Identifying the differences between Cavapoos and Cavachons can be challenging, especially if you are unfamiliar with these types of designer dogs.
A Cavapoo is a crossbreed of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Miniature or Toy Poodle. A Cavachon is a crossbreed of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Bichon Frise. A Cavapoo, for instance, is an energetic dog with a lively pup, while a Cavachon tend to be more relaxed.
If you are interested to know more about these two mixed dog breeds then read on…
Cavachon vs Cavapoo: How are they similar, and how do they differ?
The short answer is that Cavapoos are adorable dogs with curlier hair on their legs, tail, and ears. Cavachons, on the other hand have a straight fur appearance and a wavy, silky coat. But obviously there is more than meets the eye to these two dog breeds.
Below are some interesting facts on the differences between a Cavachon vs Cavapoo
Cavachon vs Cavapoo
Lifespan
Providing you get your dog from a reputable breeder, then both the Cavachon breed and a Cavapoo are generally healthy dogs, although their lifespan differs depending on diet, lifestyle, and inherited health issues.
Crossbreeds are also known to have longer life spans than those which are often in-bred, so you can expect your Cavapoo or Cavachon to have a lifespan of between 10 to 15 years
Size
Both of these dogs are classed as small breeds, but differ in weight and height, although they look similar.
Cavapoos usually weigh between 12 and 25 pounds when fully grown. The average Cavapoo will grow between 9 – 14 inches tall depending on the type of poodle mixes used to breed. Cavachons are slightly smaller still when compared to Cavapoos, and have an average weight of 4.5 to 8kg and a height of 10 to 13 inches.
Here are some other interesting facts about Cavapoos and Cavachons that we think you should know!
Appearance
The appearance of these two mixed breeds is where you will find the greatest difference.
A Cavapoo, for instance, has either a fleece, tighter wool, or a soft and silky coat. However, the coat is curlier than a Cavachons and these cute pups look like teddy bears.
Cavachons have a straighter fur appearance and a wavy, soft, silky coat. They have big beady dark-colored eyes that make them look utterly adorable.
Coat
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has a silky, medium-length coat, while a Bichon Frise has a long, dense coat with tight curls.
This means that the degree of curliness, waviness, and length of Cavachon’s coat can vary. The Poodle also has a tight curly coat which means that a Cavapoo’s coat can be curly or wavy.
A Cavapoo will look different depending on which parent his/her genetic traits favor the most and whether they are first or second generation. To find out more about the differences in Cavapoo variations check out blog – what is an F1, F1b and F1bb Cavapoo.
Health issues
Since they are a crossbreed of two dogs, Cavapoos and Cavachons can inherit health complications from their parents.
For instance, a Cavapoo can inherit diseases from either Cavalier King Charles Spaniels or the Poodle parent. Cavapoos are susceptible to heart diseases such as MVD (mitral heart valve disease) acquired from the Cavalier side. If you are considering getting a Cavapoo and want to know more about common health issues associated with this breed, then please read our guide on ‘What health problems do Cavapoos have?’.
Cavachons can also inherit several diseases from their parent. For instance, Cavachons can inherit Crushing’s disease from their parent breed. They are also prone to Atopic Dermatitis, heart defects such as MVD (mitral heart valve disease), Luxating Patella, eye diseases, ear infections and Hip Dysplasia.
If a breed is known for having health problems, then this can effect your pet insurance.
Grooming
Cavapoos have curly or wavy hair that can be difficult to brush if you allow it to tangle. Besides, matting can lead to discomfort and irritation on your dog. For this reason, Cavapoos require regular grooming either at home or by a professional groomer. We take Rosie to a groomer every 6-8 weeks to ensure her coat remains in pristine condition – and to be honest, she loves a good pamper session.
Unlike Cavapoos, the Cavachon’s fleece coat is less curly, requires less grooming, and is easy to manage. Therefore if you someone who struggles to run a brush through your own hair, let alone a dogs, then a Cavachon is probably a better breed for you.
Training and intelligence
Both Cavapoos and Cavachons are intelligent dogs and respond positively to training.
Their Poodle and Bichon Frise parents are easy to train, and these extraordinary traits are passed to the crossbreeds. Besides, they are sociable and can be trained easily to blend well with children, humans, other dogs and other pets.
However, Cavachons are sometimes stubborn in the early training days compared to Cavapoos, who tend to respond better to training.
Exercise
The Cavapoo is an energetic hybrid dog, which requires 30 to 60 minutes of active activity per day. Besides, this breed requires mental stimulation throughout the day to prevent it from getting bored or having the “zoomies“. This can be in the form of a game of fetch, tug or war, simple training or toys.
On the other hand, Cavachons are low-energy pups and need only around 30 minutes of exercise per day. In the afternoon, this breed likes sleeping, although you should always take your dog for a walk in the evening so that it can empty its bladder before bed.
Feeding
A Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a dog that gains weight quickly if fed excessively. Since they both come from the Cavalier breed, Cavapoos and Cavachons have a high metabolism rate.
This means that overfeeding your dog can lead to weight gain so keep an eye out as they can quickly become obese. To sustain their high energy spent during the day, Cavapoos require foods rich in nutrients and minerals. For further information on what you should be feeding your hound, we have compiled a nutrition guide on essential dietary tips for dog.
Price
A Cavapoo’s price is considerably higher than a Cavachon’s since these puppy are more in demand. You can expect to pay as much as £3,000/$4,000 whereas Cavachon puppies cost between $1,200 to $2,000.
Remember always choose a recommended breeder as the last thing you want is to be in receipt of a poorly dog thanks to unscrupulous puppy mills.
Temperament
Both Cavapoos and Cavachons are playful, happy dogs and make great family pets.
They enjoy spending time with their owners and can easily pick up their moods. Whilst they can be an adorable companion for most people, if you work or are out of the house for large periods of time, then these dogs can suffer from separation anxiety. It is therefore important that you train them on how to cope with being left alone.
During training, Cavapoos tend to enjoy obedience training especially if it enforced with plenty of treats. Cavachons, however, tend to be a bit more stubborn.
Cavapoos can grow to be wary with strangers while Cavachons are incredibly friendly although it does depend on the individual dog. Besides, both the Cavapoo and the Cavachon are affectionate and cuddly dogs who adore being cuddled.
Shedding
Most Poodle and Bichon Frise mixes are low-shedding dogs. Cavapoos do not shed, and Cavachons only experience little shedding. The amount of shedding for a Cavachon depends on its inherited traits from the parent breeds.
Although no doodle breed can be truly classed as hypoallergenic dogs, Cavapoos and Cavachons are great for allergy-suffers.
Questions that we get asked frequently include:
Are Cavapoos and Cavachons friendly?
Both Cavapoos and Cavachons are sociable and friendly with humans and other animals. Cavapoos are not aggressive and can be trusted around children and other pets such as cats. This makes them excellent family pets. Cavachons have a gentle and affectionate character.
Cavapoo vs Cavachon: Which one is smaller?
The size of the Cavapoo and Cavachon varies depending on the parent breed.In terms of height, either breed can be taller than the other. However, a Cavapoo can attain a maximum height of 14 inches compared to a Cavachon, between 8 to 13 inches tall.
Using the weight range, however, a Cavachon can be smaller with a weight range of between 4.5 to 8kg compared ta a Cavapoo’s 5 to 11kg range.
Do Cavachons bark a lot?
Cavapoos may bark a lot compared to Cavachon, especially when unfamiliar people are left unattended for long hours. However, the level of barking frequency depends on the dog breeds used.
Do Cavapoo and Cavachon breeds make good family pets?
Both Cavapoos and Cavachons are friendly, sociable, affectionate, and caring and are great with humans, children, and other pets. They are great companions of people of all ages, including retirees and senior citizens.
Differences between Cavapoo v Cavachon v Cavapoochon
Cavapoos, Cavachons, and Cavapoochons differ slightly in coat type, size, exercise needs, temperament, lifespan, and price.
A Cavapoo is a small dog with an average height of 12-14 inches and a weight of between 12 to 24lbs. It is smart, active, and affectionate and has average exercise needs. Besides, a Cavapoo requires daily grooming and has a 10 to 15 years lifespan. The coat type of this hybrid dog is short and soft and either wavy, curly. A Cavapoo puppy costs between $2,000-$4,000.
Cavachons are also small dogs with an average height of between 10 to 13 inches and 4.5 to 8kgs. The dog is gentle, playful, and affectionate in temperament, with low exercise needs and average health. It has a medium-length, wavy or curly coat type that should be groomed several times per week. A Cavachon puppy costs between $1,000 to $2,000 and spans between 10 to 15 years.
Cavapoochons have an average height of 12 to 13 inches and a weight of between 6 to 14kgs. This dog has a short and soft, wavy, or curly coat type and requires daily growing. Cavapoochons are friendly, intelligent, and affectionate and have a lifespan of between 12 to 15 years. Cavapoochon puppies cost between $800 to $3,000, depending on the breeder.
Are these breeds hypoallergenic?
The Poodle and Bichon Frise are hypoallergenic, which means both dogs can be hypoallergenic. However, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is not hypoallergenic. This means that both breeds can’t be classed as hypoallergenic or not, although they are low-shedding depending on the dominant parent trait adopted.
Do Cavapoo and Cavachon dogs require a lot of exercise or grooming?
Cavapoos are energetic and active, requiring a lot of exercise, around 30 to 60 minutes of active minutes per day. Cavachons are less active and need only about 30 minutes of exercise per day. Cavapoos are curlier and require a lot of grooming to prevent tangling and matting of their coat hair, whereas Cavachons require little grooming since they have straighter fur and their coat is less curly.
Conclusion
When deciding between these two mixed breed dogs, you should first look at the dog’s daily exercise, grooming and feeding requirements, and friendliness towards children.
If you are looking for a more energetic dog that is easy to train and suits your adventure lifestyle, then you should consider getting a Cavapoo. If you prefer staying indoors for long hours and need a less active dog, then you should consider owning a Cavachon.