Are Cavachon Good Family Dogs?

The Cavachon was bred to be a companion animal. They’re a mixed breed between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Bichon Frise – both of which are commonly kept as companion animals.

For these reasons, this tiny dog often makes a pretty good companion for most families. They don’t tend to be highly high-strung like some other dog breeds. They do need some daily exercise, of course, but they don’t tend to be quite as yappy.

They will happily lay around with their family on the couch and go on a brisk walk. They need about 40 minutes of activity a day, usually involving a short walk and some playtime.

These dogs are best for homes with older children, though. They are great with kids after the age of about 8 or 9, depending on the child. The child must be old enough to have some self-restraint around the dog and treat them properly.

Their small size makes them vulnerable to being injured by toddlers and preschoolers. Many also tend to fear small children, significantly if they have been harmed in the past.

This can lead to quite a bit of fear-based aggression and reactivity.

These dogs are tiny, and therefore we can’t recommend them for homes with small children. Usually, larger dogs aren’t likely to be scared of small children and won’t show as much aggression.

Is a Cavachon Good for Families?

Yes and no. It depends on the family. They do great with older children and teenagers. Their adaptable nature means that they will cuddle on the couch and go on a hike. Many do need some activity each day, but not nearly as much as you might imagine.

They aren’t as hyperactive as some other small breeds, so they are suitable for families that don’t want a small, yappy dog.

However, they aren’t best for smaller children. Their small size means that younger, more impulsive kids easily injure them. These injuries can quickly lead to fear, which can, in turn, lead to lots of snapping.

Smaller breeds tend to be more aggressive towards children for this reason, while larger dogs have very little reason to be scared. We recommend medium-to-large dogs for families with younger children in most cases, as they can put up with the antics of little kids.

If your children are over the age of about eight, though, then this breed can be a great choice. You should judge your child’s impulsive behavior before adopting this small dog. If they are likely to hit or injure the dog, this isn’t the breed for you.

Do Cavachon Dogs Bark a Lot?

Most people don’t describe the Cavachon as very yappy. They tend to be quite laidback and quiet dogs. They are suitable for apartments for this reason and families that don’t want the usually small, yappy dog.

They do tend to bark at strangers and can make good alert dogs for this reason. They will let you know if something is wrong or if someone is on your property. Due to their smaller size, though, they cannot be used as a guard dogs.

They are pretty friendly to strangers, despite their tendency to bark. Usually, they will bark as someone enters the door and then lick them to death.

Are Cavachons High-Maintenance?

In general, these dogs are pretty low-maintenance. They don’t require much grooming, brushing, or exercise. However, they do like a lot of attention. They’re similar to most other small companion dogs in this way.

They may not need direct maintenance, but you should plan on spending many of your waking hours with this dog. They love to snuggle on the couch and need regular attention if they’re going to thrive.

They are great for larger families for this reason, as they love attention from everyone. It is much easier to meet their needs if you have more people around to show them attention.

Beyond this, you won’t need to spend much time caring for a Cavachon.

Are Cavachons Aggressive?

In general, a dog’s breed doesn’t correlate very much with its aggression level. A dog will not be aggressive just because they belong to a specific breed, and a dog isn’t going not to be aggressive because they belong to a specific breed.

Instead, how they are raised plays a significant role in their temperament. It is essential to socialize all dogs at an early age.

They should be introduced to as many people and other dogs as possible. This will prevent them from becoming fearful of others, which is where aggression usually stems from.

Most dogs that are aggressive towards people are scared of strangers. If your dog is introduced to many different strangers, it likely won’t fear new people.

The Cavachon does tend to bark at strangers they see outside, but they usually calm down once they meet the new person. They can make excellent watchdogs for this reason, but their small size completely prevents them from becoming guard dogs. They can’t do much against an intruder.

Are Cavachons Good for First-Time Owners?

Yes. We would recommend this dog for first-time owners – even those with families.

They are relatively low-maintenance and don’t need any complicated grooming or training. Their smaller size makes them much more manageable. They also tend to be relatively friendly and trusting of strangers, making socialization go much more smoothly.

However, it is essential not to take their small size for granted. While they are tiny, you must take them to training classes and socialize them properly. If they become aggressive, they can’t do much harm.

But it is your responsibility as a dog owner to ensure that your dog is adequately socialized and trained – even when they are as small as a Cavachon. Don’t expect them to be extremely easy because of their small size.

Just like any dog, they do need a bit of work, especially when they are puppies.

Can Cavachon Dogs Be Left Alone?

Due to their people-oriented nature, these dogs are somewhat prone to isolation anxiety and cannot be left alone well.

This is a bit different from separation anxiety. When a dog has isolation anxiety, they are simply anxious when left alone – not necessarily when a specific person leaves. They are perfectly fine with anyone, as long as there is someone.

Dogs with separation anxiety get anxious when separated from a specific person, even if someone is there to keep them company.

It is important to crate train these dogs from a young age, as this will help separation anxiety problems. It helps them learn to be alone.

They may also do best in larger families that have someone home more often. Even if one of the family members is home most of the time, it is still essential to crate train them to be alone when you need them to be. You don’t want a dog that constantly needs to be with someone.

Because Cavachon usually get along well with other dogs (especially other toy breeds), many owners opt to get them a companion to feel less alone.

Final Thoughts

Cavachons are good with families, as long as they don’t have tiny children.

Smaller children tend to be more impulsive and can easily injure these tiny dogs. Cavachon puppies are incredibly tiny and easily injured. A dog that a child hurts may become fearful around them, which can lead to aggression.

Therefore, we recommend them for families – just as long as they don’t have young children. These dogs are best for children above eight, but be sure to keep your child’s level of compulsiveness in mind.

Overall, these dogs are great for older children. They love to cuddle but are also active enough to play in the backyard. Their low-maintenance nature makes them great for busy families.

Author: Kristin

Kristin was born in Tennessee and currently lives there with her husband and children. She is passionate about educating pet parents and helping them make the best possible decisions for their pets. She currently owns one dog, two cats, a lizard, and a variety of fish.