Question 1

What's an 'Ultra Cavoodle'?

Accepted Answer

The Ultra Cavoodle is a term we have coined for a Cavoodle that is 75% cavalier, but with a non shedding soft coat. There are a number of wonderful benefits to Ultras, with the first and foremost being the beautiful laid back and friendly nature of the Cavalier. Every puppy will be guaranteed to have a minimal to no shedding coat, with either a fleece (wavy) or shaggy (zero curl) coat. We also love these Ultras for their blocky build, most similar to a purebred Cavalier. Ultra Cavoodles come from a purebred Cavalier mum and a multigenerational Cavoodle dad.

Question 2

What is a Munchkin Bernedoodle?

Accepted Answer

A Munchkin Bernedoodle is a unique variation of the Bernedoodle known for its shorter legs and compact low-to-the-ground build. This gives them that adorable "munchkin" look while still maintaining the signature non shedding fluffy coat, intelligence, and affectionate nature of the breed.

They were originally thoughtfully developed and introduced by Rocky Road Doodles in collaboration with their partner program, Nameste Bernedoodles. They incorporate Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (or Cavoodle) lines alongside Bernese Mountain Dogs and Poodles. This addition brings several benefits, including:
-A naturally smaller, more manageable size without being a very high poodle percentage
A gentle, affectionate, and people-focused temperament
-Strong companionship qualities, making them excellent family dogs
Often a softer expression and sweeter overall demeanour.

The result is a well-rounded companion with the Bernedoodle's low to non shedding coat and trainability, combined with the Cavalier's loving, easy-going personality- all in a compact, sturdy frame. They also have the benefit of increased 'hybrid vigour' which comes from combining multiple breeds to improve health.

Munchkins need to be thoughtfully bred, as there is a lot of consideration put into pairing multiple breeds to create one single combination. Having access to the right foundational Cavoodle and Bernedoodle breeding stock is essential. You will see a rise of Munchkins being bred in Australia in the coming years as other Cavoodle or Bernedoodle breeders recognise that there is a unique market for this special combination. However, there are few breeders locally who are equipped with the genetic knowledge and personal experience of both breeds that we have (plus already very established lines) which is essential for breeding them successfully.

Question 3

What gender should I choose?

Accepted Answer

Let’s talk Males vs. Females!
We get contacted so regularly from families wanting a female only. There are some good points in favour of either gender, so we thought it would be best to lay it out so you can make the most informed decision possible. We have had a number of families who initially thought they wanted a female, but after hearing about some of the awesome benefits of a male, ended up changing their mind. They have always been very pleased with their final decision to pick the perfect little boy to join their family. 
The following points are of course generalisations, but hold true with almost any puppy we’ve ever raised.

Males:
The big softies. 
Quiet, more laid back personalities. 
Huge lap dogs and snugglers.
 Very people driven, live to please. 
Very clean, particularly if desexed at an age appropriate time.

Females:
Independent with a touch (or a lot!) of sass. 
Slightly faster to train.
More likely to make themselves heard/known. 
Fluctuating hormones which alter mood, unless desexed at an age appropriate time. 
Still love their family and cuddles at the right time that suits them, as what Cavoodle doesn’t?!

We love this saying we heard a good while back: “Females love their family, Males are IN love with their family.”
Please don’t be restricted to only one gender. We ask our families to choose their puppy based on their personal needs and requirements, plus the connection they form with a particular puppy- regardless of gender. Otherwise you might be missing out on the perfect companion who was meant just for you!

Question 4

What is the difference between an F1, F1b, F2, and Multigen?

Accepted Answer

F1 refers to the cross between two purebred dogs- A King Charles Cavalier crossed to a Poodle. This generation cross gives a 50/50 mix, genetically they will have a combination of attributes between the two parents. Coats in F1s tend to be consistently very minimal to non shedding, as all puppies in the litter will inherit the furnishings (non shedding) gene from the poodle parent. All puppies in this generation will have a soft, fleecy, wavy coat through to a curly wave. The reason someone would choose this generation is that they have a more even and consistent combination of the genetics and personality of the parent breeds- In Cavoodles the F1s typically have the most Cavalier blockiness and personality. They are considered a 'safe' choice when purchasing from a breeder who might not be quite as up to date on coat genetics, as all puppies in the litter will generally be very similar and consistently non shedding with a fleece coat. There are however the odd exceptions, where a poodle parent is used that doesn't have the normal and expected coat genetics. If these genetics were not checked carefully before breeding, this can lead to some unfurnished (cavalier coat) F1 puppies being born, but it is a quite rare occurance.

F1bs are most often a Cavoodle crossed to a Poodle. The 'b' refers to 'backcross' where an F1 Cavoodle is bred back to one of the parent breeds. We do tend to often do a backcross to the Cavalier at Cloud Nine Cavoodles however, as this introduces more of the desirable blocky build and easy going nature that the Cavalier possess. When the F1b is 75% poodle (an F1 cavoodle and poodle parent), the F1bs' coats are usually fairly consistently low to non-shedding. Typically half of the litter will be have a curly 'wool' coat and half will have a looser wavy coat (fleece). They are more suited to a family that may have mild allergies or that feel strongly about shedding in their dog. Their build will usually be a little less blocky due to the high poodle percentage and their colours can vary more than the F1’s.

F2 and multi-generational refers to two Cavoodle parents that are bred together to achieve a multi-generational cross. The attributes can vary, but the idea behind multi-gen breeding is to reach a consistent pairing between desirable attributes from both parents. All purebred dogs today come from many generations of breeding multi-gen crosses to achieve a consistent breed standard. There can be variation in the mix of genes that each multi-gen puppy gets, but with many generations, a predictable set of traits and looks will emerge. Through careful examination and selection of coat and colour genetics, all Cloud Nine multi-gen Cavoodles' coats can be predicted with very close accuracy. We understand the concern about surprises in coat type and shedding level, but be assured this will not happen thanks to the DNA testing conducted on our parent dogs and the puppies themselves.

Our main focus at Cloud Nine Cavoodles is to breed multi-gen puppies, and these puppies are just as healthy, hypoallergenic and well natured as F1 or F1b pups. As we test each litter for coat type once born, we can specify which puppies will meet certain coat requirements (for example, most hypoallergenic), to meet your specific needs. By focusing on multi-gen, it allows us to breed a wider range of interesting colours that are not readily available in first generation puppies.

Question 5

What is the difference between 'Shaggy/Wavy', 'Fleece' and 'Curly' coats?

Accepted Answer

A zero curl (sometimes called 'Shaggy or Wavy') coat in a Cavoodle is the softest coat possible. The coat will never curl tightly, making it easy to brush out and maintain. These coats are still very minimal to no shedding, as they have the 'furnishings' gene that makes their hair grow out long (like human hair). The amount of curl (or lack thereof) in their coat is not the main factor that affects shedding levels, but for particularly sensitive allergy sufferers, it should still be considered. A shaggy or wavy coat is different from an unfurnished (Cavalier coat) Cavoodle. Read further in our FAQ for more info on unfurnished Cavoodles.

A fleece coat in a Cavoodle is a soft coat with curl that can range from fairly straight, to loose curls. Fleece coat Cavoodles will still require regular grooming and brushing, but they will matt less than a wool coat. Their coats will stay very soft from puppy to adult.

A curly coat in a Cavoodle is where they have tight curls (a very poodle-like coat), that has a coarser feel as an adult. Their coat is more prone to matting and will require very vigilant brushing to keep in good shape. A curly coat is the most hypoallergenic, which makes it slightly better for serious allergy sufferers.  Liken the coat to human hair- someone with a curly head of hair tends to lose less hair as the hair becomes trapped in the curls and only comes out once brushed.

Please visit our Colour and Coat Guide to see photos of the different coat types.

Question 6

Will my puppy's colour fade?

Accepted Answer

Even though we know so much more about coat and colour genetics these days thanks to DNA testing, fading is still a mystery that DNA testing can not currently solve. Some people believe there are a couple of tests that guarantee 'colour intensity' or 'dilute', but these tests have been proven to not be directly connected with the naturally fading coat colour of a cavoodle. In reality, all 'furnished' (non shedding) cavoodles do fade, some to a greater degree than others. The only practise we can do as breeders is look at the parents- as parent dogs that have held their colour well, will in general produce puppies that will be the same. Most cavoodles finish fading by the time they are around 2, so this is a good age to determine their final colour. It is something we just have to face that we will never be able to fully control, and we love our cavoodles so much that it doesn't matter even if they do lighten!
Interestingly, all unfurnished (cavalier coat) puppies retain a rich and intense colour that never changes throughout their life. If colour is very important to you, than an unfurnished puppy might be worth considering!

Question 7

How can you guarantee a non-shedding puppy?

Accepted Answer

Through extensive genetic coat testing, it is possible to be able to guarantee (with very close accuracy), the amount of hair a Cavoodle puppy will shed. There are a number of genetics at play that need to be taken into consideration, but the most important one is 'Furnishings'.
 
Furnishings are what give Cavoodles the signature 'teddy bear' look, and it changes their coat to allow it to grow out long (which means it requires regular clipping). A puppy that does not have furnishings is often called a 'straight coat' (or unfurnished) Cavoodle, which means they look very much like a pure Cavalier as an adult. These puppies are just as beautiful, but will shed their coat regularly, which is important to keep in mind for their new families.

All our puppies are tested for furnishings to ensure that we can guarantee their coat type before they are selected by their new families. We think it is very important that there are no unexpected surprises about their coat later down the track.

No puppy will be ever 100% non-shedding! There is a wide spectrum of the degree to which a puppy will shed, and this can be from what seems like nothing at all, to odd hairs that are noticeable on your clothes or floor. It is important to be aware that while Cavoodles are considered a very good hypo-allergenic breed of dog, they might still affect very severe allergy sufferers. There are a certain combination of coat genetics that can be selected that will ensure a puppy that is as low shedding possible. Please let us know if you are interested in purchasing one of our puppies and non-shedding is of high importance to you, and we can help you select the best pup for your needs.

Question 8

I'm interested in an Unfurnished (Cavalier Coat) puppy... what are the pros and cons?

Accepted Answer

Due to the nature of genetics and multigenerational breeding, some of our litters have a percentage of pups born with an unfurnished (Cavalier) coat. They will look and shed just like a purebred Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. We always test all our puppies if there is a chance this could be the case, so we can guarantee you which coat type you will be purchasing. 
Pros: 
One of the major pros to these types of puppies is their very low maintenance coat. It requires no clipping and very minimal grooming ( just some occasional brushing of the ears). Unfurnished puppies develop a very rich colour pigment in their coat too, that doesn't fade. This gives them very striking markings that you know will stay with them for life. 
As we are striving to breed furnished (non-shedding) puppies, often our unfurnished puppies are not as sought after. Because of this, we reduce our prices for these puppies to ensure that we can find them the best homes. If you are looking for an ethically bred and raised puppy on a tighter budget, one of our beautiful unfurnished puppies might be right for you.

Cons:
The only negative to an unfurnished puppy is that they will shed more. This may be an issue for families with concerns about allergies. The degree of shedding will vary, depending on the shedding genetics of the parents. Some may have minimal shedding still.

Rosey, one of our past unfurnished puppies (and future breeding mum!)

Question 9

I've heard some negative things said about the Merle colouring in the Cavoodle breed, why do you choose to breed them?

Accepted Answer

At Cloud Nine Cavoodles, we pride ourselves in our attention to detail when it comes to the genetic and health concerns of our dogs. The Merle colouring is very unique locally in Australia still, and so our research into breeding Merles has stemmed from mainly overseas sources. We have spoken to very experienced breeders in the US who have been breeding Merle Oodles for many, many years. With the right, careful attention to genetics, none of them have ever had a single Merle puppy have a health concern because of their Merle colouring. A lot of the negativity surrounding Merles is fear based- from a lack of understanding of the genetics and a natural tendency to reject anything new and unfamiliar.

Merles are considered by some to not be an acceptable and recognised colour in the Cavoodle world. Merle is seen very commonly in other breeds such as Border Collies, Australian Shepherds, Dachshunds, etc. This is due to the Merle colouring being introduced into the poodle breed at some point a long time ago, as it is not a naturally occurring colour. This introduction of the Merle genetics into poodles was done many, many generations back. The purebred Merle poodles available today are still just as much pure poodle as any other colouring. We have not noticed any difference in our Merle pup's behaviour or build compared to our other coloured pups. Their temperament is the same, and they are still very much a loveable and friendly Cavoodle!

The second and more significant concern with Merle is the thought that they are not as healthy as other colours to breed. The Merle gene is a dominant gene, so only one copy of it is needed in a dog for them to appear merle. When two Merle parent dogs are bred together, some of the puppies will inherit two copies of the gene (which is referred to as double merle, or double dapple in Dachshunds). A double Merle puppy is the only type of Merle puppy that is at risk of having health issues.  Double Merle pups are often born both blind and deaf. It is a horrible and severely disabling condition that can never be treated. 
Merle is very obvious in black and brown puppies, but it is hidden in red puppies. This is where there is the biggest risk of two merle dogs being bred together, if one parent is a 'hidden Merle', where they are red but are genetically Merle underneath. Keeping very careful records of all our breeding dogs and their family history is one of the best ways to watch for hidden Merle pups. There is also genetic testing done to ensure we know if each parent dog is Merle or not, regardless of if it can be seen visibly. 
To avoid these issues,  a Merle parent dog is only ever bred to a non Merle parent dog. This means only 50% of the puppies will ever be Merle, but all puppies will be completely safe and healthy. A Merle pup that only carries a single copy of Merle will not have any unique health concerns related to their colouring. As there is a higher risk of a Merle puppy getting into the wrong hands and being bred unethically, all our Merle puppies come with a very strict desexing contract. We will not sell our Merle pups to other breeders.

Question 10

What health testing do you complete?

Accepted Answer

We want to ensure all our pups are born as healthy as possible. Before conception, we complete a full physical exam of our breeding dogs, which includes checking the heart, bite, joints, patella and eyes. We also complete DNA testing on every one of our breeding dogs, to ensure that they will not be affected with any preventable genetic health conditions. As long as our breeding dogs get the all clear, then we continue with the mating. Once pups are born, we often DNA test the pups too, as we are looking for potential future breeding prospects. This testing on the puppies doesn't affect their health, as we have ensured that the parents we paired would not pass on any testable and inherited conditions that the puppies could be affected with. Sometimes our puppies are genetic carriers for these health conditions, but this does not mean they will be affected at any point in their life with the conditions. It is only important to know if they were going to be bred in the future, as they need to be paired with the correct mate in that situation. We include in our sales contract a lifetime guarantee that the puppies will not be affected with any of these DNA testable conditions.
Finally, once the pups are 6 weeks old, they will have their own full physical exam with our vet. We include a full vet health certificate with each of our pups so that you can see that they have been checked and deemed healthy.

Question 11

How does puppy selection work?

Accepted Answer

We generally begin selections as soon as puppies are born.  We reserve the right to offer selections as it best suits our breeding program and to hold back any puppy we need to advance our program. We are invested in creating multigenerational Cavoodles and that requires extensive genetic testing, analysis, and is a combination of a science and an art. We appreciate your understanding and our support of our passion.

Once we have selected the puppies we will be keeping back for our breeding program, all remaining puppies will be available for families on our waitlist to select from first. A $500 deposit is required to secure your puppy, but this deposit is refundable if it is before the pup's 6 week vet check and the meet and greet. The deposit shows your commitment to your pup, but we understand if you come and meet the reserved pup and aren't happy for whatever reason, you are welcome to have your deposit refunded and return to the waitlist. There may be the opportunity to select from multiple puppies at the meet and greet if we have some unreserved after waitlist selection. Puppy selection and order is based on a number of factors, including length of time on the wait list and specific requirements they may have. No puppy will be held until a deposit has been paid.  
Any remaining pups unreserved will be listed and advertised publicly on our website.

Please note that if you are open to any sex/colour of puppy, you will be more likely to be offered a puppy sooner rather than later (if you are on our waitlist).

Question 12

What do you feed your puppies when raising them?

Accepted Answer

All puppies start on Royal Canin puppy mousse  and warmed goats milk to begin the weening process. Once they are getting more confident and interested in solid food, they are introduced to Royal Canin mini puppy kibble (dry). This is available to them 24/7, and they are still fed multiple wet meals a day as the staple of their diet. All new puppies will go home with a sample bag of dry food, which you can choose to keep them on or slowly transition them to the food of your choice.

Question 13

What vaccinations and worming will my puppy have had before leaving?

Accepted Answer

The puppies are de-wormed 4 times before leaving- at 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks with Drontal puppy wormer. We recommend you start your puppy on a monthly broad spectrum flea, tick and worm (including heart worm) medication by the time they are 12 weeks old. We recommend Nexgard Spectra to be given monthly.

Your puppy will have had their 6 week vaccinations, and will be due for vaccinations again at 12 weeks, and then again at 16 weeks. Waiting another 1-2 weeks after this final round of vaccinations is recommended before exposing them to public spaces, to ensure their immune system has developed enough antibodies.

Question 14

When is final payment due?

Accepted Answer

A $500 deposit is due to secure your puppy. Final payments (including any transport costs) are due before the puppies are ready to go home at eight weeks.  If we have not received the final amount by this date, your puppy pick and spot on the list will be forfeited and available to another family. The puppy is considered yours once the deposit and final payment is received. Payments via bank transfer are preferred.

Question 15

What age is my puppy ready to come home with me?

Accepted Answer

At 8 weeks of age, your puppy is ready to leave their siblings and start their new adventure with you! The final few weeks before they are 8 weeks are crucial in their early socialisation, as they learn how to interact with their siblings and the world around them in a controlled environment. This is why it very important that the puppies can not leave their home any earlier than 8 weeks old.

Question 16

I can't pick up my new puppy at 8 weeks old... can you keep my puppy longer?

Accepted Answer

We offer board for all our pups if they need to stay longer for any reason. Some families might be away on holiday during pickup time, or pup might be staying longer to complete extra quarantine requirements for exportation. 
When the rest of the pups from the litter leave, it changes the dynamics of the pup left behind. They have entered the crucial stage for implementing good habits and socialisation. Because of this, there is quite a significant amount of work in looking after pup for us.

Board and Train. Price: $200 per week (or $30 a day)
Pup will have daily intensive training and socialising. We will ensure that pup is successfully crate, toilet and basic command trained during the time they are with us. They will be exposed to many different stimulating environments, including regular handling from children, adults and exposure to older dogs and cats. We will continue their normal worming and preventative treatment, continue to raise them on a high quality diet and take them to any scheduled vet trips they might need while with us (routine vet costs after 8 weeks of age will be at buyers expense).

Question 17

What's included in my puppy pack?

Accepted Answer

We believe in sending our pups home with some quality essential products that we love, and hope you will too. Our puppy packs include dry food that you can use to transition your pup onto the food of your choice. If you would like to continue feeding them the same quality food we use, you can purchase more Royal Canin puppy kibble online or from most pet stores. The only food we would recommend staying away from is supermarket brands, as they are often considered the 'fast food' of the dog world, and include a lot of cheap fillers that do not provide quality nutrition for your growing pup. 
Our puppy packs also include a grooming pack of shampoo, conditioner, cologne and a comb. A toy or two is also provided. 
All necessary documentation including the vet health record is of course included.

Question 18

My new puppy smells amazing! What grooming products do you use?

Accepted Answer

We groom all our puppies with the 'My Cavoodle' brand of products. These products have been specially formulated for the Cavoodle breed, and so they make their coat feel (and smell) incredible. The leave in conditioner helps to soften and condition their coat and reduce the likelihood of matting. All puppy packs come with a sample pack of the shampoo/conditioner bundle, plus a full sized bottle of the everyday detangler Cologne. If you love their products as much as we do, they can be purchased online from their online store.

We recommend every owner of our puppies to purchase a good pair of grooming scissors,  slicker brush and nail clippers for their puppy. A metal comb comes in every puppy pack. Even though the majority of Cavoodle owners pay a professional groomer to trim their puppy's coat, there is regular maintenance to do in between professional grooms. The hair around the eyes and the bum is most important, as this grows fast and requires regular trimming. Combing and brushing their coat daily (or every couple days) is also very important to keep the matts away. Our puppies are used to being trimmed, bathed and having their nails clipped from the very beginning, so they will behave well if these grooming habits are maintained.

Question 19

Can I take my puppy to public places when I first bring them home?

Accepted Answer

There is an important period of time between 8-16 weeks where puppies learn many of their social skills, but also it is a time that fears and nervous behaviours can develop. We want our puppies to be kept safe from communicable diseases before they are fully immunised (which is typically under 16-18 weeks) but it is also important to have them meet new people, dogs, smells, sounds and textures during this time. Having your puppy go with you to safe places - trusted family members and friend’s homes where you know that their dogs are healthy and fully immunised is a good compromise between keeping your puppy away from potential illnesses but also allowing them to experience new things to help them develop into confident, well adjusted adults.  Taking them for car rides, having positive experiences is SO important, but also keep them away from places that carry high risks for Parvo and other illnesses. Keep your under-immunised puppy away from pet stores, high foot traffic places like dog parks, sidewalks and when you go to the vet, hold your puppy off the ground. Puppies lick their paws and so be aware in the first 2 months that they can pick things up at places like the vet from other sick dogs, but taking precautions like removing your shoes before entering your house, not letting the puppy lick shoes and other contaminated surfaces will help reduce the risk. Don’t let your puppy miss out on fun new experiences, but just be careful about how you do it.

Frequently Asked Questions