reddish-brown tear staining. Gently wiping their eyes with a wet cloth is sufficient to prevent stains on the fur. Brushing their teeth daily is also essential because smaller breeds of dogs are prone to dental problems. In addition to daily teeth brushing, chew toys, dental treats, and professional teeth cleaning will provide your Cavapoo F1b with healthy teeth and gums. 

Since the Cavapoo F1b has more Poodle genes, they will have an energy level closer to a Poodle, a high-energy breed. Therefore, they will be energetic and active dogs. They require more exercise, play, and attention than a Cavapoo F1 or F2. That being said, they are also not overly active. They tend to have higher energy levels as puppies, but they tend to be more mellow as adult dogs.  

The Cavapoo F1b requires moderate daily exercise. A daily half to a whole hour of walking daily combined with shorter walks and active play sessions throughout the day will provide your Cavapoo F1b with the exercise it needs to be healthy and happy. The Cavapoo F1b can be an active and athletic dog to match the lifestyle of a more active family, but they also will be pleased as a lap dog at home with their family. Because of their athleticism and eagerness to please personality can perform well in agility and obedience competitions. As an intelligent breed, it will also require mental stimulation to decrease the likelihood that your Cavapoo will get itself into trouble from unwanted behavior, such as chewing everything in sight. Your Cavapoo F1b may develop behavior problems if it does not receive the physical and mental stimulation it requires. Interactive or puzzle toys are a good idea for the Cavapoo F1b.

The Cavapoo Fib loves to chase anything. Fetch is a great activity for them to burn off energy. They should be kept on a leash when outside of the family’s property because they will chase anything, including bugs and other dogs. They do not have a high prey drive, but the tracking genes from the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel explain their love of chasing. Cavapoos are great swimmers and enjoy taking the occasional dip. The Cavapoo would enjoy a dip in the pool or a trip to the beach. While they are good swimmers, it’s important always to supervise your Cavapoo when swimming. Smaller Cavapoo F1bs may get tired quickly. 

Since the Cavapoo F1b is a relatively small dog, they do not require much food. Their diet should be formulated specifically for small to medium-sized breeds with high energy levels. If overfed, they can be prone to weight gain, so the recommended quantity of food and little treats is optimal for your Cavapoo F1b. A cup of high-quality food daily should be sufficient. Two regularly scheduled meals rather than free feeding, where food is left out all day for the dog to munch on throughout the day, is recommended. The type of food selected should also be appropriate for your dog’s life stage (puppy, adult, or senior).