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.

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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.

See the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breed sheet

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.

See the Bichon Frise breed sheet

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

See the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breed sheet

Bichon Frise

See the Bichon Frise breed sheet

Life expectancy	The Cavachon has a life expectancy of between 12 and 14 years
Temperament	Affectionate Playful Intelligent
Size	Small
Adult size	Female Between 12 and 13 in Male Between 12 and 13 in
Adult weight	Female Between 15 and 35 lb Male Between 15 and 35 lb
Coat colour	White Red Sand
Type of coat	Long Wavy
Eye colour	Brown

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

Very affectionate

Cavachons are extremely affectionate dogs. They love to be with their families and are constantly on the lookout for cuddles and fuss.

Very playful

Cavachons are playful and energetic. They love to play with their owners.

More or less calm

Though playful, Cavachons are typically calm indoors, where they like to rest and relax.

High intelligence

Cavachons are smart and learn quickly.

Low prey drive

Cavachons typically have a low prey drive.

Moderately fearful of strangers

Cavachons are not typically afraid of strangers, as long as they've been socialised from a young age.

Not very independent

Cavachons are not independent dogs. They prefer to be with their people than to stay on their own.

Cavachon: Behaviour

Can't tolerate being left alone

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.

Very easy to train

Cavachons are smart and eager to please. This makes them easy to train and very obedient. Positive reinforcement training techniques are a must.

Tends to be very vocal

Cavachons are "talkative" dogs who tend to bark when they want attention.

Doesn't have a tendency to run away

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.

Can be destructive

A well-trained and stimulated Cavachon won't be destructive. However, if your Cavachon suffers from boredom or anxiety, destructive behaviours could take place.

Moderately food motivated

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.

Bad watchdog

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

Compatible with living in a flat

Cavachons make very good apartment dogs due to their small size and calm temperament indoors. But don't neglect their exercise needs!

Needs a moderate amount of exercise

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.

Easy to travel with

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

Moderately compatible with cats

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.

Moderately compatible with other dogs

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.

Compatible with children

Cavachons make great companions for children. They are gentle and affectionate with little ones, as long as they are handled with care.

Compatible with senior owners

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.

Highly recommended for a first-time owner

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

Strong / robust

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.

Vulnerability to hot weather

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.

Vulnerability to cold weather

Cavachons generally tolerate the cold well thanks to their thick coats, but they should not be exposed to extreme temperatures for too long.

Tendency to put on weight

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.

Common illnesses