Are you looking for a cuddly, fun-loving companion?
Let us introduce you to the Cavachon!
This cute designer breed is a cross between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Bichon Frise. Adaptable and playful, these pups are an excellent choice for almost any household.
In this article, Infinity Pups will tell you about Cavachon personality, care, history, and more!
We’re ready to get started, so let's dive right in!
Cavachon Fast Facts
Before we dive into history, care, and personality, here are a few fast facts you ought to know about Cavachons:
- Cavachons are a mixed breed, so you never know exactly what you’ll get. They may take more strongly after either parent breed.
- Cavachons are easy to groom and a good choice for allergy sufferers.
- Cavachons are highly social and need human interaction to thrive.
- Cavachons normally love frolicking with kids, but overly rough play may injure them.
- Numerous Cavachon owners describe their dog’s personality as “happy” or “cheerful.”
- Cavachons are “middle of the road” dogs. They are medium energy, friendly, and moderate barkers. They aren’t a breed of extremes.
Cavachon History
Being a designer breed, Cavachons haven’t been around for long. However, their parent breeds, the Bichon Frise and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, have long histories that give us insights into what a Cavachon might be like.
Let’s take a look at the histories of the parent breeds.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Cavaliers for short, are descended from early spaniel-type dogs in Europe. They are small, graceful dogs with silky coats and melting eyes.
They were favorites of numerous European royals and were normally bred for one of two purposes: either to be lap dogs/companion dogs for upper-class nobles or to flush out birds for hunters.
The breed nearly died out in later years but was revived by Roswell Elridge in the mid-1900s. Today, Cavaliers are known for their sweet, sensitive personalities, social nature, and love of the chase.
Bichon Frise
Bichons are one of the older dog breeds whose exact origins are uncertain. Experts say they originated somewhere in the Mediterranean or Canary Islands.
They were also a favorite lapdog of nobles throughout history, and some say they were even used as a trade item on ships due to their small size and white coats.
Bichons are known for their sprightly, peppy personalities, cheerful attitude toward life, and alertness. They are also loved for their distinctive, fluffy, white coats.
As a mix of these two breeds, the Cavachon could inherit traits from both sides or take after one parent more strongly than the other. You never know exactly what you’ll get!
Cavachon Personality
A Cavachon's personality varies depending on its parents, training, and upbringing. However, here are some traits you might expect to find in a Cavachon:
- Social - Cavachons are meant to be companion dogs. They need social interaction to thrive and love attention from all family members. They do not thrive in outdoor kennels where they receive no human interaction and do better indoors, close to their families.
- Happy - Cavachon owners describe these pups as happy, cheerful, and sparky. They think life is one big, happy party (as long as they get to be with their people!)
- Easygoing - Your Cavachon won’t be particular–they are easygoing dogs. They can adapt to different surroundings and lifestyles without any trouble.
- Friendly - This is not a shy breed. Cavachons are generally friendly with all people, and while they may bark at strangers, they likely won’t stay aloof very long.
- Form strong bonds - Both Cavaliers and Bichons form strong bonds with their owners, and Cavachons are likely to form strong bonds and stay loyal to their favorites as well.
- Balanced - Overall, the Cavachon is a balanced and moderate breed. They aren’t hyper, but they aren’t lazy. They don’t bark your ears off, but they will let you know if there’s someone outside. They can adapt to different surroundings and lifestyles. They are just really nice, balanced dogs!
Of course, any dog, no matter how nice at heart, can develop bad habits and troublesome behaviors. Cavachons are sweethearts, but they still need consistent training and lots of socialization to make good pets.
Cavachon Care
Cavachons aren’t particular when it comes to care, but there are still some things you should think about. This section covers Cavachon grooming, training, exercise, and health.
Grooming
Cavachons have medium-length, wavy, or curly coats that shed very little. One of the Cavachon’s strong points is that they shed minimally and are considered hypoallergenic–just remember that no dog is entirely hypoallergenic. Even a Cavachon may still aggravate allergies.
Grooming a Cavachon is not difficult, but you should still keep an eye on them and groom them regularly to keep them looking presentable and prevent matting and tangling.
Regular bathing is only necessary if they become dirty, and trimming is optional, with some dogs needing it more than others.
The rest is routine: trim nails, clean ears, brush teeth, and generally keep an eye out for dirt or signs of bad health.
Training
Basic obedience is necessary for all dogs, and you’ll enjoy your Cavachon more if he knows how to sit, stay, walk nicely on a leash, etc. Beyond basic obedience, Cavachons can learn lots of tricks and commands, so it’s up to you how far you want to go!
Cavachons are smart little cookies, and their love of social interaction normally means they enjoy training sessions as long as they are short and fun. Training your Cavachon shouldn’t be too difficult.
Positive reinforcement is always a good idea, especially if your dog takes after their Cavalier parent. Cavaliers have soft, gentle personalities and don’t respond well to harsh treatment.
Exercise
Cavachons fall right in the middle of the energy-level scale. They need regular exercise, but they won’t have you running your legs off to keep up with them, and they don’t require a huge outdoor space for exercise.
They should have a daily walk or run-around in the yard, and they enjoy any playtime you can give them, but they make good apartment dogs and will be happy to watch Netflix with you after they’ve had their walk.
Health
As a small breed, Cavachons are prone to dental issues and other small dog health problems. But generally, they are a healthy breed.
One of the best ways to protect your dog’s health is to prevent obesity by limiting their food intake. Another is simply to be in tune with how your dog is doing and watch for warning signs of deteriorating health.
Here are a few health signs you should watch for:
- Changes in eating or drinking habits
- Aggressive or unusual behavior
- Sensitivity in certain areas, wincing, or whining
- Skin rashes or changes in their coat
- Irritated eyes, ears, or mouth
- Bad breath
- Excessive licking or biting of the skin
- Lethargy
- Labored or rapid breathing
- Vomiting or changes in stool
Familiarizing yourself with your dog’s regular habits is a good idea since then you’ll pick up on it if there is a sudden change that might indicate a health issue.
Is There Anything Bad About Cavachons?
By this point, you may have the idea that Cavachons are such a sweet, balanced breed that there is nothing bad about them. And in some ways, that’s accurate.
But that’s how articles on the web can make any breed seem. Are Cavachons really perfect?
Well, it depends how you look at it. Cavachons are a very balanced breed and make great pets for almost any household. They don’t have any huge, glaring faults except perhaps the possibility of separation anxiety.
But of course, no dog is perfect, and there are issues you might run into that are just general dog issues. Your Cavachon puppy will probably chew things. He might bark at night if he gets lonely. And most puppies don’t come perfectly housetrained!
The bottom line is that you will face frustrations if you decide to bring home a Cavachon. But we are willing to bet that the happiness and joy a Cavachon brings to your home will outweigh any struggles you might face!
Conclusion
We hope this article helps you make an informed decision about whether or not a Cavachon is right for you!
If you want to browse available Cavachon puppies today, check out our available Cavachons at Infinity Pups!
If a Cavachon isn’t what you are looking for, check out our other breeds. We have lots of other puppies for sale, and you can likely find the breed you are looking for.
If you want to know more about some of these breeds, check out our blogs on Cavapoos, Corgis, Mini Aussies, Bernedoodles, and more!
Visit our website today to learn more!
