In the age when crossbreeding has become standard, many people wonder which mixed dog breed is the best for them. This dilemma only worsens when we have two similar crossbreeds, such as Cavachons, Cavapoos, and Cavapoochons.
So, what is the difference between Cavapoochons, Cavachons, and Cavapoos?
Cavapoos are a crossbreed of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and a purebred Miniature Poodle (sometimes even a Toy Poodle). Cavachons are also a crossbreed of the Cavalier, but this time with a Bichon Frise.
Cavapoochons, on the other hand, are a bit more complicated. They are a crossbreed of a crossbreed – or, rather, a triple-cross breed of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, a Bichon Frise, and a Poodle.
For many dog lovers, this alone sounds complicated. Picking between the three might sound like an impossible task. Luckily, we’re here to help.
Here’s everything you need to know if you’re unsure about the difference between these three designer dogs!
Cavachon Vs. Cavapoo
| Cavachon | Cavapoo | |
|---|---|---|
| Height | <13 inches | <14 inches |
| Weight | Up to 35 pounds | Around 25 pounds |
| Coat Type | Medium length, curly or wavy | Short and soft, curly or wavy |
| Temperament | Gentle, affectionate, playful | Affectionate, smart, active |
| Energy | Low exercise needs | Average exercise needs |
| Health | Average | Average |
| Grooming | Few times a week | Daily grooming |
| Lifespan | 10–15 years | 12–15 years |
| Price | Between $400 and $900 | Between $1,000 and $2,000 |
Cavachon Vs. Cavapoochon
| Cavachon | Cavapoo | |
|---|---|---|
| Height | <13 inches | <18 inches |
| Weight | Up to 35 pounds | Up to 30 pounds |
| Coat Type | Medium length, curly or wavy | Short and soft, curly or wavy |
| Temperament | Gentle, affectionate, playful | Affectionate, intelligent, sociable |
| Energy | Low exercise needs | Low to average exercise needs |
| Health | Average | Average to good |
| Grooming | Few times a week | Daily grooming |
| Lifespan | 10–15 years | 12–15 years |
| Price | Between $400 and $900 | Between $2,500 and $3,000 |
Cavachon’s Appearance
This dog is a crossbreed of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Bichon Frise. They tend to be small dogs, usually no taller than 13 inches and no heavier than 35 pounds. This is something that is fairly easy to predict since both parent breeds are tiny dogs. You can find more information on this dog’s size in our Cavachon growth chart.
Of course, as with any other mixed breed, it can be difficult to determine the exact offspring size, and it can vary. Still, Cavachons remain miniature dogs with medium-length fur.
Since their coat color is a mixture of their parents’, the main shades of these dogs are white, cream, and pied. Most of the time, they come in more than one shade, and solid colors are rare.
Cavapoo’s Appearance
Cavapoos are a mixture of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Poodle. They are also known as Cavoodles and Cavadoodles.
Their size depends on the size of the Poodle parent, so they can be small or medium dogs. They average around 14 inches at the shoulder and weigh around 25 pounds. Still, it’s pretty standard to find smaller or larger Cavapoos.
These dogs have short and soft coats that can be wavy or curly. Since Poodles come in plenty of colors, they too can have a wide variety of shades. Most of the time, they come in gold, cream, chocolate, fawn, chestnut, and white.
Cavapoochon’s Appearance
Cavapoochons are a crossbreed of a Miniature Poodle or a Toy Poodle, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, and a Bichon Frise.
Usually, this is done by mixing a Cavachon with a Toy Poodle. Theoretically, breeders could use a Cavapoo and mix it with a Bichon Frise to get a Cavapoochon, but the standard is to get a dog that is 25% Bichon, 25% Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, and 50% Poodle.
Since Cavapoochons aren’t recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) – just like any other designer breed – this standard is set by the first known Cavapoochon created by Linda and Steve Rogers from Timshell Farm in Texas.
Cavapoochons come in tiny, small sizes since they are a combination of miniature toy dogs. Sometimes, the adult dogs will be hard to differentiate from Cavapoochon puppies. Most of the time, they won’t be taller than 18 inches and heavier than 20 pounds!
Because of this, Cavapoochons are known as dogs that never grow old, as well as living teddy bears.
Of course, the measurements we’ve given you are just averages, and sometimes a Cavapoochon can be larger than this. This fully depends on the breeder and the parents – usually the size of the Poodle.
This dog has a thick fleece coat that can come in many shades once they reach adulthood. While the most prevalent shade is red with white markings, it can also come in apricot, black and white, sable, white, red, black and tan, cream, or Blenheim.
The Cavapoochon has large almond eyes, a fairly large wide head, and a round face, floppy ears, and a black nose with a soft muzzle. All of this helps them retain a puppy look throughout their life.
How Long Does A Cavachon Live?
Predicting a Cavachon’s lifespan is somewhat difficult. However, if we look at the parent breeds, we can conclude that this pooch usually lives between 10 and 15 years, which is pretty decent.
How Long Does A Cavapoo Live?
Similar to Cavachons, determining the lifespan of any mixed breed is challenging. This is especially the case when we have a somewhat unhealthy dog breed, such as the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the fairly healthy Poodle.
Overall, it is assumed that these dogs live somewhere between 12 and 15 years – which is quite an improvement compared to a Cavalier.
How Long Does A Cavapoochon Live?
Just like the Cavapoo, thanks to the healthy Poodle genes, Cavapoochons can live between 12 and 15 years. In fact, Cavapoochons are the healthiest of the three mixed dog breeds since they have a wide gene pool to pick from.
These dogs were bred specifically to eliminate common health problems that plague the three parent breeds. This includes many eye diseases, heart problems, seizures, hip dysplasia, and loose knees.
One thing the breeders didn’t get rid of, however, is ear infections. These dogs are very prone to them because of the hair that grows deep inside their floppy ears. Because of this, you need to take good care of your pet’s ears and always look for early signs of infection.
Feeding your pooch high-quality dog food also helps, so always pick only the best for your family pet.
How Much Does A Cavachon Cost?
Just like most designer breeds, Cavachon puppy dogs are somewhat expensive. Their price is usually between $400 and $900.
However, their upkeep is rather budget-friendly, as they are a small dog breed without many health problems. You shouldn’t expect to spend more than $90 a month on your adorable puppy.
How Much Does A Cavapoo Cost?
Due to some advantages they have over many other designer dogs, Cavapoos are fairly expensive. You should expect to pay anywhere between $1,000 and $2,000 for one if you’re looking at reputable breeders.
How Much Is A Cavapoochon Puppy?
Breeding a Cavapoochon puppy is much more challenging compared to breeding most other crossbreeds. If nothing else, this is a lengthy process, as first, you need to get a high-quality Cavachon for further breeding.
Another issue is that Cavapoochons don’t have many puppies in a litter, which creates a long waiting list for future dog owners.
Because of this, these pups are very expensive. In fact, you’ll rarely find them costing less than $2,500!
Of course, many factors affect the possible price of a Cavapoochon. This includes the breeder’s reputation, a puppy’s generation, coat color, location, and many more.
Does A Cavachon Shed?
Most of the time, Cavachons are low-shedders. However, you have to understand that not all Cavachons have the same type of fur.
Most of these dogs have a soft, silky coat that has a medium length. Despite this, they usually won’t experience too much shedding because of their Bichon genes. Still, since Cavaliers can shed a bit, there is no guarantee these dogs won’t shed.
If anything else, you can expect them to shed when they’re transitioning from puppyhood to adulthood since this is the time they change their fur. The same goes for seasonal shedding.
Does A Cavapoo Shed?
Cavapoos have a coat that resembles human hair. This means they don’t shed but rather continue to grow their coats. Because of this, they need a bit more grooming than most other crossbreeds, but shedding isn’t an issue you should expect.
If a dog has a more curly coat, you can expect it to shed less – even if this might not seem logical to many dog lovers at first.
Does A Cavapoochon Shed?
As we’ve mentioned before, this small breed has a thick fleece coat that can be either wavy or curly, depending on the genetics and the Cavachon parent’s fur. This coat doesn’t shed.
Poodles are a non-shedding breed. The loose hair doesn’t fall on the floor. Instead, it gets tangled in the curls. At the same time, most Cavachons don’t experience a large amount of shedding.
Of course, if your Cavapoochon is a Cavapoo and Bichon mix, he might shed a little bit, but even on those rare occasions, these dogs aren’t likely to shed.
Photo from @cavachonsociety
Are Cavachons Hypoallergenic?
Some Cavachons can be considered hypoallergenic. If they don’t experience a lot of shedding, they aren’t likely to cause any issues for allergy sufferers.
However, they are a bit riskier than the other two mixed breeds we’re discussing.
Are Cavapoos Hypoallergenic?
Most Cavapoos can be considered hypoallergenic. These dogs don’t shed and rarely drool. If the dog has a bit more Cavalier genes, it might cause minor issues to the most sensitive of people, but this is very rare.
In fact, almost all Poodle hybrid dogs (also known as Doodles) are hypoallergenic. This includes Labradoodles, Goldendoodles, Sheepadoodles and many others.
Are Cavapoochons Hypoallergenic?
Cavapoochons are considered a hypoallergenic dog breed. They don’t experience any shedding, and they almost never drool.
It’s important to note that no dog can be truly hypoallergenic. People with dog allergies aren’t allergic to dog hair but rather dog dander or dead skin flakes. Saliva and urine can also cause breathing issues.
However, when you have dogs that don’t shed, the dander has no way of getting to your nose and eyes – and the Cavapoochon dog is a perfect choice for this!
How To Groom A Cavachon
Cavachons can be somewhat tricky to groom because of their silky soft fur. Regular visits to a groomer are a must with these dogs as they are prone to matting, and their coat can quickly lose its shine, so their fur has to be styled.
Their daily grooming routine should also include regular ear cleaning and dental hygiene.
Overall, using a soft brush daily to untangle your pup’s fur is more than enough. If a dog has severe tangles, use a metal comb.
If you notice any issues with your grooming, don’t be afraid to take your pup to a professional groomer.
How To Groom A Cavapoo
While maintaining a Cavapoo’s coat is a bit easier than a Cavachon’s, you still need to give it regular grooming and brushing. Visits to a professional groomer should be a must every few months, as their coat will keep on growing over time.
For a Cavapoo’s coat, it would be best to use a bristle brush and a two-sided pin brush. On the days when you bathe your pup, brush him before and after you get him wet. This will help you get rid of dander and loose hair.
Since Cavapoos have a double coat, make sure the brushes you’re using have long, bent wires, so you can ensure you’ve gotten deep inside your pup’s fur.
How To Groom A Cavapoochon
Overall, Cavapoochons don’t have any different grooming requirements from Cavapoos, as they have the same type of coat.
Use a bristle brush with long wires to get through to the undercoat, and brush them before and after a bath.
You don’t need to go to the groomer as often as you would with a Cavapoo since they don’t need regular haircuts, but you should still take your lovable best friend to a professional every now and then.
Are Cavachons Easy To Train?
Cavachons are intelligent dogs that can quickly learn to understand and obey most commands. Since both Bichon Frises and Cavaliers are eager to please their owners, obedience training and socialization should go without any issues.
Are Cavapoos Easy To Train?
If you’re looking for dogs that live for your praise, then Cavapoos are amazing dogs for you! These dogs would do anything for their owners, and they’re very easy to train.
In fact, thanks to the Poodle genes, they are very athletic and do great in agility and obedience competitions. They’ll listen to everything you ask of them – and excel at it!
Are Cavapoochons Easy To Train?
Cavapoochons are dogs that bond very quickly with their owners. With just a bit of positive reinforcement, treats (try giving them healthy alternatives, such as paprika or fish sticks), and cuddles, you can teach them to do almost anything!
Also, since all three parent breeds are very connected with their human owners, they are sociable and don’t need much to be as friendly as possible. Compared to many different breeds, they are not destructive and don’t require too much exercise and playtime.
Cavapoochons also make great apartment pets.
Do These Breeds Make Great Family Pets?
All three breeds are gentle, friendly dogs that make amazing family pets. They aren’t snappy breeds, and they are patient, so they can get along with kids as well.
Of course, just as with any other dog breed, you need to monitor your pets when they are with small children. Still, if socialized from puppyhood, these pups are unlikely to cause any harm to kids.
The riskiest dog here is the Cavachon, but not for the reason you might think. Believe it or not, their tiny size makes kids a risk to them, as children might accidentally hurt them during playtime.
In fact, all three of these dogs can get along really well with other pets, including cats. They love attention, no matter who it’s coming from.
While all three breeds might bark at strangers, they are anything but aggressive. They don’t make good guard dogs, as they are more likely to befriend intruders than to warn you that someone’s in your house.
Still, if you’re looking for a lovable family pet that can be there for daily cuddles and playtime – you won’t go wrong with any of these hybrid breeds.
Where To Find Cavachon, Cavapoo, And Cavapoochon Puppies
After learning these differences, you may wonder where you can find these adorable puppies.
Overall, a good Cavapoochon breeder will also breed Cavachons. This way, they can know the exact lineage of the Cavapoochon puppy they’re selling.
A reputable breeder would also conduct all the necessary DNA testing to ensure you’ve got yourself a healthy pup.
If the breeder is ready to sell a Cavapoochon puppy for a price that seems too low, it would be best to avoid them. It isn’t wise to be cheap when it comes to the life and health of your new pet.
Which One Is The Best?
Now that you’ve learned a bit about all three of these breeds, you might wonder if there is one that is the best overall.
Cavachons are the oldest of three breeds, but they are the smallest. Also, they are at a somewhat higher risk of genetic conditions compared to many other crossbreeds due to their heritage. Still, the hybrid vigor makes them fairly healthy compared to their parent breeds.
They make excellent toy dogs, and you can carry them around wherever you go! They are intelligent, calm, and lovable – and they look adorable, too!
Cavapoos are a somewhat better choice for people who suffer from dog allergies, as they are unlikely to shed thanks to their Poodle genes. Since they are a bit larger than Cavachons, they are a somewhat safer choice for families with kids.
Also, Cavapoos are more active and agile compared to both Cavachons and Cavapoos, so they are great pets for hikers or runners or people who love to play sports with their pets.
However, our choice would surely have to go to Cavapoochons.
While they are a lot more expensive than other Cavalier King Charles Spaniel mixes, there is a good reason why that is so.
These dogs are hypoallergenic, and the chances of them giving you any breathing problems are next to nonexistent. They won’t shed, thanks to a large amount of Poodle and Bichon genes.
Cavapoochons are also the healthiest of the three, as they have the largest gene pool. They are not likely to cause you any excessive vet bills, and they won’t be difficult to groom.
At the same time, they are friendly, cuddly, and effortless to train!
Although challenging to find, if you happen to run across a Cavapoochon puppy, you should know that you’ll get yourself an adorable companion that will love you forever.
Read Next: Top 8 Poochon Breeders: Picking The Pawfect Poochon!
