Cavapoo vs Cavachon: Which One Would Suit You?

Cannot decide which of these mixed breeds is the right dog for you?

I know it can be a difficult decision to make as both these dogs are super cute and awesome in their own right.

Understanding each mix breed’s characteristics and considering how well they might fit with your lifestyle can help you make the best decision between a Cavapoo vs Cavachon.

In this article, we’ll first give a quick overview of each mix breed and then we will compare the two, looking at a range of specific categories, including:

• Size
• Coat
• Health Issues
• Energy Level
• And more

Cavachon Overview

Cavachon’s are a mix between a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Bichon Frise.

Breeders started intentionally breeding this mix breed in 1996.

Their goal was to create a smaller dog that would be suitable not only as a companion but also flexible enough to live in any home setting.

Cavachons are described as small dogs with medium-length coats, who have a fun and happy outlook on life.

These mixed-breed dogs are very intelligent and thrive when trained with positive reinforcement.

Cavapoo Overview

The Cavapoo is a mixed breed between a Poodle and a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

Cavapoos are a firm favorite as they make fantastic family pets and are suitable for all ages.

They are loyal, friendly, and entertaining dogs that bond very strongly with their owners.

They originated in the 1990s when there was a high demand for hypoallergenic dogs.

Cavapoos are small to medium-sized dogs with short curly or wavy coats.

They have a fantastic personality, are easy to train, and get along with everyone.

Size Comparison – Cavapoo vs Cavachon

Cavachon

The Cavachon is slightly smaller than a Cavapoo with the average height being anything between 10-13 inches (25-33 cm).

A Cavachon can weigh anything between 10-18 lbs (4.5 to 8kg).

Cavapoo

The Cavapoo can reach a height of 9-14 inches (23-35cm) with the odd one being even taller.

The average weight of a Cavapoo is 12-25 lbs (5-11 kg).

Conclusion

The Cavachon is a little smaller and lighter than a Cavapoo.

If size is your only consideration then a Cavachon might be a good choice but please read through the other aspects as Cavachons are not hyperallergenic and can be prone to running off when distracted.

Coat Differences – Cavapoo vs Cavachon

Cavachon

The Bichon Frise has a fairly long, dense coat that has tight curls and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has a silky medium-length coat.

The Cavachon’s coat could vary in length and have some degree of either waviness or curliness. 

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels shed quite a bit while the Bichon Frise is a minimal shedder.

So a Cavachon can shed but it will be a lot less than most other dog breeds.

As far as coat color is concerned, the Cavachon is typically a dual or tri-color with most of the coat being white.

Cavapoo

The Poodle has a tight curly coat and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has a more wavy straighter coat.

This means that the Cavapoo coat can also be either wavy or curly depending on which parent the puppy takes after.

Poodles are known to be hypoallergenic so Cavapoo puppies can also be hypoallergenic especially if they take after the Poodle.

The Cavapoo can be a solid color, solid color with white, dual color, or tri-color.

Conclusion

Cavapoos that have inherited the Poodle’s coat will rarely shed making them ideal for allergy sufferers.

They may shed a bit when they are puppies but as soon as the adult coat appears then the shedding should either stop completely or be very minimal.

The Cavachon is not mixed with a Poodle and therefore is not hypoallergenic. They will shed.

This alone could be the deciding factor between a Cavapoo and a Cavachon and is an important factor if anyone in your family has problems with allergies.

Health Issues – Cavapoo vs Cavachon

Cavachon

A Cavachon can inherit any disease or condition that is found in both the Cavalier and the Bichon Frise.

They can suffer from Atopic Dermatitis which is a skin disease that causes itchiness and redness.

Another disease that can be inherited from the Bichon Frise side is Cushing’s Disease. This disease causes excess levels of cortisol to circulate through the body.

Tumors in the pituitary gland or adrenal glands are common.

From the Cavalier side, they can inherit MVD and Syringomyelia.

Cavapoo

The Cavapoo is generally a healthy mix breed. However, there is a risk of inheriting a disease from either the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or the Poodle.

From the Cavalier side, the main risk would be MVD (mitral heart valve disease) which is the leading cause of death in Cavs. 

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breeders are working hard to eradicate MVD from the breed so as long as a reputable breeder that constantly tests their breeding stock is used then this should not be an issue with your Cavapoo.

Conclusion

Both mixed breeds can inherit health problems from their purebred parents.

However, this is why I love mixed breeds – they do not have as many health issues as purebred breeds do.

Just make sure that you only buy puppies from breeders that have generational health tests done on their breeding stock.

This does not mean that your mixed breed cannot inherit a disease or condition but it does greatly reduce the risks.

Energy Level

Cavachon

The Cavachon has a medium level of energy.

They will need a daily walk of about 45 minutes long which can be split into a morning and evening session of 20 minutes each.

Always keep them on lead when taking them out as they are prone to running off if they see a bird or squirrel.

They also require need mental stimulation to prevent unwanted behavior like chewing and barking.

Cavapoo

Cavapoos need moderate exercise so a good walk in the morning and another one in the evening is needed.

Each walk should be around an hour long.

Cavapoos are generally very adaptable and as long as they have their owner close by they will be happy to do whatever they are doing.

Whether it be having a snooze on the couch or spending a day boating on the lake, these dogs love to be with you as much as possible.

They, just like the Cavachon, have to have mental stimulation during the day to avoid destructive behavior.

Conclusion

Nearly every breed of dog needs to be exercised and these two mix breeds are no different.

Cavapoos may need a little more exercise than the Cavachon does so keep that in mind when deciding between the two.

Cavapoo vs Cavachon – which one is best?

Both mixed breeds have similar traits with some minor differences.

Cavapoos are friendly, intelligent, loyal, very affectionate, and loving.

They are cuddly and thrive on human companionship.

Cavapoos that inherit a more poodle-like coat are less likely to shed and are classified as hypoallergenic.

Their life span is around 13-15 years.

Cavachons are also warm and affectionate with a sociable temperament.

They are not as friendly as a Cavapoo when it comes to strangers but are gentle and loving with their own family.

Cavachons do shed throughout the year so they are not a non-shedding breed.

Their lifespan is 10-15 years.

Both mixed breeds are smart and trainable and require the same amount of exercise.

You cannot go wrong with either mixed breed.

I highly recommend these toys, whether you decide to get a Cavapoo or a Cavachon as they are suitable for both mixed breeds.

Do you want the best food for your new dog, here are my highest recommendations.

Again this food is suitable for both mixed breeds of dog.