Cavoodles explained

Generations

Fleece

When it comes to Cavoodles, you’ll often hear terms like F1, F2, F1B, multigeneration and so on. These labels describe how many generations the puppy is from the original Cavalier King Charles Spaniel & Poodle cross. For example:

F1 Cavoodle – A first-generation Cavoodle (Cavalier x Poodle).
F2 Cavoodle – The result of breeding two F1 Cavoodles together.
F1B Cavoodle – The “B” stands for backcross. This is when an F1 Cavoodle is bred back to either a Cavalier (Also known as an Ultra) or a Poodle, depending on which traits the breeder is aiming to strengthen.
Multigeneration Cavoodle – Generally refers to Cavoodles bred beyond F3 (third generation) with consistent Cavoodle-to-Cavoodle pairings.

Important Note:

Generations do not determine health. There is a lot of misinformation that certain generations are healthier than others, when in fact, a dog’s wellbeing and health comes down to responsible breeding practices, such as veterinary checks, DNA testing, diet and the environment they are raised in. A healthy Cavoodle can come from any generation when bred responsibly.

Fleece

Understanding coat types and how they are produced amongst the generations

Brothers from the same litter

Fleece

Wool

One brother picked up two copies of curl, one from each parent - this resulted in a wool coat.

The other brother only picked up one copy of curl from their parents and a copy of 0/no-curl, resulting in a fleece coat.

Shaggy Coat

Genetics: Caused by inheriting two copies of the non-curl gene (0 curl). Both parents must each carry at least one copy of the 0 curl gene for shaggy coats to appear.

Appearance: Straighter, silky coat that resembles a fuller, non-low-shedding version of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Can range from lightly feathered spaniel-style to a fuller, “shaggy teddy” look if furnishings are present. While considered “straight,” shaggy coats often show a light wave — curl type exists on a spectrum and can vary with other markers (such as c2).

Maintenance:

Weekly brushing to prevent matting.
Professional grooming every 8–10 weeks for hygiene and tidy-ups.
Can be produced in low-non shedding but this comes down to other genetic traits, such as shed markers.

Fleece Coat

Genetics: Caused by inheriting one copy of curl + one copy of non-curl - . Fleece coats can also be produced when two fleece parents are paired.

Appearance: Soft coat with a loose gentle curl or a tigter curl, again this can vary as curl type is on a spectrum. Often referred to as the classic cavoodle coat type.

Maintenance:

Brushing 2–3 times per week to prevent tangles
Professional grooming every 6–8 weeks to keep the coat shaped and manageable.
Low-non shedding, again, pending other traits such as shed markers.

Wool Coat

Genetics: Caused by inheriting two copies of curl.

Appearance: Dense, tighter curls much like a Poodle’s coat. Considered a real "teddy-bear" look.

Maintenance:

Brushing 3–4 times per week to prevent matting.
Professional grooming every 6–8 weeks, with regular trims needed to keep curls neat.
Usually very low to non-shedding, but requires the most upkeep.

Fleece (1 copy of curl)

Wool (2 copies of curl)

These dogs below are all genetically fleece coat

These dogs below are all genetically wool coat

The shaggy coats in our program are slowly growing (yay!). To date, these puppies are some of our shaggys. I cant wait to add more examples of our shaggy coat puppies as they grow...

Temperament

Cavoodles are best known for their gentle, affectionate, and people-focused nature. They thrive on companionship and love being part of family life, whether it’s cuddling on the couch with their human, joining in playtime with kids, or going for daily walks.

Temperament Highlights:

Friendly, social, and eager to please.
Intelligent and quick to learn, making training fun and rewarding.
Generally good with children and other pets.
Adaptable, so equally happy in apartments or larger homes, as long as they get daily exercise and attention.

Cavoodles are a wonderful choice for first-time dog owners, families with children, people who work from home or have the ability to bring their dog to work or retirees looking for a loyal companion. They don’t cope well being left alone for long hours, as their people-oriented nature means they form strong bonds and can develop separation anxiety.

Fun Facts:

Their intelligence comes from the Poodle side, while their sweet, affectionate nature comes from the Cavalier.
They’re one of Australia’s most popular companion breeds thanks to their size, temperament, and adorable looks.
Size range: Cavoodles usually weigh between 5–12 kg depending on whether they are toy or miniature poodle crosses.
Lifespan: With good care, Cavoodles often live 12–15 years or more.
Exercise needs: They need around 30–60 minutes of exercise daily, plus mental enrichment (toys, training, games).
Family dogs: They are known to be gentle with children and often make great therapy or emotional support dogs.
Social butterflies: Cavoodles usually love meeting new people and dogs — early socialisation is key to shaping their confidence.
Smart cookies: Their Poodle genetics mean they pick up training quickly, but they can also be a little cheeky if not mentally stimulated.