Cavachon is one of the popular mixed dog breeds. It’s a cross between lovely Cavalier King Charles and Bichon Frise. This compact-sized mixed dog inherits some lovely traits from both of its parents. These small dogs have a soft, silky coat with slight waves. You can make these friendly and loving dogs a great family pet. They get along well with the children and other pets and bark at strangers. In short, these are good inside dogs and adapt well to apartment living.

They also have some other names, including the Cavalier-Bichon or Bichon-King Charles. However, despite their good status as a designer breed in society, you can find them in the care of shelters and rescues. So, make sure to visit shelters and rescues before adopting a Cavachon from a breeder. They do well in houses with a yard or without a yard. These are perfect for people who are looking for a perfect companion dog. A Cavachon can adapt to any environment. Let’s know more about the Cavachon dogs.

History

In 1996, the breeders started breeding the Cavachon dog breed by crossing the Cavalier King Charles and Bichon Frise in North America. Their main aim is to make an adorable companion dog with the minimum health issues. After that, they continued to breed this special dog breed due to their increased demand.

Parents

Cavalier King Charles

Cavalier King Charles is born to be a companion with the sporty nature of their spaniel ancestors. It’s one of the largest in the toy breeds. They are very athletic and enjoy hiking, running on the beach, and dog sports such as agility, flyball, and rally. Even some individuals also show their power as hunting dogs. A Cavalier King Spaniel can stand 12 to 13 inches at the shoulder and weighs 13 to 18 pounds. They are very socializing and eager to meet everyone who crosses their path.

They can have a range of personalities, from quiet and sedate to rowdy and rambunctious, depending upon their environment. So, these are poor as a watchdog. Some individuals also bark when strangers approach. Generally, they are healthy, but like all other dog breeds, they can also be prone to certain health issues. Some of their common health problems include mitral valve disease, syringomyelia, Episodic Falling, Hip dysplasia, and patella luxation.

Bichon Frise

Bichon fries is a small dog breed with black eyes and a fluffy coat. They are much like a small child’s toy and can be your happiest and most enthusiastic companion. They are very active and super playful, and intelligent. You have to provide them with plenty of playtime and activity daily. If you are giving them a lot of love, you will get it back from them. They have a very appealing look with baby-doll faces and fluffy white hair.

Males and females Bichon Frise dogs can stand about 9 to 11 inches tall with 7 to 12 pounds weight. They love to be the center of attention and are adept at charming their family, groomer, veterinarian, and neighbors. They can play independently for a long time, but it doesn’t mean they like to be alone. A Bichon Frise can also suffer from separation anxiety if you leave them alone for long. They can become destructive, chewing and tearing in these types of situations. Generally, they are healthy but can have bladder problems, allergies, patellar luxation, vaccination sensitivity, hip dysplasia, and juvenile cataracts.

Size

Cavachon is a relatively new dog breed with few standards for its size. As a mixed dog breed of Cavalier King Charles and Bichon Frise, you can expect the small size of Cavachon. Most of the Cavachon individuals weigh in at 15 to 35 pounds, with the height from 12 to 13 inches at the shoulder. However, some individuals can also be smaller or large in this range.

Coat

A Cavachon dog can have a medium to long coat. Cavachons hypoallergenic coat is perfect for allergic people. The silky and wavy look of their coat is very attractive to dog lovers. This low-shedding breed is good for families. They comes in different coat colors such as white, apricot, brown, black, and cream and white. They can also have bi-color, including tan or black, white and brown, black and brown, black and white, and tri-color as well.

Personality

Cavachon dogs are known as happy dogs with excellent personalities. Their small size makes them good lap dogs that enjoy a cuddle or nap. They are easy to own as they can stay in any environment and enjoy it. They are energetic but not overly energetic. Don’t worry about the barking, as these are not overly barky. Most of their personality traits depends upon their parents. 

They can alert you when guests arrive at your door. However, Cavachons barking depends upon the traits they inherit from their parents. You can easily train these energetic dogs as they are eager to learn. But make sure to keep the training sessions small depending upon their small size. Encourage their positive behavior to keep them on track.  

Health

Cavachon dogs have lower chances of health issues as a mixed dog breed. But they can also face some conditions that their parents face. Some individuals can also be prone to different issues, so it’s important to maintain their regular veterinary checkups and care. Some of the common health problems of the Cavachon include the following.

• Mitral Valve Disease
• Syringomyelia
• Atopic Dermatitis
• Heart Murmur
• Cataracts
• Cushing’s Disease
• Patellar Luxation

Note: Visit our Cavachon’s health guide to prevent your lovely friend from any serious health issue. 

Life Span

A Cavachon can live anywhere between 10 to 15 years. However, their life expectancy depends upon different factors. Health and diets are the major factors that play an important role in the Cavachon life span. 

Care

Regular veterinary checkups keep up your Cavachon in good health. Your Vet helps you detect any early health concerns that keep your dog healthy. They have moderate energy and need moderate activities to stay happy and stimulated. You have to check their ears regularly for debris and clean their ears as recommended by the Vet. Trim their nails once or twice per month. Your main concern will be the oral health of your Cavachon dog, like the other dog breeds. Brush their teeth daily to prevent them from dental issues. Don’t let them alone for a long time as they can build separation anxiety. Start their training early to train them for various tasks.

Feeding

Cavachon dogs are small dogs and need an ideally formulated diet. So, take special care about your Cavachon feeding. They can gain weight if they are overfed. Don’t leave the food in front of them during the day. Limit their number of treats as well. Their dietary needs will change from puppyhood to adulthood and to continues to change during their senior years. You can ask your Vet to recommend you the best diet plan for your Cavachon depending upon his size, routine, and health. Measure your Cavachon food and feed them twice a day. If you think your Cavachon is getting obese, minimize their food intake and increase the exercise.

Grooming

It’s easy to groom both the medium and long-haired Cavachon. You can simply brush their coat two to three times a week to keep it in good shape. You can also consult with your groomer for the best Cavachon grooming. They don’t perform well in extreme weather conditions. So, apply sunscreen to the ears and nose during the summer months.

Behavior

Cavachon is a good, friendly dog known for its wonderful behavior with children and other pets. You may often find them palling around the kids in your home, joining them in their games, and also sitting in their laps. However, you also keep an eye on them while they are playing with the children like the other dog breeds. You have to teach the children how to approach these small size dogs. It is important to prevent any injuries and biting. Don’t approach the Cavachons while they are sleeping or eating and take their food away. It doesn’t matter how friendly they are with your kids, don’t leave them alone with the kids. They are social dogs and enjoy the company of other pets in the home. They can get along well with the cats and other animals in the house with proper interaction and training.

Generations

Many breeders get the three Cavachon generations, including the F1, F2, and F3 generations. All these generations are perfect for families as they inherit lovely traits from their parents.

An Ultimate Cavachon Owner’s Guide

Pros and Cons of Owning a Cavachon

Pros

• Cavachons are relatively small dogs with moderate exercise needs. You can take them for two short walks a day or on a long walk. However, it’s your choice how much you want to take them outside.
• Cavachons are hypoallergic dogs that don’t shed a lot. They inherit this trait from Bichon Frise. However, they can also inherit their coat from Cavalier King Charles. So, there is a good chance that they might shed a little.
• If you are a first-time owner, this is a good breed for you. These are very easygoing and sociable dogs. You can take benefit from socialization and training classes to train them perfectly.
• They are friendly and social and relatively need low maintenance. They will enjoy meeting new people and new dogs.
• Cavachons are good family dogs with an affectionate, caring, and patient temperament. However, it’s a good idea to educate the children on how to handle them.

Cons

• Cavachons require regular grooming to maintain their affectionate and lovely coat. You must be consistent with their grooming to keep them from matted or tangled hair.
• Sometimes it can be difficult to train the Cavachons as they can be stubborn. However, you can start their training at an early age to get the best results.
• Instead of a crossbreed, Cavachons can also have some health problems. They can inherit some health issues from their parents, such as mitral valve disease, patellar luxation, and a variety of eye problems.
• As a designer breed, they can be quite expensive and can range from $1000 to $5000. Make sure to contact different Cavachon breeders before owning.
• Although they are very active and playful, they can develop separation anxiety if left alone for long. Some of the separation anxiety symptoms include barking, howling, whining, and destructive chewing or digging.

Why is a Cavachon the right breed for you?

A Cavachon can be the right breed for you if you are looking for a dog with the following characteristics.

• These are perfect family dogs and love to spend their maximum time with humans.
• They love to spend their time outdoors and play with children.
• They love to cuddle with humans.
• Cavachon has a longer life span and can live between 10 to 15 years.

Why is Cavachon not the right breed for you?

If you don’t like dogs with the following characteristics, it’s not the right breed for you.

• If you don’t want to make financial commitments, it’s not the right breed for you.
• They need heavy investment in their training and grooming to maintain their look.
• They can’t stay alone at home for longer.
• Cavachons are not known as guard dogs.

How much is a Cavachon puppy?

Cavachons are not cheap like many pure dog breeds. You may find some breeders are offering the Cavachon puppies at $1000. But if you want a puppy from a reputable breeder, you must spend anywhere between $2000 and $6000. Maybe you are not ready for this too much Cavachon price, but you have to know that this lovely dog is going to live with you for at least a decade.

What is the Temperament of a Cavachon?

The Cavachon temperament is considered good as a family dog. They are intelligent, playful, and overall merry like their ancestors. They get along well with the other canine companions. Start their training early if you want a well-educated and obedient adult dog. Some individuals may chase around other small animals. They lack aggression and perform well in a family environment.

Are Cavachons hypoallergenic?

Yes, Cavachons are considered hypoallergenic dogs, which makes them suitable for families. They tend to shed less and produce less dander. However, in fact, no dog is hypoallergenic. They always have some amount of dander and shedding. So, take care whenever you bring any dog breed at home.

final thoughts

Cavachon is a hybrid dog with many pros and cons like all the other dog breeds. You can make these dogs great company dogs, which can be a valued addition to your family. The following points help you to decide whether you own this beautiful dog or not.

• Cavachon is a perfect mix of two beautiful dogs and inherits the beautiful traits from them.
• You can train these intelligent dogs for various tasks. However, train them at an early age to get the best results.
• They don’t perform well in extreme weather conditions, especially during summer.
• They can build separation anxiety if left alone for long.
• You can find them in various stunning coat colors.
• A Cavachon can live between 10 to 15 years, depending upon their health. Their average life span is 12 to 15 years.

Hopefully, these points help you decide whether you own this lovely dog breed or not. However, it’s recommended to don’t own this breed if you don’t have any time at all to spend with them. Don’t get a Cavachon from any puppy mill, try to find the best Cavachon breeders near you.