Cavachon Dog Breed: Personality, Size, Price, Facts & More

A Cavachon is an adorable little mix between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Bichon Frise. This gentle natured dog has a lot of love and its sweet personality can capture anyone’s heart.

Cavachons want to be cuddled and loved all the time. Their sweet personality makes them the perfect first puppy for children. They are also wonderful therapy dogs and emotional support animals.

This breed is very low maintenance and fits very well into apartments and other small homes. Their body will stay small and cute even as they grow up. They are one of the best house dogs and are easy to care for.

The cute and cuddly Cavachon has so much to offer. Read on for our complete breed guide to this cute little dog…

What Is A Cavachon Dog?

The Cavachon is a designer mix bred from the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Bichon Frise. It was bred to be the best of both breeds. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are sweet and loving dogs but are not allergy-friendly. Bichons are great apartment pets with clownish personalities and hypoallergenic coats.

Cavachons were bred to be a companion dog for all. It is one of the few breeds that fits in with just about any type of owner. They also look like teddy bears. Its fur is soft and silky, and it remains puppy sized throughout its entire life.

This breed is one of the sweetest, most lovable dogs in the world.

The Cavalier Spaniel Bichon Frise mix has plenty of affection to show its owner. It will also be friendly and social to everyone that it meets. Because of this, they make a great choice for a family’s first pet. Younger owners will find it pleasantly easy to care for and train this mix.

Cavachons came from the state of Virginia in 1996. It is thought to have been bred specifically for allergy sufferers as a hypoallergenic companion dog. This is also true for many other mixes, like the Schnoodle and Goldendoodle.

Not much else is known about this hybrid’s origin, but it experienced a popularity boom throughout the early 2000s.

It is now ranked in many countries as one of the most popular mixed breeds.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels were first bred in the United Kingdom in 1920. There was a request for a ‘classic’ Spaniel that resembled toy Spaniels beloved by European royalty. This breed was named after King Charles II of Spain, who had a love for breeding toy Spaniels.

The Bichon Frise’s history begins on the Canary Islands. It is related to three other similar dog breeds: the Maltese, Havanese, and Bolognese.

In the 13th century, the Bichon Frise became popular with European aristocracy. But after the French Revolution in the 18th century, it became associated with circus and street performers. When the dogs’ clownish nature was discovered, they were trained as circus pets. Now this dog is more popular in the household than on the stage!

Appearance

There is no official breed standard for the Cavachon which means their appearance can vary.

Cream, tan, and orange are the typical Cavachon colors. It is usually bi-colored, with patches of orange or tan against a white body. Solid colored individuals are usually pure white dogs or cream, but, you will rarely see this pooch in just one color.

Cavachons have a soft, silky single coat that can sometimes be hypoallergenic. The fur is low shed, especially if the pup has inherited a Bichon coat.

Their coat must be brushed three times a week to keep it from becoming tangled. A particularly long or heavy coat will need to be trimmed and styled every few months. The ‘teddy bear’ cut looks particularly cute on this pooch.

Its thick, wavy fur looks and feels just like the hair on a stuffed teddy bear. Its black or brown nose and soulful dark eyes also contribute to their teddy bear appearance.

You can often spot this mix by the way they run. When Cavachons run, their short, stubby legs have a little ‘trotting’ motion that can be quite fun to watch.

Full Grown Size

The Cavachon is classified as a toy-sized breed. It is a mix between the Toy and Non-Sporting groups with a small and compact body.

There is no size-difference in the height and weight of either gender.

Both male and female dogs will stand between 12 and 13 inches tall, and typically weigh between 15 and 25 pounds. 35 pounds is the largest acceptable weight for this breed, but most Cavachons top off at around 25 pounds. It is very easy to pick up and carry this mix.

Cavachon Personality

Cavachons are gentle, friendly, and playful enough to be everybody’s dream dog.

When on its best behavior, this dog is one of the most charming companions that you can have. It will shower you in cuddles and kisses and cheer you up whenever you are feeling down.

Its energy comes in quick bursts throughout the day, and it will play for short periods before climbing up on the couch. It is much more of a cuddler than a player!

Cavachons enthusiastically greet everybody. These dogs love both human and canine friends and will help you make plenty of new friends. Cats and other small dogs can make great friends for this pooch. Feline friends will appreciate the dog’s calm and quiet demeanor.

A Cavachon can be just as much of a clown as any Bichon Frise, and its antics are sure to make you laugh. A dog park is one of their favorite places to be. At doggie daycare and puppy playdates, they are the life of the party!

Most small dogs cannot tolerate the rowdy behavior of young children, but that is not true for this mix. Their charming and gentle personality make them great for children. They are also strong enough to tolerate a bit of rough handling from a more rambunctious child.

Do Cavachon Dogs Bark A Lot?

You will not hear too much barking from this mix, but it may yip with excitement when greeting its friends. Puppies may be a little bit noisier.

Separation anxiety is the biggest concern when it comes to this breed’s personality. This ‘velcro dog’ absolutely hates to be left alone. A pooch that feels lonely or neglected can turn from sweet and docile to a dog that barks loudly or chews on the furniture.

Separation anxiety can be treated, but it takes lots of work.

Every pup needs a space in the house where they can feel safe. This can be a crate, a bed, or a special spot in a room of the house.

This breed makes a good dog for any family. Since it does not like to be left alone, it is the very best companion for stay-at-home parents. It is very child-friendly, and is one of the few small dogs that get along with other dogs of any size.

Fun Facts

1. The Cavachon is one of many lovable mixes bred from the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Other hybrids include the Cavapoo and Cavanese.
2. This breed came from the state of Virginia in 1996. It was bred during the height of the 1990s designer dog craze.
3. They were bred to give families with allergy sufferers the chance to own a family pet. Hypoallergenic breeds are usually single coated and low shed.
4. Cavachons are not recognized by the American Kennel Club or the Dog Registry of America, but it has earned recognition in the American Canine Hybrid Club.
5. The Cavachon’s gentle and loving personality means that it excels at therapy and emotional support. They are wonderful therapy dogs and emotional support animals.
6. This breed’s small size makes them quite sensitive to cold weather.
7. Cavachons are one of the most popular family pets for families with young children.

Are Cavachons High Maintenance?

The Cavachon is a low maintenance, low energy dog breed that is great for all ages and lifestyles. They make the best pets for stay at home parents, who can give them plenty of attention while the kids are away at school.

A Cavachon does not need very much training, grooming, or exercise. It makes the ideal companion for a first time dog owner.

Grooming

Your dog can inherit two different coat types. If it takes after its Cavalier parent, you can expect moderate shedding. If your mix has a Bichon coat, it will be very low shed. No matter what type of coat your Cavachon has, it will need to be brushed up to three times per week.

Its fur will get matted and tangled easily if it is not brushed every other day.

Every six weeks or so, you should get its fur cut and styled by a professional groomer.

Cavachons with longer coats may have extra grooming expenses. An appointment at a professional groomer can cost as much as $120.

Small dogs are more susceptible to gum disease, so keeping this dog’s teeth clean is a particularly important part of their grooming routine. Get them used to a toothbrush as early as possible and try and brush their teeth at least twice a week.

Training

It is very easy to train Cavachons. The worst you will have to deal with is a bit of stubborn behavior or their trickster personality from time to time.

This breed is very sweet-natured, so you should always keep a positive attitude while training. Your pup will be highly motivated by happiness and praise. Reward him with hugs and toys rather than too many treats.

House-breaking will be the hardest part of training.

A small dog has a much smaller bladder, so they may not always make it to the potty in time. While your puppy gets used to his potty spot, be patient with accidents. There will be fewer and fewer accidents as time goes on.

A Cavachon does not need very much mental stimulation and is generally happy to cuddle and laze around. But it will appreciate it if you keep its mind occupied with a few new dog tricks. Thanks to its Bichon Frise genes, it is particularly good at learning tricks! The many tricks that your dog can learn will keep the two of you amused for hours on end.

Socialization is a breeze for this mix as they are social butterflies. Making new friends will come naturally, if you take your dog out into the neighborhood often.

Exercising

The Cavachon is a very low-energy dog breed, requiring only 30 minutes of exercise every day. Its energy comes in short bursts, so play time can be split into small sessions throughout the day. Two 15 to 20 minute walks around the block are more than enough for this dog.

Cavachons enjoy playing low-intensity games and indoor versions of classic dog games, including fetch and catch.

Roll-the-ball is a low-intensity fetching game that you can use to practice commands. This low-impact game is great for low-energy dogs, and it can be safely played indoors.

Health

Syringomyelia and Mitral Valve Disease are the most common health problems for this mix.

Mitral Valve Disease is a form of heart disease that affects many small dog breeds in their senior years. An enlarged heart, leaky valve, and heart murmur are all symptoms of this condition that can be picked up during a heart exam.

Syringomyelia can be inherited from their Cavalier parent. It causes fluid-filled cavities along the spinal cord and is very painful. This condition can be treated surgically, but most vets will not recommend it. Pain medication is the go-to treatment for Syringomyelia.

The health problems that the Cavachon dog breed is susceptible to do not usually have visible symptoms. They can easily be overlooked without regular screening.

Price

The average price for a Cavachon puppy is $700. Puppies from known breeders, or pedigree parents, may be sold for $1,000 to $1,500. The price of your puppy will always depend on the breeder and its lineage. Expect to pay a little bit more than $700 for healthy puppy from healthy parents.

Beware of backyard breeders. Do not purchase a Cavachon puppy from a pet store. It is likely these puppies may have come from a puppy mill. They are also more likely to have faulty genetics, health issues and behavior problems.

If you can, make sure that both parent breeds have been screened for health problems that can be inherited.

As most families are looking to adopt a puppy, adult Cavachons tend to be much cheaper.

You will be able to buy an adult Cavachon for $300 to $500.

What is it Like Owning One?

Your Cavachon will be perfectly content to laze the morning away, but a call to breakfast is sure to wake him right up! After breakfast, take him out for a quick 20 minute walk around the block. He will spend the time happily greeting all of your neighbors and their dogs.

He can play with the kids before you send them off to school, but once they are gone he will want all of your attention. If you are going to be away, make sure your dog has everything he needs to relax comfortably in his crate. If he feels safe, he will curl up and go to sleep until you return.

Once everybody is back home, your pup will want to play almost immediately. Spend 10 to 15 minutes rolling a ball back and forth or enticing him with his favorite chew toys. After a short burst of energy, your pup will happily rest on the couch for a while.

Before the day is done, take him out for another short walk. A chance to hang out with his doggie friends is the best way for him to end the day. As the sun begins to set, your pup will likely want to laze around for the rest of the day!

Summary

There are very few dogs that are as charming and sweet as the Cavachon. Its love for its family is absolutely boundless. There is nothing more uplifting than the love that this dog will bring. Your days will be full of laughter and love with a Cavachon by your side.

This breed will keep you entertained without keeping you exhausted. They do not need much training, grooming, or exercise.

Cavachons make the very best pet for a family, especially one with young children! It is very easy to make room in your life for this wonderful dog. Once you do, it will be your best friend forever.

All in all, this charming dog has a little something to offer everybody.

Does the Cavachon pique your interest? Let us know in the comments below if this is the breed for you!

Want to learn more about a different Bichon Frise mix? When not look at the Bichon Poodle Mix.