Cavapoos are generally accepted as hypoallergenic dogs.
They’re a cross between a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a miniature or toy Poodle.
These hybrid dogs have enjoyed a surge in popularity due to their sweet temperament and hypoallergenic coats.
The American Kennel Club recognise the Poodle as a hypoallergenic breed, but Cavaliers are moderate shedders.
However, as with all cross breeds, there’s no guarantee a Cavapoo will inherit certain desired traits from each parent.
Editor's note: The content on this website is meant to be informative in nature, but it should not be taken as veterinary, medical or professional advice. There's no such thing as a 100% hypoallergenic dog in spite of claims that breeders might make. It’s always best to speak with your vet or your doctor before deciding to get a dog if you suspect you may have allergies to pets.
In this article, we’re going to take a look at whether Cavapoos are hypoallergenic, how much they shed and their grooming requirements.
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What does hypoallergenic mean?
You’ve probably previously encountered the word hypoallergenic before coming across this article, although not necessarily alongside a dog breed.
Hypoallergenic was a term first coined by the cosmetic industry in the 1950s. It was used to denote a cosmetic product that was less likely to cause allergies in comparison to another regular cosmetic product.
So there was no guarantee skin allergies (or other allergies) would occur even if a product was described as hypoallergenic. It was just less likely.
To get a better understanding of the word, let’s take a look at how WebMD.com define hypoallergenic:
If you see “hypoallergenic” on makeup or a skin care label, it means that that maker claims its product causes fewer allergic reactions than other ones. That doesn’t necessarily mean it is allergy-proof or gentler for your skin. The U.S. government doesn’t have standards that products must meet in order to put “hypoallergenic” on the label.
While hypoallergenic was used by the cosmetic industry in the 1950s, it’s now widely used to denote something that is less likely to trigger an allergic reaction.
What are hypoallergenic dogs?
A hypoallergenic dog is one that is less likely to trigger someone’s allergies to canines. There are some breeds such as the Poodle and the Schnauzer that are famous for being hypoallergenic dog breeds.
Although the USA is a nation of dog lovers, there are surprising number of the population who suffer with allergies to dogs.
The American College of Allergy Asthma and Immunology write that around 10 per cent of the US population have allergies to our four-legged friends. Given there are roughly 320 million people in the USA, that’s 32 million inhabitants who suffer some symptoms when exposed to dogs. Remarkably, 90 million Americans own dogs.
It probably explains why “hypoallergenic dogs” has been Googled nearly 24 million times. In fact, when you research some breeds, the first results are the breed name and the word hypoallergenic.
While hypoallergenic dogs exist, all dogs will shed to a certain degree. There’s no such thing as a completely hypoallergenic pooch.
Here’s what the American Kennel Club write on their website:
While no dog is 100% hypoallergenic, there are a variety of breeds that do well with allergy sufferers. These dogs have a predictable, non-shedding coat which produces less dander.
Although the American Kennel Club and the Kennel Club emphasise no dog is 100 per cent hypoallergenic, both organizations list a number of breeds that they consider to be hypoallergenic.
What causes an allergy to dogs?
The misconception surrounding allergies to dogs is that dog hair is the number one culprit. However, this isn’t usually the case.
It’s dander rather than dog hair that will trigger an allergic reaction. Dander are microscopic pieces of dead skin secreted by your pooch.
The American Lung Association shed light on pet dander on their website:
Pet dander is composed of tiny, even microscopic, flecks of skin shed by cats, dogs, rodents, birds and other animals with fur or feathers. These bits of skin can cause reactions in people who are specifically allergic to these triggers.
Some dogs have a reputation for secreting minimal dander, such as Poodles. Other dogs have coats that managed to retain the dander in their hair or hairless dogs can be washed or wiped to remove dander.
Even if you have a low shedding dog that doesn’t product much dander, other potential allergens include pollen brought in on their coat, as well as dog saliva and urine.
What are the symptoms?
If you suspect you may be allergic to dogs but you’re thinking about getting a four-legged companion, you should speak to your doctor before making any rash decisions.
It’s a good idea to speak to breeders to learn more about shedding and grooming if you’ve got your heart set on a hypoallergenic breed to learn more.
You should research some of the common symptoms of dog allergies before bringing home a pet. The symptoms to look out for include:
• Sneezing or a runny or stuffy nose.
• Facial pain (from nasal congestion)
• Coughing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and wheezing.
• Watery, red or itchy eyes.
• Skin rash or hives.
Are Cavapoos hypoallergenic?
Cavapoo puppy (Photo: Adobe Stock)
Cavapoos are considered a hypoallergenic mixed breed. They’re a mix between a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Poodle. The influence of the Poodle genes helps to create a hypoallergenic breed. However, there’s no guarantee a Cavapoo’s coat will reflect the hypoallergenic qualities of their Poodle parent.
Here’s what Cavapoo World advise their readers on the topic of whether Cavapoos are hypoallergenic or not.
To be honest, the question should be: Are cavapoo hypoallergenic for you? The answer to this question will actually depend on what exactly you are allergic to. You aren’t just allergic to a dog. You can be allergic to a dog’s hair, saliva, dander, urine, faecal matter. If you are allergic to saliva, dander or urine, you will likely be allergic to any type of dog, including hypoallergenic ones like Poodles and Cavapoos.
Although Cavapoos have a reputation for being hypoallergenic, every dog and every dog owner is different. So there are no guarantees a Cavapoo won’t trigger your allergies.
Do Cavapoos shed a lot?
Cavapoo (Photo: Adobe Stock)
Cavapoos are considered a relatively low shedding dog breed. You’ll meet some Cavapoo owners who claim their dog doesn’t shed at all, but other Cavapoo parents will testify to some degree of shedding.
Poodles are low shedders but Cavaliers are considered moderate shedders.
It all depends on how much a Cavapoo takes after their Poodle parents. There can be no guarantees in spite of claims that a breeder may make.
Cavapoo World list the following as factors when it comes to shedding:
• Cavalier/Poodle genes
• Temperature/season
• Nutrition
Cockapoo care and grooming
While you may be fortunate and get a low shedding Cavapoo, they’ll still require a lot of grooming. As a general rule, it’s a good idea to brush your Cavapoo at least a few times a week to maintain the health and quality of their coat. It will also help to remove any dirt and debris. By having a regular grooming schedule, you can prevent matting and tangling.
They’ll require a haircut every three months or so to prevent their hair growing too long. This can help to prevent your Cavapoos coat from dragging along the ground. You can also ensure your Cavapoo doesn’t have hair going into their eyes, which could eventually lead to eye infections.
Hypoallergenic dog breeds
If you’re looking for a low shedding dog but you’re not sure about a Cavapoo, the American Kennel Club and the Kennel Club list a number of breeds that they consider to be more hypoallergenic.
The AKC list 19 dog breeds on their website as hypoallergenic:
• Affenpinchser
• Afghan Hound
• American Hairless Terrier
• Barbet
• Bedlington Terrier
• Bichon Frise
• Bolognese
• Chinese Crested
• Coton de Tulear
• Giant Schnauzer
• Irish Water Spaniel
• Kerry Blue Terrier
• Lagotto Romagnolo
• Maltese
• Peruvian Inca Orchid
• Poodle
• Portuguese Water Dog
• Russkaya Tsvetnaya Bolonka
• Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
• Schnauzer
• Xoloitzcuintli
Kennel Club goes even further with 31 different hypoallergenic breeds:
• Lagotto Romagnolo
• Irish Water Spaniel
• Spanish Water Dog
• Bouvier des Flandres
• Giant Schnauzer
• Portuguese Water Dog
• Russian Black Terrier
• Hungarian Puli
• Komondor
• Bichon Frise
• Bolognese
• Chinese Crested
• Coton de Tulear
• Havanese
• Maltese
• Yorkshire Terrier
• Lhasa Apso
• Intermediate Mexican Hairless
• Miniature Mexican Hairless
• Standard Mexican Hairless
• Miniature Schnauzer
• Standard Poodle
• Toy Poodle
• Miniature Poodle
• Shih Tzu
• Tibetan Terrier
• Bedlington Terrier
• Dandie Dinmont Terrier
• Glen of Imaal Terrier
• Sealyham Terrier
• Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
Anything else to consider?
Getting a dog is a big decision so we recommend doing as much research as possible. Don’t be conned by claims from breeders about their dogs being 100 per cent hypoallergenic or guarantees that your pup won’t shed.
There’s no such thing as a completely hypoallergenic dog.
If you suspect you suffer from allergies to dogs, we recommend speaking to your regular doctor about getting a pup before going out and bring a four-legged friend home.
This article doesn’t constitute medical advice. If you suspect you’ve got allergies to dogs, you should talk to your local doctor to learn more and seek advice.
You could also contact Cavapoo owners on Instagram to learn more the mixed breed.
In conclusion
Cavapoo (Photo: Adobe Stock)
So there you have it, Cavapoos are usually considered more hypoallergenic than a lot of breeds and mixed breeds.
However, there’s no guarantee just how hypoallergenic your Cavapoo will be.
We recommend speaking to as many breeders as possible to learn more as well as Cavapoo owners.
