Cavapoochon (Bichon Frise x Cavalier x Poodle Mix): All You Need to Know

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Cavapoochon (Bichon Frise x Cavalier x Poodle Mix)The Cavapoochon is a relatively new dog breed that is slowly growing in popularity. Whilst it is still a relatively rare breed, it is one that is beloved by all who encounter it. With three parent breeds, it has had the opportunity to develop some truly fantastic traits, making it a fantastic breed to have as a pet.

The breed has been rising in popularity in the United States since its creation, and has now begun to rise in popularity across the globe, gaining the attention of small dog lovers everywhere!

Continue reading to learn more about this unique bichon frise mix.

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Cavapoochon (Bichon Frise x Cavalier King Charles Spaniel x Poodle Mix) History

The Cavapoochon is a crossbreed that was developed in 2001 by Steven and Linda Rogers. They developed the breed in response to a public desire for a hypoallergenic Cavachon. The Cavachon is a cross between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Bichon Frise and has been a loved breed for a long time.

The Rogers’ decided to add Toy Poodle genetics to the mix, making a shed-free, sweet, friendly family dog.

Whilst the breed itself does not have an extensive history, all of the parent breeds do. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel can be traced back to 16th century England. Likewise, the Bichon Frise can be traced almost as far back to the Tenerife Dogs of the Mediterranean nations around the same time. The Poodle has also been around for a long time, with its roots based in Germany in the 18th century.

The Bichon Frise was bred for companionship, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel was bred to be a lap dog, and the Poodle was bred to be a hunting and working dog. The combination of the three has created a dog with a very broad range of traits, making the Cavapoochon incredibly versatile as a pet.

Cavapoochon Appearance, Coat, Size, and Weight

The Cavapoochon arguably has all of the best qualities of its parent breeds, especially when it comes to appearance. The breed has a teddy bear-like look to it, with big round eyes, and a thick, fleece-like curly coat. The breed can come in apricot, black, tricolor, black and tan, Blenheim, cream, and red and sable.

In terms of size, the breed usually measures around 12 to 15 pounds and between 9 and 14 inches tall. Sometimes, however, the breed can get as large as 18 to 20 pounds – but this is rare. The breed is typically quite small and usually will reach full size within a year.

Cavapoochon Maintenance, Activity, and Space Requirements

Especially compared to the parent breeds, the Cavapoochon is relatively low maintenance. When it comes to grooming, the breed requires a weekly brush to ensure that no tangles or mats are building up in the fur and to help remove fur, since the breed is low-shedding.

Cavapoochons also require regular bathing, and this should occur around once every week or two weeks to help prevent dirt from being held in the curls and causing irritation on the skin. When bathing a Cavapoochon, organic dog shampoo should be used in order to prevent the formation of allergies. Owners should also complete regular teeth brushing.

In terms of energy levels, the Cavapoochon is not hugely active. However, the breed will require lots of mental stimulation. A 30-minute walk each day and then lots of enrichment activities within the home should suffice to keep the Cavapoochon entertained, fit, and stimulated. For enrichment, try hiding treats, frozen Kong toys, or wrapping food up in a blanket and letting your dog try to extract their snacks.

Since the breed is relatively small, they do not require a whole lot of space. So long as you are meeting their exercise and mental stimulation requirements, you should find that the breed suits any living space well. However, failing to meet either requirement may lead to destructive behavior.

Cavapoochon Temperament and Intelligence

Cavapoochons were destined to have a good temperament – all of their parent breeds are known for playfulness and being affectionate. The Cavapoochon is much the same, it is playful, loyal, and incredibly affectionate to those in its family. Since the breed is not particularly high energy, Cavapoochons can often be found napping and lazing around when not being played with.

The breed also has a high IQ, likely due to the Poodle genetics, which means that they are easy to train. A Cavapoochon is likely to pick up tricks fairly quickly, especially if bribed with treats and positive reinforcement.

Typically, Cavapoochons are sociable, however, it is important to socialize them when young to ensure that they are not scared of other dogs. They get on reasonably well with children, so long as the children are taught how to handle dogs correctly.

Cavapoochon Health and Lifespan

The Cavapoochon, as a small dog breed, has a long life expectancy of 12 to 15 years. During this time, so long as the breed is well cared for, it will probably continue to be active and playful. There are a few health conditions that the Cavapoochon is particularly prone to, as with any breed, and these are:

  • Ear infections
  • Eye infections
  • Dry eye
  • Heart problems (such as patent ductus arteriosus)
  • Seizures

However, so long as the breed receives regular checkups at the vet’s, these are often manageable or avoidable. There is a small chance that the breed may also be prone to the conditions that affect their parent breeds, too. These include things like Legg-Calves-Perthes disease, luxating patellas, hip dysplasia, skin allergies, and breathing problems.

When feeding your Cavapoochon, it is important to feed them small meals at regular intervals. Puppies will need 2 to 3 small meals per day, and adults will need 3 to 4 small meals per day. The breed will thrive most on a diet with less grain and lots of vitamin A.

Is Cavapoochon the Right Breed for You?

The Cavapoochon is an incredibly sweet breed, and it has become well known for its ‘forever young; nature, in that it maintains its young, puppy-like face even when the breed gets old. For those looking for affectionate, sweet and cuddly dogs, a Cavapoochon should definitely be one of the breeds considered.

Not only does the breed have an admirable temperament, but they have much fewer health conditions than most designer dog breeds, and are hypoallergenic. This means that they generally will cause much less concern and stress than other breeds that are very prone to many conditions.

Cavapoochons’ size also lends them to modern living, making them an ideal pet for those who live in a small apartment without much or any outdoor space. The breed is highly adaptable and is completely fine to live life in a smaller space so long as they get regular exercise. This means that whether you’re in a studio, a van, or a townhouse, a Cavapoochon will still have a high quality of life living with you.

It is worth considering, however, that the breed is not a cheap one. In the United States, it is entirely likely that those looking to purchase a Cavapoochon will find themselves having to fork out over $2,000 per puppy. This is due to their popularity and, paradoxically, their relative rarity.

Owners looking to purchase a Cavapoochon should also be aware that the breed is relatively sensitive, and this means that they are sometimes prone to developing separation anxiety if left alone too frequently. For those who work away from home on a daily basis, this may be a large inconvenience. Separation anxiety in dogs can manifest as poor behavior, forgetting toilet training, and potentially even aggressiveness.

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