Cavachon

In my own words

 

Hey what are you doing? It looks like fun, can I join in? I love being part of the family, I hate being left out! You see, my breed is a companion dog and I love nothing more than being your best friend keeping you company all the time. I love cuddles and play time and walkies and even more cuddles...!

Did you know that my kind is a cross between a Cavalier King Charles and a Bichon Frise and we’re a really new breed. Isn’t that cool! I have the best parts of both breeds in me to make me super cute, friendly and playful. Isn’t that great? And since I’m so cuddly with my fluffy coat, it’s a good job I love lots of cuddles, don’t you think?

 

Information essential about the Cavachon

 

Kennel Club Group:

Crossbreeds are not recognised by the KC

 

Size:

Small: Weight 12 – 18 lb (5.4 – 8.2 kg)

Height 12 – 16” (30.5 – 40.6 cm)

 

Popularity:

 

Despite it being a new breed, the Cavachon has seen a surge in popularity in recent years.

 

Breed History:

 

The Cavachon is is cross-breed between the Cavalier King Charles and the Bichon Frise and is a very new hybrid breed which is not currently recognised by the AKC. They originated in the US with the first being bred in 1996. Due to it being a relatively new breed, proper breed standards are still being established but the Cavachon brings out the best qualities from a Cavalier King Charles like its sweet, gentle nature while adding a bouncy, playful attitude like that of a Bichon Frise. With these traits, good health and a powder puff coat, the Cavachon makes a great companion dog.

They are typically referred to as ‘designer dogs’ and due to their low to non-shedding, are very popular with allergy sufferers.

 

Character:

The Cavachon has a friendly and loving nature which has made it a popular companion dog in recent years. They are intelligentand gentle while being very friendly and sociable. They have expressive eyes and a sporty appearance. Picking up on traits from the Bichon Frise, the Cavachon is lively, bouncy and playful

Temperament:

 

This breed is very affectionate and family orientated and as such, they do not do well if left along for long periods of time. They are not aggressive but are lively and alert. While they should not be depended on as a watchdog, they will alert the family by barking to the presence of visitors or strangers.They are happy to play with children and love the attention and get on well with other household pets they have been brought up with.

 

Conformation:

 

As this new breed is not fully recognised by the AKC and the breed is still developing, there is not a set breed standard yet but the Cavachon should be a good blending of the features of a Cavalier King Charles and Bichon Frise.

 

Coat:

The coat is fluffy, thick and curly. The undercoat is dense and soft while the outer coat is silky and soft. Despite their powder puff coat they are low to non-shedding.

 

Colour:

The coat can be a wide range of colours with peach and white being most common. Other colours may include solid peach, black and tan, red, sable and white and tri-coloured. They can also have patches on the face as with the Cavalier and spotting can be common

Training:

 

The Cavachon is an intelligent breed which is eager to please and quick to learn. Early socialisation and obedience training are recommended but training must be done with firmness, fairness, patience and consistency. Crate training is the recommended method for training this breed and they may be difficult to housetrain.

 

Care:

 

The Cavachon requires regular grooming or professional clipping to keep its long coat looking neat. While this breed is a low to non-shedder, grooming and regular bathing is required to keep the coat in good condition. It is important to regularly check and clean the ears as well as keeping an eye on their dental hygiene to prevent tooth loss. The Cavachon can be prone to tear-staining on the face so it is important to keep the face clean. This breed is a light and sporadic eater which benefits from two small meals a day. Care should be taken to protect this breed from the cold.

 

Health:

 

The lifespan of a healthy individual is up to 12 years, which is normal for a dog of this size. If you buy from a reputable, responsible breeder, health problems should not occur. The Cavachon is a relatively healthy breed with few known ailments but some can suffer from excessive tearing which may affect their vision and they might need to have their tear ducts flushed out periodically by a vet. This breed can inherit health problems prevalent in both the Cavalier King Charles and Bichon Frise. While the Cavachon is healthier than its purebred parents, ensure that both parents are free from genetic health issues before getting a Cavachon as these health problems can be passed onto the puppy. They can be prone to ear infections, skin problems, sensitivity to flea bites, heart problems and hip dysplasis.

 

Exercise:

This breed is relatively active indoors but is well suited to both apartment and country living. The Cavachon enjoys play time off the lead in a securely fenced yard along with walks and taking part in family activities. This breed will do well in an apartment provided they are given sufficient exercise on a regular basis. This breed needs care taken to protect them from the cold so living outside is not recommended. The Cavachon likes a lot of exercise and play but is quite able to entertain themselves provided they can be part of family activities as they are very sociable.

 

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