Thinking about welcoming a Cavoodle into your family? These adorable pups, a mix of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Poodle, are super popular in Australia—and it’s easy to see why! With their cute looks, loving personalities, and low-shedding coats, they’re perfect for families, singles, and retirees alike. Our Cavoodle puppy buying guide outlines 10 critical questions to ask before deciding on the perfect Cavoodle for you.
Adopting a puppy is a big deal, so it’s important to be ready and ask the right questions.
The first step in buying a Cavoodle puppy is finding an ethical and reputable breeder. A good breeder:
Avoid breeders who appear secretive, unwilling to share information, or rush you to make a purchase. At Bremel Paws, we pride ourselves on ethical breeding practices, and our customer testimonials speak to the care we provide for all our dogs.
Cavoodles are generally healthy dogs, but like all breeds, they can inherit genetic conditions such as:
Ask the breeder about the health of both parent dogs. At Bremel Paws, we conduct comprehensive health testing on all our breeding dogs to ensure your puppy has the best chance of a healthy, happy life.
Understanding your Cavoodle’s generation or variant can help you predict its traits, such as size, coat type, and personality.
F1 Cavoodles or “First gen”, are a first generation cross (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel x Poodle).
They often have the greatest genetic diversity and “hybrid vigour”, meaning they’re likely to be quite healthy. They can either have a fleece coat, which is soft, wavy and most of the time non-shedding but occasionally low-shedding, or they can have a straighter coat which is still a little wavy and is low shedding. F1 Cavoodles won’t have a curly coat like a poodle, nor will they have a straight coat like a Cavalier.
F2 Cavoodles are the result of breeding two F1 Cavoodles together. They will have more variation in traits, such as coat texture or size. Some F2 Cavoodles will have traits like like F1 Cavoodles, some will have traits like Poodles and some will have traits like Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.
When selecting from an F2 Cavoodle litter, it’s a good idea to wait until they’re around five or six weeks of age if you’re hoping for a pup that has specific traits. It can sometimes be difficult to determine how the pup is going to turn out before this age.
It’s very important that both F2 parents have been DNA tested for hereditary diseases as it’s possible for both parents to be a carrier of breed specific diseases which the puppies may inherit. Being a carrier doesn’t pose a health risk for the parent dog but if both parents happen to pass on the one gene that they’re carrying to their offspring, puppies would receive two copies of the gene and would likely be affected. This means the puppies could inherit hereditary diseases even though the parents show no symptoms.
F1b Cavoodles are where one parent is an F1 Cavoodle and the other parent is a poodle. They usually either have a curly “wool” coat like a poodle or a wavy “fleece’ coat like an F1 Cavoodle.
This cross is usually quite a safe choice for people who have allergies. It’s important to clarify however, what breed the parents are as you can also have F1b Cavoodles where one parent is an F1 Cavoodle and the other parent is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. This style of F1b Cavoodle can either have a wavy coat like an F1 cavoodle or a straighter coat like a Cavalier. This variant will likely shed quite a bit of hair and aren’t a good choice for allergy sufferers.
The DNA testing becomes more important in this type of variant as well, similar to the F2, you’re more likely to see parents that are carriers of the same breed specific hereditary diseases.
F3 and beyond will hopefully have an increasing amount of continuity in what is produced. This is where breeders are really going to steer where the Cavoodle breed goes.
There are more and more DNA tests becoming available, allowing breeders more insight into their breeding dogs. In the past it was all trial and error but now we can look at the data and determine what will be produced up to a certain point. For example, we can now look at DNA results and determine which two dogs to pair together to make sure the whole litter have fleece coats and furnishings, giving them the desired “teddy bear” look.
We should also see more Cavoodles that are 100% clear for DNA testable hereditary diseases as responsible breeders pair appropriate dogs together. We could also see Mitral Heart Disease lessen as we now have a DNA for a marker that has been linked to this disease.
Cavoodles are known for being affectionate and sociable, but each puppy has it’s own unique personality. Ask the breeder about their behaviour if the puppies are old enough to have developed their personalities. This starts to happen at around five to six weeks of age.
Bremel Paws takes great care in early socialisation to ensure each puppy grows up with a balanced temperament, making them ready to adapt to new environments.
Transitioning to a new home can be stressful for a puppy, and maintaining a consistent diet helps minimise digestive upsets.
Ask the breeder:
We send every puppy home with a care pack, including a supply of their current food and feeding instructions to ensure a smooth transition.
Your puppy’s health is a top priority, so make sure their vaccinations and worming schedule are up to date. Request their health records and clarify the timing for their next vet appointments.
All puppies at Bremel Paws receive their first vaccination, deworming treatments, and a thorough vet check before going to their new homes. We also provide detailed health records and guidance on future care.
Proper socialisation during a puppy’s early weeks helps them grow into confident and well-adjusted adults.
Ask the breeder:
We ensure our puppies are exposed to various environments and experiences, helping them develop into happy, adaptable companions.
Cavoodles have a low to non-shedding coat, making them a popular choice for people with allergies. However, their coat requires regular maintenance to keep it healthy and mat-free. Ask the breeder how often they’d recommend brushing to keep the coat in good condition and ask if the puppy has been introduced to grooming routines like nail clipping.
We prepare our puppies for grooming early, helping to make the process stress-free for both the puppy and their new owners.
Visiting the breeding facility allows you to see how the puppies are raised and ensure they are coming from a clean, loving environment. However, Bremel Paws is located in rural NSW, which may be a long trip for most of our customers.
To make the process easier, we offer virtual tours of our setup. During the tour, you can see where the puppies are raised, meet their parents, and get an inside look at how we care for them. This ensures transparency and trust without requiring you to travel long distances.
A supportive breeder remains a valuable resource even after the puppy has joined your family.
Ask if the breeder:
We’re committed to supporting you throughout your puppy’s life. Whether you need advice on feeding, training or anything else, you will always have direct access to Mel, the owner of the business and qualified vet nurse. We’re just a phone call, text or email away.
Bringing home a Cavoodle is such an exciting adventure, but making informed choices is key to finding the perfect match for your family. By following this Cavoodle puppy buying guide and asking the right questions, you can ensure your new furry friend is healthy, happy, and from a breeder you can trust.
At Bremel Paws, we pride ourselves on ethical breeding, exceptional care, and supporting our puppies and their new families every step of the way. Ready to welcome a Cavoodle into your life? Check out our available Cavoodle puppies or get in touch to learn more!
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