what is the cavachon puppy?
The Cavachon (also known as the Bichalier) is a small cross breed dog. It originated in the 1990s in the USA and is bred from the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Bichon Frise.
It’s fast becoming a very popular family dog, due to it’s small size, friendly outgoing personality and easy to maintain hypoallergenic coat.
These small pooches are super intelligent, and very easy to train. They love the company of humans and other pets, and are an ideal choice of dog if you live in an apartment or small house where space is a problem.
The Cavachon at a glance
Cute black and white cavachon puppy
| Height Range | 30 to 39 cm (12 to 15 inches) |
| Weight Range | 7 to 10kgs (16-22lbs) |
| Temperament | Family friendly, easy going, great with other dogs |
| Easy To Train | Very easy to train and eager to please |
| Exercise Needs | Medium – 30 to 40 minutes a day |
| Diet | Normal appetite, can become obese easily if overfed. May be allergic to some dry food ingredients |
| Average Lifespan | 10–15 years |
| Possible Health Concerns | heart problems, ear infections, eye problems, liver problems, and autoimmune diseases, skin allergies |
how big does a cavachon get?
Cavachons are small dogs that grow to between 12 and 15 inches in height, on average. They can be slightly bigger or smaller, depending on the size of the parents. Adult cavachons will typically weigh less than 20 lbs (although some may weigh more).
They are lightweight and nimble on their feet, and are ideal for apartment dwellers, or maybe older owners that want a dog that is easier to handle physically.
are cavachons easy to train?
Just like their primary breeds the king charles and the bichon frise, the cavachon is very easy to train, especially if training is started as a puppy. They are eager learners, and love to please their owners. With the right incentive, they can be easily trained to go to the toilet outside, sit, wait and other commands as needed.
Do cavachons dogs bark a lot?
Any dog can bark a lot if it’s not happy. Cavachons do not bark excessively, unlike some other small breeds. They are known to bark at strangers (like most dogs!), but they are otherwise a fairly quiet breed.
They do of course love human companionship, and will tend to bark more if left alone for long periods of time.
do cavachons shed hair?
There is a lot of misinformation out there that says cavachons dont shed their hair. All dog hair will fall out at some stage, and cavachons will lose their hair too.
The difference between cavachons and other breeds, is that some breeds shed more hair than others. Some dogs are seasonal shedders. Border collies for example will grow a thick undercoat during the winter months to keep them warm and will then lose this coat in the spring when the weather gets warmer. Some dogs shed their undercoat a few times a year. They lose a large amount of hair along with normal shedding.
Cavachons are a lot smaller than many dogs, so have less hair to lose. They also have it in their genes to lose less of their coat, as they have been bred from the Bischon Frise, another designer dog that does not lose much hair.
The amount of hair the cavachon will lose around the house also depends on the their diet and grooming routine. A good, wholesome diet that nourishes the coat will make the hair stronger and longer lasting.
A good grooming routine is also a great way to minimise the amount of hair that falls out. Brushing your cavachon a few times a week will remove any dead hair before it becomes matted or falls out by itself.
are cavachons dogs hypoallergenic?
Cavachon puppies and adult dogs are considered to be hypoallergenic dogs. This means their coat is less likely to aggravate allergy symptoms in susceptible owners.
However, no dog is truly 100% hypoallergenic. As explained earlier, all dogs will lose their hair as it ages and is replenished. Dog allergies are actually caused by the dead skin cells that accumulate under the coat. Its these cells that can make allergy symptoms worse.
The best way to reduce the chances of a dog causing allergies is to brush its coat out daily. This gets rid of hair and dead skin cells before it has an opportunity to build up around the house.
are cavachons good family dogs?
Cavachons make great family pets. Their small size and friendly, calm personality make them a great companion for kids of all sizes. They don’t mind being included in games, and love to be cuddled and rubbed.
They are not as delicate as some other small designer breeds. This means they can be handled with out fear of them getting hurt too easily. Obviously you need to make sure that young kids don’t get too rough while playing, but generally they are robust little guys that can take a bit of rough and tumble.
They also have lots of energy and will love to accompany you and the rest of the family on long hikes, bike rides or trips to the beach.
do cavachons need to be groomed a lot?
Regular grooming is essential to the health of most dogs, but cavachons especially. Even though they don’t lose as much hair as regularly as some other breeds, they do need regular trimming and washing. Most will need to be groomed every 6 to 8 weeks.
Some cavachons have straight silky hair, while others have hair that curls a bit as it gets longer. Longer curly hair can get tangled more quickly, so it’s important to brush it daily and keep it trimmed, especially in warmer weather.
Like many other small breeds, cavachons are susceptible to getting eye and ear infections if not groomed regularly. This is because the hair around the eyes and ears can trap dirt, and become matted. This can cause dirt to build up inside the outer ear, increasing the chances of infection.
Hair around the eyes can also become a problem if not kept neatly trimmed. Long hair around the eyes can sometimes irritate the surface of the eye causing it to turn red and itchy. This can be exasperated if the cavachon tries to scratch it or rub its head on the carpet.
Another common problem with cavachons and similar small breeds is tear staining on the hair around the eyes. Again this can be prevented by keeping the hair trimmed so the eye is less like to get gunked up or create tears.
The most common cause of tear staining is diet. Many smaller, light coated breeds are actually gluten intolerant. Wheat, sugar, dairy and other processed dog food ingredients can cause gut problems that can affect the dogs coat and cause weepy eyes.
