Cavachon is a designer dog breed made by crossing Cavalier King Charles Spaniel with Bichon Frise dogs. The Cavachon is a loving, affectionate and friendly breed. Cavachons are small non-shedding dogs, which makes them good apartment dogs. This hypoallergenic designer breed is suitable for people suffering from allergies due to their low shedding, dander free coats.
How big is the Cavachon?
The Cavachon is a small designer dog, typically 12 inches to 14 inches tall depending on the parents involved in the hybrid and weighing somewhere between 12 and 18 pounds. F1 first generation Cavachons tend to be slightly larger in size.
Cavachon Temperament
Cavachons are intelligent, gentle and friendly. Their small size, playfulness, hypoallergenic properties and gentle demeanor make them an ideal dog for kids and families with kids.
The Cavachon can also fit in well with other pets, dogs, and cats in the house. The friendly and loving nature of Cavachons has led to a great demand for these designer dogs in the last few years.
Is the Cavachon Hypoallergenic? Do Cavachons shed?
The general goal of breeding Cavachons is to produce a puppy that does not shed. Bichon Frise (parent breed) is a hypoallergenic dog. However, most Cavachons are F1 first generation and have a 50% chance of being hypoallergenic. F1b Cavachons backcrossed with Bichons have the maximum probability of being hypoallergenic. There are a number of breeds that have low shed, hypoallergenic fur, and the Cavachon is one of them.
Cavachon Colors
A wide variety of colors is bred in Cavachons. Tri-color, Black and White, Sable and white, and Blenheim (apricot and white) F1 first generation Cavachon puppies can be produced from the mating of a tricolor King Charles with a Bichon Frise. Unlimited parti-color options with white markings are possible in F1b Cavachons by backcrossing with the Bichon.
Is there a Toy Cavachon? How big is a toy Cavachon?
Some breeders have bred for smaller sizes and have introduced Toy Cavachons and Tea Cup Cavachons which are gaining popularity due to smaller sizes. However, beware of health issues and genetic weakness in smaller toy Cavachons. Toy Cavachons are less than 12 inches weigh less than 10 pounds.
What is an F1b Cavachon? Do they shed less?
An F1 first generation Cavachon is crossed with a purebred Bichon to get F1b Cavachons. F1b generations have a higher probability of being hypoallergenic.
Picking a good Cavachon puppy
Searching for physical confirmations will help you in picking up a good Cavachon puppy. However, remember that this is a designer dog and a unique mix of characteristics can be observed in each designer breed. No two designer dogs are alike! Look for the following physical characteristics.
General Appearance: The Cavachon is a small, sturdy designer dog. It’s intelligent expression create an overall air of elegance and dignity. This is a designer breed that has no gross or incapacitating exaggerations and therefore, there is no inherent reason for the lack of balance or unsound movement.
Coat: The undercoat is soft and dense, the outer coat of a coarser and curlier texture. The combination of the two gives a soft but substantial feel to the touch.
Head: The skull should be broad, not coarse, covered with a topknot of hair giving it a rounded appearance.
Neck: The neck is long and carried proudly behind an erect head.
Tail: The tail is set on a level with the topline and curved gracefully over the back in line with the spine so that the hair of the tail rests on the back.
Cavachon Questions
Are Cavachons Yappy?
Cavachon dogs are kind and gentle, and all-round good-natured. They are affectionate dogs that love human company. This designer dog breed is small in size – they are lap dogs and want to be involved in everything that their master does.
Are Cavachons good family dog? Good with children? Is the Cavachon an aggressive breed? Will it bite?
Cavachons are gentle, friendly dogs who make great family pets. They have loving personalities and get on well with children. Cavachon is not an aggressive dog breed and will not bite.
They are likely to bark at strangers especially if they inherit Bichon Frise temperament. They are good apartment watchdogs but cannot be regarded as good guard dogs because of their small size.
Can Cavachons swim?
Cavachons can swim and they like water activities. Cavachons love to join in just about any family activity from swimming, kayaking or boating.
Are Cavachons easy to care for?
Cavachons are low-maintenance dogs regarding grooming, brushing and exercise, they are high-maintenance when it comes to attention. Left alone for too long, they can develop a separation anxiety.
How long does a Cavachon live?
The average life expectancy of a Cavachon is between 10 and 12 years when properly cared for and fed an appropriate good quality diet to suit their ages.
Cavachon vs Cavapoo – what is the difference?
Cavachon is a cross with Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Bichon Frise as parents. The Cavapoo has Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Poodle parents.
The Cavachon is a more relaxed dog, who will enjoy a snooze or two in the afternoon, whereas the Cavapoo is a much more energetic and lively pup. They look very similar, but the Cavapoo has curlier hair thanks to his Poodle parent, and this is often the easiest way to tell them apart.
Link: All designer dog breeds