Cavapom

Cavapoms vary widely in appearance because Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Pomeranians are so different. What he will always be is cute, with a sweet expression, big eyes and a sturdy body. He can come in a multitude of solid colors or in a particolor pattern (a color plus white).

The Cavapom is a crossbreed. Opening your heart and home to a cross-breed is like opening a beautifully wrapped package on your birthday: you never know what’s going to be inside. It’s often assumed that a crossbreed will combine the best of two or more breeds, but genetics doesn’t always work that way. The way genes combine and express themselves is not always subject to a breeder’s control, even less so when two different breeds are crossed.

It would be difficult for a Cavapom not to be charming. Both of his parent breeds are affectionate and playful, although the Pomeranian is more likely to be a one-person dog. Cavapoms may or may not be good watchdogs, depending on whether the watchful Pomeranian or laidback Cavalier King Charles Spaniel temperament dominates; they are likely to greet visitors and intruders alike with a smile.

Cavapoms have the potential to be highly trainable. Both of the breeds used to create Cavapoms can learn quickly when you use the right training techniques. If you begin socialization and training early, keep training sessions short and fun, and use positive reinforcement techniques such as praise, play and food rewards, you will be rewarded with a wonderful companion.

Cavapoms are fun-loving and can be good playmates for children who are at least six years old. Younger children should be supervised carefully any time they are with a small dog such as a Cavapom. Even though he’s pretty sturdy, if they accidentally fall on or hit the dog, they could hurt him.

Cavapoms have a moderate activity level that is adaptable to their owner’s lifestyle. They need a good walk or active indoor playtime each day, like any dog. If you’re interested (and the dog's overall health is good — your veterinarian can help determine that), they are athletic enough to participate in such dog sports as agility, obedience and rally. Some Cavapoms are good at playing fetch and will chase a ball endlessly.

Cavapom puppies are adorable, and it’s one of the reasons they are so popular. Cute puppies sell, and that makes the Cavapom a favorite of puppy mills and greedy, irresponsible breeders. But there’s no need to pay big bucks for a Cavapom. You can often find a wonderful example of this mix at your local shelter or through adoption organizations.

If you do choose to buy one, however, select a breeder who has done the health testing to help ensure that her puppies won’t carry the genetic diseases common to both Pomeranians and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. And while there are no guarantees in life, it can also be a good way to minimize the possibility of certain big veterinary bills in the future.

Other Quick Facts

• Cavapoms are companion dogs. They need to live in the house, never outdoors.
• A Cavapom’s coat can come in many different colors and patterns, including red and white, black and tan, brindle, solid red, and parti-color (a color plus white).

The History of Cavapoms

People have been crossing types of dogs for millennia in the attempt to achieve a certain look, temperament or working ability. That’s how many well-known purebreds, including the Affenpinscher, Australian Shepherd, Black Russian Terrier, Brussels Griffon, Doberman Pinscher, German Wirehaired Pointer, Leonberger and more, originally got their start.

But crossing two breeds over and over does not a breed make. A breed is a group of animals related by descent from common ancestors and visibly similar in most characteristics. To achieve consistency in appearance, size and temperament, breeders must select the puppies with the traits they want and breed them over several generations for the traits to become set.

Crossbreeds such as Cavapoms have become popular over the past ten or twenty years as people seek out dogs that are different from the everyday Yorkie or Poodle or that they think will have certain appealing characteristics. For instance, it’s often claimed (falsely, by the way) that crossbreeds are hypoallergenic or have fewer health problems or will carry the best traits of each breed.

Unfortunately, genes aren’t quite that malleable. Genetic traits sort out randomly in each dog, so without selecting for certain characteristics over many generations, there’s no guarantee you’ll get the best of each breed. And no matter what his breed or mix, an individual dog may be more or less allergenic or intelligent or healthy.

Whatever his breed, cross or mix, love your dog for what he is: a unique, special and loving companion.

Cavapom Temperament and Personality

Temperament is affected partly by inheritance and partly by environment, so it can be variable. A Cavapom’s temperament depends on several things including the temperaments of his parents, especially the mother, who is more likely to influence a puppy’s behavior; the amount of socialization he receives; and the particular genes he inherits. He might be more independent if the Pomeranian side of his family dominates or more of an affectionate lap dog if the Cavalier side prevails. Both Pomeranians and Cavaliers tend to be friendly and outgoing and shouldn't be shy. Say no thanks if a puppy’s parents won’t let you approach them, shy away from you or growl at you, or if puppies do any of those things.

If you train him with positive reinforcement techniques, showing him what you like by rewarding him with praise, play and treats, a Cavapom is likely to learn quickly and will enjoy showing off the tricks he knows.

Start training your puppy the day you bring him home. Even at eight weeks old, he is capable of soaking up everything you can teach him. Don’t wait until he is 6 months old to begin training or you will have a more headstrong dog to deal with. If possible, get him into puppy kindergarten class by the time he is 10 to 12 weeks old, and socialize, socialize, socialize. However, be aware that many puppy training classes require certain vaccines (like kennel cough) to be up to date, and many veterinarians recommend limited exposure to other dogs and public places until puppy vaccines (including rabies, distemper and parvovirus) have been completed. In lieu of formal training, you can begin training your puppy at home and socializing him among family and friends until puppy vaccines are completed.

Talk to the breeder, describe exactly what you’re looking for in a dog, and ask for assistance in selecting a puppy. Breeders see the puppies daily and can make uncannily accurate recommendations once they know something about your lifestyle and personality. Whatever you want from a Cavapom, look for one whose parents have nice personalities and who has been well socialized from early puppyhood.

What You Need to Know About Cavapom Health

All dogs, whether purebreds, crossbreeds, or mixes, have the potential to develop genetic health problems, just as all people have the potential to inherit a particular disease. Run, don’t walk, from any breeder who does not offer a health guarantee on puppies, who tells you that the mixed breed is 100 percent healthy and has no known problems, or who tells you that her puppies are isolated from the main part of the household for health reasons. A reputable breeder will be honest and open about health problems in the mixed breed and the incidence with which they occur in her lines.

Cavapoms may be susceptible to the health problems of both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Pomeranian, but there’s also a chance that the genetic diversity introduced by mixing two breeds may lower the chances of developing certain inherited diseases. The very nature of genetic variation makes this difficult to predict for a mixed breed dog.  Please refer to the breed guides on Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Pomeranians for an overview of some of the inherited diseases reported in these two breeds.

Not all inherited conditions are detectable in a growing puppy, and it can be hard to predict whether an animal will be free of these maladies, which is why you must find a reputable breeder who is committed to breeding the healthiest animals possible.  They should be able to produce independent certification that the parents of the dog (and grandparents, etc.) have been screened for genetic defects and deemed healthy for breeding. At a minimum, ask the breeder to show evidence that both of the puppy’s parents have the appropriate certifications from health registries like the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, Canine Eye Registry Foundation, etc.

If a breeder tells you she doesn't need to do those tests because she's never had problems in her lines and her dogs have been "vet checked," then you should go find a breeder who is more rigorous about genetic testing.

Careful breeders screen their breeding dogs for genetic disease and breed only the healthiest and best-looking specimens, but sometimes Mother Nature has other ideas and a puppy develops one of these diseases despite good breeding practices. Advances in veterinary medicine mean that in most cases the dogs can still live a good life. If you’re getting a puppy, ask the breeder about the ages of the dogs in her lines and what they died of.

Remember that after you’ve taken a new puppy into your home, you have the power to protect him from one of the most common health problems: obesity. Keeping a Cavapom at an appropriate weight is one of the easiest ways to extend his life. Make the most of your preventive abilities to help ensure a healthier dog for life.

The Basics of Cavapom Grooming

A Cavapom may have the soft, straight coat of the Cavalier, the thick, harsh coat of the Pomeranian or something in between. In most cases, it’s a good idea to brush or comb the Cavapom coat every other day to prevent or remove mats and tangles. Bathe him as needed. That might be weekly, monthly or somewhere in between.

Cavapoms are among the breeds that commonly develop reddish-brown tear stains beneath their eyes. Your best bet is to wash the face daily, carefully wiping beneath the eyes, to prevent stains from setting.

In addition, trim his nails every week or two, keep his ears clean and dry, and brush his teeth regularly — daily if you can — with a vet-approved pet toothpaste. Small dogs are especially prone to periodontal disease.

Finding a Cavapom

Whether you want to go with a breeder or get your dog from a shelter or rescue, here are some things to keep in mind.

Choosing a Cavapom Breeder

Finding a good breeder is a great way to find the right puppy. A good breeder will match you with the right puppy, and will without question have done all the health certifications necessary to screen out health problems as much as is possible. He or she is more interested in placing pups in the right homes than in making big bucks.

Cavapom puppies are adorable, and it’s one of the reasons they are so popular. Cute puppies sell, and that makes the Cavapom a favorite of puppy mills and greedy, irresponsible breeders. But there’s no need to pay big bucks for a Cavapom. You may find a wonderful example of this cross-bred dog at your local shelter or through adoption organizations such as Petfinder.

If you choose to purchase a Cavapom, select a breeder who has done the health testing to help ensure that her puppies won’t carry the genetic diseases common to Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Pomeranians. Buying from a breeder who is smart and caring enough to do health certifications, even for a cross-breed, is the best way to do that. And while there are no guarantees in life, it’s also a good way to minimize the possibility of certain big veterinary bills in the future.

Avoid breeders who only seem interested in how quickly they can unload a puppy on you and whether your credit card will go through. You should also bear in mind that buying a puppy from websites that offer to ship your dog to you immediately can be a risky venture, as it leaves you no recourse if what you get isn’t exactly what you expected. Put at least as much effort into researching your puppy as you would into choosing a new car or expensive appliance. It will save you money in the long run.

Many breeders have websites, so how can you tell who’s good and who’s not? Red flags include puppies always being available, multiple litters on the premises, having your choice of any puppy, and the ability to pay online with a credit card. Those things are convenient, but they are almost never associated with reputable breeders.

Whether you’re planning to get your new best friend from a breeder, a pet store, or another source, don’t forget that old adage “let the buyer beware”. Disreputable breeders and facilities that deal with puppy mills can be hard to distinguish from reliable operations. There’s no 100% guaranteed way to make sure you’ll never purchase a sick puppy, but researching the crossbreed (so you know what to expect), checking out the facility (to identify unhealthy conditions or sick animals), and asking the right questions can reduce the chances of heading into a disastrous situation. And don’t forget to ask your veterinarian, who can often refer you to a reputable breeder, rescue organization, or other reliable source for healthy puppies. 

The cost of a Cavapom puppy varies depending on the breeder’s locale and whether he has obtained health clearances on the pup’s parents. The puppy you buy should have been raised in a clean home environment, from parents with health clearances. Puppies should be temperament tested, vetted, dewormed, and socialized to give them a healthy, confident start in life.

Before you decide to buy a puppy, consider whether an adult Cavapom might better suit your needs and lifestyle. Puppies are loads of fun, but they require a lot of time and effort before they grow up to become the dog of your dreams. An adult may already have some training and will probably be less active, destructive and demanding than a puppy. With an adult, you know more about what you’re getting in terms of personality and health and you can find adults through breeders or shelters. If you are interested in acquiring an older dog through breeders, ask them about purchasing a retired show dog or if they know of an adult dog who needs a new home. If you want to adopt a dog, read the advice below on how to do that.

Adopting a Dog From a Cavapom Rescue or Shelter

There are many great options available if you want to adopt a dog from an animal shelter or rescue organization. Here is how to get started.

1. Use the Web

Sites like Petfinder.com can have you searching for a Cavapom in your area in no time flat. The site allows you to be very specific in your requests (housetraining status, for example) or very general (all the Cavapoms available on Petfinder across the country). AnimalShelter can help you find animal rescue groups in your area. Also some local newspapers have “pets looking for homes” sections you can review.

2. Reach Out to Local Experts

Start talking with all the pet pros in your area about your desire for a Cavapom. That includes vets, dog walkers, and groomers. When someone has to make the tough decision to give up a dog, that person will often ask her own trusted network for recommendations.

3. Talk to Rescue Groups

Networking can help you find a dog that may be the perfect companion for your family.  Most people who love Cavapoms love all Cavapoms. That’s why enthusiasts have rescue organizations devoted to taking care of homeless dogs. A reputable Cavapom breeder's network can help you find a dog that may be the perfect companion for your family. You can also search online for other Cavapom rescues in your area.

4. Key Questions to Ask

You now know the things to discuss with a breeder, but there are also questions you should discuss with shelter or rescue group staff or volunteers before you bring home a pup. These include:

• What is his energy level?
• How is he around other animals?
• How does he respond to shelter workers, visitors, and children?
• What is his personality like?
• What is his age?
• Is he housetrained?
• Has he ever bitten or hurt anyone that they know of?
• Are there any known health issues?

Wherever you acquire your Cavapom, make sure you have a good contract with the seller, shelter or rescue group that spells out responsibilities on both sides. Petfinder offers an Adopters Bill of Rights that helps you understand what you can consider normal and appropriate when you get a dog from a shelter. In states with “puppy lemon laws,” be sure you and the person you get the dog from both understand your rights and recourses.

Puppy or adult, take your Cavapom to your veterinarian soon after adoption. Your veterinarian will be able to spot problems, and will work with you to set up a preventive regimen that will help you avoid many health issues.