A Cavachon is a cross between a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Bichon Frise.
They’re quite a popular cross breed given Cavaliers and Bichon Frise are excellent companion dogs.
The Cavachon is thought to have originated in the early 1990s as these two small dog breeds were combined to create a mixed dog that doesn’t shed a lot.
You shoudn’t have too much trouble finding a Cavachon breeder, although some of these so-called designer dogs can often wind up at rescue shelters needing a new home.
In this article, we’re going to take a look at Cavachon appearance, Cavachon size, Cavachon temperament, Cavachon exercise needs, Cavachon shedding and lots more.
We’ve interviewed Monty (@cavachon.monty) and Dolly and Arley (@dollyandarley) to learn more about these hybrid dogs.
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What is a Cavachon?
Cavachons Arley and Dolly (Photo: @dollyandarley / Instagram)
A Cavachon is a cross between a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Bichon Frise.
These designer dogs can also be referred to as Cavalier-Bichon or Bichon-King Charles. Alternatively you could refer to this mix as a Bichon Frise Cavalier mix.
While the Bichon Frise and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel are breeds recognised by the American Kennel Club and the United Kennel Club, neither organization has granted the Cavachon status.
However, Cavachons are recognised by American Canine Association, American Canine Hybrid Club, Designer Dogs Kennel Club, Dog Registry of America and International Designer Canine Registry
Cavachon size
Monty the Cavachon (Photo: cavachon.monty / Instagram)
The Cavachon is quite a small mix breed given the Bichon Frise and Cavalier are companion-sized dogs. They’ll usually be between 12 and 13 inches tall as well as 15 to 20 pounds in weight.
Bronagh gave us an insight into the size of her Cavachons, Dolly and Arley.
I would say they are classed as ‘medium’ sized dogs. Dolly (female) weighs around 7.5kg and Arley (make) weighs 8.5kg. Although twins Dolly and Arley have different builds, Dolly is “skinny and tall”, Arley is “short and stumpy”.
Cavachon appearance
Cavachons Arley and Dolly (Photo: @dollyandarley / Instagram)
It’s important to remember that there’s no guarantee a mix breed will inherit certain desired traits from the parent breeds. So, for example, a Cavachon will have physical traits that are representative of both Bichon Frise and Cavaliers.
Cavachons usually have a broad head that is associated more with the Cavalier parent, while the tail tends to be quite curly.
Having said that, Cavachons will usually have a soft and silky coat that is medium-to-long in length. Their coat colors can range from white, cream, apricot, black and tan and more. Some Cavachons are tricolored, which is a shade associated with the Cavalier breed. There are Cavachons who have a solid coat color.
Monty’s mom Bee described her Cavachon’s appearance.
The Cavachon is a relatively small dog with a non-shedding, long coat. They tend to be apricot and white in colour, and even those born a sable colour usually lose their colouring and fade to white as adults due to the Bichon gene. They’re cute as buttons for sure and have the cutest floppy ears.
Cavachon temperament
Monty the Cavachon (Photo: cavachon.monty / Instagram)
Bichon Frise and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breeds both tend to be branded as companion dogs. They’ll enjoy being around their pet parents. Cavachon are usually friendly dogs that like to meet new people and new dogs. This Cavalier mix tend to be patient so they can be a good breed for families with children. Having said that, they’ll still need to be handled with care. Cavachons tend to be eager to please, which can help with their training.
Bee provided an insight into the Cavachon temperament based upon her dog.
Cavachons are calm 90% of the time but get the zoomies for about 20 minutes each day and love running around during this time! They’re so loving and chill – the perfect dog to watch TV with. Great with kids and people in general, they want to be loved 24/7.
Do Cavachons suffer from separation anxiety?
Cavachons Arley and Dolly (Photo: @dollyandarley / Instagram)
Separation anxiety is a chronic canine disorder that can affect dogs irrespective of breed or mix. The symptoms of separation anxiety can include excessive barking, howling or whining, destructive chewing or digging as well as defecating or urinating inside the home. As companion breeds, Cavaliers and Bichon Frise can become quite attached to their dog owners.
We asked Bee whether Monty has experienced this issue.
Absolutely YES.! They’re 100% companion dogs and don’t like to be left alone. If you want a dog that is going to be alone at home when you’re at work, they are not for you. They’ll distress themselves barking for hours. However, with training, you can definitely get them to be alone for a little bit. Monty will usually bark for 10 minutes when we leave him then settle and may be fine for about two hours before throwing a tantrum! I’ll also say, they just want people around, rather than specifically their owners. So, if you do have to work, they will be absolutely fine in doggy day care or with family.
Do Cavachons make good guard dogs?
Monty the Cavachon (Photo: cavachon.monty / Instagram)
Cavachons are a small mix so they won’t make great guard dogs. However, the Cavalier Bichon Frise mix can make effective watch dogs should they spot a person or stranger approaching the front door.
Do Cavachons make great family pets?
Cavachons Arley and Dolly (Photo: @dollyandarley / Instagram)
Given Bichon Frise and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are excellent family pets, it’s likely that a Cavachon will excel in a family setting. They’re docile dogs that like to be around people. The designer breed could enjoy a romp in the back garden with the younger members of the family. They’ll still need to be educated on how to handle Cavachons because they can be quite delicate.
Bronagh believes Cavachons are the “perfect” 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.
Do Cavachons like to cuddle?
Monty the Cavachon (Photo: cavachon.monty / Instagram)
Cavachons are likely to enjoy a cuddle with their pet parents given both Cavaliers and Bichon Frise are companion-sized dogs. It’s likely that your Cavachon will enjoy snuggling up to their pet parents on the sofa.
Do Cavachons get along with other dogs?
Cavachons Arley and Dolly (Photo: @dollyandarley / Instagram)
As we mentioned above, Cavachons are sociable dogs that get along with other breeds. However, they may be intimidated by bigger dogs. It’s a good idea to take precautions when introducing dogs to each other for the first time. You should also make sure other dogs are up to date on all their shots.
Monty, for example, is very friendly with other canines.
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.
Are Cavachons easy to train?
Monty the Cavachon (Photo: cavachon.monty / Instagram)
Cavachons are dogs that like to please their owners, which is a characteristic you can harness to your benefit. In the famous book called The Intelligence of Dogs, the Bichon Frise is ranked at number 78 and the Cavalier is ranked five places higher at number 73.
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.
How much exercise do Cavachons need?
Cavachons Arley and Dolly (Photo: @dollyandarley / Instagram)
Cavachons are relatively low maintenance dogs compared to other breeds. They’ll usually be content with a short walk or two on a daily basis. Dog walking website Wag Walking recommend around 40 minutes of exercise every day.
Bronagh takes Arley and Dolly for two walks a day.
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.
Are Cavachons hypoallergenic?
Cavachons are considered a potentially hypoallergenic mix thanks to the influence of the Bichon Frise genes. The Bichon Frise is accepted as a hypoallergenic breed by the American Kennel Club and the Kennel Club. Breeders can cross Bichon Frise with Cavalier King Charles Spaniels in order to produce a dog that won’t shed a lot. However, there’s no guarantee a Cavachon will have a hypoallergenic coat.
Do Cavachons shed?
Cavachons Arley and Dolly (Photo: @dollyandarley / Instagram)
Bichon Frise are dogs that don’t shed a lot. So, there’s a chance that a Cavachon will be relatively low shedding dogs, more so than Cavaliers. But remember, there’s no way to predict how much a Cavachon will shed when they’re puppies.
In Arley and Dolly’s case, they don’t shed.
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.
Do Cavachons need regular grooming?
While Cavachons may be a low-shedding breed, they’ll still need to be groomed. You don’t want your Cavachons coat to become matted or tangled. It’s a good idea to brush your Cavachon two or three times a week to maintain the quality of their coat.
Bee gave us an insight into the grooming routine for Monty.
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.
Do Cavachons have any health problems?
Cavachons Arley and Dolly (Photo: @dollyandarley / Instagram)
There’s a belief that mixed dogs tend to have less health problems. However, Cavachons are prone to some potential health issues that would-be owners should be aware of. These include, but aren’t limited to:
• Mitral Valve Disease
• Heart Murmur
• Syringomyelia
• Atopic Dermatitis
• Cataracts
• Cushing’s Disease
• Patellar Luxation
Are Cavachons fussy eaters?
Monty the Cavachon (Photo: cavachon.monty / Instagram)
Some Cavachons can be picky eaters just like any other type of dog. I know how stressful it can be when your dog won’t eat their food. It can lead to digestive and stomach issues. I’ve found that dog food delivery companies can provide a solution for dog owners with their home-cooked meals. I’ve reviewed the best dog food delivery companies in the USA and the best dog food delivery companies in the UK.
Alternatively, if you prefer feeding your Cavachon dry food such as kibble, you can still find some great options here.
Cavachon price
Cavachons Arley and Dolly (Photo: @dollyandarley / Instagram)
As a designer breed, Cavachon puppies can be quite expensive. Based upon our research, you can expect to pay around £1,000 and £4,000 for a Cavachon pup. However, you may want to consider adopting a Cavachon if you can find one in your local rescue shelter. If you do contact a breeder about getting a Cavachon puppy, you should ask to see the parents, the relevant health certificates, as well as asking lots of questions.
Are Cavachons expensive?
Aside from the initial cost of adopting your Cavachons, you’ll need to prepare for monthly costs associated with owning a dog. These include vaccinations, neutering or spaying, dog food, pet insurance and much more. You can check out the best pet insurance options in the USA and the UK
Do you recommend Cavachons to first-time dog owners?
Monty the Cavachon (Photo: cavachon.monty / Instagram)
Cavachons can make good dogs for a first-time pet owner, according to Bee.
Let’s hear her advice for potential Cavachon 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!
Cavachons to follow on Instagram
Cavachons are a great mixed breed and we’ve covered a lot of topics in this article. However, if you want to learn more, you can also contact Cavachon owners to find out even more about these dogs. Here are some Cavachons on Instagram to check out.
• Monty (@cavachon.monty)
• Dolly and Arley (@dollyandarley)
In conclusion
Cavachons Arley and Dolly (Photo: @dollyandarley / Instagram)
We’ve reached the end of our article on the Cavachon cross breed.
They’re a mixed dog that can make a great option for first-time dog owners or parents looking for a family pet.
We’ve touched upon Cavachon appearance, Cavachon size, Cavachon temperament, Cavachon exercise needs, Cavachon shedding and lots more.
Cavachons are usually hypoallergenic dogs that don’t shed a lot, so they could be a potential option for dog lovers looking for a hypoallergenic breed.
