Last Updated on October 9, 2026
Cavoodles have been Australia's most popular dog for years now, so it is no wonder good breeders can be hard to get in to. Here is how to find one worth waiting for.
Getting a healthy, well raised Cavoodle starts with the breeder, so this is the part worth slowing down for. Good Cavoodle breeders are worth the wait, and knowing what to look for makes all the difference.
Registered breeders are ethical breeders
Before anyone can legally breed and sell dogs in Australia, they need to meet certain requirements. One of the main ones is a breeder identification number, sometimes called a supply number. This shows they are registered and allowed to sell puppies.
Many breeders also register with a breeder association, which holds its members to a code of ethics built around the welfare of the dogs. A breeder with an ID number and an association behind them is far more likely to be raising healthy, well socialised pups.
A good home before a good home
Take a proper look at where the dogs are being raised. The cleanliness of a breeding setup tells you almost as much as the paperwork does. A tidy, roomy space where a litter has room to play is a good sign. Watch how the dogs react to the breeder too, because a dog that is relaxed and happy around them says a lot. Your Cavoodle's behaviour will always speak volumes about where it came from.
Good breeders focus on one litter at a time
Cavoodles sell for a lot of money, and that makes them a target for puppy farms chasing a quick profit. If a breeder always seems to have several litters ready to go at once, be cautious, because that pace can come at the cost of the puppies' health.
One litter at a time is better for everyone. A mother dog generally should not have more than one litter a year. That gap gives her time to wean and bond with her pups and to rest and recover before the next litter.
Vaccinations and microchips
By law, puppies in Australia need to be microchipped and vaccinated before they go to their new home. A good breeder will have this paperwork ready to show you. Look for official documents rather than photocopies, and if a breeder cannot or will not produce vaccination and microchip records, walk away and find one who can.
The single best thing you can do before you buy a Cavoodle is research the breeders near you. A few phone calls and a visit will tell you almost everything you need to know.
A good breeder is worth paying a bit more for. If you want to see how the purchase price fits into the bigger picture, our cost calculator works out the total cost of owning a Cavoodle in Australian dollars.
