Cavapoochons are a cross breed growing in popularity around the world.
They’re a combination of three different breeds: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Bichon Frise and Poodle.
Usually a Cavachon (Cavalier x Bichon Frise) is bred with a miniature or toy Poodle.
These hybrid dogs are usually described as being hypoallergenic due to their low-shedding coats.
Some breeds are considered more hypoallergenic than other types of canines thanks to their shedding patterns.
Editor's note: The content on this website is meant to be informative in nature, but it should not be taken as veterinary, medical or professional advice. There's no such thing as a 100% hypoallergenic dog in spite of claims that breeders might make. It’s always best to speak with your vet or your doctor before deciding to get a dog if you suspect you may have allergies to pets.
In this article, we’re going to take a look at whether Cavapoochons are hypoallergenic, how much they shed and their grooming requirements.
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What does hypoallergenic mean?
Let’s take a look at the origins of the word, hypoallergenic. The term was first coined by the cosmetic industry in the 1950s.
Rather than being used to denote a low-shedding dog like it is today, cosmetic companies used hypoallergenic to describe certain products.
Hypoallergenic was used to denote a product that was less likely to cause an allergic reaction in someone susceptible to skin allergies.
While the product might have been hypoallergenic, it was only less likely to trigger allergies. So it wasn’t a guarantee that a reaction wouldn’t occur.
This is how respected website WebMD.com define hypoallergenic:
If you see “hypoallergenic” on makeup or a skin care label, it means that that maker claims its product causes fewer allergic reactions than other ones. That doesn’t necessarily mean it is allergy-proof or gentler for your skin. The U.S. government doesn’t have standards that products must meet in order to put “hypoallergenic” on the label.
While the cosmetic industry were the first to regularly use the term hypoallergenic, you’ll know see the word alongside different dog breeds. However, as we mentioned above, no dog breed is completely hypoallergenic.
What are hypoallergenic dogs?
If you’re looking for a hypoallergenic dog, you want a pooch that won’t trigger your allergies. Some of the best-known hypoallergenic dog breeds are Poodles and Schnauzers. They’ve got low-shedding coats that capture the little dander they secrete.
Hypoallergenic dogs are in big demand given a sizable portion of the population struggle with allergies to pets such as dogs. The American College of Allergy Asthma and Immunology write that around 10 per cent of the US population are allergic to dogs. Seeing as 90 million Americans own a dog, we can deduce that a lot of pet parents have researched hypoallergenic breeds.
There are over 27 million search results for hypoallergenic dog breeds on Google, highlighting the demand for low-shedding canines.
So what do the American Kennel Club have to say about hypoallergenic dogs? Let’s take a look.
While no dog is 100% hypoallergenic, there are a variety of breeds that do well with allergy sufferers. These dogs have a predictable, non-shedding coat which produces less dander.
The American Kennel Club and Kennel Club in the UK both list a number of breeds that they recommend as having hypoallergenic qualities.
What causes an allergy to dogs?
When you think about potential triggers where dog allergies are concerned, your first thought is probably dog hair. While fur left on your clothes, furniture and around the home can be a big problem where allergies are concerned, it’s usually dander rather than pet hair that causes the biggest problem.
Dander are little particles of dead skin that our canine companions secrete. If you haven’t encountered the word dander before, here’s the American Lung Association to give us a clear and concise definition:
Pet dander is composed of tiny, even microscopic, flecks of skin shed by cats, dogs, rodents, birds and other animals with fur or feathers. These bits of skin can cause reactions in people who are specifically allergic to these triggers.
Some breeds such as the Poodle don’t produce a lot of dander and the little that they do is caught in their tight curls. It can easily be washed out during bath time. Hairless dogs are often considered hypoallergenic because they don’t have fur and the dander can be wiped off their skin.
While dander and hair are the two big culprits, other allergens include pollen, salvia and urine. So even the Poodle with their low-shedding coat could carry in pollen from outside into the home to trigger your allergies.
What are the symptoms?
If you suspect you may be allergic to dogs, there are some symptoms to keep an eye out for. These can give you an indication that your suspicions might be right.
This article doesn’t constitute medical advice so we recommend speaking to your local doctor about any potential concerns you may have surrounding dog allergies.
Some of symptoms to look out for include:
• Sneezing or a runny or stuffy nose.
• Facial pain (from nasal congestion)
• Coughing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and wheezing.
• Watery, red or itchy eyes.
• Skin rash or hives.
Are Cavapoochons hypoallergenic?
Ramsey the Cavapoochon (Photo: @teddygramsey / Instagram)
Cavapoochons are a generally considered a hypoallergenic mixed breed. They’re a combination of three different breeds: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Bichon Frise and a Poodle.
The Bichon Frise and the Poodle are two breeds recommended by both the American Kennel Club and the Kennel Club as hypoallergenic dog breeds. Therefore, the influence of the Bichon Frise and Poodle genes usually results in a Cavapoochon with hypoallergenic qualities.
It’s worth remembering that it’s impossible to predict what traits a Cavapoochon will inherit from each parent.
In our interview with Ramsey the Cavapoochon, we asked in their experience, whether Ramsey was hypoallergenic:
Ramsey doesn’t shed at all and does not bother my husband’s allergies.
Do Cavapoochons shed a lot?
Cavapoochons are considered a low-shedding dog breed thanks to the influence of their Bichon Frise and Poodle genes. Some Cavapoochons won’t shed at all, while others will shed a little. Like we said above, all Cavapoochons can slightly differ on this.
Cavapoochon care and grooming
Cavapoochon (Photo: Adobe Stock)
Although Cavapoochons might have hypoallergenic qualities and a low-shedding coat, they do require a lot of grooming. Most Cavapoochon owners will brush their four-legged friendly daily to prevent their coat from becoming matted or tangled. This can help to remove dirt and debris as well as preventing potential skin infections. If their hair is allowed to grow around their eyes and ears, it could also result in potential infections.
It’s recommended that you bring your Cavapoochon to a professional groomer every six weeks or so. They should also have regular baths.
Hypoallergenic dog breeds
If you’ve got allergies to dogs and you’re looking for a hypoallergenic dog breed, the American Kennel Club and the Kennel Club list a number of breeds that they consider to be hypoallergenic.
Here are the AKC’s 19 suggestions:
• Affenpinchser
• Afghan Hound
• American Hairless Terrier
• Barbet
• Bedlington Terrier
• Bichon Frise
• Bolognese
• Chinese Crested
• Coton de Tulear
• Giant Schnauzer
• Irish Water Spaniel
• Kerry Blue Terrier
• Lagotto Romagnolo
• Maltese
• Peruvian Inca Orchid
• Poodle
• Portuguese Water Dog
• Russkaya Tsvetnaya Bolonka
• Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
• Schnauzer
• Xoloitzcuintli
Kennel Club goes even further with 31 different hypoallergenic breeds:
• Lagotto Romagnolo
• Irish Water Spaniel
• Spanish Water Dog
• Bouvier des Flandres
• Giant Schnauzer
• Portuguese Water Dog
• Russian Black Terrier
• Hungarian Puli
• Komondor
• Bichon Frise
• Bolognese
• Chinese Crested
• Coton de Tulear
• Havanese
• Maltese
• Yorkshire Terrier
• Lhasa Apso
• Intermediate Mexican Hairless
• Miniature Mexican Hairless
• Standard Mexican Hairless
• Miniature Schnauzer
• Standard Poodle
• Toy Poodle
• Miniature Poodle
• Shih Tzu
• Tibetan Terrier
• Bedlington Terrier
• Dandie Dinmont Terrier
• Glen of Imaal Terrier
• Sealyham Terrier
• Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
Anything else to consider?
Cavapoochon (Photo: Adobe Stock)
If you’re looking to learn more about Cavapoochons, especially where shedding and grooming is concerned, you could always reach out to some current owners on social media.
In our experience, pet parents are more than willing to help potential owners with tips and tricks. Here are 20 Cavapoochons to check out on Instagram.
In conclusion
Ramsey the Cavapoochon (Photo: @teddygramsey / Instagram)
We’ve reached the end of our article on Cavapoochons and whether they’re hypoallergenic.
These “designer dogs” have hypoallergenic qualities and are usually low-shedding dogs. However, this can differ depending on each Cavapoochon in question.
We recommend speaking to breeders and owners as part of your thorough research before settling upon a dog.
