Our Cavachon Vs. Your Cavapoochon [Which Is The Best?]

Crossbreeding has become widely popular, and while that has brought about high-quality breeds, the similarities between most crossbreeds make it a challenge to choose. Cavachons and Cavapoochons are such breeds with many similarities between them.

What is the difference between the two? The main difference is their parents, with the Cavachon’s being the Cavalier King Charles and the Bichon Frise. The Cavapoochon is a tri hybrid dog whose parents are the Cavalier, the Bichon Frise, and the Poodle.

These two breeds are pretty similar, but they have some distinct features from each other. Below, you will understand how the two are identical as they are different. You will have a clear understanding of the one that suits your needs as far as getting an ideal dog goes.

Contents show

Cavachon Vs. Cavapoochon Background

These are hybrid dogs, with the Cavachon being a crossbreed of the Cavalier and the Bichon Frise. The Cavapoochon similarly has the Cavalier and Bichon Frise DNA; however, it has an additional Poodle gene.

Below is a brief history of both breeds to help you understand how they came to be.

Cavachon History

The Cavachon, whose parents are the Cavalier and the Bichon Frise, is a pretty new breed. It appears to have originated in North America in the early 1990s. The crossbreed brought about a small, playful, loving dog that suited people living in small houses and apartments.

The Bichon Frise is said to have come from France during the Renaissance, although its history is unclear. The breeds appeared to arrive in the United States in the early 1950s when they got popular among dog guardians.

On the other hand, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is said to have come from the UK and has been around since the 17th century. However, it was registered as a breed only recently in the 20th century and wasn’t recognized by the American Kennel Club until 1995.

Cavaliers have been famous due to their small stature and easy care. They are friendly, making them perfect pets for most individuals and families.

Cavapoochon History

There is no clear history around the Cavapoochon, but the first one seems to have been created during the 1990s when crossbreeding was of high interest. So, how did breeders make a dog with three types of DNA?

They took the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Bichon Frise. Then took the mix (the Cavachon) and combined it with the Poodle creating the Cavapoochon. And since there is not much history around this breed, it is only fitting to examine its individual parent’s past.

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is believed to have existed since the 17th century, but it was not until the 20th century that it was recognized as a breed. That said, the American Kennel Club recognized it as a breed in 1995.

The Bichon Frise, whose origin was France, appeared in the United States in the early 1950s. There is not much surrounding its history, but it was of high interest among guardians during this period.

Lastly, the Poodle, in this case, the Toy Poodle, is the smallest of the Poodle sizes. The Poodle originated from Germany, where it was used to aid in hunting, specifically retrieving waterfowl and other small animals.

The Poodle later ended up in France, where it became a royal dog and grew in popularity among the noble. It was not until the 1880s did the breed get recognition by the American Kennel Club.

Cavachon Vs. Cavapoochon Appearance

These two dogs look pretty much the same at first glance, but you can tell the differences on close examination. Since they are both small and furry, we shall examine how they compare in size, color, and coat type.

Size

The Cavachon is considered a small dog, usually no taller than 13 inches and no heavier than 35 pounds. Our Cavachon, Kirby, is smaller and lighter than this standard; therefore, yours can be much smaller than this or almost as tall and heavy as this standard size.

The Cavapoochon, on the other hand, can vary in height and weight depending on the Poodle that was bred with the Cavachon. Most breeders use the toy or miniature Poodle resulting in a relatively small dog.

Most Cavapoochons weigh between 9 to 15 pounds, although some could grow as heavy as 20 pounds. If a breeder uses a standard poodle, then it is expected that the Cavachon will be bigger than that from a toy. The same goes for height.

Color

Cavachons are primarily white, thanks to their Bichon Frise parent. However, you may find some with marking around their bodies with colors such as tan, brown, black, and apricot. These are sprinkles from their Cavalier King Charles Spaniel parent.

That said, a Cavachon can come in one color-white, or two colors-white and brown marks, or three colors- white, brown, and apricot. But, it is essential to note that the dominant color among Cavachons is white.

Our Cavachon, Kirby, is purely white but has hues of tan around the eyes and ears. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel color is dominant in Kirby, which is lush and beautiful, although it can be a handful to keep clean and neat.

The Cavapoochon, on the other hand, comes in a wide variety of colors. This is obvious considering the variation of colors from his three parents. The main shade is red with white markings but can be found in other colors such as:

Red
Apricot
Black/Tan/ White
Black and White
Sable
Cream
White / Apricot
White / Red- Blenheim

Coat Type

The coat type of these two dogs highly depends on the dominant gene from their parents. On this note, Cavachon and Cavapoochon siblings may present different coats depending on their parents’ dominant genes.

Our Cavachon has a silky, soft, and medium-length coat, but we have seen other Cavachons presenting straight coats, a characteristic of the Bichon Frise. But, generally, Cavachons have a soft, light, and curly coat that is easy to brush and groom.

One of the parents, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, is a moderate shedder whose long-straight hair needs regular brushing. The other parent, the Bichon Frise, is considered a low-shedding dog as the undercoat traps lose hair.

The result, the Cavachon, sheds very little, and the coat is easy to maintain with regular grooming. And as far as the coat type goes, most Cavachons take after their Bichon Frise parent’s coat.

The Cavapoochon is known for its teddy-bear-looking coat, which can vary from wavy to curly. Cavapoochons that take after their Cavachon parent have a wavy, silky-soft coat, while those that take after their Poodle parent have a curly, fuller coat.

Cavachon Vs. Cavapoochon Personality

These two are pretty similar as far as personality goes. This can be attributed to the fact that they share genes from similar parents, the Cavalier and the Bichon Frise. Even so, there is a slight difference in their energy levels.

Both enjoy cuddles and love to sit on the lap. Therefore, they are perfect for families or individuals looking for small manageable companion dogs. They relate well with kids and other pets and rarely get into trouble during playtime.

The two dogs adapt well and quickly settle in their new homes. That said, you do not have to worry about introducing them to your kids, family, and friends. They get pretty excited at new faces and will enjoy anyone’s company.

Our Cavachon, Kirby, for example, enjoys hanging out with everyone in the family. As long as he is comfortable, he will play and enjoy his time regardless of who is around.

These two adorable dogs love human interaction; however, this comes with higher chances of developing separation anxiety. They cannot be left alone for long periods; therefore, they are not the best for people who cannot meet their attention needs.

Our Cavachon Kirby cannot stay alone for over two hours. As working parents, we had to factor this when we got him; luckily, we have a helping hand when we are away for work. My in-laws live with us and take care of Kirby’s needs, including keeping him engaged to cut boredom.

So how are these two different as far as personality and temperament go?

Cavachon Personality

The Cavachon is a laid-back dog that will enjoy several naps during the day. Ours, Kirby likes to snuggle on the couch and will snooze for a few hours throughout the day. His energy levels dip every few hours, pushing him to take short naps to reenergize.

The energy levels of Cavachons are as those of their laid-back parents, the Cavalier and the Bichon Frise. However, this does not mean they are boring; they will hop, run and play around like small breeds, just that they need a few moments to recharge.

A Cavachon might be your best choice if you are a laid-back family.

Cavapoochon Personality

Like the Cavachon, the Cavapoochon is pretty laid-back. However, Cavapoochons do not need as many naps as Cavachons, as their energy levels are consistent throughout the day. This is because of the Poodle energetic temperament in the Cavapoochon.

This will vary from one Cavapoochon to the other, of course, depending on how prominent the Poodle gene is to the said Cavapoochon. But, generally, Cavapoochons balance between rest and play and can last an hour of playtime with a nap to follow.

Generally, Cavapoochons are an upbeat mixed breed that enjoys being around their families. They have a sweet and gentle temperament that makes them ideal for families with small kids and other small pets.

Cavachon Vs. Cavapoochon Maintenance

It is essential to consider the kind of maintenance your dog needs before bringing it home. This is because you do not want your dog’s maintenance routine to clash with your regular day-to-day routine.

On this note, taking care of Cavachons and Cavapoochons is not a walk in the park, neither is it an uphill task. Like most other small sogs, both need a routine catering to their nutrition and activity needs.

Feeding

Whatever you feed your dog will directly impact their overall health. This is why it is crucial to pick food that will keep your furry friend full and provide essential nutrients for growth and development.

Both Cavachons and Cavapoochons require food specifically formulated for their small size and energy requirements. As discussed above, the two dogs are pretty laid-back therefore do not need high-carb diets. A protein, micronutrient-packed diet works fine for the two.

Our Cavachon, Kirby, eats a high-protein, low fat, and moderate carbohydrate diet. This is perfect for his intermediate to low energy levels and ensures he gets all the essential nutrients for optimal health.

Cavapoochons can do with a little more carbs than Cavachons since they need a bit more energy to push them through the day. But, like Cavachons, Cavapoochons are prone to obesity as they are not highly-active dogs and may store most of what they eat as fat.

Talk to your vet if you cannot figure out the right food to give your Cavachon or Cavapoochon. They have ideas on the type of dog food brands you can try for your dog. Also, they can assess your dog’s health and advise on the type of food that will support your dog’s health.

Exercise

All dogs need regular exercise to remain healthy and active. For Cavachons and Cavapoochons, a 30-minute walk is enough to keep them healthy and active. They are both laid-back dogs; therefore do not need explosive exercise sessions.

Kirby does just fine with a few minutes out in the backyard playing with toys. Once in a while, he will join us for short walks around the neighborhood, although we have to carry him back home most times.

On a typical day, Kirby would rather sleep and cuddle on the couch than go to the park to play. This matches our family perfectly as we do not have to worry about taking him out for walks daily. But, we ensure he gets time outdoors to stretch and play with toys.

How much exercise a dog needs is a vital consideration when choosing the ideal furry friend for you or your family. These two match laid-back families and will be happy with short playtimes and snuggles in between.

Cavachon Vs. Cavapoochon Health

Cavachons and Cavapoochons have pretty much the same health issues. One of the most common health issues for both breeds is Atopic Dermatitis, a typical dog allergy that leaves them itchy and sensitive. This condition can lead to sores and wounds if not treated promptly.

The two are also predisposed to heart defects that can be detected as murmurs in the dogs’ hearts with routine vet appointments. These are rare, but like other conditions, it is vital to keep an eye on and stay on track with scheduled vet appointments.

Cavapoochons are considered a healthy breed, but they can suffer from problems such as:

Luxating patella
Progressive retinal atrophy
Hip issues

The health issues affecting Cavachons and Cavapoochons are similar and can be attributed to those affecting their Cavalier King Charles Spaniel parent. Therefore, checking in with a vet every so often is vital to stay on top of their health.

Cavachon Vs. Cavapoo Costs

Cavachons can cost anywhere between $400 and $900, while Cavapoochons can go as high as $2,500, with some costing over $3,000. The vast difference in cost is because breeding Cavapoochons is a lengthy process and takes much more effort than breeding a Cavachon.

First, breeders have to get a high-quality Cavachon to breed with a Poodle and get a high-quality Cavapoochon. Additionally, Cavapoochons do not produce many puppies in a litter, creating a long waiting list for future owners.

A few things affect how much a Cavachon and Cavapoochon puppy costs. Some factors include the breeder’s reputation, the puppy’s generation, the coat color, location, etc.

Final Thoughts

With the clear similarities and differences between these two adorable dogs, you might be conflicted on which one is the best for you.

Cavachons have been there longer than Cavapoochons, but they are the smallest. But, I must mention they are a breeze to care for, having been with our Cavachon, Kirby, for years now.

Cavapoochons are newer and some of the healthiest breeds today, owing to their greater gene pool. They are cuddly, easy to train, and a breeze to care for. However, they are challenging to find and expensive to acquire initially but low-cost to maintain in the long run.

The bottom line; both Cavachons and Cavapoochons are worth keeping and will bring a fun yet gentle personality to your family. And, they are too cute to pass, thanks to their furry coats, bright eyes, and small stature.