22-53 lbs
18-24"
United States
The Cavador is a mix between a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Labrador Retriever so will have characteristics from both parent breeds. They are usually yellow or golden and black in color but can be red and cream and often have white markings on their chest, face, toes and tip of tail. They are medium sized dogs and can weigh up to 55 pounds. They are great family dogs who get on well with children and with other pets although some may have a hunting instinct from the Retriever side so it is best to monitor them with smaller pets. They don’t need a lot of grooming but do enjoy a fair bit of exercise.
The Cavador is a combination of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Labrador Retriever, the most popular breed in the United States. Labrador Retrievers are originally from the Canadian island of Newfoundland and were bred to retrieve game for hunters. They were originally known as St. John's Dogs and were bred in the 16th century. These dogs which were also known as the Lesser Newfoundland were used for retrieval and pulling in fishing nets from the water. Their temperament made them ideal family pets as well as accomplished sporting dogs. Very intelligent, the breed is often used as guide dogs and for search and rescue. Labradors nearly died out several times over the years and the St. John's dogs that Labs came from are now extinct in Newfoundland. They were brought to England in the 1820s as gundogs. Labrador Retrievers were recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1917. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel was a favorite of the noble and wealthy, with owners such as King Charles I of Britain in the 1600s (hence the name of the breed). Documentation of the 1800s tells us of the Blenheim Spaniel, named after the Blenheim estate of the 1st Duke of Malborough, John Churchill. His spaniel was red and white, and was one of the variations of the Cavalier Kings Charles Spaniel. This storied breed went through many standard changes over the years, not all of them welcomed by the various spaniel clubs. Queen Victoria also owned a spaniel but developed a slightly different variation, now known as the English Toy Spaniel in America and the King Charles Spaniel in the United Kingdom. This breed was developed by mixing Cavaliers with the Pug and the Japanese Chin. The history of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is long and at times, considered confusing. The breed we know today, which yet again has different standards than what King Charles, John Churchill and Queen Victoria enjoyed, was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1996 in the Toy Group.
Cavador dogs are medium sized and usually yellow or golden and black in color but can be red and cream and often have white markings on their chest, face, toes and tip of tail. Their coats are short to medium length, water-resistant, smooth, and dense. They have brown, almond-shaped eyes and floppy ears sometimes with a bit of feathering. They are likely to share some traits with their parent breeds. A Labrador Retriever for instance has a broad skull, with soft, intelligent brown or hazel eyes that don’t protrude. The ears hang close to the head and they have a medium length thick tail. The skull of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is slightly rounded while their eyes are large, round and not set too far apart. Their ears are set high upon their heads and are quite long with some feathering.
Cavadors need a moderate amount of grooming and will only need their coats brushed around once or twice a week. They shed a moderate amount so regular brushing will remove any loose hair and get rid of any dirt they may have collected. Labradors love going into water and rolling around in the mud so if your pet also likes doing that, they may need to be bathed with a good dog shampoo. But if not, then bathing needs only be done a couple of times a year. Dental hygiene is important so try to brush your dog’s teeth daily. It is also important to check your dog’s ears for any dirt which can then be wiped gently with the moist ball of cotton wool. Nails also need to be checked to see if they need clipping.
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Like both parent breeds, the Cavador loves people and makes a perfect family pet. They are gentle, friendly and good-natured and get along with children and other pets. Some may like to chase smaller animals as they have a good sense of smell and a hunting ancestry but they are very intelligent dogs so can be trained easily. Cavadors may bark if strangers approach but because of their warm, loving natures are not regarded as the best guard dogs. They are known to be very responsive to commands during training, especially to rewards and positive reinforcement. The Labrador Retriever is one of the top breeds used for search and rescue and working as guide dogs, so your Cavador is likely to show some of these traits. They are full of energy and will need daily exercise to burn this off. Their best activities will be those where they can accompany the family as they prefer not being left out.
A Cavador needs a lot of exercise to be fit and healthy so regular walks are a good idea. Your pet will also enjoy swimming, ball games, frisbee and going for a jog with you. They are playful dogs that will also enjoy games in a yard or inside. If they don’t get enough exercise they could become destructive or bored and because of this, it is best to get into a daily routine. A home with a yard is ideal for this breed but they are able to adapt to apartments provided they are exercised regularly. The breed is prone to picking up weight so plenty of exercise will also prevent this. They prefer mild weather but will adapt to warmer or colder climates provided they are not left outside.
Written by Darlene Stott
Published: 11/05/2017, edited: 08/10/2021
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