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Cavachon Dog Breed Introduction
A Cavachon is a hybrid dog deliberately created in the 1990s by crossing a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel with a Bichon Frise in the United States. They are loving, intelligent, attentive, and extremely loyal dogs that make great pets for novice owners and senior citizens. Cavachons have a silky and medium-length coat that may either be wavy or curly. The coat also sheds at low levels and produces less dander. For this reason, they are considered nearly hypoallergenic dogs like their Bichon Frise Parent.
These are also highly adaptable dogs that do well in homes with or without yards. They are suitable pets for apartment dwellers. As designer dogs, Cavachons benefit from hybrid vigour especially enhanced health and lower susceptibility to diseases if they are bred well. Since they are crossbreeds and not pedigrees, Cavachons are not recognized by kennel clubs including American Kennel Club.
Cavachon Origin | History
A Cavachon is an offspring cross of two pure breds, Bichon Frise and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Before the intentional breeding of Cavachons started in North America in 1996, there is a probability this hybrid was already in existence unintentionally. The aim of creating Cavachons was to produce a cute pet with an allergy friendly coat and has lower susceptibility towards diseases.
Cavachon Lifespan
Cavachons have an average lifespan of 10 to 15 years. According to a study conducted in 2006, it was confirmed that crossbreeds tend to live longer than their parents for a year or two. A Bichon Frise has a lifespan of 12 to 15 years while a Cavalier has a lifespan of 9 to 14 years. Therefore, a Cavachon may live up to the age of 16 or 17 years.
Cavachon Grooming | Groooming Needs
For a successful grooming session at home or with a professional groomer, get a Cavachon accustomed to touch on various body parts including ears, feet, tail, etc. Holding your pet in different positions also prepares it for a positive grooming process. Grooming provides a great bonding time between the owner and the Cavachon pet. While grooming check out for lumps, fleas, and parasites. Cavachons have a slicky, medium-length coat that may either be wavy or curly. The coat sheds at minimal levels all-year round and requires at least three brushings per week if not daily to prevent mats and tangles. Brush the coat using a pin brush and a slicker brush.
Regular brushing helps to keep the coat healthy, removes dirt and loose hair, keeps shedding at bay, and promotes new hair growth. To prevent hair breakage, always spritz the coat with a detangling spray or conditioner solution before brushing. Cavachons require a bath every 4 to 6 weeks unless it rolls in something stinky. Before bathing, brush the coat to remove mats and tangles since they get messier when wet. Use a hypoallergenic shampoo and conditioner while grooming.
After a bath, thoroughly rinse off the grooming products using lukewarm water to prevent skin irritation. Dry off the coat using a dry towel before line brushing the coat with a slicker brush to prevent mats and tangles. Cavachons are prone to tear stains. Wipe the eyes twice a day using a damp washcloth or eye pads to keep the tear stains at bay. Nail trimming is recommended twice a month or every two weeks using a grinder or nail clippers. Overly grown nails make walking and running painful for Cavachons. As a small-sized dogs, these dogs are prone to dental problems.
Daily brushing is recommended using a tasty canine toothpaste and toothbrush to remove excess tartar build up. Professnal teeth cleaning is recommended once a year. Introduce your Cavachon pet to teeth brushing at the age of 12 weeks once the permanent teeth starts erupting. Cavachons have floppy shaped ears that are prone to ear infections. Clean the ears on a weekly basis and after a swim to prevent ear infections. Use cotton balls soaked in an ear cleanser solution. Remember to check out for a dark discharge, redness, and odor since they are symptoms of dog’s ear infections.
Cavachon Haircuts | Grooming Styles
For easy maintenance and prevention of tangling and matting, Cavachon parents may utilize various haircuts or grooming suitable with the weather and lifestyle of the particular dog in question. Haircuts suitable for Cavachons include:
Puppy Cut – To achieve this look, the groomer or owner trims the fur on the body to about an inch or two using hair clippers. The fur on the face and tail is clipped to more than two inches using a pair of shears.
Teddy bear cut – To achieve a teddy bear look, the fur on the face is trimmed in a rounded shape. However, the hair on the body is clipped to a length of 3 inches.
Natural cut – For this grooming style, the fur on the body is left to grow to its natural length. However, there is trimming of fur on the paws, ears, face, and rear end for sanitary purposes.
Cavachon Shedding
A Cavachon sheds at minimal levels all-year round.
Cavachon Coat | Coat Type
Cavachons have a silky and medium-length coat that may be wavy or curly. The Bichon Frise parent has a double-layered coat while the Cavalier has a single-layered coat. Therefore, Cavachons may either have a single or a double coat.
Cavachon Hypoallergenic
A Cavachon is considered nearly hypoallergenic dog. This is because it sheds at minimal levels all-year round and produces less dander due to its small body size. However, according to the American Kennel Club there is no a hundred percent hypoallergenic pure bred or crossbred dogs. Pet parents who suffer from dog allergies are advised to spend lots of time with a Cavachon before taking them home to ensure they are not affected by the fur and dander of the particular pet.
Cavachon Training | Training Tips
Cavachons are intelligent and eager to please which makes them easy to train. To ensure you raise a friendly, outgoing, well-mannered, and well adjusted canine citizen, immediately start socialization training when the dog comes home from the age of 8 weeks. This training lasts up to the age of 16 weeks. However, it usually begins from the age of 3 weeks when the Cavachon pup is with the breeder. Take the puppy home from the age of 8 weeks to ensure it builds up on its social skills. Taking a Cavachon home from the age of 8 weeks also reduces the severity of separation anxiety.
These are affectionate dogs that thrive when they are with their human companions. If they are left alone for long hours, they will suffer from separation anxiety. Therefore, they should be crate trained immediately they come home. This training will teach a pup to stay alone for a few hours. Crate training helps a Cavachon to develop confidence in staying alone. This device also offers a safe place where the dog can retreat to throughout the day.
To socialize a Cavachon, expose it to a wide variety of animals, people, surfaces, situations, sights, experiences, and sounds such as baby crying sounds, whistles, lawn mowers, sirens, vacuum cleaners, and washing machine. Enrolling a Cavachon in a puppy class after it is fully vaccinated also serve as a form of socialization. Puppy classes provide an environment where dogs can interact in a controlled environment. A Poorly socialized Cavachon becomes anxious or fearful of people , animals, and new stimuli.
Keep the training sessions for a span of 5 to 10 minutes to prevent boredom. Use positive reinforcements methods such as the use of treats, petting, playtime, toys, and verbal praise. Harsh correction methods such as yelling, beating, kicking, shoving, punching, and use of choke or prong collars will make a Cavachon to shut down during training. Start teaching the basic commands words which are potentially lifesaving such as come, heel, down, sit, leave it, etc. from the age of 8 weeks. Proceed to the next command word after the dog has understood the previous taught command. At no time should a pet parent issue a command while too excited or frustrated since it doesn’t sound the same for the pooch. To fully house break a Cavachon, creating a feeding schedule, potty training, and crate training is recommended.
Cavachon Potty Training | How To Potty Train A Cavachon Puppy
Some pet parents may find potty training a Cavachon a bit difficult even though they are intelligent dogs that are ready to please. To set your pet for a successful potty training that may take 2 to 4 months, it is recommended to understand that a Cavachon is a small-sized dog that has a small bladder. Therefore, it will tend to have frequent potty breaks as compared to medium or large-sized dogs. They also have a short concentration span and will easily get distracted during the training.
Prior to bringing your pup home, choose a delegated potty area where it will do its business. Owners should decide whether the pet will eliminate inside or outside especially for apartment dwellers who have a hard time accessing the street or yard. For indoor potty training, pet parents use puppy pads or litter boxes that are available for retail from the pup stores. As for the outdoor potty training, the designated spot should be far from the patio deck or BBQ spot.
While potty training, keep in mind that the bladder and bowel muscles of a dog strengthens as the dog matures. Therefore, the span between pooty breaks will increase as a Cavachon ages. Generally, a 12 week-old dog is able to hold for a period of 3 hours before eliminating while an 8-week-old pup is able to hold for a period of 2 hours before eliminating. However, Cavachons are small-sized dogs that should go for potty breaks every 30 to 60 minutes until the age of 8 months when they will be able to hold for a period of 6 hours.
For positive outcomes when potty training a Cavachon, take it to the toilet spot immediately it wakes up, 20 minutes after meals and drinks, every 30 to 60 minutes, after naptime, following exciting activities such as playtime and car ride, and before bedtime. While in the potty area, remain there for a period of 15 minutes to allow the dog to relax the bladder or bowel muscles for a pee or poo. Once you get to the elimination spot, utter the Toilet or Potty Command depending on your preference to the give the dog the cue to do its business. However, avoiding interchangeably using the two synonyms since it will be confusing for your dog. A crate is an indispensable tool while potty training a Cavachon. It enables the pet parents to monitor for signs that the dog wants to eliminate such as circling, sniffing, squatting, restlessness, whining, and lifting a leg against the crate door.
Before a Cavachon is fully housebroken, there is a possibility that it may experience an accident in the house. When this happens, utter a firm no and carry the dog to the elimination area. Avoid yelling or beating the dog. Remember to clean the mess using an iodine solution or enzymatic detergent to get rid of the odor. If cleaned with a regular detergent, the odor will be retained which will encourage a Cavachon to eliminate in the same spot once it sniffs. Before the age of 16 weeks(four months) a pet parent should set an alarm to take the Cavachon to the elimination area at least once during the night.
Cavachon Temperament | Traits
- Intelligent.
- Easygoing.
- Gentle.
- Eager to please.
- Loyal.
- Playful.
- Charming.
- Loving.
- Affectionate.
- Sociable.
Cavachon Exercise Requirements | Needs
A Cavachon needs moderate exercise of at least 30 minutes a day. Daily walks and indoor play will help to keep this breed physically and mentally stimulated. From the age of 6 months, a Cavachon can participate in obedience, agility, and rally competitions.
Cavachon Barking
Cavachons are not overly vocal dogs, and will bark at strangers to alert the owner. Excessive barking may be due to separation anxiety or pent-up energy due to lack of stimulation(mentally and physically).
Cavachon Height
A Cavachon may have a height of 9 to 13 inches ( approx. 23 to 33 cm). The Bichon Frise parent has a height of 9.5 to 11.5 inches ( approx. 24 to 29 cm) while the Cavalier has a height of 12 to 13 inches ( approx. 30 to 33 cm ).
Cavachon Weight
A Cavachon has a weight of 12 to 18 pounds ( approx. 5 to 8.2 kg). The Cavalier parent has a weight range of 13 to 18 pounds ( approx. 5.9 to 8.2 kg) while the Bichon Frise parent has a weight range of 12 to 18 pounds ( approx. 5 to 8.2 kg).
Cavachon Size
Cavachons are small-sized dogs that have a weight range of 12 to 18 pounds ( approx. 5 to 8.2 kg) and a height of 9 to 13 inches ( approx. 23 to 33 cm).
Cavachon Behavior Problems | Separation Anxiety
A Cavachon thrives when it is closely following its human companion. Therefore, when left alone for long hours it suffers from separation anxiety which may lead to behavior problems such as scratching the wall, chewing furniture and shoes, excessive barking, and relapse in housebreaking.
Cavachon Ear Infections
A Cavachon has floppy shaped ears that protect the ear canal against dirt or debris. However, these ears inhibit air flow leading to moisture accumulation. They also create a humid environment for bacteria to thrive. Causes of ear infections in Cavachons include yeast imbalance, excessive cleaning, ear mites, injury to the ear canal, moisture accumulation, and excess wax, dirt, or debris.
As with other breeds, a Cavachon ismay suffer from three types of ear infections, externa, media, and interna otitis respectively. Externa otitis is the most common and causes inflammation to the cells located in the external ear canal. If left unattended, the infection spreads to the middle and inner ear canal. Inflammation to the cells located in the middle and inner ear canal is referred to as media and interna otitis respectively. These infections result in facial paralysis, deafness, and vestibular signs such as dizziness, disorientation, and blurred vision.
Symptoms exhibited by a Cavachon that is suffering from ear infections include itchiness, head shaking, walking in circles, rubbing the affected ear on the surface, pain, redness, scabs in the ears, disorientation, dark discharge, and odor.
Cavachon Tear Stains
A Cavachon has a light-colored coat that makes tear stains more noticeable. Eye stains may be a result of blocked tear ducts, eye infection, or abnormally large tear glands. Pet parents should wipe the eyes at least twice a day using a clean damp wash cloth to keep the tear stains at bay.
Cavachon Eye Problems
Apart from tear stains, other eye problems that Cavachons suffer from include: cataracts, entropion, progressive retinal atrophy, glaucoma, distichiasis, keratoconjunctivitis sicca, and corneal dystrophy.
Cavachon Health Issues
Cavachons are designer dogs that benefit from hybrid vigour which lowers the chances of susceptibility to diseases as well as decreasing the risk of inbreeding depression. Although, a Cavachon may still suffer from the health issues that affect both Bichons and Cavaliers. Some of the health issues that Cavachons suffer from include mitral valve disease, collapsing trachea, luxating patella, retinal dysplasia, ear disorders, cataracts, dental problems, liver disease, allergies, and diabetes.
Apart from Cavachons, other breeds of dogs include:
Pug.
Cavachon Names
A Cavachon pet parent may decide to find a name for the pup before it leaves the shelter or after the pet joins them home to understand the personality of a particular dog. Owners may get name inspirations from the coat color of the dog, temperament, celebrity Cavachons, food, music, nature, historical figures, books, and names suggested across different websites.
Regardless of where you get your inspiration, ensure the name selected doesn’t make you embarrassed when uttered out loud in the public places such as malls or parks. The name should also freely roll off your tongue. If a Cavachon owner settles with a long name, he or she should find a cute nickname for the dog.
Dogs better understand names that have vowels. Avoid giving Cavachons a name that rhymes with the command words to prevent confusion. If a Cavachon shares a name with a family member or guests who frequent your home it may cause confusion for the dog. Some of the names that Cavachon parents give to their pets include Bella, Gus, Max, Lucas, Kasey, Aubrey, Kayla, Wyatt, Mickey, William, Ethan, Lucy, Lindsay, Aiden, etc.
Cavachon Feeding Guide | Food
The amount of food that a Cavachon feeds on depends on its size, age, metabolism, and activity level. Puppies tend to have a high metabolism rate as compared to adult and senior dogs. Therefore, a pup should eat 3 or 4 meals a day until the age of 6 months. From the age of 6 months, Cavachons should feed twice a day for the rest of their lives.
For optimal health, a Cavachon should feed on vitamins, proteins, minerals, fats, carbohydrates, and water. This breed may feed on dry, wet, home-made or raw food depending on the budget and time of the pet parent. For commercial food, ensure the first listed ingredients are proteins. Avoid purchasing dog food that has fillers, additives, meat by-products, generic meat products, and chemicals. Once the Cavachon comes home, chances are that the owner will want to switch to another quality food than the one it was previously feeding on.
They should gradually do this by mixing 3/4 old food with 1/4 new food during the first week. On the second week, the dog should feed same amount of old and new food. During the third week, the pet will feed on 3/4 new food and 1/4 old food. On the fourth week, totally switch on to new food. Feed a Cavachon food formulated for small sized puppies, adults, and seniors depending on the age of your pet.
Cavachon Colors
Cavachons may be tri-colored, solid colored, or parti-colored. The coat colors of this breed include white, black, blue, chocolate or liver, and red or brown.
Cavachon Allergies
A Cavachon may suffer from various forms of allergies as discussed below:
Food allergies – Although rare, Cavachons also suffer from food allergies. A true food allergy causes an immune response that is normally accompanied with a wide range of symptoms from skin issue signs to gastrointestinal stress. Skin issues include hives, lesions, facial swelling, pruritus, dermatitis, and sores while gastrointestinal stress include acute diarrhea and vomiting, weight loss, and bloating. Apart from food allergies, Cavachons also suffer from food sensitivities.
Skin allergies – A Cavachon is prone to suffer from skin allergies due to food, contact, and environmental allergies that manifest on the skin.
Environmental allergies – One of the environmental allergies that affect Cavachons include flea. The saliva of this insect results in flea allergy dermatitis that affect the back legs and underneath the tail. It results to scratching and biting until the skin around the bite area is raw. Other environmental allergens that affect a Cavachon include pollen, grass, trees, ragweed, mites, house molds and dust & dust mites.
Contact allergies – This allergy causes inflammation to the skin once it comes in contact with the allergen. Some of the contact allergens that affect Cavachons include plastics, lawn chemicals, carpet grooming detergents, bed linens, latex, grooming products such as shampoos, and medications. Commonly affected body parts include paws, feet, and around the muzzle.
Cavachon Tail
A Cavachon has a long fluffy tail that may even curl over the back.
Why Is My Cavachon Shedding
A Cavachon sheds all-year round at minimal levels. However, excessive loss of hair may be due to stress, changes in hormones, allergies, mange, and alopecia.
Are Cavachon Hypoallergenic
Yes. A Cavachon is a nearly hypoallergenic since it sheds at low levels and produces less dander. However, pet parents that want to adopt a Cavachon should spent a lot of time with the dog to determine whether they are allergic to its hair, dander, and saliva.
Are Cavachons Smart
Yes. They are intelligent dogs that are easy to train.
Are Cavachons Easy To Potty Train
Yes. If the pet parent is consistent, firm, and understands that Cavachons have small bladder sizes and will require frequent potty breaks as compared to large-sized dogs.
Are Cavachons Aggressive
No. Cavachons are friendly, easygoing, loving, affectionate, and playful dogs. However, if they are not properly socialized, they become fearful of new stimuli. Dogs may bite out of fear, pain, or nervousness.
Cavachons Quick Facts
- They are designer dogs created in North America in 1996 by deliberately crossing a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel with a Bichon Frise.
- Cavachons are considered nearly hypoallergenic dogs.
- These dogs may have behavior problems due to separation anxiety if left alone for long hours.
