I’ve been walking so much during the lockdown, both in my neighborhood and at local parks. One of my biggest lockdown enjoyments has been seeing all of the local dogs. I live in a suburban area where people have a lot of pets, and I’ve loved seeing all of different varieties and cuteness levels. I haven’t seen many big dogs, which bums me out because big dogs need love too. There’s been a real move towards people adopting pets over the past two months. People decided, en masse around the world, that if they were going to be stuck at home, they needed someone furry to hang out with. My cats have been such a big comfort to me, but I’ve also been thinking about getting a dog. Ugh, should I? I still can’t decide.
Turns out, Sweden’s Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel also decided that this would be the perfect moment to introduce a family pet into their home. They already had two growing children, Princess Estelle (8 years old) and Oscar (4 years old). Now they have a puppy they’ve named Rio. Rio is a “Cavapoo,” meaning a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel-poodle mix. I love Cavalier Kings, they’re such beautiful dogs with sweet little faces. Rio has more of a poodle face though, and I don’t see much Cavalier King in him.
Meanwhile, Sweden has become a coronavirus-reaction test case for the world. While Sweden’s Scandinavian and European neighbors were ordering mass lockdowns and closing all but essential businesses, large swaths of Sweden stayed open throughout the past two months. As such, Sweden has a higher death rate and infection rate than its closest neighbors, and the infection rate among seniors is especially troubling. And yet… approval of Sweden’s anti-lockdown policies are widely popular within the country. The Washington Post had an op-ed questioning if this internal popularity was some kind of macabre nationalism. While “royalty” isn’t the most important thing to focus on during a pandemic, I do wonder if the long-term effects of the pandemic will fundamentally change how many European royal houses operate.
Photos courtesy of Backgrid, Instagram.
A mutt. They got a mutt. I hope they adopted it and didn’t buy it.
This “breed” is exploding right now. I know a local woman who has 1 year wait list even with about 8 litters every year between all her dogs. She sells them for $2500-$3000 per pup. Cute when they are little but become a shaggy mess as adults if not groomed constantly. Crazy.
I have yet to meet a temperamentally stable poodle mix. Poodles are water hunting dogs. Cavaliers are bird dogs, but much of their natural hunting instinct has been bred out over the years. Combine the two and you can easily get a nervous wreck of a dog.
I also have seen entirely too many horrible poodle mix coats. A purebred poodle requires regular brushing and trimming. Mixing in another breed only makes the coat more difficult to maintain. Every dog groomer I know has horror stories of having to shave down to the skin of doodles whose coats had turned into one ginormous mat due to exposure to water and lack of proper brushing.
I had a Cavalier, who had a really big hunting instict. She was as dumb as a bag of rocks, so she went after birds, rats and hares like mad. That’s why I side-eye these mixes.
I had a cockapoo for 17 years. We ‘rescused’ her, as she was litterally being passed around from one family to another in the townhome complex where I grew up. She was the sweetest, most gentle dog that you could imagine. She passed when she was over 17 years old. I really want another cockapoo, but I can’t bring myself to purchase a dog. There’s a local breeder that charges $1800 per pup. I’m on a wait list to adopt one of their ‘retired’ dogs.
It’s weird you guys call them Cavapoos. Here they are called Cavoodles (with the “oodle” present in every poodle cross). We had one before they became super popular and he was the best dog ever. Super smart, very sweet, very loving, always fun. Everyone who met him fell in love (even the lady at the kennel used to watch tv with him on her lap every night), and he inspired a lot of copycat purchases. I know loads of people who have this dog – they are a great family dog. Smart, great personalities, no temperament issues, and they barely shed (because of the poodle part of them). If I were to get a dog now I would adopt (this was 20 years ago, my mum spotted him at a flower fair, fell in love and took him home); but adopting isn’t for everyone. Families with babies and young kids are sometimes wary with adopting because you don’t always know what behavioural issues you’re going to get. If you get them from a responsible breeder I think it’s okay. Where I live you can’t buy dogs or cats from pet shops anymore (which is great!). Again, I’d adopt; but this is a nice choice too! Great cross-breed.
An dog that cute was certainly purchased.
I own four Cavaliers. They are smart, loving, versatile dogs that adore their humans and get along well with other animals. Poodles are equally amazing dogs. I will never understand why anyone would feel the need to produce these designer mutts. What exactly does one gain by mixing in another breed? And FFS do not say poodles are hypoallergenic. While poodles do not shed the way many other dog breeds shed, they do produce dander. They are just less likely to trigger allergic reactions in people who are sensitive to dog dander.
I have been wondering about Sweden a lot, because I can’t find a clear source about their numbers, how is the situation there.
Hi, France is reporting around 22 317 confirmed cases and around 2 679 deaths related to covid 19 for Sweden
Thank you!
France deaths from Covid19, 24,895.
Sweden deaths are at 2,679 deaths and climbing.
I know Yoyo, I’m just from France, that’s why I detailed that this is what is reported in my country for Sweden 🙂
The death toll in Sweden is much higher than Norway where I live also because they count the numbers in a different way than we do. In Sweden they register the dead from all who has tested positive for the virus. So it can be people who had the virus but died from a heartattack. As I have understood it, it’s most common for countries to register the ones who have died directly from the virus.
I think that is actually smart as there have been studies now on whether heart attacks and strokes are direct results of covid infections as they have discovered an increase in blood clotting.
Their numbers are higher than Norway, Finland, and Denmark combined.
*squeeeeeeee* He is too cute for words. That little face!!!!!
I think the Coronavirus strategy Sweden has decided to follow works mainly because it’s Sweden: its population is around 10M (so easier to control the spread) and the Swedish mentality makes it work. Try to implement that in most other countries and it would probably fail (people not following the first soft restrictions is what made most countries enforce more serious lock downs). Also, the entire continent around them is on lock down, so there’s not much movement anymore, which clearly helps massively slowing the spread.
Anydoodle, cut dog, and the kids look so excited to have a new family member!
Sweden is going for the “herd immunity” thing – basically, let the population expose themselves in the hope that they develop antibodies and, in doing that, prevent a “second wave.” English tried the same thing and had pretty awful results, and finally cracked and ordered the lockdown.
The problem with Sweden is that the policy is deeply racist – a HUGE number of the Swedish cases are in the immigrant community – largely Somalis and other African populations, and they die in drives from it. And it seems like the white Swede population is largely shrugging their shoulders at it. Although if you know the history of Sweden, that shouldn’t exactly shock you.
I’m certanly not going to argue for herd immunity, but I think you’re a bit off the mark calling it racist. The problem a lot of countries have, wheter their policy are “shelter in place” or “herd immunity”, is communication. Both in the form of language barriers, and communication platforms. The platforms used by the governments to inform their citizens (radio, news channels, news papers, official web pages), are less visited/seen/heard/read by immigrants who don’t speak the nations language(s) (or speak it poorly).
@Couch potato: and that is racism, because if the governement doesn’t treat equally all the citizens, doesn’t make a communication effort toward all the different communities it means they are ignoring them, they are treating them like second class people.
No, I’m cool calling it racism. Sweden has the same access to the WHO, experts, etc. as the rest of the world. Lockdowns are the best way to prevent the spread. Every major medical authority in the world is pushing social distancing, lockdowns, stay at home orders, etc. Sweden is a dramatic outlier. It’s not a case of them ordering these measures and immigrant communities not getting the message. It’s a case of a government not even trying, and yes, when that government’s inaction results in disproportionate deaths among an immigrant POC population and the government doesn’t react to that, yeah, that’s racist.
Ok, I am not going to perpetuate some myth that there are no problems with racism in Sweden, or that that should not be an important issue and consideration in the handling of Covid here moving forward. There are, and it should be.
But, I will say that in regards to WHO specifically: they are currently looking at our failed model for inspiration: https://sverigesradio.se/sida/artikel.aspx?programid=2054&artikel=7463561
*there are non-Swedish news on this too, but I happen to know and to some extent trust SR so went with them rather than say Murdoch owned papers who are blasting it everywhere online atm.
Yes there are innocent victims in this approach, and I think all countries will be faced with their own respective social inequalities in how their healthcare systems, living situations, access-points to information.. are set up etc.
My understanding is that Sweden, as a whole, is taking a more long-term approach to slow rather than prevent spread though -which only “works” if this keeps going for a couple of years. If we get a vaccine before that then this model automatically fails in relation to countries that have been focused more preventing rather than just slowing.
And again, the aspect of herd immunity is a natural consequence of this model, not the goal of it..and our high death rates also include people who did not necessarily die from Covid-related complications but rather rested positive for it at some point. Many countries, like the US..are not even testing old people who are not hospitalised for Covid to the extent of being able to include that many deaths into their statistics rn.
Yeah, the epidemiologist in charge finally said that they were going for herd immunity – and I seriously side-eye that they didn’t communicate this fact until now. I’m not Swedish but Danish – and if my government had decided on this strategy and kept it secret for a long time, then I would become incredibly distrustful of the authorities.
@ArtHistorian -could you please link to that? As I can’t find it anywhere. All I find is that some, including Tegnell, are saying we might be reaching herd immunity in Stockholm soon *admittedly a very dubious claim* but not that that was the original goal set by Folkhälsomyndigheten.
It was in Danish news. I can’t link because none of my posts go through if I put a link in.
@ArtHistorian
If it’s like the one I’m finding on say DR.dk it is him saying that we are possibly starting to see the effects of herd immunity in Stockholm, and that if there was greater immunity (if herd immunity actually works as a strategy, which again is a dubious claim at any point, I agree) those effects could be even greater.
“- Vi bør se en effekt af immuniteten i befolkningen, som delvist kan forklare, at antallet af nye smittede falder i Stockholm nu. De, der regner på det siger, at det kommer til at tage nogle uger, før vi får en flokimmunitet, der kan bremse smitten ordentligt. Men der er målinger på det på vej, siger han…
…- Det er når op mod 15-20 procent af befolkningen har haft sygdommen, at man for alvor ser en påvirkning på spredningshastigheden, siger han.
Han påpeger også, at han egentlig ville foretrække, hvis endnu flere var immune, så Sverige bedre kan stå imod den anden bølge.”
That is not the same as admitting it was their initial strategy though..unless I’m missing something..
Anyways..I’ve said it on here before I have no idea how I feel about the whole thing. I am just not a fan of the spread of disinformation that happens on here about it. *not aimed at you as such ✌🏼
I have a Cavalier King Charles — Fergus! — who is just the best boy and has been the perfect companion for isolation. Rio is really cute, but the poodle does look like it has won out over the Cavvie, for the most part. I’d say the coloring is Cav, because the ruby color is one of the classic Cav colors, but not so much poodle I think. The upside from the poodle side would be less shedding and allergens, but you definitely lose some of the adoreableness.
The Swedish corona virus model is really worrying. Is travel in/out at least restricted or shut down? I mean, play with your own population’s lives, but keep it at home.
Cousins had apricot standard poodles – one was relatively red like this as a puppy. I think it’s possible that it’s from the poodle side.
I’ve been wistfully staring at Cav’s though. Size wise, and looks wise I love them. They just look like puppies for longer, and they seem to be good with cats from what I’ve read. They’re just so ridiculously cute.
I wish I could post a pic of Fergus here for you to perk up your day. He’s almost 5 and still looks like a puppy. Yes, Cavs are amazing with cats and kids. Other dogs, pretty much everything that moves, except squirrels and deer ….
My mom had two apricot poodles, and they were more strawberry blond, but yes, hues vary. I can see putting an apricot poodle with a ruby Cav and getting this rich chestnut color.
He could have a ruby Cavalier parent. I have two ruby (solid red brown) Cavaliers, and they are known as the wild redheads of the breed!
Here is a link to my Cavalier club. The home page photo shows a ruby Cavalier. http://www.ckcscgh.com
Actually…that is a photo of my dog GCH CH Meadowlake Phoenix Fawkes FDC aka Fawkes and me on the day he finished his grand championship in conformation last July at only 19 months of age. He was also the very first ruby Cavalier in history to qualify for the invitation-only AKC National Owner Handler Series Finals last December. He ended 2019 as the #40 Cavalier overall in the US, the #6 owner handled Cavalier in the US and the highest ranked ruby Cavalier in the National Owner Handler Series, the #3 Cavalier overall in Texas, and the top owner handled and top ruby Cavalier in Texas. He is also the sweetest, happiest, most fun dog in the world! (Yes, I am VERY PROUD of my boy! Sorry not sorry!)
Bearcatlawyer! Fawkes is adorable and clearly a winner. Fergus is a Blenheim, and I’m irrationally proud of him, too.
I also have a Cavalier King Charles and she is the best. They really do have the cutest, sweetest faces and maintain that puppy face even when they are older.
As for this cavapoo, he is cute, but I don’t see any Cavalier, he just looks like a poodle.
Wow some of the comments on here are so mean about Cavapoos! I have a 7 year old cavapoo called Larka and she is the most adorable loving little pooch (I don’t care if you want to call her a mutt with relish, it doesn’t matter to me). I also adore Cavaliers but they have so many health problems due to over breeding that we decided to go for a cavapoo instead, they are gorgeous no matter which breed they look more like <3
I think a lot of the comments are really mainly about the breeders. If you’re getting a good breeder who health tests and breeds for the health and longevity of the breed you’re not going to run into that many issues. The problem is all of the backyard breeders. And the people who are breeding the mixes on purpose ARE backyard breeders.
The problem isn’t with them being mutts. The problem is that there are a lot of greedy and lazy breeders out there who do the bare minimum and then charge exorbitant rates for a mixed breed dog without health guarantees.
It doesn’t mean the dogs are crappy dogs, or that they’re not beloved by their owners. A proper breeder of purebred dogs isn’t going to HAVE over breeding problems. Again – that’s a backyard breeder thing.
THIS.
I have yet to meet a reputable, caring Cavalier breeder who actually makes money at it. Most lose thousands of dollars per year because they do comprehensive health testing, research pedigrees extensively, breed infrequently, heavily screen potential buyers, and provide lifetime advice and support for their customers.
The problems is not that the dog is a mutt, but that people are paying thousands for them. Go to a shelter and get yourself a crossbreed for free.
My issue is what exactly are you gaining by mixing the breeds? Both are wonderful, brilliant, versatile breeds on their own. Mixing them together does not make them healthier or structurally or temperamentally sounder. And the people who produce these dogs are doing so primarily for profit. They are properly called producers since they are in effect producing and marketing designer dogs to make money. Please do not call them breeders as it is an insult to the people who are actually trying to breed to preserve the characteristics that make their breeds unique while improving the health, structure, and temperaments of their dogs.
Wow Oscar is Victoria’s son. Identical.
We rescued a 110 lb mastiff mix right before lockdown so at least one big guy got a new home! It’s quite an adjustment from our English bulldogs but worth it.
Oh so nice!! mastiff are so adorable (imo, I love big dogs)
@ Cara : I have a bromance going on with a mastiff who “guards” a commercial/ residential property near my home. When I ride past him to get to my food co-op, I always remind myself to get some pepperoni sticks for the way back when I stop and feed them to him through the chain link fence. He recognizes me and even recognizes my voice now! He is very sweet and barks at me loudly when I finish the small packet of pepperoni sticks. It is a sad moment for both of us. My food co-op is very holistic so his doggie treat is organic and locally sourced!
Quarantine is kind of a good moment to get a puppy and train it.
I don’t know what I’d do without my 1 year old bichon frise. I absolutely adore him and he is the best companion, ever. He keeps me grounded.
Omg that puppy is so cute, I always said if I ever got a dog it would be that one!! A brown one with curly hair, I can’t stand it!!
looook how cuuute! he definitely has more of the poodle in him. he looks so much like a teddy bear.
i have an adorable mutt, he is a 1 year old cockapoo that I called Archie (named after you know who). but we have so many nicknames for him because he looks like an Ewok from star wars, i bought him from a breeder in Wales and couldn’t have been happier. i spent a year and a half looking around and searching different options. he is a mix of american cocker spaniel and poodle. not the working cocker so he is not hyper. we did obedience and socialization classes with him and he goes to doggie day care to socialize with other dogs at least twice a week (before lockdown). he is a super friendly family dog, not yappy, easy to train, great with kids and other pets. no shedding, the caveat is he is what i would call a velcro dog, so is not happy being left alone. he is definitely a bird dog and instinctively goes to attention when he spots them:
my friends have labradoodles, bermie doodles, clumber doodles etc. i love all dogs.
As a curly lady i demand a curly dog.