Cavachon
April 11, 2023 2023-04-11 10:30Breed Overview
Breed Type
Toy Breed
Care Level
Intermediate
Size
Small
Trainability
Highly trainable
Sociability & Friendliness
Intelligence
Strength
Family Dog
Physical Exercise Needs
Mental Exercise Needs
Guard Dog/Protection Instincts
Suitability For Dog Sports
Health & Longevity
Grooming Needs
Shedding
Apartment Dog
Suitable For First-Time Owners
Table of Contents
Origin and History of the Cavachon
Cavachon dogs are a crossbreed that resulted from a combination of two very popular pedigree dogs, the Bichon Frise and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Compared to its parents, the Cavachon is a relatively new breed, and it appears to have originated in North America at the beginning of the 1990s.
Cavachons are loving and playful, and they make the perfect pet for families and city dwellers who live in small apartments. Let’s first have a look at the character and temperament of their ancestors in order to better understand what makes the Cavachon so popular.
Bichon Frise
The Bichon Frise is said to have been introduced in France during the Renaissance period, but the history of the breed is relatively hazy. It appears to have arrived in the United States sometime in the 1950s, and it became popular with dog guardians right away.
Bichon Frise puppies are full of energy and a lot of fun. With their button noses and round eyes, they make a great first impression. These dogs come in a wide range of colors, from white to combinations of white, cream, and apricot. Most weigh between 12 and 18 pounds and measure 9.5 to 11.5 inches.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Hailing from the UK, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has been around since the 17th century. However, it was recognized as a breed only recently, in the 20th century, and it wasn’t recognized by the AKC until 1995.
Cavies have experienced an increase in popularity over the past years, mostly because they are small and easy to care for, yet they are active and friendly, making them the perfect pets for most people. Most Cavies weigh 13 to 18 pounds and have a height of 12 to 13 inches.
All About The Cavachon
Appearance
Since the Cavachon is a mixed breed, it is impossible to tell just what the puppies are going to look like. Some dogs might resemble Bichon Frises, while others might take after their Cavalier King Charles Spaniel genes.
In general, Cavachons have a height of 13 inches or less and weigh between 15 and 20 pounds. According to the AKC, the Cavachon is a toy breed as it has a petite stature. To see how big your Cavachon puppy will grow up to be, click to check out our adult size calculator!
A Cavachon’s coat can be solid or parti-colored. The dominant color is white, but many dogs can have combination coats of white and apricot, red, tan, and even black.
Temperament of the Cavachon
Like their ancestors, these dogs tend to be intelligent, playful, and overall merry. They get along perfectly with other canine companions, but also with children. They do have enough energy, which means that they have to be taken out for long walks at least several times a week.
Early socialization is necessary if you want your Cavachon puppy to grow into a well-educated and obedient adult dog. Some might take after their Cavalier genes and might love to chase around small animals, especially while taken out in parks or the woods.
One of the best traits of the Cavachon breed is its lack of aggression. Although they might be a little possessive and could bark at strangers, they will almost never try to attack people or other dogs. For this reason, this dog does not make a great guard dog though!
Cavachons grow very attached to their humans and cannot be alone for longer periods of time. Because they get along well with other dogs, many owners opt to have two Cavachons that keep each other company.
Are Cavachons Hypoallergenic?
Cavachons are considered a hypoallergenic dog breed. That does not necessarily make them suitable for people with allergies, but they do tend to shed less, and they produce less dander.
In fact, no dog is truly hypoallergenic, as some amount of dander and shedding is to be expected regardless of the pet’s breed. The same goes for Cavachon puppies and adults.
If you suffer from allergies, you should always spend some time around a Cavachon first before buying one.
Allergy sufferers should also take extra care when grooming and vacuum their home regularly. The cleaner you can keep your house and Cavachon pup, the more hypoallergenic they will be.
Cavachon Health and Care
Genetic disorders are expected in all mixed-breed dogs, and they might take after one ancestor or the other. Since the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a breed prone to developing a number of heart conditions, the same heart defects can show up in Cavachons.
Of all of the health issues that might affect them, two are extremely common:
- Mitral Valve Disease
- Atopic dermatitis
A variety of other medical conditions could affect a Cavachon, especially due to old age. These range from arthritis and eye conditions such as cataracts to Cushing’s disease and chronic health problems such as liver failure.
Cavachon Grooming Tips
Weekly brushing is necessary in order to keep a Cavachon’s coat in perfect shape and health. Trimming the medium-to-long curls might also be required, at least on occasion, and if you have no experience doing this yourself, you might have to take your canine friend to a groomer.
Although the breed is considered to be a light shedder, giving your Cavachon a bath once a month or every six weeks is recommended.
The hairs around your pooch’s eyes have to be trimmed neatly in order to avoid causing eye conditions such as conjunctivitis. You can also train the hairs to grow in another direction by pushing them away from the eyes with a damp cloth or cotton pad.
Training Your Cavachon
Every Cavachon puppy has to be trained and socialized as early as possible in order to get them acquainted with other people, dogs, or their living environments. Although this breed has a medium level of energy, you should practice obedience training to ensure that your pup grows into a well-educated adult.
Train your canine friend to:
- Walk on a leash
- Greet people politely
- Respond to their name
Issuing praise and rewards work great with this particular breed, but you should avoid going overboard as this small dog is prone to obesity.
In terms of training frequency, two or three 10-minute sessions per day are better than a longer, 30-minute one. You will have to reinforce your Cavachon’s training even after they have reached adulthood to prevent bad habits from sticking.
As a small breed dog, Cavachons will require extra patience and effort in their potty training. Be prepared to take your puppy out very frequently in the first weeks!
Deciding on a Cavachon
You’re making a long-term commitment if you want to get a Cavachon puppy as they have a life span ranging from 10 to 15 years.
Additionally, since they are likely to suffer from some health problems at one point or the other, you might have to be prepared for some expenses, such as regular check-ups and treatments.
If you are unsure whether a Cavachon is the right breed for you, you can always get in touch with a breeder in your area and ask them whether they might allow you to visit their kennel.
A Cavachon is not the right dog for you if:
- You aren’t prepared to make a financial commitment
- You don’t want to invest too much time in training and grooming your dog
- You want a dog that can stay alone at home for many hours
- You want a reliable guard dog
A Cavachon is the right dog for you if:
- You want a dog that’s perfect for families
- You love to spend time outdoors and play with your puppy
- You like cuddling with a lap dog
- You’re prepared to care for a dog for at least a decade
Finding a Cavachon Puppy Breeder
As popular as Cavachon puppies have become over the years, the truth is that there are still irresponsible breeders out there who might not pay attention to the genetic health issues that these dogs are exposed to. In order to get a healthy family dog with good temperament, invest some time to find a responsible breeder!
A good breeder will not only speak to you about the physical characteristics of your future puppy’s parents, but they will also describe what they have tried to do to eliminate health problems such as the heart conditions that most Cavachons are known to develop.
As much as you might want to get a Cavachon right away, try to avoid going to the first breeder you come across. These days, there are groups on social media networks where Cavachon parents communicate and where you can also go to find out what responsible breeders might exist in your area.
Questions for your Cavachon Breeder
- How long have you been breeding Cavachons for?
- Can I meet the puppy's parents?
- Are the parents certified as being free of genetic diseases?
- Has the puppy been socialized?
- Have the puppies been dewormed and vaccinated?
- What are your references?
How much is a Cavachon Puppy?
Cavachons aren’t cheap, but that’s the case with many other breeds. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels often cost over $1,000, and Bichon Frise will be equally expensive.
You might come across some breeders selling Cavachon puppies for as low as $700-$800.
However, if you want your Cavachon to come from a top breed line, you can expect to pay anything from $2,000 to $6,000 and more.
Even though not many people are prepared for this kind of expense, you do have to consider that your Cavachon is going to be with you for at least a decade. Try to avoid looking for a lower price and choosing a less reputable breeder, as you might not know what possible health issues your canine friend might develop over time.
What Cavachon Owners Say:
