THE CAVACHON
Perhaps the perfect family pet - the Cavachon is the non-shedding, eager to please, laid back Cavalier mix that somehow captures the best of both breeds. While we maintain our opinion that the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is the most loving and gentle companion animal on the planet, they aren't for everyone. Unfortunately, years of inbreeding, overbreeding and lack of health testing have left many purebred dogs with significant health issues that scare some customers away from the breed. Meanwhile, other families are specifically searching for a dog that is lower shedding due to allergies. While some breeders disagree with cross-breeding to create "designer dogs" or "hybrid dogs," we recognize that hybrid breeding is a practice that is not going away and there are several studies to support that hybrid vigor can be achieved so long as the breeding parents are quality purebreds with the same genetic and health testing requirements.
The Cavachon is a designer cross between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Bichon Frise and we think it's a match made in heaven. This cross is referred to as the F1 Cavachon (both parents are purebred). Also considering the Cavapoo? Please read our detailed blog post on the comparison of these two breeds. Similar to their parents, these hybrids are great with children, easily trained and small enough to travel easily but large enough to participate in agility and enjoy long walks with their owners. They are just energetic enough to fit in to a busy household, but just as happy curled up on the couch with a senior living in an apartment. The are low shedding and generally produce a lower chance of allergic reaction but they are not hypoallergenic and reputable breeders should not promise that they are. If allergies are of a specific concern for your family, please consider a purebred poodle or Bichon Frise or work with a breeder who will DNA test a puppy before placement to specifically detect the shedding gene and guide you accordingly. Two Cavachons should not be bred back together (this is called F2 breeding) as the recessive health issues in each breed can reappear. For this reason, we do not and will not sell our Cavachons with breeding rights.
Cavachons can range in size based on their parents but should range from 12-20 pounds, although "megachons" can be created from this mix. Cavachons come in a variety colors and we love them all. Due to the solid white gene of the Bichon, the color genes are determined by the Cavalier parent. For example, a Blenheim Cavalier parent combined with a white Bichon will always (only) produce the classic white and apricot colored Cavachon. Meanwhile a tri-color Cavalier can create a wider assortment of colors including the white/apricot, tri-color and sable and white. Some of the fun of breeding Cavachons is the uncertainty in their coat colors.
Even though our Cavachons are bred from two purebred parents, they can not be registered with the AKC as they are not a recognized breed. A breeder selling you a registration on a hybrid or designer dog is selling you a worthless piece of paper. It's more important to carefully check the pedigree, DNA testing and OFA testing of the breeding parents.
I fell in love with my first Cavachon over 12 years ago and can't say enough about this hybrid. Below you will find snapshots of our breeding family (the Cavaliers and Bichons used to create Cavachons) from puppy to adult as well as some Cavachons. Some of the feedback received on these awesome dogs include:
Interested in a puppy? Please see announcements on the puppy page and check out our frequently asked questions page where we offer information on our puppies, our process and our promises. You can also check out our Cavalier and Bichon parents to learn more about the purebreds behind this breed. We also invite you to follow us on social media to see more photos and information on our breeding pairs.
The Cavachon is a designer cross between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Bichon Frise and we think it's a match made in heaven. This cross is referred to as the F1 Cavachon (both parents are purebred). Also considering the Cavapoo? Please read our detailed blog post on the comparison of these two breeds. Similar to their parents, these hybrids are great with children, easily trained and small enough to travel easily but large enough to participate in agility and enjoy long walks with their owners. They are just energetic enough to fit in to a busy household, but just as happy curled up on the couch with a senior living in an apartment. The are low shedding and generally produce a lower chance of allergic reaction but they are not hypoallergenic and reputable breeders should not promise that they are. If allergies are of a specific concern for your family, please consider a purebred poodle or Bichon Frise or work with a breeder who will DNA test a puppy before placement to specifically detect the shedding gene and guide you accordingly. Two Cavachons should not be bred back together (this is called F2 breeding) as the recessive health issues in each breed can reappear. For this reason, we do not and will not sell our Cavachons with breeding rights.
Cavachons can range in size based on their parents but should range from 12-20 pounds, although "megachons" can be created from this mix. Cavachons come in a variety colors and we love them all. Due to the solid white gene of the Bichon, the color genes are determined by the Cavalier parent. For example, a Blenheim Cavalier parent combined with a white Bichon will always (only) produce the classic white and apricot colored Cavachon. Meanwhile a tri-color Cavalier can create a wider assortment of colors including the white/apricot, tri-color and sable and white. Some of the fun of breeding Cavachons is the uncertainty in their coat colors.
Even though our Cavachons are bred from two purebred parents, they can not be registered with the AKC as they are not a recognized breed. A breeder selling you a registration on a hybrid or designer dog is selling you a worthless piece of paper. It's more important to carefully check the pedigree, DNA testing and OFA testing of the breeding parents.
I fell in love with my first Cavachon over 12 years ago and can't say enough about this hybrid. Below you will find snapshots of our breeding family (the Cavaliers and Bichons used to create Cavachons) from puppy to adult as well as some Cavachons. Some of the feedback received on these awesome dogs include:
- Athletic dog in a compact package. Perfect for our active family.
- Loves everyone, rarely barks and never sheds . . . the best dog we've owned.
- I thought I hated "small dogs" until I found the Cavachon.
- Everyone we meet thinks she's incredible. I wish I could have her cloned.
- So laid back, rarely barks and never complains. This may be the perfect apartment pet.
- As active as my Labradoodle but much smaller and easier to maintain, train and handle. A total lovebug.
- The easiest puppy I have ever owned.
- We love our new Cavachon so much already! Please add us to your interest list for another :)
Interested in a puppy? Please see announcements on the puppy page and check out our frequently asked questions page where we offer information on our puppies, our process and our promises. You can also check out our Cavalier and Bichon parents to learn more about the purebreds behind this breed. We also invite you to follow us on social media to see more photos and information on our breeding pairs.