Cavador

Canis lupus

Last updated: March 13, 2023
Verified by: AZ Animals Staff
© Dee Dalasio/Shutterstock.com

The Cavador is a smart and athletic dog that should take relatively quickly to training.


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Cavador Scientific Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Carnivora
Family
Canidae
Genus
Canis
Scientific Name
Canis lupus

Read our Complete Guide to Classification of Animals.

Cavador Conservation Status

Cavador Locations

Cavador Locations

Cavador Facts

Fun Fact
The Cavador is a smart and athletic dog that should take relatively quickly to training.
Temperament
Friendly, intelligent, and eager to please
Diet
Omnivore
Slogan
A great companion for the whole family!

Cavador Physical Characteristics

Color
  • Brown
  • Fawn
  • Red
  • Black
  • Cream
Skin Type
Hair
Lifespan
10-14 years
Weight
22-55 lbs

Cavador as a Pet:

General Health
Energy Level
Shedability
Trainability
Intelligence
Tendency to Chew
Size
Family and kid friendliness
Yappiness / Barking
Moderate
Separation Anxiety
Moderate
Preferred Temperature
Average climate
Exercise Needs
High
Friendly With Other Dogs
High
Pure bred cost to own
$1,000 on average
Dog group
Non-sporting
Male weight
25-55 lbs
Female weight
22-53 lbs

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Due to its friendly nature and overall intelligence, the Cavador is sometimes used as a seeing-eye dog, a search and rescue dog, or any other service dog.

The Cavador is a friendly and affectionate companion dog, produced from a mixture between a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Labrador Retriever. This may seem like an unusual combination, but the Cavdor actually makes for a great family dog, almost in a class by itself, thanks to the cute, cuddly appearance and upbeat and lively personality. This breed sports a straight, dense, short-to-medium coat with some combination of yellow, brown, black, and red.

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3 Pros and Cons of Owning a Cavador

Pros!Cons!
Friendly and Affectionate
The Cavador is a great companion for the entire family.
Strong Prey Drive
The Cavador has a tendency to chase other animals.
Highly Trainable
This dog learns quickly and responds well to commands.
Highly Energetic
This dog needs plenty of daily activity to satisfy its physical needs.
Athletic
This dog does well with tricks, sports, and general exercise.
High Maintenance
Owners will need to take extra time to care for this dog.

Evolution and History

The Cavador is an example of a “designer dog,” meaning it’s the offspring of two purebred parents. While these two breeds may sometimes reproduce naturally, humans first began to breed them together consistently in the 1990s.

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a small toy dog, long a favorite of the British nobility from at least the 14th century and popularized by King Charles I and his son Charles II. It combines a genial personality with an athletic physique.

The Labrador Retriever is a good-natured and high-spirited sporting dog that originated in Newfoundland, Canada as a duck retriever and fisherman’s mate. Famed for their skill in the water, these dogs found fans among sailors, coming to the U.K. in the 19th century, and were bred with British hunting dogs to develop the modern-day Labrador Retriever.

Today, the Cavador is used by some as a seeing-eye dog, search and rescue dog, and other types of service dog.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (Canis familiaris) - puppy jumping

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is one of the Cavador’s parent breeds.

Health and Entertainment for your Cavador

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©otsphoto/Shutterstock.com

Size and Weight

The Cavador is a medium-sized dog with a fairly athletic frame. Males are slightly larger than females on average.

Height (Male)19 to 25 inches
Height (Female)18 to 24 inches
Weight (Male)25 to 55 pounds
Weight (Female)22 to 53 pounds

Common Health Issues

The Cavador is a healthy dog with a lifespan of some 10 to 14 years, but there is always the chance it randomly inherits some health problems from its two parent breeds. The most common problems are progressive retinal atrophy, cancer, bloating, ear infections, diabetes, and arthritis. Another possible problem is called hip dysplasia. This is a genetic condition in which the hip joint doesn’t develop properly, leading to lameness and limping.

Owners should also look out for signs of mitral valve disease, a degenerative heart condition that can cause a range of mild to severe symptoms such as shortness of breath and an irregular heartbeat. The medication to treat this condition is quite expensive and needs to be taken regularly to have an effect. A good breeder will always try to minimize or eliminate the chances of some health conditions, but no dog is completely free of risks. In summation, these are the most common health problems you may encounter:

  • Ear Infections
  • Arthritis
  • Cancer
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy
  • Bloating.
how do dogs get parvo

The cavador, like its parent breed the Labrador, can suffer from ear infections.

©Olya Maximenko/Shutterstock.com

Temperament

As a hybrid, no two Cavadors will have exactly the same behavioral traits, but most of these dogs will have friendly and outgoing personalities that people of all ages will find fun and endearing. Partway between a toy dog and an athletic retriever like its parent breed the Labrador retriever, this mix wants nothing more than to please and interact with its owner. As a result, the Cavador needs plenty of mental and physical stimulation to occupy its time. If it becomes bored, then it may turn to destructive and unwanted behavior. The dog also has the tendency to chase smaller animals or pets, but this can be minimized with proper training.

Pet dogs

Like its parent breed the Labrador retriever, the Cavador loves physical activity and to interact with its owner.

©iStock.com/gorodenkoff

How to Take Care of a Cavador

Despite its genial and friendly personality, Cavador ownership isn’t all fun and games. This dog is a real handful to care for. It will thrive best with an engaged owner who has the time and ability to shower it with plenty of attention and care for its physical needs. You should ideally have some prior experience with dog ownership, but this is not a necessity. If you have any other questions or concerns about your dog’s care, then you should consult with your vet. He or she should also provide regularly scheduled physical examinations to catch health problems as early as possible.

Cavador puppy

The Cavador will do best with an engaged owner who can attend to its needs.

©Dee Dalasio/Shutterstock.com

The Best Dog Food for Cavadors

This dog tends to be pretty healthy, but a nutrient-rich diet is a must for keeping your Cavador happy, healthy, and active for as many years as possible. A fully grown Cavador should consume high-quality food, ideally with at least 28% protein, specially designed for medium-sized and energetic dogs.

The exact amount of calories will depend on your dog’s age, size, and activity level. Since this dog may have a tendency to gain weight, owners should not leave out more food than is necessary. If your dog is prone to bloating, then it is also a good idea to prepare multiple meals a day instead of one big meal.

A-Z Animals believes the best dog food for Cavadors is Wellness CORE Digestive Health Dry Dog Food.

This food is excellent for addressing the Cavador’s primary health concerns. Since it promotes strong immune health starting with the digestive system, this probiotic-coated kibble with antioxidants helps keep this breed healthy from the inside out. The glucosamine helps keep the joints moving and pain-free for longer, and the taurine is great for your dog’s eyes.

Pick up Wellness CORE Digestive Health Dog Food on Chewy and Amazon.

Best for Sensitive Stomachs
Wellness CORE Digestive Health White Fish and Brown Rice Dry Dog Food
  • Highly digestible, probiotic-coated dry dog food with digestive enzymes, prebiotic fibers and probiotics to support gut health.
  • Made with omega-3 fatty acids, superfoods like pumpkin and papaya and essential vitamins to support overall immunity and vitality.
  • Tasty whitefish is the first ingredient.
  • Supports strong immune systems, optimal energy, and a glowing coat and healthy skin.
  • Great for adult dogs of any age.


Check Chewy Check Amazon

Maintenance and Grooming

The Cavador has a dense, medium-shedding coat that needs to be brushed at least once a week. The coat is fairly good at keeping itself clean, so bathing does not need to be done on a regular basis but only when the dog is dirty. This should be supplemented with daily teeth brushings to prevent disease and bad breath. Swab the ears about once a week with a cotton ball to remove wax and debris. You should also try to clip the nails every so often to prevent discomfort. If you can hear the nails clicking on the floor, then they are already too long.

Cavador, yellow lab with King Charles Spaniel. Sleeping in someone's arms

To keep a Cavador’s ears clean, swab them weekly with a cotton ball to remove wax and debris.

©Dee Dalasio/Shutterstock.com

Training

The Cavador is an intelligent and eager dog that should take relatively quickly to human commands. This dog does not require many repetitions, prompting, or coaxing, since it learns quickly; just try to keep the training sessions consistent and predictable. Owners should also expose this dog to as many unfamiliar people, pets, and situations as a puppy so it becomes confident and assured rather than fearful and wary when it encounters new experiences. If you lack the time and ability to train your dog yourself, then you might want to consider soliciting the help of a professional trainer.

Tan and white Cavador (King Charles Cavalier mixed with Labrador) is being house trained at a local doggie day care.

Owners should aim to introduce a Cavador puppy to unfamiliar people and pets to build confidence.

©Dee Dalasio/Shutterstock.com

Exercise

The Cavador requires about an hour of exercise every single day. About half of this time should be spent on long walks or running. The rest should be dedicated to tricks, sports, ball games, and other forms of playtime. A fenced yard, a dog park, or any other open space is highly recommended so it can run around freely. This dog also excels at competitions and trials.

Puppies

As a hybrid designer dog, Cavador puppies may have a slightly wider range of different behavioral and personality traits compared with a purebred dog. Some of these traits might not even become evident until after you’ve already brought your dog home, so be prepared for a lot of different outcomes. Regardless of their exact temperament, Cavador puppies will always need to be trained and socialized as early as possible to become well-behaved fully grown dogs.

Close up of adorable mixed breed designer dog black Labrador Spaniel (Cavador) puppy

A Cavador puppy will need to be trained and socialized as early as possible.

©Dee Dalasio/Shutterstock.com

Cavadors and Children

Cavadors are excellent family dogs that get along great with children of all ages. It is friendly, eager to please, emotionally intelligent, and athletic but not overbearing.

Dogs Similar to the Cavador

If you are a fan of the Cavador, then you might want to check out the following types of dogs, apart from its two parent breeds:

  • Golden Cavalier: A cross between a Cavalier Kings Charles Spaniel and a Golden Retriever, this dog is very similar in many respects to the Cavador. It is a medium-sized friendly companion with a golden sheen of fur, an intelligent mind, and an athletic physique.
  • Chesapeake Bay Retriever: This purebred dog is closely related to the Labrador Retriever. It is a friendly, loyal, hard-working, and intelligent dog (fairly larger than the Cavador) with wavy brown or straw-colored fur.
  • Flat-Coated Retriever: This is another closely related breed to the Lab. Sporting a solid black or liver coat with featherings around the legs and tail, this breed is an intelligent and kind companion.
Chesapeake Bay retriever

The Chesapeake Bay retriever is closely related to the Cavador’s parent breed, the Labrador retriever.

©Kerrie T/Shutterstock.com

Famous Cavadors

As a niche designer dog, the Cavador isn’t popular enough to have made much of an impact on the wider culture, but its two parent breeds are very well-known. The Labrador Retriever is the most popular breed in the United States, while the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel regularly ranks within the top 20.

If you are looking for a good Cavador name, then you might want to consider one of the following options:

  • Oliver
  • Bella
  • Charlie
  • Cooper
  • Lucy
  • Daisy
  • Bentley
  • Winston
  • Teddy
  • Penny

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What's the right dog for you?

Dogs are our best friends but which breed is your perfect match?

X-Small
Small
Medium
Large
Xtra-Large

If you have kids or existing dogs select:

Kids
Other Dogs

Should they be Hypoallergenic?

Yes
No
How important is health?
Which dog groups do you like?
How much exercise should your dog require?
What climate?
How much seperation anxiety?
How much yappiness/barking?

How much energy should they have?

The lower energy the better.
I want a cuddle buddy!
About average energy.
I want a dog that I have to chase after constantly!
All energy levels are great -- I just love dogs!
How much should they shed?
How trainable/obedient does the dog need to be?
How intelligent does the dog need to be?
How much chewing will allow?
About the Author

Catherine Gin has more than 15 years of experience working as an editor for digital, print and social media. She grew up in Australia with an alphabet of interesting animals, from echidnas and funnel-web spiders to kookaburras and quokkas, as well as beautiful native plants including bottlebrushes and gum trees. Being based in the U.S. for a decade has expanded Catherine's knowledge of flora and fauna, and she and her husband hope to have a hobby farm and vegetable garden in future.

Cavador FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

What is a Cavador?

The Cavador is a mix between a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Labrador Retriever. Despite their very different appearances, these two breeds produce a very friendly, lovable, intelligent, and trainable mix that desires nothing more than to please its owner. The coat is usually black or yellow and mixed with other colors.

Where can I buy a Cavador?

As with any other mix or breed, the Cavador should be bought from a high-quality breeder in your area with a reputation for strong, healthy dogs. The price of a new Cavador puppy from a good breeder is about $900 or $1,000 on average and perhaps more for a dog of exceptional pedigree. While it may be tempting to buy from a low-quality breeder or puppy mill due to the cheaper price, their dogs are more likely to develop health problems later on. If price is a concern, then you might want to consider adoption from a shelter or rescue group instead, assuming there is one in your area that carries a Cavador. It may only cost a few hundred to adopt from a shelter or rescue.

Are Cavadors hypoallergenic?

No, the Cavador is not hypoallergenic. The coat has a tendency for a medium amount of shedding.

How big does a Cavador grow?

A fully grown Cavador should not grow much larger than 55 pounds and about two feet at shoulder height.

How much exercise does a Cavador need?

The Cavador needs about an hour of exercise every single day. This can be a combination of ball games, playtime, and more strenuous physical activity.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.

Sources
  1. Doggie Designer, Available here: https://doggiedesigner.com/cavador/
  2. Wag Walking, Available here: https://wagwalking.com/breed/cavador

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