Can you explain the differences in the puppy's coat type? 

What we see today is a puppy's "baby coat" and can change when they become an adult.  The best way to get the coat you want is to choose a puppy with a coat you like.  i.e. if you want a pup with a curlier coat - look for one who starts to curl earlier than their siblings and the opposite is true when you want a more Cavalier-type coat. Even with our straightest-hair Cavapoos, who may slightly shed as pups, will generally outgrow it with adult coat. The coat you see at 4 weeks is just a glimpse of what is happening.  By 8 weeks, their coats will be much longer, usually getting pretty fluffy and wavy with much more wave and curl evident.

 

Can you explain the puppy's coat color?

Poodles do carry a "fading" gene where most of the red and apricot colors will fade with time.  The black coats seem to hold their color.  For example, our stud Roscoe used to have the same dark red color as his pups but has faded to the golden color you see him have now.  This is a trait of "red" poodles.  Cavaliers hold their own color.  How much fading Cavapoos experience likely depends on which traits carry but cannot be discerned at this stage.

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I have a gender preference because I think they make a more loving companion.

Is that true?

When it comes to trainability, compatibility, disposition, or how loving your puppy will be.... the answer is no. Preferences often come because of a preconceived "thought" that one is better than the other for certain reasons. We haven't found that to be true when the puppy has been spayed/neutered at 6-7 months. The Cavapoo and Cavalier by nature are friendly & loving and with proper love and training make a perfect companion - no matter which gender they are.  What about “marking” territories or acting out aggressions?  Both genders will act out (to them - it's a flirt) in these ways when they haven’t been spayed/neutered.

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Why do people take a pass on puppies when it’s their turn?

The majority reason for families taking a pass is timing.   Health, trips, family events, work schedules being the most often cited reasons.  We are fine with families taking a pass – it’s always best for a puppy if he/she can come home when their forever family is ready to give them their full attention for those first special days/weeks together.

 

If I take a pass, how soon will I get a puppy?

Because we want the timing to be good for everyone, it makes this question very hard to predict!  We almost always have at least one person take a pass per litter… sometimes several.  However, you do not lose your place in line, and eventually, your name will work towards the top:) Average litter sizes are about 4 pups.

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What does a typical day look like for the puppies?

The first few weeks are 100% sleep, eat, repeat!  Eyes open around 2 weeks old.  Mama keeps them clean stays very close to them. Between weeks 2-4, we see the puppies try out their legs (very cute and wobbly) and try to become mobile.  By 4 weeks they are pretty good at those wobbly legs and will start sniffing out toys, water, and food dishes. 

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What types of socialization will my puppy experience before they come home?

We practice what is called ENS (Early Neurological Stimulation) – also known as “Puppy Culture” or the “Super Dog Program.”  They are all variations of the same concept: stimulating the puppy’s neuro system’s responses earlier than would happen on their own. Some benefits also include stronger heartbeats, adrenal glands, greater resistance to disease, and more tolerance to stress.  The ideal time frame is in the first couple of weeks of life. 

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After that, we do continue a form of handling along the same lines, but including more cuddling, petting, and talking to each puppy.  We also like to hold a few playdates per week with someone so each puppy continues to get the individual attention he/she deserves!  At the playdate, they will be played with, held, talked to, and very loved:)  In addition to scheduled playdates, they will also come into our home to take part in regular “house” life with us, as well, to begin those real-life experiences.

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Will their personality change much after they come home? How do I be sure I choose the right puppy for me or my family?

Yes!  Puppy personalities are really only developing and showing themselves at week 6… all the way to week 18!  It’s a very special time to have your new pup, bond, and begin your training together while you watch your baby grow into the special dog he/she will become.

A lot of choosing the "right" puppy, begins with the right breed and circumstances we can all control. (Good beginnings, good parents, good environment, etc.)  When a Cavapoo puppy is the right breed for you, I truly believe the influence, love, and training you give him/her will set your puppy up to be the best possible companion.  

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Are there reasons to be concerned about a runt puppy?  And will they stay smaller?

We’ve had a few runts in past litters, and they’re almost certainly the result of being “younger” than their litter.  Because their parents had multiple days together; it’s likely there were different days of conception and our little runt puppy is simply younger. 

As a precaution, with any puppy significantly smaller than their litter, we do extra bloodwork and testing to ensure they are healthy as well as regular weighing and any necessary supplementing. 

Our past “runt” puppies have grown within the range of an average-sized Cavapoo… although none have them have grown to be the biggest of their litters.  Staying on the average-to-smaller side. (Although it’s often said that runt's can grow to be the biggest!)

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When will the puppies be weaned?

Between 5-7 weeks, they grow much more confidant, getting very interested in eating kibble with their mama, playful with toys, and totally weaned by week 7.  At that time, mom will go back with her other friends and the littermates remain together in their kennel.  If the weather is nice enough, they will be interested in learning the dog door to go in/out as they saw their mama do.  We will place an open-door crate in their kennel with them and they will naturally sleep together in a heap, in their dark, cozy crate. 

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What is the Potty Situation for my puppy?

Until about week 4, mama still cleans them up.  Yucky, but true!  After that, she starts encouraging them to keep their kennel mat clean and to potty on the grated area.  They are really pretty good at this by weeks 5-6.  This environment teaches puppies naturally to keep their play/sleep space clean, and potty in a designated area.  This helps them transition to their new home because they have always had a clean, dry space for sleep/play and a separate area for potty.

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What can I be doing to prepare for my puppy?

Review my shopping list and “New Puppy Info” page.  Have a designated place for the puppy to call his/her own (I recommend this to be inside of an exercise pen, with their crate inside of that pen).  Puppies do not need very much room at all and will need a small area to feel is “their own” for the first weeks.  Seek out a trainer and classes if you are intending to use either of those – and ask questions and opinions.  They might have a little different approach and will be an excellent resource for you, too.  If this is your first puppy, we strongly encourage you to take a puppy class or seek a trainer to grow your own confidence and set up for success!  

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Please be sure to read the "New Puppy Info" Tab for more great info :)

These questions are mostly to try and answer the most commonly asked questions during the choosing process.  I'm always more than happy to answer your questions individually, too!