In this article from PlanèteAnimal, we are going to talk about one of the most popular breeds of crossbred dogs for its incredible cuteness, the Cavachon. He is a mixed breed dog resulting from the crossing of a Bichon Frize and a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, two of the most adored, and adorable, canine breeds in the whole world.
Due to the characteristics of its parents, the Cavachon is a dog that enjoys a very good physical appearance. However, his characteristics are very important, since we are faced with a hypoallergenic dog with a happy and above all very energetic character.So if you're considering adopting a crossbreed dog like this, keep reading to learn all about the Cavachon, its characteristics, care, and possible he alth issues.
Origin
- America
- United States
Physical Characteristics
- End
- Muscular
Size
- Little
Height
- 15-35
Adult Weight
- 3-10
Life expectancy
- 12-14
Recommended physical activity
- High
Character
- Society
- Very loyal
- Active
- Affectionate
- Docile
Ideal for
- Children
- Apartment
- House
- Walking
- Elderly people
- Allegric people
Recommended climate
- Temperate
Hair type
- Long
- Curly
- Smooth
Origin of Cavachon
" The Cavachon is one of the so-called design dogs, because they were born to meet the expectations generated by the characteristics of the original breeds. As such, a dog was created to combine the physical and psychological characteristics of the Cavalier King Charles with those of the Bichon Frize.For this reason, the breed emerged in the United States, in Pine, Arizona, where some breeders, advised and assisted by geneticists and veterinarians, created a special breeding program. Following this program, the first Cavachon was born in 1996."
Currently, the breed does not have an official standard registered by the major international cynological bodies, as it is only recognized as a hybrid and not as an independent breed.
Characteristics of Cavachon
Before talking about the inherent characteristics of Cavachons, it should be clarified that not all puppies are the same, as they depend on which genetics will predominate. This is why it is almost impossible to find two crossbreed dog specimens that are identical.
Now, focusing on the characteristics of the Cavachon, we can say that they are small dogs that weigh between 4 and 9 kilograms and have a height at the withers of between 23 and 33 centimeters.They have a broad body, like their backs, with legs with developed and powerful muscles. The tail is thick and drooping, bristling when alert, as are its ears, which are medium-sized and rounded. Likewise, their head is medium-sized, rounded, with a long snout and a small dark nose, although there are variations between different specimens. Their eyes are large, dark in color, usually brown and round in shape, and they are characterized by their very expressive gaze.
Cavachon fur is extremely soft and silky to the touch. The coat differs according to the specimens, because if some have curly hairs, others have them straight or wavy. This coat variation is, again, explained by dominant genetics, since the Bichon Frize has a curly coat and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has a wavy one. Regardless of the type, they always have a soft undercoat and the coat grows extremely fast.
Colors of Cavachon
As there is no official standard, we cannot speak of accepted colors, but we can mention the most frequent ones, which are: brown, white and combinations between black and white or with beige or white spots associated with apricot spots.
Cavachon Puppy
Cavachons are remarkably energetic and nervous dogs, characteristics that are exacerbated when they are puppies. At this stage of their development, the Cavachon tends to be restless, hyperactive, and they will always want to play and explore. The puppies weigh barely 2 kilos.
As with adult specimens, it is very difficult to establish certain characteristics of the Cavachon puppy, as they are all different. In general, they are dogs with a lot of hair, curly or wavy, which makes them really adorable, moreover, they are very expressive dogs from a young age.
Character of Cavachon
Cavachons are distinguished by their energy, which means that they are very restless and constantly have to run, play and jump. Some specimens can even become hyperactive, something to consider before adopting one. If this very active dog is not properly channeled through play and exercise, they can become destructive. In addition, they are very barking dogs because they are always alert to anything that is new or seems dangerous to them.
They need constant care and affection, as these dogs do not tolerate loneliness. Therefore, you should only adopt a Cavachon as a pet if you are absolutely sure that you can be with him on a daily basis. If you spend too much time away from home, the Cavachon can suffer quite serious emotional alterations, developing separation anxiety or depression. Of course, that doesn't mean they can't learn to deal with loneliness.It is possible to teach them to be alone but, as it is a general characteristic of the breed, we recommend that you consult a dog trainer or an ethologist.
In addition to the above, the Cavachon's temperament is characterized by its affectionate and caring character. It is the ideal dog for everyone, both for people who live alone, because it brings love and company in abundance, as well as for families with children, with whom it gets along wonderfully, and for people old, to whom he will give affection and joy. It is also ideal for those who already share their home with other animals, as the Cavachon is generally a sociable animal.
How to take care of a Cavachon?
The Cavachon mainly needs to stay active through physical exercise. This is essential so that it maintains its balanced character and does not present physical or mental alterations.This can be done through games, circuits or long walks. Likewise, we can resort to games of ingenuity and intelligence, which will favor the correct intellectual development of our Cavachon.
In connection with the previous point, we must not forget the attention needs that this dog requires. Remember that he does not tolerate loneliness, so leaving toys available to him when you go out is extremely important.
Another important care for your Cavachon is the maintenance of its fur. It is necessary to brush it daily, because its coat is long and tends to tangle if it is not brushed regularly. In addition, it is recommended to cut his hair every two to three months to keep it uniform and prevent it from storing dirt.
" In terms of food, the Cavachon needs a balanced, quality diet. We can achieve this by feeding them natural food-based foods suitable for human consumption that perfectly meet their nutritional needs.From now on, if what you want is to establish the most natural diet possible, you can also opt for homemade dishes. For these cases, we recommend that you consult this article: Natural foods for dogs."
Education of Cavachon
Cavachons are attentive and always alert dogs. This facilitates their training, because when an animal is predisposed to act, it is easy to reward it when it behaves well, which encourages it to reproduce this behavior, this is what is called reinforcement. positive. This training technique has proven to be very effective with all animals because it allows them to be motivated and to want to learn. Punishments or shouting do not get good results with any breed of dog and when we talk about the education of the cavachon it is essential to say that in this hybrid dog these techniques have an even more negative impact compared to the others. dogs.Thus, faced with these negative stimuli, the Cavachon can develop stress and anxiety, but also depression due to the dependency relationship it creates with its guardians.
We must combine respect, patience and, above all, perseverance. If you slack off, spoil him and aren't constant and consistent in his training, he will become more temperamental and may not respond to your demands.
Given their fun nature, it is possible to use educational games, through which they will learn basic notions such as where they can play, where to urinate, where to defecate when they are puppies. In this way, using the game, he learns with pleasure everything you want to teach him.
Finally, whether you're adopting a puppy or an adult Cavachon, it's important to socialize them to ensure they learn to interact with other animals and people. Although this is a sociable dog by nature, this part of the training process should not be neglected.For this, we recommend that you consult the following articles:
- How to properly socialize a puppy?
- How to socialize an adult dog?
He alth of Cavachon
Cavachon dogs generally do not exhibit the typical diseases of the parent breeds, however, they can still affect them. Some of the most common are eye problems, including conjunctivitis or cataracts. To avoid complications, it is recommended to keep your dog's eyes clean and to visit the veterinarian in case of alarming signs such as irritation or abnormal secretions. They can also develop hearing problems such as ear infections, which is why it is recommended to wash their ears thoroughly.
Another common Cavachon disease that can cause concern is heart disease that affects the mitral valve.You need to be in cases of cardiac dysfunction, which can manifest with lethargy, excessive fatigue or difficulty breathing, and that you take him to the vet as soon as possible.
It is also essential to properly vaccinate your dog, identify it by microchip and deworm it regularly. If we give the Cavachon all the care it needs and apply proper preventative medicine, its life expectancy usually ranges from 12 to 14 years.
Where to adopt a Cavachon?
If you've fallen in love with this crossbreed dog and want to share your home with a Cavachon, you first need to be sure you can take good care of it. We must take into account the characteristics indicated in this article, such as their high level of energy or their tendency to bark, as well as their constant need for affection and companionship.
If, considering all of the above, you are determined to share your life with a Cavachon, we recommend that you visit the animal shelters and associations in your area, because maybe One of these dogs is currently looking for a family.By adopting an abandoned animal, you are helping to save a life and fight against animal abuse.
Pictures of Cavachon
