Cavachon
The Cavachon blends two of the gentlest companion breeds on earth (Cavalier sweetness and Bichon sunshine) into a soft-curled small dog with essentially no hard edges.
Last reviewed: October 2026
AI illustration Overview
The Cavachon blends two of the gentlest companion breeds on earth (Cavalier sweetness and Bichon sunshine) into a soft-curled small dog with essentially no hard edges. It is among the safest temperament bets in the designer world: cheerful, cuddly, adaptable, and made entirely for human company.
A designer cross: the Cavachon is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel × Bichon Frise mix, not a standardised breed - individuals vary more than purebreds, in coat, size and temperament alike. No study has measured how long this cross lives; for the parent breeds the AKC lists 12-15 years (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel) and 14-15 years (Bichon Frise).
History & Origins
A 1990s American cross designed purely for companionship; both parents are centuries-old lap breeds, and it shows.
Wikipedia's list of dog crossbreeds, citing a Purina breed page, says the Cavachon was first bred in North America in 1996. Both parents have long histories as companions: the AKC links the Cavalier to the toy spaniels of Kings Charles I and II, and the Bichon Frise to the Barbichon family of small white dogs, which, the AKC says, began their modern development on Tenerife.
Appearance
5-9 kg in white with apricot, sable or tricolour patches; loosely curled soft coat and a perpetually pleasant round-eyed face. Typical size: Small, 5-9 kg. Coat: Soft loose curls, low-shed (varies).
The Royal Kennel Club (UK) standard gives the Cavalier a weight of 5.4-8.2 kg and a long, silky coat "free from curl"; the Bichon Frise should be 23-28 cm high, with a fine, silky coat in soft corkscrew curls 7-10 cm long. The cross can take after either coat.
Temperament & Character
Sunny, gentle, sociable with everyone - children, cats, dogs, guests, the postman. Their single flaw is needing company; empty-day households make sad Cavachons.
Care
Light exercise (walks and play), coat brushing every other day with regular clips, eye-area cleaning, and ear checks under the floppy fluff.
Health & Lifespan
The Cavachon's lifespan has not been measured; the overview gives the AKC figures for the parent breeds.
Both parents appear in the same UK study of anal sac disorders: in VetCompass records from 2013, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Bichon Frise were among six breeds with raised odds compared with crossbred dogs. The Cavalier also brings mitral valve heart disease and syringomyelia, which the AKC lists with eye conditions, patella luxation, hip dysplasia and middle ear infections; the club recommends patella, hip, cardiac and eye evaluations. For the Bichon the AKC names allergies, bladder infections, luxating patella and cataracts, and warns that early tooth loss can follow if dental care is neglected; the recommended tests are patella, hip and eye evaluations.
In a 2026 study of breathing in 14 short-faced breeds, Cavaliers had a significantly greater share of dogs free of BOAS signs than Pugs, French Bulldogs or Bulldogs. We do not advise on heart or any other testing; the breeder's records and your vet are where those answers come from.
Feeding & Nutrition
Measured small-breed meals; cheerful beggars who round out easily.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- One of the sweetest crosses going
- Great with kids and other pets
- Adaptable flat-to-farmhouse
- Usually low-shedding
Cons
- Cavalier heart history: test parents
- Can't handle long solitude
- Regular grooming needed
- Zero guarding value (a greeter)
Best Suited For
- Families, seniors, first-timers alike
- Homes with someone usually around
- Multi-pet households
- Anyone prioritising temperament
Sources
- Wikipedia, List of dog crossbreeds: Cavachon first bred in North America in 1996, citing Purina: en.wikipedia.org
- AKC, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: history, health and recommended tests: akc.org
- AKC, Bichon Frise: history, health and recommended tests: akc.org
- Royal Kennel Club, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breed standard: weight and coat: royalkennelclub.com
- Royal Kennel Club, Bichon Frise breed standard: size and coat: royalkennelclub.com
- O'Neill et al., Veterinary Record 2021: anal sac disorders in UK dogs: doi.org
- Tomlinson et al., PLOS ONE 2026: BOAS in fourteen brachycephalic breeds: doi.org
Sources opened and checked on 16 October 2026.
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Cavachon puppy growth chart
A typical growth curve for a toy breed like the Cavachon, estimated from its adult weight of 5-9 kg. Puppies vary with sex, genetics and diet, so treat this as a guide - for your own puppy, use the puppy weight predictor.
| Age | Typical weight | % of adult |
|---|---|---|
| 2 mo | 1.7-3 kg | 33% |
| 3 mo | 2.3-4.1 kg | 45% |
| 4 mo | 2.8-5 kg | 55% |
| 6 mo | 3.8-6.8 kg | 75% |
| 9 mo | 4.8-8.5 kg | 95% |
| 12 mo | 5-9 kg | 100% |
| Adult | 5-9 kg | 100% |
Cavachon - frequently asked questions
Cavachon vs Cavapoo?
Both gentle; the Cavachon (Bichon side) is a touch sturdier-coated and sunnier-silly, the Cavapoo a touch quicker-brained. The Cavalier heart-testing question applies to both.
Are they yappy?
Mildly alert-barky at most - among the quieter small companions when their people are near.
What health testing matters?
Cardiac clearances on the Cavalier side above all, plus patellas and eyes - ask for documents, not assurances.
Test yourself: guess the dog
Three clues from our quiz bank, each about another of our dogs. Can you name them?
Clue 1.Bred to haul ducks from icy American bay waters, this brown gun dog has an oily, wavy waterproof coat.
It's the Chesapeake Bay Retriever - read the full profile →
Clue 2.Bred to herd small livestock on windswept northern islands, this nimble dog is an eager, vocal worker.
It's the Shetland Sheepdog - read the full profile →
Clue 3.A large gray-and-white companion, this dog of paint-advert fame needs hours of grooming to prevent matting.
It's the Old English Sheepdog - read the full profile →
Adoptable dogs near you
Set on this breed? It is usually a designer cross, so here are dogs of every kind near you, live from Petfinder - filter by breed there if you like. We have no affiliation and earn nothing - if someone catches your eye, the link goes straight to their shelter. New to adopting? Start with our adoption guide.
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