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Discover everything about Cavachon
Explore the breed's characteristics, health, and history — and find trusted breeders
Looking for a Cavachon?
The Essentials at a Glance
The Cavachon is a charming, extremely people-oriented Begleithund-Mix (companion dog mix) — a cross between a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Bichon Frisé bred exclusively to accompany you through everyday life.
- Health grade D: As a crossbreed between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Bichon Frisé, the Cavachon is primarily exposed to hereditary cardiac risks such as mitral valve disease, alongside orthopedic conditions including patellar luxation and hip dysplasia.
- You're looking for a cheerful, easy-to-handle beginner dog who easily forgives minor training mistakes.
- You'd love to take your dog everywhere with you — as a pure companion dog, his greatest motivation is simply your presence.
- You regularly need to leave him alone for longer than three to four hours — these dogs have been selected for centuries purely as companion dogs and suffer immensely without their human.
At a glance
Cavachon overview
The essentials — key facts, traits, and health priorities — before you dive deeper.
Health grade
Relative to other breeds
S
A
B
C
D
E
Very healthyHigher risk
As a crossbreed between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Bichon Frisé, the Cavachon is primarily exposed to hereditary cardiac risks such as mitral valve disease, alongside orthopedic conditions including patellar luxation and hip dysplasia. Ocular diseases like curly coat dry eye syndrome and the risk of syringomyelia are also relevant. Health-focused breeding relies on comprehensive genetic testing of the parent dogs, regular cardiac echocardiograms, and orthopedic breeding screenings.
See full health info & tests →
Note: This health overview is AI-assisted and editorially reviewed. It is for orientation only and does not replace veterinary advice.
Lifespan
12–15 yrs
Height
25–33 cm
Weight
5–10 kg
Practical
- Puppy price: 1,200 – 2,500 €
- Coat: medium-length, wavy hair
- Origin: USA
Typical coat colors
- cream
- white-brown
- white-black
- tricolor
Temperament
Energy
Trainability
Family fit
With kids
Daily life
Care effort
Shedding
Barking
City-friendly
Guard instinct
What matters most
Especially with a Cavachon, choosing the right breeder is the single most important decision you'll make. Serious breeders consistently test the parents for inherited conditions, prioritize healthy early socialization, and stay accountable long after handover. A cheap puppy without health screening tends to become the most expensive dog later on.
See HonestDog breeder standards →Is the Cavachon right for you?
The Cavachon is a charming, extremely people-oriented Begleithund-Mix (companion dog mix) — a cross between a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Bichon Frisé bred exclusively to accompany you through everyday life.
Perfect for you if:
- You're looking for a cheerful, easy-to-handle beginner dog who easily forgives minor training mistakes.
- You'd love to take your dog everywhere with you — as a pure companion dog, his greatest motivation is simply your presence.
- You live in an apartment and appreciate a dog with moderate exercise needs who's completely happy with cozy strolls through the park.
- You want an consistently friendly family dog who's also thrilled about visitors and other dogs.
Less ideal if:
- You regularly need to leave him alone for longer than three to four hours — these dogs have been selected for centuries purely as companion dogs and suffer immensely without their human.
- You expect a guaranteed non-shedding, low-maintenance dog — as a designer mix, his coat is a grab bag that often demands daily brushing and regular professional grooming.
- You're looking for an enduring companion for long jogging sessions, demanding dog sports, or hours of hiking in rough terrain.
The real vibes check
A Cavachon isn't an independent explorer who does his own thing in the garden — he's a gentle shadow who prefers to curl up right on your feet. While you're buying a bit of a genetic grab bag with this mix in terms of looks, at his core you always get exactly what's on the tin: a professional, soft cuddler made for a life by your side.
Self-check
Would the Cavachon really fit your life?
Answer 6 quick questions about your everyday life and see how well the Cavachon fits you — including an honest cost estimate per month, per year, and across the dog's lifetime.
Fit checkCost estimateRisk dice
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Breed Profile
The Cavachon is a cross between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Bichon Frise—a small to medium-sized companion dog with a friendly, balanced nature. Highly people-oriented and adaptable, it is bred like all designer mixes without an established breed standard. Prospective buyers must be aware that the Cavachon can inherit potentially serious heart issues from its Cavalier lineage.
- Height
- 25 - 31 cm (Female), 28 - 33 cm (Male)
- Weight
- 5 - 9 kg (Female), 6 - 10 kg (Male)
- Life Expectancy
- 12 - 15 years
- Character
- friendly, affectionate, playful, gentle, outgoing
- Coat
- medium-length, wavy hair
- Coat Color
- cream, white-brown, white-black, tricolor
- Price
- 1200 - 2500 €
How much does a Cavachon cost?
A Cavachon costs around ~€180 per month (€90 – €320, depending on your setup). The first year adds up to roughly ~€4,780 including purchase, equipment and puppy school; across the dog's life (13.5 years) it comes to about ~€31,040.
With surgery cover, running costs come to about ~€170 per month — in return, your share of a major operation drops from several thousand euros to around 20 percent.
Per month
~€180
In the first year
~€4,780
Across the dog's life
~€31,040
Purchase from a breeder: €1,200 – €2,500
Estimate at a mid-range setup (suburban, dry food, 1–2 hours of daily exercise), average German prices, as of July 2026.
Calculate your personal costs1-minute self-check with your own answers
History
The Cavachon originated in the United States around the mid-1990s through the deliberate crossing of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Bichon Frise, aimed at producing a small, friendly, and social family companion. Both parent breeds are traditional companion dogs without working duties, hailing from European nobility and the Mediterranean region, respectively. To this day, the Cavachon is not a recognized breed, but is bred exclusively as a designer mix. Its popularity grew largely due to its reputation as an exceptionally child-friendly small dog.
Original Use
pure companion and lap dog with no working purpose
Origin
USA
Date
1996
Character & Temperament
Cavachons are friendly, affectionate, and generally display little aggression or fear, actively seeking contact with people and other animals. They are regarded as good family dogs due to their patience with children and rare inclination toward overly territorial behavior. Because of their strong bond with their owners, separation anxiety is common. They have moderate exercise needs, enjoying both long walks and quiet downtime on the sofa.
| Trainability Picks up commands quickly and wants to please. | Eager to learn |
| Watchfulness Greets everyone as a friend — no natural guarding instinct. | Very low |
| Openness to Strangers Loves every new person immediately and without reserve. | Very open |
| Hunting or Herding Drive Barely any prey drive — small animals trigger nothing. | Very low |
Fun Fact!
The name Cavalier King Charles Spaniel traces back to King Charles II of England, who was famous for his fondness for these small spaniels—a royal connection the Cavachon indirectly inherits.
What Awaits You
The Cavachon combines the gentle, affectionate nature of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel with the playful, sturdier disposition of the Bichon Frise. Considered one of the most agreeable small mixed breeds, it is typically friendly toward children, strangers, and other dogs. Due to its Cavalier heritage, however, it carries a genuine risk for severe, often hereditary heart and spinal cord conditions that must not be overlooked when purchasing a puppy. Crossing two breeds does not automatically reduce health risks; in certain areas, the risk remains just as high as in the Cavalier itself. Anyone considering a Cavachon should therefore carefully review the parents' health screening results.
Housing & Care
The Cavachon is very well-suited to apartment living in the city, but feels equally comfortable in a house with a garden. Above all, closeness to its humans and frequent contact with its family are essential. This breed is extremely patient and friendly with children, making it a very good family dog. Encounters with other dogs are usually straightforward as well, as the Cavachon displays little territorial behavior. Given its friendly nature, it actively seeks interaction with people and other animals. It is similarly open toward strangers and shows hardly any guarding instinct.
- Family Friendly
Lives for its family — the born family companion.
Ideal family dog - Child Friendly
Extraordinarily patient and loving — a true family dog.
Excellent with children - Dog Friendly
Actively enjoys the company of other dogs.
Dog-friendly - City Friendly
Adapts well to city living and urban environments.
Well-suited to city life
Owning a dog is a privilege, but it's also a real responsibility. Before you bring one into your life, be honest with yourself about the commitment it takes.!
Training & Education
When training a Cavachon, you benefit from its strong trainability and relatively low prey drive. The dog enjoys learning, but requires consistent and affectionate guidance. Due to its close bond with its caregivers, the Cavachon is prone to separation anxiety. Being left alone must therefore be practiced patiently in small steps right from the start to avoid overwhelming the dog in daily life. Its exercise needs are moderate. Daily walks alongside playtime in the garden or park are completely sufficient to keep it stimulated. It enjoys extended outings just as much as quiet hours on the sofa. However, note that this mix of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Bichon Frise carries health risks such as heart and spinal cord diseases, as well as patellar luxation. At the first sign of symptoms like rapid exhaustion, coughing, or shortness of breath, you should immediately reduce its activity level and seek a veterinary evaluation.
Nutrition & Care
The Cavachon's medium-length, often wavy coat requires brushing several times a week to prevent matting, and many owners opt for regular clipping. Exercise needs are moderate, with daily walks and playtime in a yard or park being sufficient. Given the prevalence of heart disease in this lineage, owners should monitor for signs such as rapid fatigue, coughing, or shortness of breath, and seek prompt veterinary evaluation if these occur. Regular dental and ear care are essential, as both parent breeds are prone to tartar buildup and ear infections.
| Care Level Needs regular professional grooming — time-consuming and costly. | High-maintenance |
| Exercise Needs Needs 1–2 hours of real exercise daily. | Active |
| Shedding Regular shedding — dog hair on clothes is now normal. | Moderate |
| Trainability Picks up commands quickly and wants to please. | Eager to learn |
Our experts are still reviewing this information. Spotted something wrong? Email us at info@honestdog.de.!
Health
D
Elevated risks
Health grade
As a crossbreed between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Bichon Frisé, the Cavachon is primarily exposed to hereditary cardiac risks such as mitral valve disease, alongside orthopedic conditions including patellar luxation and hip dysplasia. Ocular diseases like curly coat dry eye syndrome and the risk of syringomyelia are also relevant. Health-focused breeding relies on comprehensive genetic testing of the parent dogs, regular cardiac echocardiograms, and orthopedic breeding screenings.
Grade is relative to other breeds — AI-assisted and editorially reviewed.
In daily life this can mean
You should plan for regular preventative check-ups for the heart and nervous system, avoid heat due to potential breathing issues, and honestly budget for a significantly higher veterinary allowance.
The breeder's role
Responsible breeders thoroughly test the hearts, brains, knees, and eyes of the parent dogs and pay attention to clear airways — though the fundamental risks of this cross cannot be completely eliminated even then.
Note: This health overview is AI-assisted and editorially reviewed. It is for orientation only and does not replace veterinary advice.
No Health Tests Available
No specific health tests are currently available for this breed.
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Frequently asked questions about the Cavachon
Is a Cavachon the right dog for me?
The Cavachon is an adaptable dog that adjusts well to various lifestyles. Research the temperament, grooming needs, and space requirements before deciding.
How long does a Cavachon live?
The average life expectancy of a Cavachon is 12-15 years. With proper care and regular vet visits, your dog can live a long, healthy life.
How much grooming does a Cavachon need?
Cavachon grooming requirements include regular brushing, nail trimming, and dental care. HonestDog provides detailed grooming tips for every breed.
Is a Cavachon good for families with children?
The Cavachon can be a great family dog. Proper training and socialization are key. HonestDog provides family suitability information for every breed.
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