The Cavachon is a designer dog; it is the crossbreed of Bichon Frise and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. The Cavachon dogs were originated with a hope that they will inherit the excellent characteristics of both parent dogs. It is also known as Cavashon. The Cavachon is not recognized by the American Kennel Club, as it is not a Purebred dog. Instead, it is a cross breed dog. Cavachon dogs were originated in the United States. Due to their cute looks and heart touching nature they are becoming more and more popular across the globe. Cavachon dogs are small-sized and adorable. If you want a small-sized, lovely, and a companion dog that is low maintenance too, then Cavachon is perfect for you. However, no one can predict their exact characteristics. Due to their small size, they are adaptable to a small apartment.
Origin and History
Cavachon dog’s exact origin is unknown, but the Gleneden Kennels of Virginia, USA claims to be the first Cavachon breeder in 1996. The breeders after that, tried their best while choosing healthy parent dogs. Doing this, reduced the risk of inheriting any disorders of the parents of the puppies. After that, the Cavachon is famous in the whole world. The reason for his popularity is his temperament and the low-shedding coat. This makes them almost perfect companion dog because people love the cute, low-shedding and the dog with an excellent personality.
Recognition
The Cavachon dog breed is recognized by ACHC (American Canine Hybrid Club), DDKC (Designer Dogs Kennel Club), DRA (Dog Registry of America), ACA (American Canine Association Inc.) and IDCR (International Designer Canine Registry).
Cavachons are not recognized by the AKC, as it is not a purebred dog.
Parent breeds of Cavachon
The characteristics of the designer dogs cannot be predicted, as it can inherit more characteristics from the Sire and the same can happen for the Dam. So, one can never be sure about the Cavachons; they will inherit more characteristics from Cavalier or Bichon Frise? It also depends on luck.
Let’s have a look at their parent breed so we have an idea about what characteristics Cavachon may have.
Bichon Frise
Bichon Frise is also a small dog breed with fluffy white coat and beautiful black Eyes. It is the 45th most popular dog breed in the world according to the AKC rankings. That beautiful small dog is a companion dog, weighing from 7 to 12 pounds and is 9 to 12 inches tall at the shoulders. Its lifespan is about 12 to 15 years. It is generally a healthy dog breed, but it also may have some health problems like other breeds. The Bichon Frise has moderate grooming needs.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a playful, gentle and cute dog. It is a small adorable dog with large eyes and a beautiful coat with different colors. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is polite with other animals and family members. He loves being loved and wants the owner to be around. If he left alone for a long time, he doesn’t feel good and results in barking and destructiveness. They shed much, and they need regular combing and brushing. There are some serious health concerns in the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dog breed.
PROS.
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are excellent companion dogs.
- Can be trained easily with some effort.
- They have low shedding coats.
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are of a nice size, not too small or too big.
- They are good with children and other dogs.
CONS.
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel doesn’t tolerate if left alone for a long time.
- They may become prone to some hereditary health problems.
- They need high grooming maintenance.
- As a designer breed, their behavior and characteristics cannot be predicted.
Appearance and Coat
The height of the Cavachons can be between 12-13 inches or 29-33 cm and weight between 4 to 9 kilograms 10 to 20 lbs.
Cavachons are the small cute dogs with thick coats and are extra fluffy. Their coats can be wavy or curly. They have long ears, which he inherited from the Cavalier and soft coat from both the parents. They have inherited the physical traits from their parents, but the designer breeds like Cavachon cab be different in characteristics and colors, etc. even in the same litter.
Both of his parents are small breeds. The Bichon Frise is famous for his white coat, and the Cavalier’s coat is of many colors. As a result, the Cavachon’s coat color is of many varieties. Such as;
- White
- Red
- Tricolor
- Brown
- Apricot
- White with other color’s patches
Cavachons have a broad back and well-boned limbs. Their muzzle has a perfect length. They have large and beautiful eyes that make them more adorable.
Size
They are small dogs. Due to their small size, they are adaptable in small apartments and houses. The size of the male Cavachon is 31 to 33 cm and the same for the female.
Weight
The weight of the Cavachon depends on the breeding too. Generally, they weigh between 7 to 15 Kgs.
Health concerns of Cavachon
The Cavachon dogs inherited the heart diseases from the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, their parent dog. The Cavachons also have heart failure problems in the old age and even in the middle age. The Cavachon dog can suffer from these diseases;
- Mitral valve disease
- Skin issues
- Ear infections
- Hip Dysplasia
- Curly Coat
- Excessive tear production
- Eye issues
- Syringomyelia
- Patellar luxation
- Cushing’s disease
- Cataracts
Most of the Cavachon dogs die due to the Mitral valve disease. It affects the dog’s mitral valve that leads to health failure.
The Cavachons should be given their vaccinations as scheduled by the vet or another related department.
Offering too many treats and food can spoil your dog’s health. Cavachon dogs can suffer from allergies, and if you have found any of the symptoms, you must take your dog to the vet. Allergies can be controlled by controlling food, environment, etc.
If you are going to purchase a healthy Cavachon, check that the Cavachon puppy is healthy. The signs of a healthy puppy are;
- A clean and thick coat
- Clean and pink gums
- Alert behavior
- Bright and clear eyes.
Temperament of Cavachon dog
Their temperament varies from litter to litter, and it depends on the breeding. We cannot predict the exact personality and behavior of the Cavachon dog as it is a mixed breed. However, we can say that they will inherit some of their parent’s characteristics or more. The thing that is the reason for their popularity is their temperament. They are known for their intelligence and friendly nature. Their friskiness and small size make them perfect pet dog.
The Cavachons are friendly and living. They do not take much time making new friends. They want people to be around them. If you don’t give them enough time, it is not suitable for them, and you can see a change in their attitudes.
They are good with other pets and people, but early socialization will be very fruitful in the case of Cavachons. However, they can chase the other small pets. They are not aggressive dogs but can bark at the strangers.
As they have inherited the intelligence of both his parents, these dogs are also intelligent and are easily trainable. They are very suitable for the first time owners.
Taking Care of Cavachon
Training
Cavachons can be trained very quickly as they always want to please their owners. This breed is intelligent to learn very quickly. However, you should be careful about their mood too. If Cavachon does not show interest, give him a break. In the first few months, crate training is recommended for them. Praise and sweet treats can be fruitful in this regard.
You must show patience if your dog is not interested or he is shy and timid. With patience and perseverance, they can be trained. It can take some time, but it is not impossible.
The first command you should teach your pup are;
- Sit
- Stay
- Come
- Down
- Quiet
Feeding
As the Cavachon is a small dog, he needs a high-quality dog food that is made especially for small breed dogs. If you bought the Cavachon from the breeder, then they would give you the diet plan of the dog. You must follow the diet schedule strictly and do not change the dog’s diet. If you want to improve their food, do it gradually.
Make sure that the food Cavachon dogs are given is according to their nutritional needs. Due to their fast metabolism, their calorie needs are much higher than large dogs.
Protein and Fat are the essential nutrients, especially for dogs. Feed your dog with the recommendations by your vet according to the dog’s weight and age.
Exercise needs
Generally, Cavachons are energetic, and they love playing and running around. They like to play with their owner or family members. So, they do not need many exercises. The 30 minutes outside walk is enough for them. If a Cavachon doesn’t have anything to do, he will get bored soon. So, they will try to find ways to entertain himself. The Cavachons must not be over exercised, as it can be harmful to their joints and bones.
Grooming Needs
Cavachons are known as hypoallergenic dogs. They do not shed much. That means they are ideal dogs for people with dander allergies. They are low shedding dogs, but it does not mean that they don’t have any grooming needs.
Cavachon dogs need to be groomed every 5 to 8 weeks. So, it is necessary to introduce your dog with the grooming tools before going to the parlor. Cavachon dogs need to clean their eyes with a soft cloth regularly.
Brush the Cavachon’s coat 3 to 5 times per week. Brush their teeth 2 to 3 times per week the best central air service near me. The toothbrushes and kinds of toothpaste are available in the market especially made for dogs.
Check the dog’s ears regularly and clean them when necessary. Too much wax in your dog’s ears can be the reason for painful infection.
Faqs
What is the average Lifespan of Cavachon dogs
Their average lifespan is 10 to 12 years.
Also, read about the Mini Bernedoodle
Conclusion
So here, in the above article we have tried our best to provide you as much and perfect information about the Cavachon dogs. Generally, it is a small dog with moderate exercise needs. It is low shedding and easy to train. Cavachon dog is intelligent and good with the children. So, if you have any inquiries regarding Cavachons, you can ask in the comments section.
Read more about Tiny Bernedoodle
Photo Credits: dilip_bagdi2005, Jeremy Wilbur, Chews A Puppy
