There are lots of Labrador mix dogs around that have high appeal to Lab lovers looking for something a little different – the name often gives the parentage away, but some dog lovers may not know quite what to expect from a Cavador.
In this guide we will uncover the mystery, look at some important Cavador information and see if this is a good cross breed or not.
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What is a Cavador?
The name Cavador refers to a cross breed between a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Labrador.
This may explain why some can’t get their head around the name. This isn’t the first combination that many would think of when creating a Labrador cross.
The Labrador is a medium sized, high energy gun dog with a long history as a family pet. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a much smaller companion dog that isn’t quite so well-known.
Why bring the two together, and is this cavalier labrador mix even a good idea?
So how do you get a cross between a Cavalier King Charles spaniel and a Labrador?
This is a mix breed that raises some important ethical questions. As you will know, we have two very different dogs of different sizes here.
Therefore, there are issues with the breeding of a small spaniel and large gundog.
This is where it is important to look for Cavador puppies from breeders that know what they are doing.
There is no way that a female Cavalier and male Labrador should breed. There are health issues here with the size of the litter and the health of the mother.
Instead, the only way to ensure ethical practice is artificial insemination with a male Cavalier and female Labrador.
Responsible Cavador breeders will do this, and will ensure the well-being of all animals involved.
Beware of those that are out to cash in on a new trend and don’t understand the risks.
What does this mean for the size of these Cavador pups?
The main reason for this male Cavalier and female Lab pairing is the size of the litter. It can be difficult to know precisely how big these puppies will get.
A Cavador fully grown could reach anywhere around 40 pounds in weight and 20 inches in height.
This potential of a higher Cavador weight means that a small spaniel can’t have a natural birth, or carry the litter in a safe manner.
It is also important to keep this Cavador size discrepancy in mind when planning for their care at home. You may expect a small, apartment friendly dog and end up with something much bigger.
Other interesting physical traits with this Cavalier Lab mix dog
This is a medium sized spaniel looking dog with lab traits.
Many have the Chesnut brown of the spaniel and the typical white marking around the face, chest and feet. There are also those tell-tale floppy spaniel ears.
There is also the potential for a thicker coat than the lab, with a possibility of water resistance. This is great if your pup likes to go swimming as part of its exercise regimen.
Taking care of these Labrador Cavalier mix puppies at home
This is all important when dealing with the dietary needs and exercise requirements of these Cavador dogs.
A good diet is essential with any pup, but you may have to be careful with portion control here.
Labrador genes can lead cross breeds to over-eat. An obese Lab is bad enough, an obese Lab/Cav cross could be a disaster.
As for exercise, this pup could have more energy and activity requirements than you assume.
Make sure that they get a good walk each day and have room to run around and play.
Then there are the grooming needs. The Cavador is a moderate shedder and will require regular brushing.
Further Reading: What Is The Best Brush For Shedding Dogs? (Top 15)
Black Cavador – Image Source
Other Cavador health issues to consider
The Cavador lifespan is pretty average. Owners should expect these dogs to live for around 12 years, as long as they are in good health.
There are few major problems reported with this dog, but there is a risk of hip dysplasia from the Lab side.
Make sure that any pup you buy has had its checks and that there is no bad family history to worry about.
A good breeder should breed out any problems and be upfront about their litters.
There are some great tools available to help new owners provide the best healthcare.
The Ultimate Guide to Dog Health from Kingdom of Pets is a great resource for information on different topics.
The Embark Breed Identification Dog DNA Test provides a more detailed look at the genes and risk factors your Cavador puppy may face.
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Last update on 2024-11-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Cavador personality and training
We have spent a lot of time talking about the size and physicality of these Cavalier Labrador mix dogs, but what about their personalities?
The Cavador temperament should be pretty appealing. They are generally playful, affectionate dogs that are great with kids.
The parent dogs are both pretty good in family homes, and the same is true with their offspring.
They are quite social. They are also pretty intelligent – this should help when training a Cavalier Labrador cross.
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Spaniel genes mean a good sense of smell and alert nature. They should make good tracking dogs and will train up well for jobs in narcotic detection and other similar roles.
Their inquisitive nature is both charming and possibly hard to control. They may be ruled by a desire to chase smells, which may send them after rodents and out the room.
Obedience and house breaking are obviously essential, but so are leash training and socialization.
They are not too hard to train because of their willingness to obey and ease of picking up commands.
However, those that struggle can turn to top online guides like Doggy Dan the Online Dog Trainer and Secrets to Dog Training for extra help.
Further Reading: A Guide To Some Of Best Dog Training Books Available Today (Top 24)
Is it a good idea to go looking for Cavador puppies for sale?
There are lots of potential issues when searching for these pups.
It is hard enough to find responsible breeders and affordable pups, but there are added problems with the Cavador.
This is because it’s one of those crosses where dog lovers are a little wary about health issues and ethics, due to those vast differences in the parent breeds.
Cavador adoption may be a more appealing solution in order to avoid breeders entirely, but even then there are concerns over how those dogs were bred.
Those that like the idea of this Cavalier Labrador mix should seek out an experienced breeder with a good Cavador cost. Those that are unsure should look at other Lab cross breeds instead.
Featured Image: Instagram/barkley.the.cavador