Cavapoos and Cavachons are hybrid dogs that have a lot of things in common. Sharing one parent, these breeds are the offspring of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. The other parent of a Cavapoo is the Toy or Miniature Poodle while a Cavachon has the blood of a Bichon Frise. While the two dogs are alike, they surely have their perks and uniqueness that set them apart from each other.
The easiest way to tell the difference between a Cavapoo and a Cavachon is the type of their hair. A Cavapoo is curlier compared to a Cavachon as it inherited the feature from its parent Poodle.
Both of them bring delight to any pet owner, but if you want to know which characteristics and temperaments suit you and your lifestyle, here’s a lineup of thorough details to help you out.
Cavapoo vs Cavachon Size
Although Cavapoos and Cavachons are both small in size, the latter weighs 15-20 pounds and has a total height, from paw to shoulder, of 13 inches or less. The Cavapoo has more size variations in their kind, yet they have a standard weight of 7 to 18 pounds and stand 14 inches tall. Such a breed is dependent on the genetics of its parent Miniature or Toy Poodle mix.
A Cavapoo from a Miniature parent is likely similar to the size of a Cavachon. However, if the Cavapoos are from a Toy mix, they will turn out to be much smaller than a Cavachon. The genetic influence that a Cavapoo gets from its parents explains the range of their sizes.
A large Cavapoo is the offspring of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Standard Poodle mix. Cavachon dogs remain smaller as a Bichon Frise only has one size.
Cavapoo vs Cavachon Appearances
The looks of these breeds can wildly differ. With a wavy, silky, and soft medium-length coat, the Cavachon generally has a straighter fur appearance. A Poodle’s offspring Cavapoo has a curlier coat. The coat of Cavapoos has three different types:
- The soft and silky coat that is closely similar to a Cavachon’s
- The tighter wool coat
- The fleece coat
As a descendant of a Bichon Frise, Cavachon hybrid dogs have lighter colors compared to most Cavapoos. Other Cavachons tend to have darker markings across their bodies in the colors of apricot, tan, and black. Cavapoos come in various coat colors, including Blenheim or brown and white, a tricolor of black-white-tan, white, black, and even gold.
Both dogs are adorable, especially when they look at you with their big beady dark colored eyes. They also have their common parent’s large floppy ears that almost align with their jawlines. Their paws, nose, and the rest of their physical features are proportional to their body types.
Cavapoo vs Cavachon Temperament
Without a doubt, Cavapoos and Cavachons look like they fell off the same tree. But with temperament differences, you can tell which is which. If you prefer to have dogs who are bouncy and have the highest energy, then Cavapoos are for you. For keepers who find laid back dogs more adorable, then Cavachons would be the perfect candidates.
The Cavapoo is an offspring of the Poodle, so it is a traditional hybrid dog that requires adequate work or exercise, as much as possible. That being said, Cavapoos suit families who are into active lifestyles. Cavachons are happy dogs as well, but they are just more comfortable in tranquil surroundings. They would fit folks who like to keep it down most of the time.
Households with younger children are not advised to get Cavapoos as they can be accidentally knocked by the dogs’ liveliness. Nevertheless, Cavapoos and Cavachons are affectionate and cuddly furry friends that can light up any space. They also go well with other pets if you have a bunch of little companions at home.
Cavapoo vs Cavachon Diet
A Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dog gains weight quickly and is prone to obesity. Coming from such a breed, Cavapoos and Cavachons inherited the metabolism cycle. Thus, they should only be fed 1 cup of food a day. Treats are acceptable to keep them entertained and happy, but the snacks must be age-appropriate and good for their health.
To go through the diet of each breed, Cavapoos need food that is rich in minerals and nutrients to sustain their high energy throughout the day. A Cavachon, being quite smaller in size, tend to have a faster metabolism compared to Cavapoos. They need foods that have an adept amount of fat and protein. Generally, protein is an essential nutrient for dogs because it promotes lean muscle mass for older dogs and supports growth in pups.
Whether your dog is a Cavapoo or Cavachon, you must check with a professional vet if you think the food that you are giving them does not seem to be supplementing the nutrients that they need. You also have to make sure that they have a clean water bowl on the side of their food containers.
Cavapoo vs Cavachon Exercise
Cavapoos need at least 30 to 60 minutes of exercise a day as they are more energetic and livelier than Cavachons. It also means that they are the kind of dog that easily gets bored when there is not enough playtime allotted by their owners. Cavapoos need brain games for mental stimulation to keep them active and entertained throughout the day.
Low energy dogs like Cavachons only require 30 minutes of exercise or less as they are more fond of snoozing and getting snuggles from their owners. Be that as it may, Cavachons still appreciate regular walks and ball games in the backyard. They can adapt to homes with limited spaces but they too need some exercise and enjoy playtime with their owners and other dogs.
Out of the many differences between the two breeds, exercise is a huge factor to consider which one is fit to be in your home. If you and the rest of your family rarely go for activities, then you might as well choose a dog that is innately behaved and tamable.
Cavapoo vs Cavachon Health Issues & Conditions
Mixed-breeds are no exception to a possible genetic disorder. Unfortunately, this is expected in dogs who are the offspring of a cross mix. Here are the different health issues you may encounter in taking care of Cavapoo and Cavachon dogs.
Cavachon dogs are prone to have the following illnesses:
Atopic Dermatitis
Very itchy and soar to dogs, Atopic Dermatitis is a type of skin allergy common to all breeds. If your dog keeps scratching on a particular part of its body, then check it immediately and ask for help from the vet to speed up the treatment.
Heart Defects
If you hear any heart murmurs inside the chest of your dog, it could be an indication that there is another bacteria or disease activity in the heart. Mitral Valve Disease is among the critical heart illnesses that a Cavachon might come across.
Cavapoo dogs might be at risk of the following health issues:
Luxating Patella
Also known as kneecap dislocation, Cavapoo dogs are prone to Luxating Patella. It is a painful condition wherein their kneecap moves out of its normal spot. Your dog will oddly run on three legs if they develop this kind of disease.
Eye conditions
Progressive Retinal Atrophy is one of the eye conditions that a Cavapoo might suffer from. It can quickly blur their eyesight and potentially cause blindness.
Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is directly a case of arthritis but it can lead to one if the abnormal formation of the hip joint continues to swell and evolve.
Cavapoo vs Cavachon Care
Cavachon dogs do not need a lot of effort from you when it comes to grooming. They just have to be brushed 2 to 3 times a week. Regular brushing keeps its coating manageable and healthy.
Cavapoos, on the other hand, call for every day brushing if you don’t want them to look like hairballs walking around the room. Their curls could get entangled and can give you a hassle when you leave it untouched for days.
Family members with sensitive allergy issues are safe to keep Cavachon and Cavapoos as they come from two hypoallergenic breeds. However, there have not been solid findings proving that these cross hybrids are purely allergy-free. Hence, getting one of them means carefully weighing certain conditions.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dogs are not hypoallergenic. It is sometimes confusing to figure out the inherited characteristics of Cavapoo and Cavachon since they are products of mixed breeds. They both came from non and hypoallergenic parents. Either, neither, or both of them could be hypoallergenic.
Other grooming needs of the two breeds include keeping their ears clean and dry to prevent ear complications, clipping their nails regularly, and brushing their teeth with a special dog toothpaste and toothbrush.
Cavapoo vs Cavachon Price
A Cavapoo’s price starts at $1200 whereas a Cavachon puppy costs around $800. It is suggested that a Cavapoo puppy is more in demand compared to Cavachons. Hence, they are pricier than the latter. Cavapoos are also more popular among dog owners and pet enthusiasts. No official statistics have been laid out, but the current figures are based on the number of sales for the two breeds.
Cavachon and Cavapoo dogs are both adorable and cute to most people, which unfortunately is the reason why they are one of the breeds that are victims of unscrupulous puppy mills. To make sure you only get a pup from an ethical and reputable seller, you may conduct a little research or background check for each shop.
Benefits of Having Cavachon Dogs
Low shedding
Cavachons are low-shedding dogs. They inherited this feature from then Bichon Frise, which rarely sheds. This is the same reason why Cavachons have a high chance of being hypoallergenic. However, their other parent, the Cavalier, is a moderate shedder, so it’s still important to monitor the sheds.
Great family pets
A Cavachon is a good contender when all you want to have is a pup that could be a good companion for the family. These dogs are patient, caring, and affectionate. Cavachons are robust crossbreeds. It’s best to explain to the kids in the house how to care for these pups to avoid injuries.
Friendly and sociable
Cavachons are friendly and sociable dogs. Their parents, the Cavalier and Bishon Frise, are known to have low maintenance traits. You might want to try letting them meet other people and animals in controlled surroundings to boost their socialization abilities.
Suitable for first-time owners
If you finally decided to have a furry friend, a Cavachon might be the hybrid dog for you. Cavachons come from two of the most sociable and easy-going breeds. They can quickly warm up to their new owners and develop affection right away.
Benefits of Having Cavapoo Dogs
Highly intelligent
Cavapoos are partly the offspring of Poodles, the second most intelligent dogs among all the breeds in the world. Because of their impressive intellect, they can easily learn tricks and commands. You just have to teach them to be calm at first as these pups are very energetic too.
Very adaptable
No matter the size of your living space, Cavapoos are very adaptive dogs. They are small-sized dogs that enjoy playtime, whether indoors or outdoors. Cavapoos are perfect companions for people living in an apartment or a spacious house. They are also fun to bring in parks, beaches, and pet-friendly malls.
Highly trainable
Cavapoos are rapid learners. With consisting training sessions and short brain games, Cavapoos will easily absorb different amounts of things. They can remember names and objects when regularly trained. Cavapoos are also quick and alert most of the time. Such a trait is very helpful when there’s something off in the house, such as unknown visitors.
Great Temperament
As one of the warmest and kindest dogs, Cavapoos are excellent with kids and adults as they are very sociable, good-natured, and entertaining. They can bond with other dogs too, so you do not have to worry if you are planning to grow your furry family.
Conclusion
Mix-breed dogs like Cavapoos and Cavachons have their own distinct characteristics and traits that may or may not go well with your personal preference and lifestyle. If you are torn between the two, you can also have both of them since they are equally adorable and sociable. Just make sure these pups get the best of care and love from you as their fur parent.
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