How to Take In a Rehomed Cavapoo (Cavoodle) in Australia

What should you expect from a rehomed cavoodle?

A Cavapoo is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel crossed with a Toy or Miniature Poodle. Pet Insurance Australia gives an adult range of about 25 to 38 cm and 5 to 12 kg and a life expectancy of about 13 to 15 years, so an adult of three or four may have a decade ahead of it.

Both parent breeds want company. Dogs Australia says the Cavalier is happiest as a member of the family and that Poodles should not be left alone regularly for long periods, so plan your days around the dog before you say yes.

Where can you find a rehomed Cavapoo in Australia?

• Owners rehoming privately. You can browse Cavapoos listed for rehoming and message the owner through PetzLover's messages.
• Breeders, who sometimes rehome a retired breeding dog or one returned under a take-back agreement. Ask for the parents' heart and DNA results too.
• RSPCA shelters, council pounds and rescue groups, which usually desex, vaccinate and microchip dogs before adoption. RSPCA Victoria charges A$500 to A$1,000 for an adult dog.

A retired breeding female may need time to learn house manners and life as a pet, so ask how many litters she has had and how she copes indoors.

What should you ask about a rehomed Cavapoo's history?

• Why is the dog being rehomed, and how long have you had it?
• How long is it left alone now, and does it bark, howl, chew or soil when left?
• How does it behave with children, visitors, other dogs and cats?
• Has it ever bitten or snapped, even once?
• Has a vet ever heard a heart murmur? Can I see the records and the clinic's name?
• Has it yelped when picked up or scratched at its neck or shoulder, often on one side?
• Any problems with knees, ears, skin, teeth or eyes?
• How often is it groomed and clipped, and does it accept brushing, nail trims and ear cleaning?
• Is it desexed, microchipped and registered with the council? Do you know the parents' health results?

An owner who answers openly, including about the difficult parts, is giving you what you need to decide.

Which health checks does a rehomed Cavapoo need?

Book a vet check in the first week and ask the vet to listen carefully to the heart. Dogs Australia notes that the Cavalier's two main concerns, MVD and syringomyelia, are progressive, so a dog that was clear at two may not be clear at six. PetMD warns that a Cavapoo can develop syringomyelia because of its Cavalier roots.

• Heart: any murmur should be followed up with your vet; MVD is a leading cause of death in Cavaliers, and Poodles are also at increased risk.
• Knees, eyes, ears, skin and teeth: Pet Insurance Australia lists luxating patella, progressive retinal atrophy, ear infections, dental issues and allergies among common cavoodle problems.
• Vaccinations: if the history is unknown, RSPCA guidance says a single core dose will likely protect a dog of 26 weeks or older.
• Grooming: book a groomer; a curly coat needs a clip about every six weeks and mats if neglected.
• Insurance: Canstar's 2026 research put average accident and illness cover for a cavoodle at A$1,307 a year. Ask how any insurer treats conditions the dog already has.

Which legal checks apply when you take in a cavoodle?

• Check that the microchip number on the paperwork matches the dog; a vet can scan it.
• In Victoria, a rehoming ad must show the microchip number and a Pet Exchange Register source number; in NSW, ads for dogs born on or after 1 December 2025 must show a breeder identification number.
• Transfer the microchip and council registration into your name; in NSW the owner can transfer the dog to you through the NSW Pet Registry.
• In South Australia, dogs born after 1 July 2018 must be desexed unless exempt, so check the dog's status.

How do you help a rehomed Cavapoo settle in?

1. Collect the records, the food it is used to and a familiar bed or toy.
2. Keep the first days quiet, with a fixed routine for meals, walks, play and rest.
3. Build up time alone slowly, starting with a few minutes, and keep departures and returns calm.
4. Introduce other pets slowly and supervise children, who should not pick the dog up until it trusts them.
5. Get help early from a qualified, reward-based trainer or your vet if you see distress when alone, guarding or fear.
6. Stay in touch with the previous owner for questions about habits and health.

How do you avoid problems with a private rehoming?

In 2020 Scamwatch named cavoodles among the breeds most often reported in puppy scams, in which fake sellers take an upfront payment and then ask for more. Treat any rehoming ad that wants money before you meet the dog the same way.

• Meet the dog at its home with the owner, more than once, before any money changes hands.
• Never pay a deposit, a transport fee or a 'vet bill' for a dog you have not met.
• Sign a short agreement with the dog's details, any fee and what the owner disclosed.
• Report suspected scams to Scamwatch and use the Report Scam button on the listing.

Thinking about a puppy instead? Read how to buy a Cavapoo puppy, or post a Cavapoo wanted ad and say that you would welcome an adult.