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Meet Gus & Poppy

Our Perfect Parents

Meet Gus & Poppy!

We're just a bit biased when it comes to Gus & Poppy. These two are the best parents a puppy could ever wish for. Poppy is protective and nurturing with each of her babies, she nurses longer than any mother we've ever seen despite the discomfort. And Gus is unlike any other father. Most sires will be relatively uninterested in their offspring... but not Gus! He is deeply invested, every step of the way. Mom won't allow him to come too close for the first few weeks, but that doesn't stop him... and when he finally gets access, he's a gentle and loving papa. 

These two are just a month apart in age and have always had a special relationship. Gus may be a bit larger at 28 lbs, but Poppy can still take him even though she's only 18 lbs. Their puppies have all ranged between their sizes, with exception of one little guy who matured to 16 lbs.

Puppy Success

Poppy's hair tends to be less curly and a bit thinner -- very easy to maintain. Gus's hair takes on a more traditional Poodle texture and is thicker and curlier. Most of their puppies have had hair similar to Poppy, with some getting a curlier coat... but none have had the super thick, curly hair like Gus. 

Pro Tip: To maintain a cavapoo's hair, we recommend regular brushing at least once a week, and after they are bathed or swim to prevent tangles and matting. A slicker brush is helpful for an initial pass through, then the use of a metal comb to remove any matting will help finish the job.

Ensuring Health & Quality

Genetic Testing & Exams

As a responsible breeder, we wanted to ensure the health of our puppy parents before breeding our gorgeous puppies. Many breeders will not perform these tests, with can be detrimental to future puppies. While the individual parents may present as healthy, you can never know what they are predisposed to, or what the combination of the parents' DNA could bring about. As a cross breed of Poodle and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, we screen for known issues that are common to both breeds. Gus & Poppy received the following health testing in compliance with OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) and ACVO (American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists) guidelines:

 

Evaluations & Screenings

  • Hip & Joint Evaluation (Clear)
    An exam to s
    creen for hip dysplasia, caused by atypical development of cartilage and surrounding structures. This exam also checks for abnormal growth in elbows. 
  • Patellar Evaluation (Clear)
    This is also a joint test which specifically checks for 
    patellar luxation, a condition where the kneecap pops out of place and can be very painful. This is common to poodles and poodle mixes.
  • Cardiac Exam (Clear)
    This is a physical exam of the heart & lungs, as well as a blood panel. In this exam common issues like heart murmurs (an indication of other possible future complications) and heartworm infections are screened for.

Genetic Testing

  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (Negative)
    A DNA test that can identify PRA-rcd4, a gene mutation that causes progressive vision loss and blindness.
  • Degenerative Myelopathy (Negative)
    A neurological disease that causes muscle wasting and impairment in the hind limbs, leading to an inability to walk.
  • Myxomatous Mitral Valve Disease (Negative)
    While unable to screen for the disease itself, we are able to screen for the NEBL3 genetic variant which is an indicator of early-onset MVD. Both Gus & Poppy received a G G result indicating it is unlikely they will be diagnosed with MVD.

It should go without saying, but we also ensure Gus & Poppy have regular veterinarian visits, staying current with their vaccination schedule and are regularly examined for any issues that may arrise as they continue to grow. In addition, Poppy receives no less than three prenatal exams while pregnant to ensure healthy development of her puppies. Regular visits to the doctor ensure your dogs stay healthy!

We’re a small Cavapoo breeder in California, focused on healthy & socialized puppies in 1-2 litters per year. A portion of our proceeds benefits local rescues.
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Gus & Poppy

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