Cavachon

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Size

Small

Life span

12 Years

Weight

9 Kg

Group

Hybrid Dogs

Cavachon Overview

The Cavachon is a small breed of “designer dog” typically weighing 5.5 kilos to 8.5 kilos. A “designer dog” is a cross between a purebred and another purebred. In the case of the Cavachon, it is a cross between a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Bichon Frise, hence the name “cava” and “chon”. It is one of the common first-cross hybrids we have today. The Cavachon is a low-maintenance dog and an excellent watchdog. It will typically alert the owner by barking when it senses an intruder. It shares a lot of characteristics that are common in both of its lineages. The coat of the Cavachon is thick, often curly and very fluffy and sheds very little. Coat colour comes in all types but the most common are various shades of white or brown, white with black markings or white with black and tan markings.

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Cavachon Characteristics

Size InformationIntelligence
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Size InformationExercise Needs
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Size InformationDogs Health
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Size InformationChild Friendly
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Size InformationApartment
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Size InformationShedding
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Size InformationGrooming Needs
  • 4
Size InformationBarking
  • 3
Size InformationAlone
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Size InformationTrainability
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Size InformationEnergy Levels
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Size InformationDog friendly
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History & Origin

The Cavachon has a mix of royalty running in its veins. Its two lineages – the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel was a royal pet during the reign of King Charles II while the Bichon Frise was developed by French Royalty. However, royal blood as he is, the Cavachon is a very down-to-earth breed and will be more than happy to mingle with everyone. It was accidentally developed in the United States in 1996 when a champion Cavalier King Charles Spaniel mated with a Bichon Frise. The resulting litter was that of small and stuffed toy-like adorable little dogs that weighed between 5 to 8.5 kilos that inherited many of their parent’s physical traits and temperament. Since the Cavachon is a “designer dog”, it not recognised as a breed by the UK Kennel Club.

Cavachon Temperament

The Cavachon is an affectionate, cheerful, friendly, gentle, and intelligent breed. It can entertain itself on for hours when the owner is not around. It is a social animal and loves being with its owner for some cuddling time. It also loves being with other dogs as opposed to being all alone in the corner. It is a light and random eater and will be happy with just two small meals of quality dog food per day. It is fairly inactive inside the house and will be content sleeping or napping all day.

Cavachon Training

Like any other canine breeds, the Cavachon needs to be trained and socialised at a very early age so the puppy will understand early on in its life what the owner wants from him. This breed is smart and a quick learner but it still requires consistent but gentle obedience training from an experienced handler.

Grooming

The Cavachon is a very light shedder and is considered a hypoallergenic dog to some degree. Grooming is also on the light to moderate side. Quick brushing a few times a week is sufficient to keep the coat tangle free and mat free. Brushing also helps promote better blood circulation. Occasional trimming is required because the coat tends to grow up to almost two centimetres. Inspect and clean the ears on a weekly basis to prevent any infection.

Health

The Cavachon is a small dog owing to its lineage of two toy breeds. A Cavachon puppy is still relatively small when it is old enough to be taken home so it needs to be handled with extra care until it is big enough. When choosing a Cavachon puppy, make sure that it has pink, clean gums. A pale gum is a sign that the puppy is sick. It should also have light pink inner ears, shiny thick coat, clean and dry tail and anal area, clear eyes, an alert temperament and clean moist nose. An adult Cavachon has a tendency to develop heart murmurs. It also has a tendency to develop skin allergies from flea bites. Eye ulcerations are also one of the concerns mainly due to hair rubbing the corneas.

Cavachon Exercise Needs

The Cavachon is an active breed that requires moderate exercise and play most of the time. However, this breed is better than most dogs at entertaining itself both physically and mentally which eases some of the burdens of walking the dog outside for an exercise. Just a quick walk around the block or a game of fetch or similar activity will help burn off some of its excess energy. It is the perfect pet for someone who lives in a small apartment, in a condominium or in a small house. It is also a wonderful companion for people who loves travelling in an RV.

Children and other pets

The Cavachon is a gentle, accepting and tolerant breed which makes it a good pet for a family with small children and other pet animals in the house. It is a sociable breed that loves being with other dogs and will not cause any problem when it is around other house pets.