Cavachon: Dog Breed Information and Owner’s Guide

Cavachon Dog Breed Information and Owner’s Guide Cover

The Cavachon is the perfect breed for just about anyone.

These beautiful dogs are kind hearted souls that love everyone they meet. They are very social and will make friends wherever they go.

Anybody can take care of these loveable, low maintenance dogs as long as they are willing to give them the love and attention they always seem to be asking for.

In this article we will explain how to take care of a Cavachon.

So keep reading to learn interesting facts, the history of this breed and much more…

Cavachon

Cavachon At A Glance

  • Cavachon Close Up

The Cavachon is a low maintenance breed with an overly sweet and outgoing disposition.

These pups are social butterflies that make friends with everyone they meet. They love to be snuggled and will give you as much love back as you give them. Whilst this pup will want to exercise a little they would rather spending their time inside and cuddle on the couch.

  • Popularity: #Rising.
  • Speciality: Companion.
  • Weight: 15-35 pounds.
  • Price: $700-$1500.
  • Personality: Easy going, outgoing and affectionate.

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Cavachon Overview

Cavachon On Beach

The Cavachon is a mix between the dainty Bichon Frise and the regal Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

Cavachons are one of the sweetest breeds to ever exist.

These lovely little dogs serve no other purpose than to comfort their owners and provide companionship. Due to their size and fragile frame, these pups are not well suited for work and have no special skills for hunting or agility.

They are wonderful at the job of keeping your lap warm and snuggling though.

Cavachons are very small dogs with delicate and silky fur that is soft to the touch.

Their personality is even more beautiful than their appearance. These dogs make friends wherever they go and are gentle with humans and dogs.

In addition these pups are super easy to care for. They require very little effort in terms of grooming, exercise and training – so they make an ideal choice for first time dog owners.

Pros

  • Intelligent and easy to train.
  • Considered hypoallergenic.
  • Extremely tolerant of children.
  • Friendly with strangers and other dogs.
  • Very low maintenance.

Cons

  • Can develop separation anxiety.
  • Very sensitive to raised voices.
  • Prone to poor dental health.
  • Tendency to become overweight.

A Day In The Life Of This Breed

When you wake up next to a Cavachon you can expect to be immediately showered with morning kisses.

These pups love their owners unconditionally and have to show it all times. They will snuggle with you in bed until you are ready to get up.

Once you are up they will not leave your side.

If you need to shower this pup will faithfully wait for you right outside the bathroom. If you need to eat breakfast then the Cavachon will wait patiently for any scraps you are willing to spare.

These Velcro dogs need constant attention so be prepared to focus on them for majority of your day. If you leave them alone for too long or do not give them the attention they crave then they will cry or may even become destructive.

As social butterflies your Cavachon will ask to hang out with friends (both human and canine companions) during the day.

They will desperately plead to go to the dog park and will wait at the door to go say hi to every neighbor that walks by.

These dogs need their social time.

During all their socialization they will also want to play a little.

You can expect to run around, play fetch or even swim for about half an hour. But after that they will be ready for a lengthy nap curled up in your lap.

History And Origin

Cavachon Sleeping

The Cavachon is created by mixing the Bichon Frise and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

Both of these parent breeds have a rich history that extends back many years.

Bichon Frises comes from Europe. These pups’ ancestors were barbets (AKA water spaniels) that were crossed with fluffy white dogs. In total 4 barbichon breeds were created: the Bolognese, Havanese, Maltese and Tenerife Bichon (later renamed the Bichon Frise). Italian sailors discovered these gorgeous little dogs and took their beloved Bichon Frises back home where they were favored by aristocrats. Eventually this breed came over to the US in 1955.

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel was a gentle and dainty breed that King Charles II loved very dearly. As ruler over Britain in the late 1600s, the King made this breed quite popular amongst the royals and wealthy. These precious English dogs came to North America in 1952.

In 1996 these two beloved breeds were crossed together to create the first Cavachon.

It is unclear who was the first to cross these two breeds together.

However since the 1990s this breed’s popularity has skyrocketed in the US due to their charming personality and beautiful appearance.

6 Fun Facts

  1. Cavachons are also known as Cavalier Bichons and King Charles Bichons.
  2. These lovely dogs do really well in apartments because of their small size and low energy levels.
  3. Because of the ties that the Bichon Frise has to water these delightful pups love water and will happily swim all day long if you let them.
  4. This breed was first created in the mid 1990s.
  5. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels can often suffer from BOAS (brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome) because of their short muzzles. Because Cavachons are bred with the Bichon Frise their muzzles are usually a medium length rather than short, however this is still something you should pay attention to whilst buying your puppy.
  6. These delicate pups do not tolerate cold weather well.

Temperament And Behavior

King Charles Bichon Mix

This breed’s personality is just as beautiful as their appearance.

Cavachons truly have hearts of gold.

These perfect family dogs are professional cuddlers and will snuggle into any lap that is available. They will wedge themselves into tiny spots on the couch just to be as close to you as possible and will likely crawl under the covers with you when it is time for bed.

They love to be loved.

Because of their intense need for human contact these pups often develop severe separation anxiety which can lead to destructive behaviors like chewing, digging or barking.

If you are going to leave this breed on their own then you need to crate train them. Once crate trained they will have a safe environment to feel secure in whilst they are alone.

These pups are equally as kind to strangers as they are to their own family – everyone they meet is their new best friend. Make sure to set aside extra time on walks for your dog to greet every single person (and dog) that you pass.

They are very eager to make friends and you will likely find yourself meeting lots of new people too due to your dog’s outgoing nature.

Cavachons are also great with children and will tolerate certain behaviors that other dogs can find annoying.

In addition to being as friendly as can be these little love bugs have an overall happy demeanor.

They love to have fun and play around.

However this breed does not lots of energy so you will not be burdened with the task of exercising them for hours. They enjoy going for leisurely walks to explore the world around them and love a light game of fetch later in the day to burn off any remaining energy.

Beyond that any extra play is not really necessary. These pups would much rather snuggle than play but they will muster up the energy to have some fun every now and again.

They do not feel the need to bark often. Your pup may bark when the doorbell rings, when they want to go outside, or if they hear a loud noise. But otherwise they will be fairly quiet.

Overall Cavachons are an easy going breed that make great first time pets.

How Much Does A Cavachon Cost?

Cavachon Dog

Both the Bichon Frise and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel are very elegant breeds that breeders typically charge lots of money for.

Because of this the Cavachon can be expensive too.

These lovely mixed dogs have become very popular because of their loving and easy going personality – because of this breeders have increased their prices due to the growing demand.

You should expect to pay anywhere from $700-$1500 for a Cavachon Puppy.

It is very unlikely you will find one of the mixes in a shelter.

However,  if you do find one then you will have to pay around $250 in adoption fees to adopt this mix.

AgePrice
Puppy$700-$1500
Adult$250
Adoption$200-$350

Buyer’s Tips

  1. Make sure your breeder is reputable. Because this dog is very popular there are a lot of breeders out there who are puppy mills in disguise – so make sure to do plenty of research before buying.
  2. Before you buy your pup they should be genetically tested for common conditions such as syringomyelia. Checking for these conditions will help you avoid massive vet bills.
  3. Do not adopt this breed if you work long hours or are not home often. These pups often develop separation anxiety and do not like to be left alone.
  4. If you are extremely introverted then this is not the breed for you. These dogs are super social and will drag you towards lots of new people all the time.
  5. Be very careful with how much you feed your Cavachon. These dogs gain weight easily so make sure to limit their food intake and the amount of treats you give them.
  6. You should train your puppy early on how to stay in a crate. This is very helpful to reduce the amount of separation anxiety they experience whilst you are away.
  7. If you are purchasing a Cavachon because of their hypoallergenic coat then make sure they do not have long hair. These longer haired puppies are likely not hypoallergenic.

Cavachon Dog Appearance

Cavachon In Studio

This breed is undeniably cute.

They have an adorable expression on their face that not only shows their friendly nature but also their extreme intelligence.

Overall the Cavachon is a small dog.

They have short legs that gracefully carry their compact bodies.

You can expect them to have warm brown eyes and a medium sized muzzle.

They have a round skull with long and floppy ears. This broad head rests upon a sturdy body which is highlighted by their strong and defined chest.

Size

This is a petite dog.

They only stand 12-13 inches tall and weigh 15-35 pounds – however these dogs do not usually weigh over 25 pounds.

They do have a tendency to become overweight though. Your little pup may quickly get a little chubby and approach the higher end of this weight range if you are not good at monitoring their weight (more on this later).

Colors

These gorgeous dogs rarely have a solid colored coat.

Typically these dogs are a cream or white color with apricot, black or tan markings. You can sometimes from these dogs in a tricolor too.

The colors and patterns of these pups can vary greatly which makes each pup unique.

Their coat is what makes them extremely appealing to dog owners.

Cavachons have a soft, silky coat that is nice to stroke and gorgeous to gaze upon.

Their medium length fur has a delicate wave to it that is hard to resist petting. Some of these dogs have longer coats but the medium length is the most common.

They are also considered hypoallergenic due to their low shedding. The longer haired variations may shed a bit more though so allergy sufferers should be cautious and examine the coat type of their pup before adopting them.

Cavachon Care Guide

A Cavachon

This breed is excellent for first time dog owners due to their low maintenance requirements.

These lovely dogs have a very laid back personality and get along well with practically everyone they meet. Their grooming routine is very simple and they do not have much energy, which means they are easy to exercise.

Perhaps the hardest part about keeping a Cavachon is their diet. Whilst their diet is not complicated it can be hard not to overfeed such a small dog. They will always beg for extra food so it is easy for this pup to become overweight.

The only thing these pups require is lots of affection at all times.

They are easy to train and truly any dog owner can raise a beautiful, mild-mannered Cavachon.

Exercise

This dog does not need lots of exercise – around 40 minutes each day should suffice.

These 40 minutes can be used to walk and play with your mix.

You should try to walk them for around half an hour each day and then the rest of the time can be devoted to playtime.

When you are walking your dog always have them on a leash. These pups love to chase small animals and will take off if given the chance to escape. An even better alternative to a leash is a harness which lets you better control your pup and puts less strain on their neck.

Like most dogs this breed loves fetch.

They will retrieve any ball, stick or frisbee that you toss for them. As much as they will love playing with you, they especially love playing with other canine companions. Take your dog to the dog park as often as you can. Cavachons are extremely social and cherish any opportunity to play with other dogs.

  • Total Daily Activity: 40 minutes.
  • Activity Level: 2/5.
  • Favorite Activity: Playing at the dog park.

Grooming

This breed is popular amongst allergy sufferers because they are considered hypoallergenic. This means that they produce less of the dander that makes people sneeze so much.

Although they rarely shed the Cavachon still requires a moderate amount of effort put into their grooming. These pups should be brushed 3 times a week to prevent matting (matts are large knots of hair that form and pull on your dog’s skin and can be quite painful).

Some owners of this breed also choose to make occasional trips to the groomer to have any long hair trimmed up for a neater appearance.

Dental care for this breed is just as important as coat care. Small dogs are prone to dental issues so you should try to brush your dog’s teeth once a day.

In addition, you should clean your dogs’ ears each week, trim their nails 1-2 times per month and bathe them once a month. This breed may also require sunscreen during the summer on sensitive areas such as their ears and nose if they began to show signs of sunburn.

Nutrition

As previously mentioned these small dogs have a tendency to become quite chubby and put on weight very easily.

They have a large appetite and will overeat if given the chance.

As their owner, you are responsible for limiting your dog’s food consumption and keeping them within a healthy weight range.

Cavachons should be fed two times a day and only need about 1 cup of food each day depending on their weight and activity level.

You should give them a feed specifically for small breeds. This should be low in fat and calories to avoid any excessive weight gain. They should have a medium amount of protein in their diet to support their moderate exercise levels.

Health Concerns

With a Cavachon there are three main health conditions that plague this breed: mitral valve disease, heart murmurs and syringomyelia.

  • The majority of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels develop heart disease so it is likely that your Cavachon will as well.
  • Syringomyelia is a terrifying disease characterized by a fluid filled cyst on the spinal cord that could cause paralysis and serious brain damage. Unfortunately, this disease has become more prevalent due to poor breeding practices.
  • Other serious diseases include liver shunts, Cushings disease and anemia may occur, but are less frequently observed than the previously listed conditions.

How Long Does A Cavachon Live?

Like most smaller breeds the Cavachon has a lengthy lifespan of 10-15 years. You can expect to spend many wonderful years with your beloved friend.

How To Train A Cavachon Dog

Cavachon Close Up

These dogs are very agreeable and love to please their owners.

Because of this wonderful trait Cavachons are extremely easy to train.

These happy pups can be sensitive to harsh punishment so it is vital that you only use positive reinforcement when you train your pup. They respond much better to love and treats than harsh criticism. They are very food oriented, but you must limit the number of treats you give them or they will quickly become obese.

Because these dogs are so smart they can easily become bored and may become destructive. Puzzle toys and fun tricks are a great way to keep your pup’s mind occupied. Teach them tricks like playing dead, waving or anything else you can imagine.

These smart pups are capable of doing pretty much anything you are willing to teach them.

Socializing a Cavachon is a piece of cake. These social butterflies love every single person and dog they meet. They will eagerly run up to strangers for lots of pets and will greet dogs with a friendly crouch to indicate they are ready to play.

Summary

The Cavachon makes friends wherever they go.

These lovely dogs have a heart of gold and treat everyone equally – they do not choose between friends.

They are highly intelligent and eager to please, so training is not something you will struggle with.

Cavachons do not need lots of exercise during the day however you will need to keep them mentally busy so they do not get bored and destroy your house!

If you are considering bringing one into your home then make sure you have the time and attention to give this dog the affection they crave.

Let us know your questions in the comments section below…

About John Woods 300 Articles
John Woods is the founder of All Things Dogs, member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers, graduate in Animal Behavior & Welfare and recognized author by the Dog Writers Association of America.

5 Comments

  1. I adopted a two year old Cavachon who, it turned out, suffered terribly with separation anxiety but I wasn’t told about it!
    Three years later and he is a lot better as long as he can sit in the window whilst I go out! He is totally adorable, incredibly loyal and a loving companion for me especially when I have been poorly. He loves to play fetch and with “his” football and will do anything for a treat! He was a bit “humpy” when I first adopted him but after being castrated he was a changed dog. His coat gets very thick and fluffy so I have him groomed every 6-8 weeks. I would thoroughly recommend getting a Cavachon if you are wanting company or a family pet. You will not be disappointed!!

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