Cavachon or Cavapoo

[embarrassedabout]

Hello

We did some research and it looked like a Cavachon (or Cavapoo) would be a good dog for us.

However, having done even more research now I'm starting to have doubts.

It seems like Cavaliers are prone to quite a few health issues

Also the breed suffers from separation anxiety? The dog would very rarely be left alone, as there would always be someone home, but if things changed perhaps at some point in the future it may be left a few hours a day during the week-maybe 3 hours a day during the week. Is that too long for a little dog to be all alone?

Also, I read another post on here and it seems like people were commenting negatively towards them as they're "designer dogs". I realise we'd have to be very careful and make sure we're buying from a responsible breeder as these types of dogs are often from puppy farms.

Has any got a Cavachon or Cavapoo? Or does anyone have any advice about them wether good or bad?

The question people will ask is why not get a Bichon frise or a miniature poodle, both lovely breeds (particularly poodles!). Often with cross breeds people say, if it’s an xy, why not an x or a y? But I have to say have heard so many sad stories of health problems with cavalier King Charles spaniels. I say that as the owner of a much loved poodle cross, so am not anti cross breed like many, although definitely feel guilty about buying a puppy.

Cavaliers have such severe inbred health problems that many people who love the breed believe that they shouldn't be bred from at all.

The issue with designer dogs is not the idea of a crossbreed in itself, but the fact that a responsible breeder really doesn't exist. If you buy one, you will be supporting an industry which is has no regard for dog welfare.

Many little crossbreeds end up in rescue - would you consider looking there?

I came on to say poodles or bichons.

I realise we'd have to be very careful and make sure we're buying from a responsible breeder

There is no such thing as a “responsible breeder” who charges people for mongrels.

Rescue mongrel?

Neither.
Cavaliers are very prone to health issues.
Decent breeders don’t churn out popular cute mixes for cash.
Lack of health tests. (You could get health issues from both sides.)
Rescue mutt or pedigree. But through breed club.

As a vet, my observation about the poodle-oodle-doodle crosses is that they are neurotic. That was not true of the original Labradoodles but as soon as they became popular they have been bred completely indiscriminately and often at puppy farms. Look very carefully at the poodle parent for temperament. CKCS are lovely dogs but almost all have mitral valve disease leading to heart failure at an early age, plus syringomyelia due to domed head shape. And from both sides you get the 'toy dog' diseases of dental problems, luxating kneecaps. They are super-cute puppies but please let your head rule, look for extensive health and temperament testing of both parents, visit any potential pups several times with mum and be sure they have been raised in someone's home. It's the curse of my job to see the negatives but I am frequently amazed how people will shell out £££ for a puppy farmed crossbreed. It sounds like you are doing your research, good luck finding your perfect pup.

I have a pure bichon and she is fabulous! Amazing dogs! Also love poodles!! I would avoid a cavachon type as it will mean somewhere a poor bichon and cav are leading awful lives on a puppy farm and then discarded with severe anxiety or other problems. So many bichon in Many Tears etc. The popularity of these cross breeds makes this inevitable. Of course there may be some family breeders who are half decent. But you would have to be very careful. Make sure you see the mother dog and litter mates.

I have a cavachon and I know plenty others due to the get togethers arranged each year by Cavachons UK FB group.

Mine was from a little of 7 (all is us are in touch and meet up every year) the last one born was the smallest and had a number of health issues and sadly passed away. The other six are thriving - no health issues, no separation anxiety. It's about getting them used to being left alone in small bouts from a young age.

They do much prefer being next to you all the time of course! Great with kids, great with people and generally have a fantastic temperament.

Please don't buy cross breeds with fancy names - you are funding irresponsible and immoral breeders who are driven by profit and nothing else.

make sure you see the mother with the litter. You could also take a look at Many Tears they often have cavachons and bichons in desperate need of a loving home

Many puppy farmers use a stunt bitch as mother to the puppies. So two or more litters. Dumped on one bitch and then keep breeding from the same three.

Many Tears often won't rehome to families who haven't already got a dog, because their ex-puppy farm dogs have led such sad deprived lives they need a companion to teach them how to be a dog.

Adopt don't shop

Bernadette that’s a lovely sentiment but it’s not always that simple. And there are breeders who care deeply about the welfare of their dogs and the health and wellbeing of “their” breed. But they don’t breed cutesy crosses and advertise online.

I have one of each. Both bought as pups from people I know and both parents known.
Both amazingly friendly little dogs who are great additions to the family and adored by all and at nearly 9 never had a health issue at all. I realise this is not always the case and I would never have considered either if I thought they were from puppy farms.
In my case the cavapoo is much more active than the cavachon but obviously this may not be the case in general.
They certainly have never been neurotic and although they adore people they can be left alone. Hope that helps.

I honestly wouldn't touch any crossbreed unless both parents have been extensively health screened to prove that they're not just throwing together two random dogs to hop onto the designer crossbreed fad. Cavaliers should be screened clear for Mitral Valve Disease, Curly Coat/Dry Eye, Episodic Falling, as well as eye tested and BVA hip scored. They especially should be scanned for Syringomyelia - a horrible condition caused by selectively breeding for tiny skulls. Miniature poodles should be health tested clear for Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Von Willebrand’s, Osteochondrosis, Bichons should be tested clear for Degenerative Myelopathy and Chondrodysplasia, and both having eye tests and hip scores.

Cavaliers, as lovely as they are, are plagued with health issues unfortunately. Heart issues are common. And they can definitely transfer this to any of their puppies, crossbreed or not.

What's wrong with a health-tested pedigree miniature poodle or bichon? People will often find the traits they like in a cavapoo or cavachon can actually be found in the poodle or bichon! All crossbreeds are a gamble - don't expect to get the best of both worlds of either breed. Most companion breeds may suffer from a degree of separation anxiety, after all they were bred to be around people for the majority of the time! Buying a stable-temperamented pup and gradually getting it used to being left alone as a youngster can help prevent separation anxiety.

Another consideration is that anything crossed with a low-shedding breed such as a poodle or bichon, WILL require regular grooming at home and trips to a professional groomer every 4-6 weeks. They often inherit a coat that matts up very easily and needs daily brushing through to the skin if you want to have that long, shaggy doodle look. It's easier to have them shaved down.

There are no responsible breeders of Cavachon or Cavapoo puppies, they're not a recognised breed, they're mongrels.
You will not have Kennel Club pedigree papers-not sure if that's good or bad.
Cross breeding results in mongrel puppies. Puppy farms specialise in churning out litter after litter, the females are kept in appalling conditions and when they physically can't give birth any more they are discarded/dumped/killed/destroyed.
Don't support that industry.
No amount of research will prepare you for the reality of a farmed puppy.

Teacup that’s a great post.

Thanks for all the information everyone. I will have a read through properly when I can.

I mentioned puppies as if for whatever reason we couldn't get a rescue (I've heard about a few people being turned away by rescues) then we'd get a puppy and we want to be a responsible as possible, hence me asking and trying to get as much information as possible.

For those of you who said get a pure breed Bichon or Poodle, I've been looking into these breeds too.

Our first choice is to adopt (I always said if we ever got a dog it must be a rescue) or have one that needs rehoming and although we're excited, we are in no rush to get a dog, we will wait for the right one, preferably one to rehome. Will also be looking breed specific adoption places.

Neither.

I also find poodle mixes frequently neurotic.

I think there are absolutely kind, regular 'run of the mill' families who produce nice, well cared for, healthy poodle mix puppies off their own family dogs but i think the overwhelming majority will be puppy farmed as puppy farmers tend to use a pretend house and pretend bitch I don't see how you would easily avoid inadvertently supporting that industry.

Breed specific adoption is a good idea! Do research breeds in detail. What’s the worst about them? Health issues etc? And be honest! There are breeds that are stunning but I wouldn’t be able to give the grooming or exercise etc they need. Good luck.

@frostedviolets the families are backyard breeders who don’t health test and bred their family pets as it’s convenient and can make them money. They don’t consider genetics or carefully choose the sire/dam to produce the healthiest pups possible.
Avoid!!!

@frostedviolets the families are backyard breeders who don’t health test and bred their family pets as it’s convenient and can make them money. They don’t consider genetics or carefully choose the sire/dam to produce the healthiest pups possible.
Avoid!!!

What I meant is that some of the 'home bred' puppies will genuinely have been born in a house, used to noises, kids, pets etc and the parents are family pets of nice temperament, whilst it is true they haven't been bred by 'proper' breeders who have carefully considered COI or health tested etc they will probably make perfectly nice pets. Although obviously the risk of genetic disease is there.

But the overwhelming majority of 'home bred' puppies will actually be farmed, born outside, sickly, ill socialised etc etc.

Because the poodle mixes are SO popular for farming, I think you'd find it extremely difficult to avoid a puppy farmed one.

I think dog breeding in the UK is in a real mess overall tbh, there are plenty of terrible KC registered breeders who also are only in it for the money, only thinking about titles, not adequately health testing etc.

KC reg means pedigree and nothing else. They don’t police the breeding of dogs. (More’s the pity.)
Never buy a puppy if the parents haven’t been health tested and they’re just breeding family pets. Why take the risk? You may be lucky and end up with a lovely dog but you could end up with one that has the worst conditions from each side.
I’m afraid that searching for a pup has made me cynical. I assume breeders are after £££ unless my specific research proves otherwise.