Breed Characteristics:
Apartment Friendly
?How well will this breed adapt to apartment living? Is the apartment size the most important factor when it comes to proper living conditions? Is the breed suitable for apartment living?
Good For First-Time Owners
?Some dogs aren't suitable for first-time dog owners. Is this breed a good match for someone with no dog experience? Can training help them be on their best behavior with owners with no dog experience? Are they suitable to be handled by someone who is just entering the canine world?
Overall Sensitivity
?Some dogs are sensitive. Certain breeds are rough on the outside, while having the softest heart on the inside. In other words, some dogs are 'thick-skinned' while some are 'easygoing.' Is this breed prone to sensitivity?
Tolerates Being Alone
?Separation anxiety in dogs is a serious condition that can affect a dog's life quality. Is this breed prone to this condition? Can you leave him alone for hours? How destructive this breed can become when bored, neglected, or not loved enough?
Affectionate With Family
?How affectionate this breed will be around his humans? Will he welcome new family friends easily or he will choose to be shy? Some breeds can be clingy with owners, while others don't attach a lot. Will this breed act as the family's best friend?
Kid-Friendly
?Some dogs will tolerate children, while others will adore well-behaved ones. Dogs and children should always be supervised, no matter how well trained the dog might be. Will this breed act as a nanny dog or he will stay away from children?
Friendly Toward Other Dogs
?Some dog breeds cannot wait to run to the dog park and run with others. Others prefer to be with their humans, and not to be a part of a multi-pet household. Is this breed dog lover or not? How friendly this breed will be toward other dogs?
Friendly Toward Strangers
?Some dog breeds tend to be reserved toward strangers and highly suspicious. Others are fast to walk away with them easily. How welcoming this breed is toward strangers?
Drooling Level
?If you love to clean all the time drooling level in dogs is a trait that you should mind. Is this breed less likely to drool, or you will always need a towel on hand?
Easy To Groom
?Heavier shedding during the shedding season is something that every dog needs to go through. However, some dogs shed just a bit all year round. Is this breed one of them? How often should you groom this dog?
Overall Health
?What can you expect from this breed in terms of health? Are there any genetic conditions to vary about? Is obesity a major issue in this breed? By knowing more about the dog's health, you are learning how to help him live a longer and healthier life.
Prone To Obesity
?Treats are a great addition to training sessions. Dogs love sweet bites of dog treats but they should be served in moderation. Treats can lead to obesity, next to poor nutrition. Can this breed gain extra weight from treats? How prone to obesity this breed actually is?
Trainability Level
?Training some dogs is easier than others. How easy this dog will be to train? What can you expect? Some dogs are huge people pleasers and they will master commands easily, while others will try to outsmart you.
Intelligence Level
?Dogs are smart beings. We do our best to train them, but they do still end up training us to adapt to their needs. How intelligent is this breed? Will he try to outsmart you? Or he will need multiple training sessions to master basic commands?
Prey Drive
?Dogs were bred for a specific purpose. Those who were bred to hunt have natural instincts to hunt, even today. This is why many dogs, like Terriers, will chase other animals. They will also have a hard time concentrating on your commands when there is something small moving. Is this breed prone to following his prey instincts?
Barking Level
?How vocal this breed is? Can you expect neighbors to ring you often to calm your dog? Or you can sleep without worries of hearing your Fido bark? Some breeds are highly vocal, others have unusual sounds, and some are silent. Is this breed prone to barking?
Energy Level
?Low-energy dogs are happy with regular walks and indoor chill times. High-energy dogs are always ready for action. Is this breed a couch potato, energetic dog, or somewhere in between?
Exercise Needs
?Some dogs are more than happy with a slow stroll down the street. Others need hours of active time to stay happy and fit. Is this breed demanding in terms of exercise? How much exercise this breed needs to stay happy and healthy?
Playfulness Level
?Some dogs never lose that puppy spirit, not even in their senior years. Others are more serious and prefer having a job to do. Is this breed demanding in terms of playfulness? Can you expect playfulness in their senior years as well?
Cavachon is a mixed breed of purebred parents Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Bichon Frise.
This breed is perfect for dog owners who prefer to have a dog that is friendly, polite, and easy to train.
These dogs are great companion dogs who tend to get along with people of all ages, including children and the elderly.
Their silky coat and overall elegant appearance will demand a bit of extra care and regular grooming, but with the right grooming tools on hand and a bit of organization, this will go smoothly.
You just came across this breed and are unsure how come you have never heard of this breed? If this is you, don’t feel bad about it, because the Cavachon is a relatively new breed.
This hybrid breed goes the best qualities of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Bichon Frise, making this breed a perfect home dog with softness heart.
They are intelligent and loving, and they love to please their owners.
Mastering a new trick is super easy for them as they tend to in the sports light.
Cavachons are extremely loyal dogs who are highly attentive, and athletic.
They are often described as hypoallergenic dogs – discover more small size dog breeds that don’t shed that are great to have around if you are into heavy cleaning of dog hair.
Cavachons are great family dogs, who love being outside and being active for hours, while indoors they love nothing more but to curl next to your feet.
Keep on reading to discover if this mixed breed should be your next dog.
Quick Facts
Real name: Cavachon
Other names: Cavalier-Bichon, Bichon-King Charles
Origin: United States
Breed type: Mixed Breed Dogs
Weight: 15 to 35 pounds
Height: 12 to 13 inches
Lifespan: 10 to 15 years
Litter Size: 2 – 6 puppies
Color: Mostly cream, white, or pied
Coat: Usually medium-length coats
Cavachon History
When it comes to understanding the history of mixed breeds it’s important to understand that mixed breeds are designed breeds.
Mixed breeds are always carefully designed to deliver a certain number of traits.
Breeders usually mix breeds to create new ones, than will be stronger, healthier, long-living, or just better at certain fields.
For example, Cavachon was created because breeders wanted a small size companion dog with an extremely friendly nature, and low exercise requirement, who tends to be a low shedder.
If you are serious about getting a mixed breed, you need to do your best to find the best breeder possible.
Puppy mills are more than active when it comes to illegal breeding or breeding in very poor conditions, especially of smaller size mixed breeds.
You may pay less if you get a dog from a puppy mill, but you should know that it will cost you much more in the long run.
Dogs in puppy mills are usually never screened for common health issues and are usually raised in inhumane conditions, and this is something that every responsible dog owner wants to avoid.
How to recognize a puppy mill from a responsible dog breeder?
Here are some clues (red flags) that may help you recognize puppy mills’ practice:
- Same breeder offers multiple mixed breeds for sale
- There is a wait time option for the puppies on the website
- Breeders offer to ship the puppies to you without any check-up of the potential owner
- Hard time identifying the breeders – finding information such as phone number or contact e-mail is impossible
No one knows for sure when Cavachons were first bred, but some believe that it was sometime in the 1990s which makes Cavachon a relatively new breed.
Like the majority of mixed breeds, Cavachons were the first bred somewhere in the States, although their popularity has grown throughout the years outside the States as well.
Now that you know how to find healthy Cavachon, let’s see what you can expect from this breed in terms of appearance.
Cavachon Physical Appearance
Cavachon dog breed may have existed naturally for years, but we know for sure that this is a relatively new breed.
Since Cavachon is a new breed, it is hard to expect certain breed standards while the breed is still being perfected.
Luckily, some guidelines can help you learn what your Cavachon might look like.
If anything, you can do a throughout research on both parents’ breeds. To learn as much as possible on parent breeds, or to even compare them use this compare dog breeds tool to learn what you can expect from this breed in terms of appearance.
Although Cavachon is a relatively new breed there are few standards when it comes to size. That being said, Cavachons usually weigh between 15 to 35 pounds and stand 12-13 inches at the shoulder.
They still may be smaller or larger, which is something you won’t know before you get your Cavachon.
What about the personality of this mixed breed?
Cavachon Personality
Cavachon is a friendly breed. Many lovers of this breed will describe them as major people-pleasers and happy dogs who love to explore.
These dogs will be fast to make a run around the block, but they are far from being energetic.
Do not expect them to sleep all day long, but do not expect them to run for hours either.
If you want a breed to follow you on your sports adventures, think about getting a high-energy dog breed, such as Belgian Malinois.
Cavachons are average size lap dogs who love to be next to their humans. They are easygoing, and they will do their best to be polite toward anyone that they meet.
Cavachons are not known as heavy barkers, which makes them a great choice for apartment living.
It is not common to see them in rural areas, as they are more like city dogs.
As long as you provide enough outdoor time, they will be quiet once indoors.
To keep them active and healthy provide enough indoor games.
These games are especially handy when it’s raining outside. Cavachons are smart dogs. They love learning and performing different tricks.
Did you know that dogs are more than capable of mastering basic commands at eight weeks of age? This is why responsible dog breeders won’t ever give you the dog before this period.
Not only that at this period it is safe for them to be separated from their mother, but they are also able to learn.
Cavachons love to be praised and lavished with attention. If you spend long hours outside your home, and you don’t have someone to leave with your Cavachon you might think about getting a more independent dog breed.
Cavachons thrive when they are around people, and if anyhow neglected they will be blue.
Cavachon With Children And Other Pets
No matter how small a dog might be, children should still know how to behave around dogs.
Children and dogs usually get along nicely, and Cavachon is no exception.
These dogs are great family dogs, and they will be an amazing addition to families of any size as long as family members are on the same track on how to behave around dogs.
Cavachons enjoy playing with children as long as they respect their needs and space. This means that children should know how to handle dogs, not to disturb them while they are eating, sleeping, drinking water, or just resting in their crates.
Children should not try to pick dogs or pull food from their mouths. Educate your children on how to approach dogs, how to talk to them, and if possible include them in the training process.
No matter how great children and dogs might get along, their interaction should always be supervised.
Cavachons will enjoy the company of other dogs, as long as you show them that you care for them the most.
When there is a proper introduction and training, Cavachons should get along nicely with cats and other animals.
What about grooming needs?
Cavachon Grooming
Cavachon is often promoted as a hypoallergenic dog, which is why people often think that no grooming is necessary. However, low shedding doesn’t mean that there shouldn’t be a proper grooming practices.
Cavachons shed very little, but they should still experience proper brushing sessions.
Provide weekly brushing sessions using the right grooming tools to make brushing fast and easy.
You can always take your Cavachon to a professional groomer. This may be a pricey option, but it will save you a lot of time. Professional grooming service goes beyond brushing.
Proper grooming practice should include:
- Weekly brushing
- Weekly gums check
- Daily eye check for any sign of eye discharge
- Bathe only when needed
- Monthly nail trimming or grinding
Know that no breed is 100% hypoallergenic because all dogs produce dander and they shed to a certain extent.
If you, or your family members, suffer from heavy allergies, rethink your decision to get a dog.
Cavachon Training
Cavachons are intelligent dogs who love to learn. They are big people pleasers and mastering tricks will be a great experience for both dogs and dog owners.
To get the maximum out of training sessions, you should structure in this order, so make them:
- Short
- Fun
- Consistent
- Packed with treats
- Interactive
Cavachons will thrive on training sessions that are interactive and fun. The key to great training is making training sessions that will keep the dog’s body and mind stimulated.
Dogs easily get bored if the actions are repetitive, so bring the fun whenever possible.
Provide regular training sessions, but be gentle at the same time. Always encourage positive behavior and provide a nice treat.
Dogs do not react well to negative training methods, and they should never experience such.
Create training sessions that are based on positive training methods.
If you feel like you could use support during the training sessions, choose one of the two following options:
- Hire a professional dog trainer
- Enroll you puppy in puppy classes
There is nothing wrong with getting the right support, especially if you are a first-time dog owner. Next to regular training, provide enough exercise time.
Cavachon Exercise
Keep your Cavachon in the best shape possible by providing quality exercise time.
Exercise is what shall keep your dog not only in great shape but so strong that he will reach his senior years without major health issues.
Provide between 20-30 minutes of exercise per day. Think in terms of dog park playtime, an intense walk around the block, and dog sport such as agility.
If your Cavachon is just a puppy, be careful with exercise time as you do not want him to over-workout.
Puppies are prone to different joint-related injuries, and you should avoid really intense challenges, such as running down the stairs.
Cavachon Health
Cavachons are considered to be healthy dogs. You may provide the best care in the world and your Fido still may get sick.
In other words, dogs may be prone to certain conditions.
With mixed breeds, you can expect to see health issues that may appear frequently in one of the parents. This is another reason why you should do extra research on the breed’s parents.
Some of the most common health issues that this breed may experience include:
- Mitral Valve Disease
- Heart Murmur
- Syringomyelia
- Atopic Dermatitis
- Cataracts
- Cushing’s Disease
- Patellar Luxation
- Dental Disease
- Eye Problems
This doesn’t mean that your dog will definitely get any of the listed issues.
It just means that you should be well aware of them, and do all that you can do to prevent them.
Once you get a dog you are directly responsible for his weight which is why you should be mindful of proper nutrition.
To keep the dog healthy and at an optimal weight, you should provide the following:
- High-quality food
- Regular meals
- Right knowledge on how much your dog should eat
- An easy access to fresh and clean water
It can be helpful to know how to read pet food labels, so you can choose the best food faster.
Obesity in dogs is on the rise across the States and you don’t want your dog to be part of this negative trend.
To keep your dog’s weight in balance you should not only provide the right nutrition but also be mindful of exercise needs and treat consumption.
It is easy to overfeed small size dogs with treats. Who could resist those big puppy eyes, right?
Still, small size dogs should be treated just like any other dog, even large and giant dogs.
They should be rewarded for their behavior with a nice and delicious treat.
Treats should be served in moderation and only as an occasional treat. Otherwise, excessive consumption of treats might lead to weight gain, which may lead eventually to obesity.
Just like in humans, obesity may lead to additional heal issues, including poor blood pressure and many heart-related issues.
Cavachon Nutrition
Know how much you should feed your Cavachon and how often. Avoid feeding your dog after an intense exercise time, as it may lead to digestive or other issues.
Dogs should be provided with a diet that is specially designed for their age. That being said, make sure that you serve food that is appropriate to Cavachon’s size, age, and activity level.
Feeding your puppy senior food won’t provide any benefits. Your Fido may feel a full stomach, but he won’t get any nutritional value.
Feeding your Cavachon twice a day should be enough to keep him fit. If you are not sure if some food isn’t healthy for your Cavachon make sure that you talk with your veterinarian.
Know which human foods are OK for your dog, and which should be avoided no matter what.
For example, a fresh carrot is a great occasional treat, while onion should always be off-limits no matter what.
The best way to keep your Cavachon healthy next to proper nutrition, and regular exercise is to stick to regular veterinarian check-ups.
Your veterinarian is the only one who can tell you precisely if your dog is sick, overweight, or if he needs some kind of supplements to help him with his joint movement.
Next to this, stick to recommended puppy vaccination and think about parasite control.
All in all, if you manage to deliver mentioned steps, your Cavachon should reach his senior years without major health issues.
Is Cavachon For You?
Cavachons are very outgoing, smart, and social dogs who are fast to greet even strangers.
This breed is suitable even for first time dog owners as they’re major people-pleasers and love when they are surrounded by people.
If you love mixed breeds, and you can provide the proper care you should think about getting Cavachon.
This breed will be fast to adapt to any living surroundings as long as they are loved and well taken for of.
If you are 100% sure that you are ready to have a dog, and that you can provide what it takes, a calm and gentle Cavachon could be the best match for your home.
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