The Cavachon is a cross between the Bichon Frise and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. This “designer dog breed” is an adorable companion that would make a great addition to any home.
Unless you know someone that owns a Cavachon though, you might not know a whole lot about this breed.
In my case, my parents chose to adopt a Cavachon after our beloved family dog passed away. It was then that I started to learn a great deal about this breed. That’s why I’ve decided to put this comprehensive article together to share everything I know.
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about this delightful doggo including what they look like, health problems to watch out for as well as grooming and exercise requirements.
Table of Contents
Cavachon History
As with many of these “designer dog breeds”, their history is pretty recent. Most of the current breeds like the Cavachon, Poochon, or Maltichon have come about in the last 15 – 20 years.
The first reported litter of Cavachons is said to be in Gleneden Kennels, Berryville USA back in 1996.
This makes the Cavachon one of the first “designer dog breeds” to come about, at least from what I can tell from my research.
A Cavachon’s Parents
Now that we’ve briefly looked at the history of the Cavachon, it’s time to learn more about its parents, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Bichon Frise.
It’s always a good idea to look at the parents to better understand things like health concerns, appearance traits or temperament traits that could be inherited by the resulting puppies.
I’ll mention this a few times throughout the course of this article but because the Cavachon isn’t recognized as a purebred dog, there are no defined breed standards. This means that things like appearance, size, weight, and temperament are all things that can vary widely in each litter and even with each individual puppy.
With that said, that doesn’t mean we can’t look to the parents for an indication of what to expect. On the contrary, that’s probably the best way to understand more about the Cavachon, aside from actually owning one yourself.
Bichon Frise
You may know quite a bit about the Bichon Frise by this point if you are a frequent reader on this site. This fluffy bundle of happiness originated in the 14th Century and lived at that time aboard sailing ships.
The Bichon Frise that we know today is a member of the Non-Sporting group of the American Kennel Club (AKC). In the United Kingdom’s Kennel Club (KC) the Bichon is a member of the Toy group.
| Appearance | Small, White curly coat and big black eyes |
| Temperament | Friendly, sociable and affectionate |
| Height | 9 – 11 Inches |
| Weight | 10 – 16 lbs |
| Age Span | 12 – 15 Years |
| Health Concerns | Patellar Luxation, Cataracts, Hip Dysplasia, Allergies |
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is another dog that I know a great deal about because we owned one for the better part of 17 years!
This breed originated in the United Kingdom in the 16th Century when they were bred to be lapdogs for the nobility of the time.
They are a member of the Toy Group in both the American Kennel Club and the English Kennel Club.
| Appearance | Small with smooth wavy hair & long ears. Coat colors: Blenheim (brown & white), Ruby, Black & Tan, Black & White & Tan. |
| Temperament | Gentle, loyal and affectionate |
| Height | 12 – 13 Inches |
| Weight | 13 – 18 lbs |
| Age Span | 9 – 14 Years |
| Health Concerns | Mitral Valve Disease, Hip Dysplasia |
Cavachon Appearance
As with most non-purebred dog breeds, there is currently no definitive way of determining their appearance. This will often simply depend on how much is inherited from each parent.
With that said, let’s examine what the Cavachon can look like in more detail.
What Does A Cavachon Look Like?
As we’ve mentioned, the amount of variation with this mix breed is simply based on how much of each parent is inherited by the resulting litter.
Generally speaking though, the breed will likely inherit some of the coloring of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel which includes: Blenheim (chestnut red & white), ruby, tricolor (chestnut red, white & black) and black & tan.
As well as this, their coat is often soft and silky with slight waves.
The resulting Cavachon puppies will generally inherit some of the visual traits from one or both parents. Traits that can be inherited include the deep-set dark eyes of the Bichon Frise or the floppy ears of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
With that in mind, it’s good to look to the parents as we’ve discussed above to see what they might look like.
What Height Is A Bichon Frise Cavalier King Charles Mix?
On average you can expect a fully grown Cavachon to be about 12 – 13 Inches in height, though this can vary depending on the litter.
Because both parents are of relatively small size, the resulting Cavachon will generally remain small when fully grown.
How Much Does A Cavachon Weigh?
On average a fully grown Cavachon can weigh between 15 – 20lbs, though this can vary depending on the litter.
It’s always a good idea to consult with your vet during check-up appointments to ensure they are an optimal weight. Your vet will be able to advise you on this in more detail.
Cavachon Temperament
The Cavachon can inherit the sociable and friendly temperament of the Bichon Frise. This means that they will get on very well with other dogs and other people providing they are socialized from a young age.
They can also inherit the loyal and affectionate temperament of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. This means that they love attention and affection and will form a strong bond with their owner.
The Cavachon is generally regarded as an intelligent dog and should prove pretty easy to train.
Do Cavachons Bark?
Most Cavachons are sure to inherit the watchdog or alert barking trait from the Bichon Frise.
They are likely to bark any time the doorbell rings, when they see a strange dog outside or if they hear a loud noise.
It is here that we can learn a lot from the Bichon Frise about why Cavachons bark and how to prevent it: How Often Does A Bichon Frise Bark? With Simple Training Tips
Can Cavachons Suffer From Separation Anxiety?
Bichons can suffer from separation anxiety so it is possible for the Cavachon to inherit this trait.
This is definitely something to watch out for if they are left alone for periods of time.
Common symptoms of separation anxiety can include destructive behavior when your not around and excessive barking.
Fortunately, with consistent training, it is possible to reduce the symptoms of this anxiety in your dog.
If you want to learn more about Separation Anxiety, I recommend reading this article: Dealing With Dog Separation Anxiety.
Bichon Frise Cavalier King Charles Mix Health Problems
As the Cavachon is a mix breed, it is important to look to the parents to understand the potential health problems they could inherit.
The following are some of the more common health problems associated with both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Bichon Frise:
| Mitral Valve Disease | This is the degeneration of one of the valves of the dog’s heart. | Learn More |
| Patellar Luxation | Where the Patella (kneecap) slips out of its normal position. | Learn More |
| Hip Dysplasia | This is an abnormal formation of the hip socket which can cause discomfort or pain. | Learn More |
| Allergies | The Bichon Frise can be known to suffer from skin allergies. With this in mind, it is possible for the Cavachon to inherit these allergies. | Learn More |
| Cataracts | The Bichon Frise can suffer from Cataracts which can affect their vision depending on the severity. With this in mind, it is possible for the Cavachon to inherit this health problem. | Learn More |
| Ear Infections | The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is more prone to ear infections due to their long floppy ears. The Cavachon could be prone to developing ear infections but as with any dog, it’s important that their ears are cleaned regularly. | Learn More |
How Long Does A Bichon Frise Cavalier King Charles Mix Live?
On average the life expectancy of the Cavachon is 10 – 15 years. This can vary depending on the dog itself but this is the average age span.
Does A Bichon Frise Cavalier King Charles Mix Shed?
The Cavachon will typically inherit the low shed coat of the Bichon Frise which means your house won’t be covered in pet hair.
With that said though, all dogs do shed for various reasons. To learn more about this, I recommend you check out this article: Does A Bichon Frise Shed? The Definitive Answer You Should Know.
Is A Cavachon Hypoallergenic?
Another common question to ask is “Is A Cavachon Hypoallergenic“.
The short answer is that yes, the Cavachon is considered to be a hypoallergenic breed. With that said, the term hypoallergenic has no medical basis so some people may still have an allergic reaction around this breed.
To learn more about the term hypoallergenic and what it means for dogs, I recommend you read this article: Is A Bichon Frise Hypoallergenic? The Definitive Answer
Grooming Your Cavachon
Now that we’ve looked at some of the common questions you might ask about the Cavachon, it’s time to start talking about the grooming requirements for this breed.
How Often Should You Groom Your Cavachon?
Although a Cavachon is considered to be a low shed dog breed, they still require regular grooming to ensure a healthy coat.
All dogs should be brushed regularly to prevent the build-up of dead skin (dander) and mats.
It is generally recommended that the Cavachon be brushed weekly to ensure their coat is in an optimal condition.
As well as this, your Cavachon should be taken to a professional groomer every couple of months to take care of nail trimming and coat maintenance and whatnot.
Who wouldn’t want to pamper this super cute dog!
It’s a good idea to set a recurring calendar reminder for this to ensure you remember to schedule your next grooming appointment.
What Brush Should You Use For Grooming Your Cavachon?
Similar to when brushing the Bichon Frise, the 2 brushes recommended for brushing a Cavachon are:
- Slicker Brush – this brush is used to remove tangles and dead hair as well as to break up mats.
- Pin Brush – this brush is used for light brushing and won’t damage your dog’s coat.
To learn a whole lot more about these brushes as well as some easy tips for removing dog hair from your house and from your clothes, I highly recommend reading this article: Does A Bichon Frise Shed? The Definitive Answer You Should Know.
How Often Should You Bathe A Cavachon?
On average it is recommended that you bathe a Cavachon about once a month or so.
Of course, don’t hesitate to wash them if they’ve been rolling around playing in the mud!
Exercising Your Cavachon
Now that we’ve looked at the grooming requirements of the Cavachon, it’s time to focus on the exercise requirements. Let’s take a look at this below.
How Much Exercise Does A Cavachon Need?
The Cavachon will benefit most from about 40 minutes of exercise per day. This isn’t much more than that of the Bichon Frise or the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
These 40 minutes of daily exercise can easily be accomplished from a walk around the local park to a game of fetch in a big field.
Tips For Exercising Your Cavachon Inside
Being stuck inside due to the weather, for example, doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy some fun playtime with your Cavachon.
With that in mind, here are some simple tips for exercising your Cavachon indoors:
- Sign Up For Obedience Training Classes – obedience training classes are a great way to motivate both you and your dog to get the basic training commands down.
- Practice Obedience Training – practicing your obedience training a little bit each day will have your dog obeying your commands in no time.
- Make Use Of Dog Toys – chances are you’ll already own a whole host of dog toys to spoil your dog with. Spend some time playing with these to give your dog plenty of exercise indoors.
- Create An Indoor Obstacle Course – work that creative part of your brain by assembling a fun obstacle course inside from whatever you can think of.
Tips For Exercising Your Cavachon Outside
- Learn To Play Fetch – Fetch is the easiest and most rewarding game to play with your Cavachon. They will get plenty of exercise and you won’t be exhausted from it.
- Play With Other Dogs – A simple and totally free way to exercise your Cavachon is by letting them play with other dogs. The Cavachon’s sociable and friendly nature means they will generally get on with any dog or person.
- Learn even more outdoor dog activities by reading this great article: 9 Of The Best Free Outdoor Dog Activities To Do With Your Bichon
Conclusion
We covered a lot of information in this article so let’s summarize before we finish:
- We talked about the history of the Cavachon, where they originated from and how they came about.
- Next, we covered what the Cavachon actually looks like in terms of appearance, size, and weight.
- After that, we looked at the temperament of the Bichon Frise Cavalier King Charles Mix.
- Next, we looked at some of the health problems to look out for with this breed.
- Next, we answered some common questions such as if the Cavachon is hypoallergenic and do they shed.
- After that, we talked about the grooming requirements of the Bichon Frise Cavalier King Charles Mix including how often they should be groomed and bathed.
- Finally, we talked about the exercise needs of the Cavachon including how much exercise they need and some great tips for getting their exercise.
That was a lot of information to cover in one article! I hope you were able to find this information useful. If you did, please consider sharing this article on social media to help other people find it.
Also, if you have any questions about any of the content in this article, please feel free to leave a comment below.
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