Designer Breed Icon
  • Activity Level: low
  • Shedding Level: moderate
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  • Grooming Level: high
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  • Trainability: high
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  • Good for Novice Owners: high
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  • Adaptability: high
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  • Kid/Pet Friendly: often
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  • Prey Drive: moderate
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  • Watchdog: very alert
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  • Average Size: Small
  • Average Lifespan: 12-16 years
  • Registered?: other

Cavapom Dog Breed Information

Overview

Temperament

Adaptability

Health

Owner Experience

Grooming

Activity Level

Size

Life Span

The Cavapom is a cross between a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Pomeranian. These small dogs tend to be smart, friendly, and affectionate with big hearts and big personalities.

Although they are not currently recognized by the American Kennel Club, they are recognized by other notable dog organizations. The American Canine Hybrid Club, International Designer Canine Registry, Designer Dogs Kennel Club, and more all recognize the Cavapom.

In addition to being cute, beautiful dogs, Cavapoms also have beautiful personalities. They are loyal and devoted to their families and love nothing more than being with them. They tend to be friendly and have a sweet demeanor.

In fact, they’re known for being quintessential companion dogs and ideal lap dogs. They certainly love to cuddle with their favorite humans! Due to their friendly nature, they tend to get along well with children, other dogs, and other pets. They will even be relatively open and friendly to strangers as long as they have been properly socialized.

Because of their watchful nature, these little dogs can be prone to barking. If left unchecked, it could become a nuisance behavior. But, if you start to train your dog to stop barking early on, they will alert you of things, but barking won’t become unmanageable.

Cavapoms are highly adaptable dogs. They do well in apartments as well as in larger homes. Due to their small size, they may need to bundle up in the winter to stay warm. Because they bond so closely with their families, they do not like to spend long periods of time alone. They can also be prone to developing separation anxiety because of this.

Are mixed-breed dogs healthier than purebred dogs? They can be sometimes. But, it’s not a guarantee. They could inherit none of the conditions common to their breeds, a combination of them, or all of them.

For the Cavapom, potential health conditions to be aware of include hip dysplasia, luxating patella, mitral valve disease, and syringomyelia, which is rare. Reputable breeders will screen their dogs to avoid passing issues on to puppies. So, don’t be afraid to ask them about the health of both of the parents.

As a small dog breed, the Cavapom is also more prone to developing dental diseases later in life. Because gum disease in dogs can be serious and often leads to other health issues, it’s important to maintain a good dental care routine throughout your Cavapom’s life.

The Cavapom is an intelligent dog that will pick up on things quickly. Plus, they are eager to please and love the attention that comes with performing. So, some positive praise goes a long way with this breed.

This makes them a great fit for owners of all experience levels. You may be tempted to let them get away with undesirable behavior because of their adorable face and small size, but it’s essential that you don’t. One of the most important dog training tips is to keep training consistent, so you want to minimize confusing signals as much as possible.

The appearance of a Cavapom coat can vary. They could inherit the fluffy mane from their Pomeranian parent, the silky fur of their Cavalier King Charles Spaniel parent, or some combination of both.

Regardless of how their coat looks, it will shed a little year-round and will require daily brushing to remove tangles and prevent mats. They will also need a bath every few weeks and, potentially, professional grooming every 4-6 weeks. It just depends on their coat and how you want it to be clipped.

In addition to coat care, you will also need to care for your Cavapom’s nails, ears, and teeth. Nail trimming once or twice a month is usually enough to keep nails from growing too long. Weekly checks with careful ear cleaning as needed can help prevent ear infections.

Because they are more prone to dental disease, good dental care for dogs is even more important for a Cavapom. Daily brushing or using an enzyme toothpaste every day in addition to cleanings at the vet when needed is ideal.

Although a Cavapom may be slightly more active than a stereotypical lap dog, they still won’t run you ragged. They tend to sit in a lower activity level range. They may have bursts of high-energy while they are playing, but their small size and love for cuddling mean they won’t range above moderate exercise requirements.

Daily walks plus some playtime are usually plenty for this little dog. They love being with you though, so they will likely be up for more activity if you are. Just keep an eye on them to make sure they are not overexerting themselves too much trying to keep up with you.

A fully-grown Cavapom usually stands 12-13 inches tall and weighs 8-20 pounds.

A Cavapom generally lives for 12-16 years.