Cavachon

Appearance: Small Dog with Expressive Eyes

The Cavachon is a so-called hybrid dog. Breeding involves crossing a purebred Bichon Frisé with a purebred Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

With a shoulder height of around 30 to 35 centimetres and a weight of four to eight kilograms, the Cavalier-Bichon is among the small dog breeds. As there is currently no official breed standard, the appearance of these crossbreeds can vary greatly.

Depending on which genes are more dominant, the designer dog may look more like a Bichon Frisé or a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

Silky Coat in Cream or White

The soft, dense coat of the Cavachon is usually medium-length and slightly wavy. However, there are also dogs with short or long, as well as straight or curly, coats. Solid-coloured dogs are quite rare; most have a two- or three-coloured coat. The base colour is white or cream, with varying amounts of black, brown, apricot and/or reddish-brown.

Cavachons have a compact build. Their head is round, and their dark eyes have an expressive look. The floppy ears hang close to the head. The nose is dark, and the tail is long and feathered.

Temperament of the Cavachon: Playful Companion for Families

The Cavachon is known as a cheerful, sociable companion. These traits make the crossbreed an ideal companion for singles, families and seniors. When playing with children, it is gentle and patient.

Nevertheless, you should never leave small children alone with a dog and should teach them early on how to interact properly with their furry family member.

The adaptable Cavachon usually gets along well with other dogs and cats. Many Cavalier-Bichons even enjoy having four-legged company, as they do not like to be left alone at home for long periods.

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Well-Behaved Office Dog

Cavachons are very affectionate and loyal. They need plenty of attention and love to accompany their favourite person everywhere. As office dogs, these friendly companions usually do very well. Their training is generally manageable even for beginners.

As the lively Bichon Frisé-Cavalier King Charles Spaniel mix can be quite alert and wary of strangers, it is important to teach them not to bark excessively at an early stage. This is especially important if they are to come to work or if neighbours might be disturbed.

If needed, a dog trainer can be consulted to help manage the crossbreed’s tendency to bark.

Keeping and Entertaining a Cavachon

The small Cavachon has a low to moderate need for exercise. Thanks to its compact size, it is well suited for active city dwellers who enjoy daily walks. This playful companion also loves to romp around in the garden.

Both parent breeds, the Bichon Frisé and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, are considered intelligent and easy to train. Their offspring, the Cavachon, is also a clever, attentive companion who enjoys learning new tricks.

Right Training for the Cavachon

Whether it’s scent work, obedience or intelligence toys, there are many ways to keep this lively hybrid dog busy in a way that suits its nature. However, training sessions should be kept fairly short to avoid overwhelming or boring your dog.

With plenty of praise, lots of cuddles, and the occasional treat, this crossbreed is easy to motivate. After a training session, a little break is in order, as the Cavachon also loves to snuggle with its human.

Right care and Nutrition for the Cavachon

How much coat care is needed depends on the individual coat type and hair structure of the crossbreed. In general, it is recommended to brush your dog several times a week to prevent matting. If necessary, the coat may need to be clipped from time to time. You can also leave this to the professionals at the dog salon.

Suitable for Allergy Sufferers?

The Cavachon’s coat is often described as hypoallergenic or allergy-friendly. However, there is no guarantee that this crossbreed will not trigger symptoms in people with dog allergies. Before bringing a Cavachon home, those affected should first test whether living together is possible.

Trimming Nails, Checking Ears

To prevent painful eye infections, the hair around the eyes should be trimmed regularly. The nails also need to be checked and trimmed as needed.

As the Cavachon’s floppy ears are prone to ear infections, they should also be checked routinely and cleaned if necessary.

Avoiding Excess Weight

Cavachons love to eat and can quickly develop excess weight. It is therefore advisable to create a feeding plan for your crossbreed together with your vet. In general, high-quality, protein-rich food is recommended. Portions should be weighed, and treats should also be measured and included in the calculation of daily food rations.

As Cavachons are prone to dental problems, dental care snacks should be a regular part of their diet. It can also be helpful to get your hybrid dog used to tooth brushing. Your vet can give you tips on this.

Health: Allergies and Eye Problems

Both parent breeds, the Bichon Frisé and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, are prone to certain illnesses that can also appear in their offspring. Typical for small dogs like the Cavachon are, for example, patellar luxations as well as eye problems such as cataracts, glaucoma or cherry eye.

Allergies are particularly common in this designer dog. They may show as increased scratching and reddened skin, for example.

In addition, heart conditions such as congenital heart defects and valve problems are among the known health issues of this crossbreed.

How Old Does a Cavachon Get?

The life expectancy of a Cavachon is around ten to twelve years. Some dogs of this hybrid breed can even live up to 15 years.

Is the Cavachon a Breed with Welfare Issues?

The Cavachon is not considered a breed with welfare issues. However, it should be noted that the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has increasingly come under criticism for health problems, which is why, for example, breeding this breed is now banned in Norway.

When getting a Cavachon, it is therefore important to only buy from reputable breeders who are committed to the health and welfare of their dogs.

History: Where does the Cavachon Come From?

In the mid-1990s, breeders in the USA began deliberately crossing the Bichon Frisé with the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Both breeds have long been popular as companion and family dogs. The aim was to create a charming designer dog that combines the best qualities of both parents.

One of the Most Popular Hybrid Dogs

The goal of breeding is a small family dog that is friendly with children and does not have an excessive need for exercise. Especially in its home country, the USA, the Cavachon is enjoying growing popularity. It is now one of the most commonly bred hybrid dogs there.

Other hybrid dogs with Bichon Frisé in their lineage are also bred, such as the Maltichon, a Maltese mix, or the Chi-Chon, a Chihuahua cross. Another hybrid dog resulting from a cross with the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is the Cavapoo – a Miniature Poodle mix.

Not Yet Officially Recognised

Hybrid dogs like the Cavachon are not yet recognised as independent breeds by the various regional breeding associations or by the international canine organisation FCI.

As a result, there are no uniform breeding standards, which can lead to variations in the appearance and character of the dogs. However, there are efforts to regulate the breeding of hybrid dogs more strictly. In the USA, the American Canine Hybrid Club is leading the way.

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Breeding and Acquisition: Where Can I Find a Cavachon?

Unlike pedigree dog breeders, hybrid dog breeders are generally not organised in associations. This means there are no uniform breed standards, required health checks or routine inspections – making it difficult for interested buyers to find a reputable Cavachon breeder.

It is important that the breeder tests the parent dogs for hereditary diseases and that the puppies are raised within the family. The puppies should already have contact with other dogs and, ideally, with cats and children at an early age, so they can get used to a variety of different experiences.

Conclusion: Four-Legged Heartbreaker

Silky-soft coat, dark button eyes – few can resist the Cavachon. Its compact size and friendly nature make it the perfect companion for families and first-time dog owners. However, dog lovers should keep in mind that with designer dogs like the Cavachon, individual traits are less predictable than with established, officially recognised breeds.

Cavachon at a Glance

Special features:	Hybrid dog created by crossing Bichon Frisé and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
Character:	friendly, affectionate, playful, social
Shoulder height:	30-35 cm
Weight:	4-9 kg
Coat:	straight, wavy or curly, usually medium-length Base colour white or cream, often two- or three-coloured with brown, black and/or reddish markings
Coat care:	moderate, brush several times a week
Exercise:	low to moderate need for activity, can be kept busy with play or obedience training
Good for beginners:	yes
Barking:	quite vocal
Life expectancy:	10-12 years, sometimes up to 15 years
Typical illnesses:	eye diseases, patellar luxation, heart problems, allergies
FCI group:	not recognised
Origin:	USA