Cavachons are a popular cross breed.
They’re a mix between a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Bichon Frise, increasing in popularity over the past 20 years or so.
Cavachons can combine the positive traits of both dog breeds, such as easy-going personalities and low-shedding coats.
However, they could inherit from cons such as health problems and separation anxiety.
In this article, we’re going to take a look at the pros and cons of the Cavachon dog breed.
We’ll hear from Monty (@cavachon.monty) and Dolly and Arley (@dollyandarley) to learn more about these hybrid dogs.
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Cavachon Pros
Monty the Cavachon (Photo: cavachon.monty / Instagram)
Moderate exercise requirements
Cavachons are a relatively small dog breed so they don’t need as much exercise as other bigger Cavalier mixes. Bichon Frise and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel require a couple of short walks a day so they can stretch their legs and get some mental stimulation. While some Cavachons might relish a long hike, most will be content with a stroll or two every day.
Bronagh explains how much exercise Arley and Dolly get.
Like other puppies, they have lots of energy so we take them either on two shorter walks a day or one long walk. Although they still nap often during the day and have never disturbed us during the night, it’s just our choice to take them out as much as we can.
Low shedding
Bichon Frise are a considered a hypoallergenic dog breed because they don’t shed a lot. The American Kennel Club and the Kennel Club in the UK put forward the Bichon Frise as dogs that could be suited for people searching for a hypoallergenic dog. Cavachons could inherit this low-shedding trait from their Bichon Frise parent. However, it’s important to remember that Cavachons are part Cavalier and the companion breed are moderate shedders. So there’s a good chance that you’re Cavachon might shed a little.
Bronagh explained that Arley and Dolly don’t shed a lot.
They don’t shed which for us is a dream. They have a lovely coat but surprisingly never shed, we have to take them to the groomers every 6-8 weeks as their hair grows fast and is prone to matting.
Suitable for first-time owners
If you’re looking for your first dog, Cavachon could be the right mix for you. The Bichon Frise and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel are recognised as relatively easy going and sociable breeds. Even though Cavachons could be a good fit for a first-time dog owner, they’ll still benefit from puppy socialization and training classes.
Bee explained why she believes they’re a good breed for first-time owners.
Monty has been the perfect dog for us. He’s an easy dog overall. Not the smartest so not super easy to teach tricks to but toilet training has honestly been quite easy – which is a big worry for first time owners like us. He doesn’t require much exercise and is not fussy at all when it comes to people, dogs, food etc. So yes – they’re perfect for first time owners!
Friendly and sociable
As we mentioned above already, Cavachons are friendly and sociable dogs. Bichon Frise and Cavaliers have relatively low maintenance personalities. Even though they’ll benefit from socialization classes, there’s a fair good chance your Cavachon will enjoy meeting new people and new dogs in controlled environments.
Bee told us that Monty is friendly with every dogs he meets.
Monty wants to play with every single dog he sees. He will always run to all dogs in the street. Even if they bark at him, he will have a waggy tail and want to lick their faces.
Great family pets
If you’re looking for family pet, the Cavachon could make a good contender. They’re a companion-sized breed that are affectionate, caring and patient. While they’re quite a robust cross breed, it’s a good idea to educate children on how to handle a Cavachon with care to prevent inadvertent injury.
Bronagh endorsed the breed as a good choice for a family pet.
I can honestly say Cavachons are the perfect family pet, they are so loving and friendly and generally no trouble at all. Patience is required for training and they like to have people around them at all times, so I wouldn’t recommend getting this breed if they are going to be left alone for a long period of time. But if you are looking for a gentle, friendly, fun, cuddly breed, Cavachons are the one for you.
Cavachon Cons
Cavachons Arley and Dolly (Photo: @dollyandarley / Instagram)
Require regular grooming
Although you won’t have to contend with lots of hair on your clothes, furniture and floor, Cavachon do require regular grooming. By adopting a consistent grooming routine, pet parents can limit the chances of their cross breed suffering with matted hair or tangled hair. It can also prevent infection by removing debris or dirt in their coat.
Bee explained that Monty requires a lot of grooming.
Yes – brush every day or every other day to avoid knots. They have long hair, so this is to be expected unfortunately. We mostly struggle with his paws because they get so tangled on walks! Their lovely temperament makes it easy to brush them though. In terms of washing, we give him a bath every other week. Should probably be less because less is better for their coat, but he does love to roll around in mud.
Difficult to train
Bichon Frise and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are ranked in the top 20 smartest breeds in the world. Therefore they may be a little challenging to train. They could have a stubborn streak so a Cavachon puppy could benefit from training at a young age to lay down the groundrules and reinforce the basics.
Bronagh admitted that training Arley and Dolly was challenging.
The only downside we do have about Cavachons is training – it’s very tricky! You need a lot of patience to train them. Potty training took a while, I would say they are only just trained at 6/7 months and that’s with five of us in the house training them. They learnt to sit very easy, and Dolly learnt ‘fetch’ very quickly, but as of yet they haven’t learnt any other tricks – we are definitely going to look at a professional trainer very soon, as we need help with this.
Health problems
While cross breeds are generally considered healthier dogs, they can still inherit some health problems from their parents. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel does have some issues that are common within the dog breed. Some of the potential issues that a Cavachon could inherit include mitral valve disease, patellar luxation and a variety of eye problems.
Expensive
Some popular mix breeds are dubbed designer breeds. Cross breeds can be quite expensive. The average price of Cavachon ranges from $1,000 to $5,000. If you’re looking for a Cavachon puppy, you should contact a number of different breeders. Remember to ask to meet your puppy’s parents, proof of vet checks, kennel club documentation and ask lots of questions. Aside from the initial cost of your pup, you’ll have to budget for the monthly cost of owning a dog.
Separation anxiety
Separation anxiety is a chronic canine condition that can affect any dog, irrespective of breed or mix. It usually occurs when dogs are left alone or even before the pet parents leave the house. The symptoms include barking, howling, whining, destructive chewing or digging or even defecating or urinating inside the home. Bichon Frise and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are breeds that are companion pets. They like to be around their humans as much as possible. So they could be susceptible to separation anxiety.
Anything Else To Consider?
If you want to learn more about Cavachons, Bichon Frise or Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, you could contact some current owners on Instagram to learn more. We find that pet parents are usually forthcoming with information about their dogs to help prospective owners.
In Conclusion
Cavachons Arley and Dolly (Photo: @dollyandarley / Instagram)
Cavachons are cross breed that can have pros and cons like any type of dog.
They can be great companion pets and valued family members. Cavachons are usually relatively low shedding.
However, Cavachons do require a lot of grooming and regular trips to the professional groomers to help maintain their coat.
