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  1. Expert Hub
  2. Dog Breeds
  3. Cavador

Cavador

Cavador Summary

weight iconWeight
20-55 lbs
lifespan iconLifespan
10-14 yrs
exercise iconExercise
Moderate to High
trainability iconTrainability
High
temperament iconTemperament
Friendly
Affectionate
Gentle
Playful
Loyal
grooming iconGrooming
Moderate

Get to Know Cavadors

  • Size Surprise: Cavadors can vary enormously in size depending on which parent they take after—from a compact 20 pounds to a solid 55 pounds.
  • Best of Both: They often combine the Cavalier's soulful, loving eyes with the Labrador's happy, tail-wagging enthusiasm.
  • Therapy Naturals: Their gentle, affectionate nature and trainability make Cavadors excellent candidates for therapy and emotional support work.
  • Water Heritage: Many Cavadors inherit the Labrador's love of water and enjoy swimming, splashing, and water retrieval games.

Cavador Personality & Temperament

  • Affectionate & Gentle: Cavadors are sweet-natured dogs that love being close to their people. They are gentle with children and seniors alike.
  • Eager to Please: The Labrador influence makes them highly trainable and responsive to commands. They enjoy learning and working with their handlers.
  • Social Butterflies: They are friendly with other dogs, cats, and strangers. Their sociable nature means they do best in homes where they get plenty of interaction.
  • Adaptable Energy: They match their energy level to their household—active enough for hikes and play, but content to relax on the couch after a satisfying walk.

Cavador Care & Grooming

  • Exercise: About 45 to 60 minutes of daily exercise through walks, play, and swimming. They enjoy fetch, gentle hikes, and interactive games.
  • Grooming: Their medium-length coat needs brushing two to three times per week. They shed moderately. Keep ears clean and watch for signs of ear infections.
  • Diet: Feed a high-quality food appropriate for their size. Monitor portions—Labradors are prone to overeating, and Cavaliers can gain weight if under-exercised.
  • Health: Watch for mitral valve disease (from the Cavalier side), hip dysplasia, ear infections, and syringomyelia. Choose breeders who health-test both parent breeds.

What to ask your breeder?

It's important to ensure your breeder conducts thorough health screenings on the two dogs that were bred for the litter. Reputable breeders should perform genetic laboratory testing and also orthopedic evaluations. There's no way to guarantee every puppy in every litter is 100% free from health problems, but responsible breeding practices greatly reduce the risk.

Here's a short summary of what you should be asking your breeder:

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Health Testing

ScreeningConsiderations
Hip DysplasiaOne of the following: OFA Radiographic Hip Evaluation. PennHIP Evaluation. Results registered with OFA.
ACVO Eye ExamACVO Eye Examination. Results registered with OFA.
Patellar LuxationVeterinary Evaluation of Patellar Luxation. Results registered with OFA.
Cardiac EvaluationOne of the following: Basic Cardiac Exam with examination performed by a Board-Certified Cardiologist - Recommended Annually. Advanced Cardiac Exam.

Labrador Retriever Health Testing

ScreeningConsiderations
Hip DysplasiaOFA Radiographic Hip Evaluation.
Elbow DysplasiaOFA Radiographic Elbow Evaluation.
ACVO Eye ExamACVO Eye Examination. Results registered with OFA.
EIC (Exercise Induced Collapse)EXERCISE INDUCED COLLAPSE - DNA based test from an approved lab.
D Locus (Dilute) DNA TestDNA based D LOCUS results from an approved lab.
Centronuclear MyopathyOptional: DNA Based CNM Test - results registered with the OFA.
Cardiac EvaluationOptional: Advanced Cardiac Exam. Basic Cardiac Exam.
prcd-PRA DNA TestOptional: DNA based prcd-PRA test from a licensed lab - results registered with the OFA.

Cavador History

The Cavador is a cross between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Labrador Retriever. This hybrid aims to combine the Cavalier's gentle, affectionate lapdog nature with the Labrador's friendly, outgoing temperament and trainability. Developed in the United States, the Cavador has become popular as a versatile family companion that can adapt to various household types, from active families to quieter homes with older adults.

How Much Does It Cost to Own a Cavador Per Year?

Determining the cost of owning a Cavador is essential for responsible dog ownership. Use our calculator to estimate expenses, including food, grooming, veterinary care, and more.

The Ultimate Dog Cost Calculator

Cavador sitting with a calculatorCalculate NowSee full Cavador cost breakdown

Find Cavador Breeders Near You

Connect with trusted Canadian breeders raising Cavadors.

Find Cavador Breeders

Frequently Asked Questions About Cavador

When you talk to a breeder, you're not just asking “do you have available Cavador puppies?” You're looking for a match in the process of rehoming a dog. As a prospective dog owner, you are assessing how predictable the dog's health, temperament, and long-term welfare will be and whether the breeder's practices reduce avoidable risk.

You should engage in a conversation about the following topics:

  • Which health tests and genetic screening do you do specifically for Cavador, and can I see the results?
  • What do you do if a puppy develops a serious genetic condition? What contract, policies and support do you offer as a breeder?
  • How are puppies raised from birth to 8+ weeks? Ask about socialization, philosophies on early neurological development, handling, and exposure.

In Canada, Cavador puppies from reputable breeders typically cost between $2,200 and $4,800 — but the puppy price is only the beginning.

The real cost of a dog isn't just the puppy price. After year one, the cost of a dog includes the predictable annual costs + the unpredictable “risk costs.” Your goal is to make the cost legible before you commit, as one of the top causes of surrendering a dog is not being able to afford the dog in later years.

To help you assess these costs, Paction has created the Ultimate Cost Calculator. You can also read an article written by a Paction breeder on why a prospective dog owner should focus on the ongoing costs of dog ownership and not “how much” the puppy costs.

For Cavador, responsible breeders commonly screen breeding pairs using tests such as Hip Dysplasia, ACVO Eye Exam, Patellar Luxation, and Cardiac Evaluation.

Every dog breed has certain health issues that tend to occur more often, but what matters most is how predictable and preventable those risks are. For many breeds, common concerns include inherited conditions (such as orthopedic, eye, or cardiac issues) as well as lifestyle-related challenges like weight management, dental health, skin or ear problems, and anxiety.

Responsible breeders help reduce inherited risk through appropriate health testing, careful selection of breeding pairs, and transparency about family history. To understand more about responsible breeding programs that prioritize health and genetic screening of breeding pairs, check out Making Science Simple: Canine Genetics for Puppy Shoppers.

As an owner, you play an equally important role. Consistent preventive veterinary care, proper exercise and enrichment, healthy nutrition, and early screening can significantly improve long-term health outcomes.

Whether a Cavador is right for you depends less on the breed itself and more on how well its typical energy level, temperament, and care needs align with your daily life. Important factors include your schedule and activity level, living environment, household dynamics (such as children, other pets, or allergies), and tolerance for noise or independence. Long-term fit also comes down to maintenance like grooming, training needs, and how often you travel or rely on outside dog care.

Use Paction's Dog Breed Matchmaker and Pup Time Estimator to find out more about what dog is right for you.

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