Cavanese Breed Details
Below are the details and specs of the Cavanese breed.
Cavanese Dog Breed
The cavanese is a hybrid dog that is bred by crossing a cavalier king charles spaniel with a havanese. As a hybrid dog the cavanese will inherit a mixture of traits from both parent breeds, however not all havanese will receive the same traits which can lead to differences among havanese dogs (even if they are from the same litter).
Since some cavanese may inherit more cavalier king charles spaniel characteristics and other cavanese may inherit more havanese characteristics, it is recommended for future owners to research both parent breeds before adopting to get a better understanding of the potential behavioral characteristics the dog may have.
Cavanese Breed Description
The cavanese is a small dog breed. Adult cavanese will at most stand 13 inches tall from ground to shoulder and will generally weigh between 8-15 pounds. Thier small size makes the breed a good choice for families that don't have enough space for a larger dog breed or for those who plan to take their dog with them frequently. The problem with their small size is they are more fragile and can become injured via rough play with other dogs or small children or preyed upon by larger predators.
If you want an affectionate loving dog, the cavanese is perfect. The breed will be a companion dog and wants to be with its family as much as possible. The cavanese is not a good choice if you spend few hours home each day as they can develop separation anxiety. Cavanese do well with children and other pets, but just remember their small size can make it easier for larger dogs and children to unintentionally injure the cavanese so you shouldn't leave the dog unsupervised.
The cavanese will likely be a medium maintenance dog breed. They will require frequent grooming to keep their coat healthy and will need 20 to 30 minutes of exercise daily to meet their energy requirements.
Cavanese Breed History
Since hybrid dogs have only recently become popular, the Cavanese doesn't have a very detailed history. They were likely first intentionally bred during the 1980's when mixed dog breeds became popular.
Cavanese Appearance
Since not all Cavanese inherit the same traits from each parent it is likely that two Cavanese dogs will look slightly different from each other. Some may inherit more traits from the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, some may more closely resemble the Havanese, and others may display characteristics of both breeds.
Despite not knowing the dog's inherited traits, you can safely assume the majority of Cavanese will display physical characteristics common in both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Havanese. This means most cavanese will have a medium to long wavy coat, weigh less than 20 pounds, and come in a variety of coat colors.
Cavanese Colors
The images below represent the coat colors and patterns associated with Cavanese.
Cream
Black and Tan
Black and White
Cavanese Temperament
The personality of the Havanese and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel are both very similar so it is likely that the majority of socialized Cavanese will all have similar temperaments. You can expect the Cavanese to be a friendly social dog that thrives with human companionship. They are very friendly dogs and are fairly tolerant of strangers (especially if they are welcomed).
Since Cavanese are companion dogs they have a strong instinct to be with their family. Separation from their family can cause anxiety and trigger unwanted behavior such as barking, pacing, anxiety, etc.
It is recommended to expose your cavanese puppy to other pets, people, and sounds; this will help prevent your cavanese from becoming shy or timid when an adult.
Cavanese Maintenance
Cavanese will likely be a moderate maintenance dog breed. Besides their coats needing weekly care to keep clean and healthy, the breed will also require companionship to prevent anxiety issues from developing. As a companion dog, the Cavanese will want to stay with their family and any alone time can trigger unwanted behavior. This is not the dog to have if you plan on leaving them alone at home for several hours per day.
Grooming Requirements
While the breed does require weekly grooming it shouldn't be too difficult of a task considering the Cavanese's small size. If the Cavanese inherits the Havanese coat, it may need clipping every few months for easier maintenance. However, if a Cavanese inherits the coat of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel the coat should be left natural and only the fur around the ears and between the toes will need to be clipped.
Exercise Requirements
Despite the breed's small size, the Cavanese has a lot of energy which will need to be burned off with a walk once or twice per day. Over time the Cavanese should adapt to the energy level of their family, so they are well suited for active as well as inactive lifestyles.
Living Requirements
As a toy dog breed, the Cavanese is not suited for outside life. This is because their small size makes them prone targets for larger dogs and other animals. When outside the breed should be supervised.
Cavanese Health
As a hybrid dog breed, the Cavanese will be healthier than most purebred dogs due to having more genetic diversity. However, health issues common in both Havanese and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels can occur in Cavanese.
Below are common health issues associated with the cavanese dog breed.
Cavanese Health Concerns
Below are potential health concerns associated with Cavanese.
Mitral valve disease
Hip dysplasia
Patellar luxation
About this Article
Updated:August 30, 2016