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: July 2026
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. Average lifespan is 12-15 years.
History & Origins
A 1990s American cross designed purely for companionship; both parents are centuries-old lap breeds, and it shows.
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).
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.
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
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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