03/06/2025
Cavapoos can certainly be sweet, affectionate dogs. But when we step back and look at the bigger picture—not just one dog, but the broader pattern—there are some hard truths we have to face as dog lovers.
Yes, every breed we now recognize started somewhere. But what’s often forgotten is the cost. Breeds weren’t created overnight—they were forged over decades, sometimes centuries, through trial and error, sacrifice, and immense heartbreak. For every stable, sound dog produced, many others suffered along the way: unstable temperaments, failed structure, debilitating diseases. That’s the reality of what it takes to establish a breed—not just create a mix.
So when people say, “All dogs were mixed at some point,” that’s true—but that doesn’t justify starting the cycle all over again. Especially when we already have over 220 recognized breeds to choose from, each with a rich history of purpose, structure, and predictability.
And when it comes to the Cavalier and the Poodle—we’re talking about two breeds that already face serious challenges. Cavaliers are notorious for mitral valve disease, syringomyelia, and other neurological disorders. Poodles, depending on size, can struggle with epilepsy, sebaceous adenitis, Addison’s disease, luxating patellas, and various eye conditions. Combining the two doesn’t cancel out these issues—it can double them. For every “healthy, well-adjusted” mix, there are ten quietly struggling with bad hips, bad hearts, chronic anxiety, or untraceable immune dysfunction. That’s the part we don’t often see on social media.
And then there’s the ethics. No dedicated Poodle or Cavalier breeder who has poured their life into protecting these bloodlines just hands out their dogs to be bred outside the standard. It’s not about snobbery—it’s about respect for what’s been built, and reverence for the dogs themselves. Purposeful breeding demands a long view—not just cute puppies and good intentions.
Of course, every dog already here deserves love, care, and a safe home—on that, we can all agree. But love also calls us to ask better questions about what we’re creating, what we’re passing on, and what kind of future we’re shaping.
The real question we all need to ask—especially when crossing breeds—is: what is the purpose? Breeds were created for specific jobs and temperaments, refined over generations to be predictable in both structure and behavior. When you mix two very different types—especially emotionally and neurologically, like a Poodle and a Cavalier—you’re not necessarily blending the best of both. You’re often introducing conflict: one is high-drive, alert, and intensely intelligent; the other is soft, low-energy, and bred to be passive. That can lead to instability—dogs who are emotionally confused, sensitive but reactive, or prone to anxiety.
I understand the intention to “widen the gene pool,” but crossbreeding isn’t how that works. True genetic diversity must be built with a long-term plan across generations—tracking structure, temperament, and health in hundreds of dogs. Mixing two breeds with known issues (mitral valve disease, syringomyelia, epilepsy, Addison’s, luxating patellas, sebaceous adenitis, PRA, etc.) without that structure simply rolls the genetic dice. And just because a dog is “registered” doesn’t mean it’s a good representative of its breed—or that the breeder has integrity. In fact, a Poodle breeder who freely allows their dogs to be used for mixing raises serious questions about their goals and their understanding of preservation.
And yes, your dog may be one of the lucky ones. But what about the others from that same litter—or the next generation? The ones with chronic heart problems, orthopedic pain, or reactivity who end up in shelters or bounced between homes because they weren’t what someone expected? These dogs don’t show up in curated Facebook posts or glossy breeder pages. But they exist. And they matter.
It’s easy to focus on the dog in front of us—and again, I’m so glad yours is thriving. But ethical breeding isn’t about one dog. It’s about responsibility for the future. If we continue making choices based on short-term satisfaction or emotional appeal, without deeper thought for structure, purpose, and predictability, then we’re doing a disservice not just to the breeds—but to the dogs themselves.
I know we may not agree, and that’s okay. But thank you for staying in the conversation. These discussions matter far more than most people realize.
Here’s a follow-up article for a better understanding of why love is not a valid reason to breed 👉 https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1EjcY6FHGC/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Thank you Timea R. Bodi (author of this text),
for all the worthy and important knowledge you are sharing. I’ve connected your answers because they deserved a dedicated post. Thank you for continuously advocating for our breed.
