Cavapoos are a perfect mix of poodles and Cavalier King Charles spaniels, so there is great variety when it comes to their coats.
Cavapoos can have curly, wavy, or almost straight coats, usually quite soft. Puppies shed their fur at about six months, which usually leads to a change in the texture. The color can be solid or have two to three shades. Some Cavapoos’ coats become lighter as the dog ages. Cavapoos are single-coated and they produce mild to moderate shedding. They need regular brushing and bathing, as well as haircuts every few weeks.
Since Cavapoos are dogs of a designer breed, the appearance, and quality of the dog’s coat depend on which parent the pup resembles more. It is common for these dogs’ fur to change as they grow too.
CHARACTERISTICS OF CAVAPOOS’ COATS
Texture
The texture varies but these are the common ways a grown Cavapoo’s coat turns out:
- smooth, soft, and almost straight
- wavy, soft, and quite thick
- curly, thick, and of medium softness
Color
- The typical Cavapoo colors are fawn, cream, chestnut, white, golden, and brown.
- Two-color dogs are usually either fawn and white or brown and white.
- Some dogs could have three of those colors but those are quite rare.
THE COAT CHANGES AS THE DOG MATURES
Puppy Coat Shedding
Cavapoos shed their soft and often silky puppy coat at about six months and grow new fur, which is thicker and a little harsher.
It is hard to predict what texture your Cavapoo puppy will have when it grows up because a grown dog’s coat could be a little different from its puppy coat.
Possible Color Change
The color could stay the same through adulthood or fade to become much lighter as the dog ages. The fading process is slow, it happens over the years.
A specific gene some Cavapoos inherit from their poodle parent determines if the dog’s coat will gradually become lighter. The gene is aptly referred to as the fading gene. It does not cause any issues to the animal and is not concerning.
DO CAVAPOOS HAVE DOUBLE COATS?
Although some of these pups have thick fur, Cavapoos are single-coated dogs. As a result of being single-coated, the following apply to this breed of dogs:
- Cavapoos get cold easily in winter.
- Cavapoos are intolerant of hot weather.
- Their fur is also not waterproof, so rain and snow further decrease the insulating capacity of the coat.
- Dogs with single-layer fur are also more likely to experience tick and other insect bites during outdoor adventures.
DO CAVAPOO DOGS SHED?
Cavapoos do shed mildly to moderately.
Those pups who take after their Cavalier King Charles spaniel parent tend to shed significantly more. Cavapoos that resemble their poodle parent usually shed less.
Are Cavapoos Hypoallergenic?
Cavapoos are not hypoallergenic but they are, indeed, less likely to cause allergies than most breeds.
Since they are half-poodles – poodles are less likely to trigger an allergic reaction in sensitive people – a Cavapoo could be a suitable breed for someone with allergies. However, it is not possible to predict how a person could react to any particular animal, even dogs within one breed.
If you have allergies, it is important to spend some time with a dog to understand if you might have an allergic reaction.
How To Take Care Of A Cavapoo’s Fur
Caring for these dogs’ coats is not very difficult but they do need regular grooming to maintain a healthy coat.
Although their fur may seem like it is high-maintenance, regular brushing and occasional baths prevent matting very effectively:
- Cavapoos need to be brushed a few times a week, ideally every day.
- Brush your dog before and after you bath it.
- They need to be bathed every few weeks with gentle shampoo for dogs.
Cavapoos do need haircuts every 6-8 weeks. Many dog parents master the skill and can trim their pets’ coats on their own but taking your pup to a professional groomer is undoubtedly a solid option.
