Are you drawn to small, cuddly designer dogs? Cavachons and Cavapoos are some of the most sought-after designer dogs, thanks to their fluffy coats, not forgetting their charming personalities. As such, they come with a lot of similarities and differences too.
The Cavachon is a more relaxed dog and will enjoy a little timeout in the afternoon, whereas the Cavapoo is much more energetic and would rather play outside than nap. This is the significant difference between these two, in addition to their looks, temperaments, health, and maintenance.
Below is a detailed comparison of these two hybrid dogs featuring their most outstanding characteristics. You will clearly understand how these two compare by the end of the article, guiding you on how each can suit your family dynamics.
Cavachon Vs. Cavapoo History
Even though they are relatively new in the canine kingdom, the Cavachon and the Cavapoo were introduced in the ’90s. Lately, many families and individuals have shown interest in them, owing to their unique features and characteristics.
The Cavachon is believed to have started in the United States, while the Cavapoo has its roots in Australia. Below we will look at the history of each dog to help you understand how these differ from their inception.
Cavachon History
The Cavachon is a cross between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Bichon Frise. The primary purpose of breeding these two was to develop a designer dog with a less-shedding coat that required less grooming.
The Bichon Frise parent originated in the Mediterranean area as descendants of Barnets, also known as water spaniels. These were crossed with small lap dogs creating four types of dogs, Bolognese, Havanese, Maltaise, and Teneriffe, which later acquired the Bichon Frise name.
The Cavalier King Charles was famous in paintings of the 1600s and 1800s. The Spaniel was a favorite of the royals, specifically King Charles II, who ruled Britain in the late 1600s. After years of breeding, the dog arrived in North America in 1952. They were not added to the American Kennel Club until 1996.
The Cavachon, a result of the two breeds, is a families’ favorite, and just like our Kirby, they love human attention and interaction. Additionally, a Cavachon is a great companion dog that blends in well with kids and seniors alike.
Our Kirby is an absolute best friend, and everyone at home enjoys his company. If you are looking for a dog that will easily blend in with your family, a Cavachon should be top of your choices regardless of the dynamics.
Cavapoo History
The Cavapoo is a cross between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Poodle. The aim of breeding the two was to develop a low-shedding dog, a well-known characteristic of the Poodle.
As mentioned, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel arrived in North America in 1952 after years of breeding and improvements. It has since been a sought-after dog for breeders looking to improve the characteristics of other dogs.
On the other hand, the Poodle is one of the oldest breeds developed for hunting waterfowl. They are believed to have originated from Germany but developed into a distinct breed in France.
There are several theories surrounding the origin of Poodles, but the bottom line is they are some of the oldest breeds. Even so, they didn’t get popular in the US until the mid-1950s.
Today, Poodles have become the most popular breed, a position they have held for over 20 years.
The Cavapoo, a mix of these two breeds, loves his family. It is one of the most affectionate dogs and blends in with families with kids. It easily adapts to new environments and enjoys interacting with humans, regardless of age.
Cavachon Vs. Cavapoo Appearance
The Cavachon and the Cavapoo are both small dogs and can be confusing at first glance. Sharing one parent, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, they have shared physical traits. On close examination, however, you can tell a few differences.
The main differences are in size, color, and coat type. Each is briefly described below.
Size
The Cavachon stands at 13 inches in height, but they can be shorter than this, depending on age. They weigh between 15 to 20 pounds again; the number can be higher or lower.
Its half-sibling, however, the Cavapoo can be a little flexible with height and weight as Poodles vary from toy to miniature. That said, Cavapoos can be as high as 9 to 14 inches and weigh anywhere between 7 to 18 pounds.
If your Cavapoo had a Miniature Poodle parent, then you can expect it to be about the same size as the Cavachon. On the same note, if your Cavapoo has a toy Poodle parent, it will be smaller than a regular Cavachon.
Color
Cavachons are lighter in color, thanks to their white Bichon Frise parent. However, you can find black, tan, and apricot marks across the body as sprinkles from their Cavalier King Charles Spaniel parent.
Our Cavachoo is generally white but has a slight tan around the eyes and ears. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel color is dominant in Kirby, which can be a handful to keep clean in true style.
The Cavapoo, on the other hand, comes in a variety of colors, the most common ones being black, gold, white, tricolor (black, white, and tan), or Blenheim (brown and white). With this variety, your Cavapoo can lean more towards the color of one parent than the other.
When it comes to the color of the eyes, these two are pretty similar. The eyes are dark, and considering they are of the same size and shape, they can be hard to tell apart. They are the reason why many people cannot pinpoint the difference between Cavapoos and Cavachons.
Coat Type
Our Cavachon’s coat leans towards a silky soft medium-length coat. But, we have come across other Cavachons with straight coats, taking from their parent, the Bichon Frise. But generally, Cavachons have a relatively soft and curly coat that is pretty easy to care for.
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a moderate shedder, and its long hair needs a bit of maintenance. On the other hand, the Bichon Frise is a low-shedding dog as its undercoat traps loose hair, preventing it from shedding.
On this note, the Cavachon sheds very little, if any, and with routine maintenance, the coat is pretty easy to keep clean and neat. And, most Cavachons take after their Bichon Frise parent coat, which in essence is a breeze to maintain.
The Cavapoo is known for its consistent curls courtesy of its Poodle parent. Thankfully, the Poodle is considered a non to low-shedding dog therefore pretty easy to maintain. This is why Cavapoos are considered hypoallergenic.
Cavachons present coats in three different forms; fleece coat, a silky and soft coat like the Cavachons, and a wooly tight-curled coat. The coat of your Cavapoo depends on the dominant gene and the exact coat type it takes from its parents.
Cavachon Vs. Cavapoo Temperament
The two are pretty similar as far as temperament and personalities go. Both are affectionate and cuddly and will enjoy a few minutes on your lap. They both blend well with families with multiple pets and will rarely get into trouble playing with kids and pets.
Another similarity is that they are pretty adaptable and will quickly settle in a new environment. Therefore, you do not have to worry about introducing either to your friends and family; they adapt reasonably well.
The two are sociable and will enjoy a game with their family. However, with this fantastic personality comes an opposing side of things; separation anxiety. Cavachons and Cavapoos cannot do well in a lonely household as they need consistent bursts of attention.
For example, our Cavachon cannot handle more than two hours alone. Luckily, we do not have to leave him alone at all, thanks to my inlaws living with us. Kirby gets all his needs attended to when we are at work, and we never have to worry about him getting bored.
Cavachons and Cavapoos portray similar personalities, with the only difference being their energy levels.
Cavachon Temperament
Our Cavachon is pretty much laid back and enjoys several naps in the afternoon. He will roll up on the couch and rest for a few hours during the day, with a few playtime sessions in between. His energy does not last long, but he is usually ready to jump and play after naps.
We can attribute Cavachons’ energy levels to their laid-back parents. Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Bichon Frise are generally calm and will enjoy as many snoozes as they can get.
That said, a Cavachon is best for laid-back families that are looking for a cuddly small breed. It is important to note, however, having a Cavachon does not mean boring times, as they will play and interact like other small breeds, just that their energy levels will not be up all the time.
Cavapoo Temperament
The Cavapoo is the exact opposite of the Cavachon as far as energy levels go. Cavapoos are bouncy, active, and playful, meaning they enjoy hours of playtime, walks, runs around the home, etc.
This has to do with its Poodle genes as Poodles are highly energetic, playful dogs. That said, the Cavapoo is best suited for an active family that spends more time outdoors and enjoys exploring.
More to this, Cavapoos suit families with older children as their bounciness can knock over small children. They will take any activity as a cue to play and will often demand more attention than you can give but in a good way.
Cavachon Vs. Cavapoo Maintenance
Before you settle on a Cavachon or a Cavapoo, it is crucial to understand how to care for each. You want to ensure you can meet the dogs’ daily needs and keep them healthy.
That said, taking care of Cavachons and Cavapoos is neither challenging nor breezy. Like most small dogs, they need day-to-day maintenance with keen attention on what they eat and how active they get.
Nutrition
The type of food you provide for your dog highly affects their health; therefore, the need to ensure your dog is getting high-quality, nutritious food.
Cavachons require food that is formulated for their size, activity level, and age. Most small dog food brands provide the necessary information to help you select the best for your Cavachon. The idea is to ensure the dog gets enough to match their energy levels.
Kirby’s diet consists of high-protein, low-fat, and moderate carbohydrates to match. This works perfectly for him as he does not need lots of carbohydrates for his low energy levels. Additionally, Cavachons are prone to obesity as they do not do much with their small bodies.
Cavapoos, on the other hand, are busy dogs and will appreciate a diet that meets their high energy requirements. On this note, they require a healthy diet of high-quality kibble consisting of healthy carbs, fats, meat-based protein, and micronutrients.
Such a diet will provide the essential nutrients for your Cavapoo, including replenishing the energy they use up quickly. Like other dogs, you want to ensure the food is appropriate for their age as puppies, adult dogs, and seniors have different dietary needs.
If you are unsure about the type of food to give your Cavachon or Cavapoo, it is best to reach out to your vet. They will advise on the best brands for your dog after an assessment of what your dog needs. That way, you will ensure you provide what your dog needs at all times.
Exercise
Both dogs need regular exercise to stay active and healthy. However, the more energetic Cavapoo needs more time outside, building up energy quicker than the Cavachon.
On average, a Cavapoo requires between 30 to 60 minutes of exercise with mental stimulation throughout the day. This keeps them active and engaged, prevents boredom, and helps to manage their energy levels.
The Cavachon, on the other hand, needs up to 30 minutes of exercise with light playtime sessions throughout the day. Our Cavachon, Kirby, enjoys a few minutes in the outdoors, including playing with toys in the backyard and joining my inlaws on a morning walk.
But he pretty much likes to snuggle and sleep for the better part of the day. His energy levels match our family dynamics perfectly since we do not have to take him out for intense exercise. Therefore, we can comfortably work and tend to other tasks without worrying about him getting bored.
The amount of exercise the dog needs is a significant consideration when choosing between these two dogs. If you are an active family, a Cavapoo can be the perfect match. On the other hand, if you are not particularly active, a Cavachon will be happy to snuggle with you all the time.
Cavachon Vs. Cavapoo Health
The main aim of cross-breeding is to produce healthier and more resilient dogs. However, this does not take away from the fact that the cross-breeds will suffer from certain conditions.
Cavachons are known to suffer from Atopic Dermatitis, a typical dog allergy that makes them very itchy. With prolonged scratching, this condition can lead to sores and wounds that, in turn, get infected.
Cavachons are also prone to heart defects which can be detected by checking for murmurs in the dog’s heart. These conditions are rare but essential to keep an eye on. As such, it is vital to stay on track with your dog’s vet visit to detect and treat any signs of the conditions.
Like Cavachons, Cavapoos are prone to heart defects. They are also prone to eye conditions such as Progressive Retinal Atrophy that, if not detected early, can lead to blindness. Hip Dysplasia is another condition that Cavapoos can suffer from and may lead to arthritis if not treated.
Notice that both breeds share a similar risk of developing heart disease, common in their Cavalier King Charles parent. Therefore, it is essential to regularly check in with your vet and stay on schedule with your Cavapoo’s and Cavachon’s checkups.
Cavachon Vs. Cavapoo Costs
Like most designers dogs, you can expect to pay quite an amount for Cavachons and Cavapoos. On average, a Cavachon costs $800 while Cavapoos start at an average of $1,200.
The high cost of the Cavapoo is based on the idea that they are in higher demand than Cavachons. And, for a long time now, Poodles have been a top inquiry for most dog lovers, contributing to the cost of Poodle mixes such as the Cavapoo.
The Bottom line
These two adorable, cuddly designer dogs make the perfect addition to any home. Their sweet and gentle personalities make up for the bursts of attention and interaction they need. You can choose either, but be sure to consider their different energy levels.
Cavapoos are more energetic and will demand more time than Cavachons, but like other small dogs, they enjoy human interaction, including a cuddle or two every often. Whichever you choose, make sure you have the time and will to keep and tend to their needs.
