HavaPoo (Poodle / Havanese) Versus CavaPoo (Poodle / Cavalier King Charles Spaniel)
I am going to explain here why I choose to use the Havanese to mix with the Poodle instead of the Cavalier King Charles in my program here at Sunny Day. They look very similar but are they? NO
HEALTH – Before bringing a new baby puppy into our world, I take MANY things into consideration. I want be able to cuddle that puppy, look he/she in the eye, and tell them that I have done everything that I could possibly do for that puppy to ensure it’s good health for it’s life! This is the beginning of my responsibility & I take it seriously. This starts long before conception & goes on from there. 
Why I choose the Havanese over the Cavalier to breed with the Poodle
#1 – I have ethical qualms with the practice of breeding any purebred or designer dogs for what some of us humans consider “Cute” when these same traits cause health problems for the dog. Prime Example: dog breeds with misshapen , too flat, or too small skulls: particularly with breeds like Bull Dogs, Pugs, Shih Tzu, Pekingese, and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels that don’t have healthy parents to begin with. I struggle massively with this. I love dogs. I think we as people should put dog’s health above our own preferences for breed aesthetics. Cavaliers’ genetic health conditions go beyond the heart condition; the size of their skull and their face (desirable traits in cavaliers) also leads to their proneness to syringomyelia.
#2 – In my breeding program, I want to stay with the non-shedding & hypo-allergenic breeds. The Cavalier King Charles does not fit into this plan either. Even if you or your family members are not allergic to dogs, your friends may be. I want them ALL to be able to come into your home & feel good!
#3 – Bonus! I can also add in quite the variety of beautiful coat colors!
Health Issues of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
The cavalier breed is susceptible to 25 inherited disorders. (See this News Article ) from the Cavalier Health website. Some severe hereditary disorders, such as mitral valve disease (MVD), are pervasive in CKCSs. By age five years, over half of all Cavalier King Charles spaniels are expected to have mitral valve murmurs, and that percentage increases to the point that among those that survive to age ten years, nearly all of them are predicted to have MVD. The expected lifespan of a CKCS can be quite short – an average of 9.75 years (See this October 2018 article) — the briefer lives due mainly to the terminal effect of early-onset mitral valve disease. Other disorders, such as hip dysplasia, should afflict one out of every four cavaliers. Still others, such as syringomyelia (SM), are progressing through the breed so rapidly that statistics have not been able to keep up with the pace. The current estimate of SM is over half of all cavaliers, and for its companion disorder, Chiari-like malformation, approaching 100% of all CKCSs.
There are several other health issues that Cavaliers are prone to. These include certain eye conditions (including retinal problems and cataracts), patella luxation, hip dysplasia, middle ear infections, shortness of breath & heat intolerance due to their flat faces. The Cavalier is a brachycephalic breed. 
Here are some interesting although saddening links to learn more:
Primary Secretory Otitis Media (PSOM) in the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or CavaPoo
Article in the HSVMA Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association: THE COST OF CUTENESS
Health and Welfare Issues Associated with
Brachycephalic Dog Breeds
The Poodle Breed:
We all know that the Poodle breed is VERY good. Of course as with ALL dogs who will become parents, they should be checked & tested for genetic problems they may pass on to their puppies. They do not have many genetic problems & the ones they may have/carry are easily tested for.
Now, lets talk about the Havanese Breed:
Havanese are one of the very top breeds for Health. As with the Poodle, their other traits are high intelligence, VERY affectionate & friendly & happy with a long life span, versatile to fit in with any size/age family or home, with low exercise needs. Although all breeds of dogs have some health issues they may be prone to, the Havanese breed has VERY few and these are not life-threatening! These are hip dysplasia, luxating patellas, cataracts, and deafness. These are not common. They can & will be ruled out by a good breeder in the parent dogs to prevent passing on to their puppies.
I have a page here on my website about the Havanese breed & you can also do more research on your own: Havanese & Poodle “HavaNoodle / HavaPoo” Breed
2 Responses
Thanks for all of your information! Especially regarding the havapoo vs cavapoo. I didn’t know those health risks! I have two questions/concerns/wonderings about havapoos: are they barkers and are they big chewers? Reading from a facebook group, it sounded like they might be both (??). I’d love your insight!
Also, do you know what puppies you will have this summer? I don’t see any upcoming litters here.
Thanks for your help!
HI Bronwen, I am happy that you liked my article on the CavaPoo VS the HavaPoo. There are MANY good reason why I choose the breeds that I use in my program here! I certainly did’nt get into this blindly!
You also asked if the HavaPoo breed are big chewers and/or barkers. That is a problem that comes along with high energy dogs/puppies who have not used that energy! These are bred not for high energy but they do have some, especially their first year -like children. They may get into things they shouldn’t when they are confined without enough playtime! So no, my dogs are NOT bred for high energy BUT they do need some things to do! And they, like any dog, will need calm, consistent training like you would with your children. 🙂