Cavachons are a popular hybrid dog; a mix of the ever popular Bichon Frise and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Thanks to their easy-going temperaments, low exercise requirements and cute looks they are a very in demand breed. They do not shed much and some people with dog allergies find that they can tolerate their presence better than other breeds.
Breed History
The Cavachon is a relatively new cross-breed, originating in 1996 in North America. They were developed to be small, fun and easy to train and to fit seamlessly into family life no matter the size of the home.
General Appearance
The Cavachon is a small, white, fluffy dog that stands between 25 - 30cm tall and weighs between 6kg - 8.5kg.
Temperament
The Cavachon has a wonderful temperament and is very well suited to family life. They are easy to train and are known to be very friendly and kind dogs. This makes them an excellent companion for first time owners.
Health Considerations
There are a number of conditions that the Cavachon can be prone to and one of the most prevalent health issues is Mitral Valve Disease. This is a heart disease that tends to be inherited from the Cavalier parent. Early signs can include a mild cough and a general ‘slowing down’. As the disease progresses, dogs may lose weight and develop a pot belly. Though we can’t cure this disease, many do well on medication.
Trainability
The Cavachon is relatively easy to train, even for first time owners. Whilst they may not rank among the brainiest of breeds, their love of their humans and eagerness to please makes them easier to train than many breeds.
Grooming
At home brushing should take place 2 - 3 times per week to keep their coat from matting. Start at the head and work your way down the body. You should aim to brush your Cavachon more regularly during shedding seasons and a full groom is recommended every 7 - 8 weeks.
Exercise
Playful by nature, the Cavachon will generally love nothing more than at home or garden games with their owner that test their physical and mental agility. You should aim to walk your Cavachon for a minimum of 30 minutes a day.
Feeding Considerations
Feeding a balanced diet is important so that the Cavachon can develop appropriately. A high protein, low carbohydrate diet can be useful when it comes to preventing weight gain. We also advise using scales to weigh out portions, especially if your dog is prone to gaining weight. Consider feeding a weight loss diet such as Pooch & Mutt Slim & Slender if your Cavachon is becoming pudgy with age.
You'll find a handy feeding calculator on every product page here at Pooch & Mutt to help you identify how much of our health led recipes are right for the age, size and weight of your dog.
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