Knose has partnered with Kelly from Sydney Cavoodles — a breeder with more than 16 years of experience — to talk about why Cavoodles have won over so many Australian families, and what a genuine health testing program looks like behind the scenes.
If you’ve been thinking about bringing a puppy home, chances are a Cavoodle is on your shortlist. They’re one of Australia’s most loved companion dogs, and it’s easy to see why. But with popularity comes a crowded market — and not every breeder does things the right way.
So we went straight to the source. Kelly has been breeding Cavoodles and Toy Poodles for over 16 years at Sydney Cavoodles, raising every puppy in her home with a focus on health testing, ethical practices and lifelong support for the families who take them home.
Here’s what she shared about the crossbreed, her testing program, and what every aspiring pet owner should know before they buy.
Why Cavoodles suit Australian family life
Cavoodles bring together the best of two much-loved breeds. From the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel side comes an affectionate, gentle nature. From the Poodle side comes intelligence and a low-shedding coat.
“What initially attracted me to the crossbreed was their incredible temperament,” Kelly says. Over 16 years, she’s watched Cavoodles slot happily into homes with young children, retirees, and families with additional needs.
🐶 They’re adaptable, highly trainable and genuinely love being part of the family — which is exactly what most Australian households are looking for in a first (or fifth!) dog.
What a real health testing program looks like
Here’s where things get important. Anyone can advertise “health tested” puppies — but a responsible breeder can tell you exactly what’s been tested, and why.
At Sydney Cavoodles, health testing is a foundation of the breeding program. Kelly’s Toy and Miniature Poodle studs come from extensively health-tested bloodlines with health history traced through multiple generations, and all breeding dogs are DNA tested before any pairing decisions are made.
The conditions screened for include:
- Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) — a progressive spinal condition
- Progressive Rod Cone Degeneration (PRA) — an inherited eye disease that causes vision loss
- Mucopolysaccharidosis VI (MPS VI) — a rare metabolic disorder
- von Willebrand’s Disease — a blood clotting disorder
- Episodic Falling Syndrome — a Cavalier-related muscle condition
- Curly Coat Dry Eye Syndrome — a coat and eye condition seen in Cavaliers
- Congenital Macrothrombocytopenia — a blood platelet condition
On top of DNA testing, every breeding dog undergoes ongoing veterinary assessments for overall health, soundness and temperament — including regular heart evaluations, because Mitral Valve Disease is something every responsible Cavalier breeder keeps a close eye on.
What does a “clear” result actually mean?
You’ll see terms like “clear” on health certificates, and it’s worth understanding what they mean in plain English.
- A clear result means the dog doesn’t carry the genetic mutation responsible for that disease. For you as a puppy owner, that significantly reduces the risk of your puppy developing those inherited conditions.
- You might also see “Normal by Parentage” — this means the dog’s parents have both been tested and confirmed clear, making it genetically impossible for their puppies to inherit the affected gene.
It’s a recognised and widely accepted breeding practice. Good breeders, Kelly notes, also keep reviewing their testing protocols as genetic technology evolves.
The right breeder vets you, too
One of the clearest signs of an ethical breeder? They ask you questions.
Kelly and her team spend real time talking with prospective owners about their lifestyle, work arrangements, previous dog experience, kids, fencing and exercise plans — all to make sure the puppy’s temperament and energy level suit the household.
“The goal isn’t simply to sell puppies. It’s to create lifelong matches.”
Sydney Cavoodles is a verified member of the Master Dog Breeders & Associates (MDBA), RightPaw Verified, and Puppy Scam Awareness Australia — memberships that require high standards of animal welfare, transparency, health testing and lifelong breeder support.
The health costs new owners don’t expect
Here’s something that surprises a lot of first-time owners: the most common vet visits for Cavoodle puppies usually aren’t genetic at all.
In Kelly’s experience, the everyday realities of pet ownership come up far more often — gastro upsets, swallowed objects (young Cavoodles are clever and curious, which is a recipe for mischief!), allergies, ear infections, skin conditions and accidental injuries.
| The Top 3 Most Claimed Conditions for Cavoodles | ||||
| VET BILL ($, incl GST) | KNOSE PAID ($) | |||
| Condition | Common range | Max | Common range | Max |
| 1. Ear infection (bacterial or yeast) | $135 – $260 | $3,010 | $57 – $186 | $2,165 |
| 2. Skin allergies | $155 – $269 | $3,403 | $94 – $212 | $3,062 |
| 3. Diarrhoea | $110 – $349 | $4,154 | $41 – $251 | $3,243 |
Cavoodles are generally a healthy crossbreed, but like any dog they’ll need ongoing preventative care throughout their lives — food, grooming, vaccinations, parasite prevention, training and routine vet visits all add up. It pays to think beyond the purchase price, and having Knose Pet insurance for financial support can help with managing the costs.
Why continuous cover matters for this breed
Some Cavalier-line conditions — like Mitral Valve Disease and syringomyelia (CM/SM) — don’t show up in puppyhood. They can develop years down the track.
That’s why Kelly is a strong advocate for lifetime pet insurance cover, taken out while your puppy is young and healthy.
“Having continuous cover from a young age helps ensure owners have options available if a health issue arises years down the track.”
In her experience, when a health concern does come up, insured families can access diagnostics, specialist referrals and treatment faster — with far less financial stress.
💡 Her advice for new owners: be transparent. Hand your vet and your insurer all the health records, DNA testing information and documentation your breeder provides. A complete medical history from day one avoids misunderstandings later, and gives your puppy the best chance of coverage for hereditary conditions.
Our experience with Knose has been extremely positive.
We appreciate their commitment to educating pet owners about responsible breeding, preventative healthcare and the importance of pet insurance. It’s refreshing to work with a company that genuinely values breeder expertise and shares our goal of helping puppies and their families enjoy long, healthy lives together.
-Kelly
A Cavoodle can be a wonderful addition to your family — but the breeder you choose matters just as much as the breed. Look for genuine DNA health testing you can verify, membership of recognised bodies like the MDBA, a breeder who asks about your home, and honest conversations about the real costs of dog ownership.
And once your puppy is home? Set them up for a long, healthy life with regular vet care, a good routine — and cover in place before you need it. That’s pet care made easy.
Disclaimer: All claims figures are drawn from Knose Pet Insurance internal claims data for the 2025 calendar year. Cost figures represent vet invoice amounts (not benefit paid) unless otherwise stated. Conditions are categorised as per the Claims classification system used by the insurer for Knose Pet Insurance, Pacific International Insurance Pty Ltd.
Breeders may receive an ongoing referral fee if a customer transfers or purchases a Knose Pet Insurance policy. Breeders can refer customers to Knose.com.au Pty Ltd, but cannot provide financial advice or make recommendations about insurance.
