Cavapoos are a mixed breed that have become increasingly popular over recent years. The combination of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Poodle makes for some beautiful dogs with wonderful temperaments. But one of the things that many new and potential owners want to know is do cavapoos shed?
Taking on a pet is a huge commitment, so it makes sense that anyone thinking of bringing a cavapoo into their homes might want to know whether they shed their coat. Dogs that shed can mean you’re constantly hoovering up or trying to get rid of dog hair from all of your clothes and bedding, so it’s not surprising that people want to know whether cavapoos shed.
What are Cavapoos?
A cavapoo is a crossbreed dog. There are lots of different types of cavapoos but an F1 cavapoo (first generation) has one parent who is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, and one who is a Poodle. The Poodle may be a standard, miniature, or toy poodle and it’s usually the poodle gene that determines the size of the cavapoo.
Cavapoos are a popular mixed breed as they have a gentle, friendly temperament which makes them a great choice for family pets.
As with all crossbreeds though, there is no guarantee about how a cavapoo will behave or even what they will look like.
Do Cavapoos shed?
Cavapoos are widely known to be low-shedding dogs. And for the main part, this is true. As an owner of a cavapoo, I can confirm that we see very little in the way of shedding from our own dog.
But, some cavapoos do shed a little. If the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel gene is the more dominant gene, then you’re likely to have a cavapoo that sheds a little. However, if the Poodle gene is the dominant gene, there’s a high chance the cavapoo won’t shed at all.
Will I need to groom a Cavapoo?
Just because a cavapoo is unlikely to shed, doesn’t mean you don’t need to groom them. In fact, a cavapoo is a breed that definitely needs regular grooming. Most cavapoos have curly hair inherited from their Poodle parent and curly hair that isn’t regularly brushed can easily become matted. Curly coats need regular weekly brushing in order to keep the mats at bay, and professional grooming should be done at least once every couple of months but ideally every four to six weeks.
Other Grooming Requirements
It’s always a good idea to start grooming and brushing as soon as possible when you take your new puppy home. This helps them get used to the sounds and feelings of being handled, brushed, washed and dried. Most dog groomers will offer a puppy package which will usually just involve a wash, dry and a trim around the eyes. This will depend on what the individual dog needs. If you leave it until your puppy is older, there’s a chance their hair will already be matted and they’ll need a thorough groom. This can be stressful if they haven’t already gotten used to the groomer.
Giving your cavapoo an oat milk bath once a fortnight will help to keep their coat healthy which in turn can help to minimise shedding.
Are Cavapoos hypoallergenic?
Generally speaking, cavapoos are considered to have hypoallergenic coats which means they’re perfect for allergy sufferers.
However, there are no guarantees with any dog that it will be 100% hypoallergenic, and you shouldn’t believe a breeder who tells you they are. Until you take that dog home, you won’t know whether it will irritate any allergies, so you should only go ahead if you’re prepared for that.
The temperament of the Cavapoo and the impact on shedding
A calm and settled cavapoo is far less likely to shed than a cavapoo who’s suffering with symptoms of stress. It’s important to keep your dog calm as much as possible and ensure they have a happy and settled home life.
Stress can lead to hair loss in dogs in the same way it can for humans. Cavapoos have a reputation for being clingy dogs who hate to be left alone. If you have to leave them alone, then make sure they have stimulating enrichment toys to keep them occupied and try to make their space as cosy and comfortable as possible so that any stress from separation anxiety is kept at a minimum.
Health Issues That Can Cause Cavapoo Shedding
There are a few health issues that can cause shedding in cavapoos, so if you’re at all concerned, or you’ve noticed that your dog is shedding more than usual, then it’s important to get them seen by a vet.
- Allergies
- Fleas, ticks and parasites
- Infections
- Malnutrition
- Food intolerance
Nutrition and Diet Can Impact Coat Shedding
It’s important to get the right nutrition into your cavapoo in order for them to maintain a healthy coat. Every dog is different, so it might take a little bit of trial and error to figure out the right food for them. Some owners swear by a raw diet, whilst others feel that a grain-free diet is best suited to their pup.
Do Some Cavapoos Shed More Than Others?
Some cavapoos do shed more than others, mainly due to the type of coat they have.
A cavapoo may have curly hair from the poodle gene, or they could have straighter or wavier hair from the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel gene. Cavapoos with curly hair tend to shed far less. So, if you want a cavapoo that sheds less, you need to look for one with mostly the poodle gene, so a curly coat. This can be difficult to see when you’re looking at puppies, as their hair does change as they lose their puppy coat.
Cavapoo coat types
Cavapoos have a double coat. They have a thick undercoat of shorter hairs, as well as thinner, longer hairs on top. This helps them to regulate their temperature during hot or cold weather. The double coat also means that they shed less.
As we’ve touched on earlier, cavapoos can also have a variety of hair types. They could be curly, wavy, or even have straight hair depending on their genes. Curly haired cavapoos tend to shed less than other coat types.
Do Cavapoos Lose Their Puppy Coat?
As with many breeds of dog, Cavapoos have a puppy coat which can be very different from their adult coat.
The puppy coat tends to be fluffy and soft, and they usually lose it at around 6-8 months old. Here is our Cavapoo Lola at 3 months old.
Puppies will shed more as they lose their puppy coat. The adult coat is a denser coat that will need to be brushed regularly to avoid mats forming.
What does the amount of shedding depend on?
So, whilst cavapoos can generally be seen as a mixed breed that doesn’t really shed, this does depend on a few different factors.
Genetics and DNA
The dog’s DNA will play a huge role in how much they shed. A cavapoo with more of the poodle gene will shed less than a cavapoo with more of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel gene. This isn’t something that a breeder can predict or control. There’s no way of knowing which gene will be prevalent in a puppy before it’s born.
The dog’s age
Cavapoos will shed the most when they’re losing their puppy coat. Once their adult coat is fully settled, they will shed far less. Some older dogs can shed their coats though, this can just be a sign of old age but you should still get your dog checked over by a vet if they start to shed their fur when they haven’t previously, it could be the sign of an underlying health condition.
Seasonal shedding
Most dogs will have some shedding as the seasons change, and this is the same for cavapoos. You might notice that as the weather starts to warm up in the Spring, your dog might start to lose some of it’s winter coat.
Dogs kept indoors are unlikely to experience this seasonal shedding.
Nutrition
Your dog’s diet can have a huge impact on their skin and their coat. A healthy coat is usually the sign of a healthy dog, so if you notice any changes in their coat, take a look at their diet and make sure they are getting all of the nutrients they should.
You might want to think about cutting out certain foods slowly to see if that makes a difference.
Bathing
Bathing your dog too much or too little can cause shedding, it’s a difficult balance to get right. If you’re unsure, then speak to a dog groomer who should be able to advise you how often to bath your Cavapoo and what products to use.
Do Cavapoos Shed?
So, to sum up, some cavapoos do shed, but generally speaking, this gorgeous mixed breed is unlikely to shed too much and should be a good choice for those looking for a low-shedding or no-shedding dog to bring into their lives.
If you do notice any unusual shedding from your cavapoo, then you should always get this checked out by a vet just to make sure there aren’t any hidden health issues going on. Cavapoos make wonderful family pets and their tendency to be low-shedding dogs only adds to their appeal.
