Cavachon Dog Breed

Below are details and specs for the Cavachon dog breed.

Cavachons are small dogs that can be between 12 and 16 inches in height and 12 to 18 pounds when mature.

Your Cavachon is sure to be friendly with most everyone, even if they do bark when strangers approach. They are always happy, even around other pets. Although they love children, they should be socialized with them early on as well as making sure the children know to be gentle when playing.

While 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, so if you are looking for a dog to be there after long trips, a Cavachon is not for you.

It is believed that the Cavachon was conceived in 1996 when an accidental litter occurred between a champion Cavalier King Charles Spaniel successfully being mated with a Bichon Frise; unfortunately, there is not much history known other than this rumored beginning. Although this designer dog was inadvertently brought about a bit later than many such hybrids, the Cavachon was and remains one of the more popular hybrids due to its size and cuddly demeanor.

Unlike the too-cute cross-breed that they parented, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Bichon Frise have long, deep and intriguing histories, and knowing them will help greatly in better understanding your Cavachon.

The King Charles Spaniel, which was not yet named as such, was greatly admired by Mary, Queen of Scots. Later, King Charles Spaniel was named after Charles I, a 17th century English king. The subsequent monarch, King Charles II, was also fond of the King Charles Spaniel; he was never without two or three of them. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel was recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1995.

The Bichon Frise has its origins in the Mediterranean region during the middle ages. By the 14th century, Italian sailors had acquired some of them and, like any loot, were taken back to their country and gifted to royalty and the crew's benefactors.

By the 16th century, Bichon Frises were extremely popular among the nobility in Italy and Spain and were featured in a number of paintings including some by Goya.

By the end of the 19th century, the breed's popularity had waned significantly, and they remained popular primarily by being performers with street artists as well as circuses and fairs. In the early 20th century, they were somewhat rescued when a breed standard was created in France. In early 1933, the Societe Centrale Canine of France officially adopted that breed standard, and it was then that they were given the name Bichon Frise. They were introduced to the United States in 1956, and by 1964, the Bichon Frise Club of America was founded. The AKC recognized the Bichon Frise in 1972.

Being that the Cavachon is a hybrid, he will get his physical traits and behavior from his parent breeds: the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Bichon Frise. As such, some will have more attributes from the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel while others will get more from the Bichon Frise. Others, however, may get an even mix from both breeds.

Cavachons are small, cuddly dogs with thick coats that will be silky as pups and either wavy or curly upon maturation. Their most obvious feature, however, are their eyes: huge, lovable and sparkling set into their big, adorable heads and bookended by somewhat long and certainly floppy ears. Their tails are medium-length and perfectly proportioned to their compact bodies.

Because of the lack of consistency regarding size and coat style (as well as the great loss of hybrid vigor that keeps the dogs relatively healthy), Cavachons are very rarely bred beyond F1, which is the first generation produced by crossbreeding this designer dog's purebred parents. The desire to maintain the double-coated, hypoallergenic and very fluffy coats is chief among the reasons that breeders of this mix will tout their offering of only F1 Cavachons. (You might find F2 and F1b Cavachons for sale, however.)

While most Cavachons will inherit the colors of their Cavalier Spaniel parent, there are those that will get the pure white coat of their Bichon parent. Even rarer still are the Tri-parti, black and tan, and the all-black Cavachons.

It is accepted that there are three basic sizes of Cavachons: Standard, Toy and Miniature (or Teacup). Since size is nearly as important as coat style when it comes to designer dogs, smaller is typically more coveted. When full-grown, the Standard-sized Cavachon is between 15 and 25 pounds whereas the Toy Cavachon tends to be around 10 to 14 pounds. Those that are smaller are casually called a Miniature Cavachon although some breeders will label them Teacup Cavachons too.

The Cavachon's temperament depends on the traits she inherits from its parents — meaning some will get more from the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel while others get more from the Bichon Frise. Then again, she may get an equal amount from both. In any case, Cavachons tend to be very happy, intelligent and extremely playful dogs. They are great family pets and love being around their family to a fault: they easily develop separation anxiety if left alone too long.

As with most any dog, early training and socialization — especially with children so as to prevent injuries — is best. Perhaps the hardest part of adopting a Cavachon is the house training, which requires a good amount of patience and persistence.

Your Cavachon, if kept healthy and happy, should live to be about 12 to 15 years. As far as health problems, they have few possible concerns save for what they may inherit from their parent breeds, and these can be serious: heart and immune system ailments. On a lesser level, they may also have eye and ear problems as well as flea allergies. Regular trips to the veterinarian should aid in detecting those serious issues early, should they occur.