Considering giving a dog their forever home comes at a price, and in some cases, this price can seem very high. Just why is this mixed breed so pricey? This article sets out to explore Cavapoo prices, why there is some variance in costs, and we take a look at why some breeders charge more than others. There are many factors involved when breeders price up their puppies and this article will help you understand the reasoning behind it.
Cavapoos or Cavoodles are known as a designer breed. The wide variety of color, adorable features, and their low risk to allergy sufferers are all reflected in their price. Prices also boil down to other factors such as supply and demand, the breeder’s reputation, and the generation of the Cavapoo.
If you are in two minds about whether to splash the cash on a Cavapoo then keep reading as we explore the pricing of Cavapoos and how you can possibly save a few cents whilst still using a reputable breeder.
Table of Contents
How Much Should You Expect to Pay?
Let’s start with the most asked question: what is the average price of a Cavapoo puppy? It will come as no surprise (given the article title) that there isn’t a clear-cut answer.
There are many reasons for cost variances which we will look into later but broadly speaking paying anywhere between $1200 and $2000 is to be expected.
However, there will be Cavapoos for sale outside of this range so don’t be too surprised if you’ve seen very different price tags.
Why So Expensive?
Just why are Cavapoos so expensive and can the cost be justified when looking to buy one? They are considered a designer breed and are a cross between a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Poodle. Classed as small to medium in size, Cavapoos, on average, stand between 9 and 14 inches, but again there can be some variance depending on the size of the parents. Miniature and Toy Poodles are used for the breeding process.
Being a Doodle breed means they are generally a low shedding dog which heightens their popularity somewhat. They also have a very appealing look and personality which makes them popular among family settings. Coming in a range of colors including brown, cream, gold, chestnut, and white, their coloring can be solid, a combination of two or even tri-colored. Coloring can have an impact on pricing, as some colors are harder to achieve than others. You may also find that the rarer or more popular colors are more expensive.
Cavapoo Prices Investigated
We now aim to break this down the cost and look at the factors involved in puppy pricing. You will see a lot of difference between breeder prices and this article should help explain why this is.
- Supply and Demand – Put simply, if there are a lot of Cavapoo breeders in the location you are looking at then prices will be cheaper. If you are in a location where there aren’t many Cavapoo breeders, you can expect to pay more. So, it may be worth looking further afield if there is only one or a few in your particular area.
- Age – You will pay a lot more for a puppy than you would an older dog. Cavapoos can live up to 15 years of age so the price can be justified when you consider how long they will be in your lives.
- Breeder – It will vary much depending on the breeder you select. One with a really good reputation who cares for their dogs will charge more. A lot of money goes into breeding dogs professionally as well as time, love, and care. It’s always important to do your homework with breeders and look for reviews. if you are looking at a Cavapoo selling for $400 and wondering if it’s too good to be true, then you are probably right. You’ve most likely stumbled upon a puppy mill which you do not want to use, the cheap option could end up costing thousands more if you encounter health problems with your puppy.
- Generation of Puppy – Generally speaking dogs that are backcrossed (F1b, F2b) will be more expensive as this tends to produce the least shedding dog due to it being 75% Poodle.
- Seasonal – Surprisingly it can sometimes be cheaper to buy a new puppy over Fall and Winter. Most people look to buy one when the weather is good so that training is more practical. So, looking outside of these seasons can be beneficial if you are looking to save some money.
- Color of the pup – You may find some colors of Cavapoos are more expensive than others. Some colors are harder to breed and often litters can be quite surprising due to the broad parent coloring range and genetic throwbacks. Tri-colored dogs are typically more expensive.
Reputable Breeders vs Puppy Mills
Let’s face it there may be some temptation to try and find a cheaper alternative to a professional breeder right? It can seem an awful lot of money to pay when you also factor in the other costs you commit to as doggy owners. However, breeders know what they are doing, and they do it well. They spend lots of time researching and looking for healthy parents. They love and care for them like part of the family and go above and beyond to produce each litter.
You just don’t get this same quality with puppy mills. Puppy mills are there to produce dogs as quickly as possible for a profit. The dogs aren’t cared for adequately, they are likely to have health issues and you are unlikely to be able to see any parent before you purchase. Puppy mills very rarely deal with their customers in person, it’s usually a faceless transaction. Dogs are kept in awful conditions and on top of each other which accounts for their often poor health.
With dogs, you do get more by paying out more. A reputable breeder will have given them those all-important first vaccinations. They will have been raised in a loving environment and this can make all the difference as your pup grows and develops. A dog uncared for in a puppy mill is likely to have behavioral issues once they come home with you. Breeders will have wormed your pup ready for their departure and often toilet training has also begun.
DNA testing is likely to be carried out by professional breeders too and you will usually be able to see one or both parents used in the breeding process. You will also get all the relevant paperwork to go with your pup, you won’t get these via a puppy mill as there are none. Breeding dogs is difficult and often a full-time job, and getting it right can be a complicated process. So many people take a dog from a puppy mill to save costs but often that dog will be sick and will cost thousands in vet bills. In the long run, you spend more money by trying to cut costs.
Cavapoos: Are they Worth Their Expensive Price Tag?
If you have researched Cavapoos and decided they are the dog for you then yes they are worth their price tag. You will have many wonderful years with your four-legged friend and the memories you make will be priceless.
Do your research into the potential health issues of both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Poodle so you can have an informed overview of both. If you want to save a few cents but still use a reputable breeder then look for one in an area where there are a few and looking “out of season” can also pay off.
