Cavapom Basics

Charming, cute, and affectionate- it’s no wonder that the Cavapom is becoming more and more popular every day! These small breed dogs are loved for their beautiful appearance and wonderful personality- they are ideal lap dogs and companion pets. As you might have already guessed from their name, these dogs are a result of a unique combination between the Pomeranian and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. From its Pomeranian parent, the Cavapom inherits loyalty and watchfulness, whereas the Cavalier is responsible for the friendliness and sweet nature of this designer dog breed. Of course, all it’s to no one’s surprise that these two well-known and treasured breeds make a wonderful family pet and four-legged companion.

As it is the case with all designer dog breeds and hybrid dogs, there is still a lot we don’t know about the delightful Cavapom puppies. However, don’t let the fact that this is a fairly new breed discourage you: the majority of traits, both appearance and personality-wise, can be guessed pretty accurately if one analyzes the most dominant traits of parental breeds. In the case of the Cavapom, puppies can grow up to be widely different adult dogs, as Poms and Cavaliers have significantly distinct features. A lot of things about your puppy will depend on which of the parent’s genes they favor, but one thing is for sure- you’ll find that your Cavapom is the loveliest and the most adorable dog you’ve ever met.

These small breed dogs are loved for their beautiful appearance and wonderful personality- they are ideal lap dogs and companion pets.

Origin

While there have certainly been accidental litters of Pomeranian and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel before, it was not so long ago when intentional mating of the two breeds began. The designer dog breed trend has breeders trying to create new dog breeds that will have the best of both worlds and have fewer health issues than their purebred parents. The Cavapom is no different. In the last few years, more and more breeders are producing litters of Cavapom puppies, and it is believed that the first “official” litters were born in the United States. However, the fact that the Cavapom has a very short history shouldn’t lead you to believe that this is a mysterious or unpredictable dog breed. Both the Pomeranian and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel which are used to create the Cavapom have a long and rich history as cherished pets, from nobles who treasured them fast forward to this day and age. Pomeranians first became popular as toy lap dogs for royals in the 18th century, and Cavaliers ruled the courts with their charm from late 17th century onwards.

Pedigree

Not unlike all designer dog breeds, Cavapom puppies won’t have any pedigree. The reason for this is that official canine clubs and organizations, such as the American Kennel Club, don’t recognize crossbreeds to be official breeds, as there are no set standards for the puppies. This means that there is a greater variety of traits, as opposed to the strict uniformity of purebred dogs. Of course, the fact that puppies don’t have any pedigree doesn’t mean that their parents won’t. As recognized breeds, Pom and Cavalier have a pedigree and, depending on the “quality” of its parents’ papers, the prices for the puppies can vary greatly as well.

Food/Diet

One of the best things you can do for your dog’s health is to make sure their nutritive needs are met through a well-balanced diet. Dogs are omnivores and can eat a variety of foods, but it’s important to choose their meals according to their unique nutritive profile. For the Cavapom, this means finding inspiration in the dietary recommendations made for its parental breeds. As these crossbreed dogs don’t end up being that much different from their parents when it comes to their nutritive needs, feeding them high-quality pet food made for either Poms or Cavaliers is a safe bet. Additionally, as small dogs with a moderate activity level, Cavapoms can eat kibble optimized for pooches of this size and lifestyle.

As they are quite petite, Cavapoms usually don’t need more than 1.5 cups of kibble per day, but it is best if you consult with your vet or check out the feeding guide on your pet’s food for exact serving sizes. making sure you don’t overfeed your pet is very important, as you wouldn’t want your pet to become obese- and it really doesn’t take much with pooches of this stature.

As small dogs with a moderate activity level, Cavapoms can eat kibble optimized for pooches of this size and lifestyle.

Training

In most cases, Cavapom will be a breeze to train. Both of their parental breeds are known to be smart and motivated by attention and treats, which is a winning combination for training dogs. However, it’s not always the case that designer dogs inherit only the best and most desirable traits of their parents, combined in one perfect dog. Genetic lottery is quite unpredictable, and you can never know what your puppy will grow up to be like- not with purebreds, and less so with designer dogs. Granted, with proper socialization and early training, any character flaws or behavioral issues can be solved easily.

For instance, your Cavapom pup might tend to be a bit yappy like their Pomeranian parent who can be excessive when it comes to barking, or develop separation anxiety if they inherit the velcro level of affection from their Cavalier King Charles Spaniel mom or dad. In any case, make sure to properly address the issues, especially if you notice them in the early stages. The most efficient way of training Cavapoms (or any other dog, for that matter) is by using positive reinforcement methods. Any pooch, particularly the sweet Cavapom, will respond better to yummy bribes and encouraging words, rather than harsh and punitive methods. Just don’t overdo it with the treats- remember, these petite doggos gain weight quickly, which is not good for their health in the long run.

Weight

As Cavapom is a designer dog breed, there is no set standard the puppies need to adhere to, such as certain weight or coat color. Of course, as both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Pomeranian breed which were used to create this new hybrid breed are considered to be small breeds, there’s not much room for Cavapom to exceed their size. Depending on which parent’s genes influenced your puppy more as well as their sex (males tend to be bigger than females as a rule of thumb), you can expect them to weigh anywhere between 8 to 20 pounds when they grow up.

Temperament/Behavior

While there’s no denying that the combined looks of the fluffy Pom and delicate Cavalier make for one stunningly beautiful crossbreed dog, it is not just their pretty looks that make Cavapoms so popular among dog owners. In fact, their unique personality might be their best quality, and considering how cute they are, this says a lot.

Owing to the Pomeranian in the mix, these little guys tend to be spirited and fiercely devoted to their owners, often bonding with one person in the family over others. On the other hand, Cavaliers are known as one of the friendliest and sweetest canines out there, who will wag their tail for everyone they meet, stranger or family. Of course, every dog will have their own unique personality, but with this mix of breeds, you can definitely count on your pet to be as loving as they come. Cavapom’s behavior will mostly depend on their training and socialization, though. To make sure you have a pooch with a stellar character, don’t skip out on their puppy training sessions!

Common Health Problems

One of the main reasons why responsible designer dog breeders started crossing purebreds is to eliminate hereditary health issues that are plaguing some of the most beloved dog breeds. However, there’s no way to guarantee that crossbreeding leads to no breed-specific issues at all, as sometimes genetic traits of one parent dominate the other, potentially leading to inherited health problems, too. When it comes to Cavapom, most of the potential concerns are not severe. The list of common health problems for the Pomeranian includes dental issues such as early teeth loss, hip dysplasia, or kneecap dislocation, whereas some of the potential issues that the Cavalier brings to the mix include congenital heart issues such as mitral valve disease or the rare condition called syringomyelia, also known as “neck scratcher disease”.

In case that you got your puppy from a reliable breeder that cares for the health of dogs in their care, chances of your Cavapom having any inherited issues are much lower. Fortunately, a lot of the health concerns can be eliminated completely with timely preventive care, so make sure to take your four-legged companion to regular vet check-ups and meet their basic needs for optimal health.

Life Expectancy

Having in mind that Cavapoms have been around as an official breed only for the last few years, there’s simply not enough information about their lifespan. However, as this is a small dog breed that has fairly few hereditary health issues, chances are that they’ll live anywhere from 12 to 16 years on average. After all, a lot will depend on your pet’s unique family history and the lifestyle they lead. To make sure they live long, happy, and healthy lives, provide a lot of love, high-quality foods, and enough exercise to your new pet- for starters.

Exercise Requirements

Cavapoms are slightly more active than a typical lap dog, but even so, this doesn’t put them above the moderate activity level. Your crossbreed pooch won’t expect you to go on hikes with them or endure hours of zoomies in the backyard; Cavapoms are much more laid-back. An average of 30 to 60 minutes of daily exercise, dividend into few walks and a bit of playtime, will keep your pet happy and healthy.

In general, Cavapoms are thought to be ideal for people who live in apartments, as their moderate exercise requirements fit right in small homes or household without yards.

Cavapoms are content with 30 to 60 minutes of daily exercise.

Recognized Clubs

AKC doesn’t recognize any of the designer dog breeds, but there are specialized canine clubs and organizations that do. Those that recognize Cavapoms are American Canine Hybrid Club, Designer Dogs Kennel Club, Dog Registry of America, and International Designer Canine Registry.

Coat

The silky locks of the Cavalier and the fluffy mane of the Pom are wildly different. So what does that mean for their offspring? Cavapom dogs can either sport fur similar to that of the Pomeranian, or have a shorter, feathery hair after their other parent. Sometimes, the result is something in between, with medium-length hair that’s dense and soft to the touch. Either way, Cavapoms are fairly low-maintenance when it comes to their grooming needs. Daily brush and a bath every few weeks will keep your pooch looking their very best.

The color combinations of their coat are practically endless, as both breeds come in various standard colors, including bi-color and tri-color coats of the Cavalier.

Puppies

One look at tiny, adorable mix of a Pom and Cavalier is guaranteed to steal your heart away. Whether it’s their charming appearance or simply their personality that’s too huge for their tiny bodies that seals the deal, there’s no way that a Cavapom puppy doesn’t charm the pants off you.

Friendly, affectionate, and intelligent, Cavapoms make wonderful family pets and companions for singles and seniors. They are not overly demanding when it comes to their needs, and will prefer living with an owner who can afford to spend a lot of time with them, enjoying all the love and affection these petite pooches have to offer.

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