Cavachon
Crossbreed: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel × Bichon Frise
The Cavachon is a cross between a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Bichon Frise. They are known for their soft, silky coats, affectionate characters and great intelligence.
Cheerful, exuberant and full of life, the Cavalier King Charles is a high-spirited character, always on the move and looking to engage with their owner. Always eager to please, they make great pets for families and seniors.
Bichon Frises are small lap dogs who are affectionate, friendly, and love nothing more than to spend time with their owners. The Bichon breed is of Belgian and French heritage and was previously very popular among French aristocrats. During the French revolution, Bichons fell from popularity and earned their survival by performing with street musicians and organ grinders. During World War I, the breed almost went extinct, but dedicated breeders worked together to save them.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Cheerful, exuberant and full of life, the Cavalier King Charles is a high-spirited character, always on the move and looking to engage with their owner. Always eager to please, they make great pets for families and seniors.
Bichon Frise
Bichon Frises are small lap dogs who are affectionate, friendly, and love nothing more than to spend time with their owners. The Bichon breed is of Belgian and French heritage and was previously very popular among French aristocrats. During the French revolution, Bichons fell from popularity and earned their survival by performing with street musicians and organ grinders. During World War I, the breed almost went extinct, but dedicated breeders worked together to save them.
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Life expectancy |
The Cavachon has a life expectancy of between 12 and 14 years |
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Temperament |
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Size |
Small
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Adult size |
Female
Between 12 and 13 in
Male
Between 12 and 13 in
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Adult weight |
Female
Between 15 and 35 lb
Male
Between 15 and 35 lb
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Coat colour
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White
Red
Sand
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Type of coat
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Long
Wavy
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Eye colour
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Brown
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More details about the Cavachon
Cavachon: Origins and history
The Cavachon is the result of a cross between a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Bichon Frise. It was first bred in 1996 by the Gleneden Kennels of Berryville, Virginia, in the United States. These dogs are considered "designer dogs", sought after for combining the physical and mental characteristics of their parent breeds.
Cavachon: Characteristics
Cavachons are extremely affectionate dogs. They love to be with their families and are constantly on the lookout for cuddles and fuss.
Cavachons are playful and energetic. They love to play with their owners.
Though playful, Cavachons are typically calm indoors, where they like to rest and relax.
Cavachons are smart and learn quickly.
Cavachons typically have a low prey drive.
Cavachons are not typically afraid of strangers, as long as they've been socialised from a young age.
Cavachons are not independent dogs. They prefer to be with their people than to stay on their own.
Cavachon: Behaviour
Cavachons are prone to separation anxiety and need to be taught how to stay on their own from a young age. They should only stay on their own for short periods of time, and never for too long.
Cavachons are smart and eager to please. This makes them easy to train and very obedient. Positive reinforcement training techniques are a must.
Cavachons are "talkative" dogs who tend to bark when they want attention.
Cavachons are not the kind of dog to run away, especially if they are properly trained and get an appropriate amount of exercise every day.
A well-trained and stimulated Cavachon won't be destructive. However, if your Cavachon suffers from boredom or anxiety, destructive behaviours could take place.
Cavachons tend to like food a little too much, so it's important to keep an eye on their portions to avoid them becoming overweight.
Cavachons are good watchdogs, as they'll bark to alert you of newcomers. But because of their small size and affectionate natures, they don't make good guard dogs.
Training a Cavachon
Cavachons are intelligent and eager to please. For these reasons, they are easy to train, provided you use positive methods. Don't let your dog develop "small dog syndrome". If you spoil your pet without giving them any limits, they are likely to walk all over you and turn a deaf ear to anyone's commands. Make sure you make an effort to train your dog, however cute and innocent they may be.
Cavachons also have a tendency to be afraid of unfamiliar things if they're not properly socialised and haven't encountered enough people, places, and situations in their puppyhood. So make sure you don't neglect this stage, known as the "window of opportunity" when they're still puppies. What's more, Cavachons develop very strong bonds with their owners and can therefore suffer from separation anxiety when they can't be with them. Make sure you gradually teach your dog how to stay at home on their own, helping them to gain confidence and learn to enjoy their own company.
Housebreaking your Cavachon should be easy if you stick to your schedule and take them out as often as they need. Don't forget that positive reinforcement is very useful!
Cavachon: Lifestyle
Cavachons make very good apartment dogs due to their small size and calm temperament indoors. But don't neglect their exercise needs!
Cavachons don't need a lot of exercise, but as with any dog, they need daily walks and play sessions to be healthy and happy.
Due to their small size, Cavachons make great travel companions. They're ideal for families who travel by car, train, or plane often.
Breed compatibility Cavachon
Cavachons are friendly, gentle dogs who have a low prey drive. This makes them more likely to get along with the family cat, especially if they've been properly introduced.
Cavachons tend to be good with other dogs, especially if they've been properly socialised from a young age. They are good dogs for multi-dog households.
Cavachons make great companions for children. They are gentle and affectionate with little ones, as long as they are handled with care.
Cavachons make great companions for senior dog owners. Their low need for exercise makes them ideal for people who can't be too active anymore.
Due to their affectionate and gentle natures, Cavachons make great dogs for first-time owners. Plus, they're easy to train! New owners should, however, be prepared for the Cavachon's need for companionship.
Cavachon: Purchase price
Cavachons are small dogs that won't cost much to care for. You can expect to pay up to £80 a month to maintain a Cavachon. This includes the cost of a balanced, high-quality diet, regular grooming, and routine health care.
It's important to note that these costs can vary depending on the area you're in, the availability of services and products, and the specific needs of each individual dog.
Cavachon: Shedding
Light
As with any crossbreed, it's difficult to know exactly what your puppy will look like. However, Cavachons' coats can vary from a long, wavy texture to a tighter, curly texture. If you are looking for a low shedding dog, you should choose a puppy with a curlier coat. This would indicate that their coat is more like that of the Bichon's, which does not shed. However, a coat that doesn't shed requires more professional grooming. In this case, you should take your dog to the groomer every 6 to 8 weeks. Don't forget that a low-shedding dog is not necessarily a hypoallergenic dog. If your Cavachon has a wavy coat, there's a good chance it sheds moderately.
Cavachon: Grooming
You should brush your dog's coat at least twice a week to keep it clean, shiny and healthy.
Cavachon: Health
As with all crossbreeds, Cavachons are more genetically diverse, and are therefore considered to be fairly robust and hardy dogs, although they can be prone to certain health problems.
With their thick coats and slightly flat faces, Cavachons can find warm weather to be uncomfortable. It's important to protect them from the heat and to always provide them with shade and fresh water.
Cavachons generally tolerate the cold well thanks to their thick coats, but they should not be exposed to extreme temperatures for too long.
Like many small dogs, Cavachons tend to put on weight easily if they are not sufficiently exercised and if their food intake is not controlled. Weight monitoring is recommended.
- Heart problems
- Patellar luxation
- Dental problems/loss of teeth
- Ear infections
- Skin problems/sensitivity to flea bites
- Hip dysplasia
Although robust in general, regular health monitoring by a vet is recommended to detect and prevent these potential problems.
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