Excerpt by Shannon Cuts on The Happy Puppy Site
Choosing between the Cavachon vs Cavapoo can often feel like trying to choose between cuteness and more cuteness!
How will you ever make up your mind?
Trying to pick the cuter dog is not a good strategy – they are both just too precious!
A better approach is to learn everything you can about each breed, from size and temperament to trainability and health issues.
This side-by-side comparison can be much more helpful in identifying which hybrid dog is the best pet dog for you.
What’s the Difference Between Cavapoo and Cavachon?
The Cavapoo and Cavachon are both hybrid dogs, which means they receive genetic influence from two different purebred parent dogs.
Both the Cavapoo and Cavachon will have traits from the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
The Cavachon will also have traits from the Bichon Frise.
The Cavapoo is part Poodle – usually Miniature Poodle.
Here is a handy little primer for you:
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel + Bichon Frise = Cavachon
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel + Poodle = Cavapoo
Cavachon vs Cavapoo – Which Pet to Choose?
This side-by-side focused look at the Cavachon vs Cavapoo identifies important similarities and differences between these two popular hybrid dog breeds.
The term hybrid or designer dog is very confusing to many people.
But this term simply means that a breeder has intentionally crossbred dogs from two different purebred lineages.
The most common reason a breeder will do this is to produce healthier puppies with strengths from each breed line.
The theory behind this is called hybrid vigor.
A Brief Introduction to Hybrid Dog Genetics
Different hybrid dog generations will have different characteristics.
F1 Generation
The F1 generation will have the most variability between puppies, even within a single litter.
This is because both parent dogs are full purebred dogs.
That makes it impossible to know in advance how much either purebred parent will influence a given puppy.
F1b Generation
An F1b generation has one parent dog is a purebred dog and the other is a hybrid dog.
As a result, the F1b generation will show slightly less variation between puppies.
E.g., an F1b Cavachon will have one parent that is a Cavachon and one parent that is either a Spaniel or a Bichon.
F2 Generation
In an F2 generation, both parent dogs are hybrid dogs.
E.g., an F2 Cavapoo’s parents are both Cavapoos, but the grandparents were all purebreds.
This will reduce the variability between puppies within a litter and between litters.
If you have your heart set on a specific set of characteristics for Cavachons or Cavapoos, whether it be appearance, temperament, coat type, health, or something else, you may fare best by choosing a breeder that breeds F2 generation or later hybrid puppies.
Size Difference Between Cavapoo or Cavachon
The Cavachon can be bred in two sizes: small and toy.
The small or standard Cavachon can weigh anywhere from 15 to 20+ pounds.
Meanwhile, the toy Cavachon typically weighs between 10 and 14 pounds, with typical heights ranging from 10 to 13 inches.
The Cavapoo generally weighs between 7 and 18 pounds (with a miniature Poodle parent).
Typical height ranges from 9 to 13 inches.
Cavachon vs Cavapoo Shedding and Grooming
Both the Cavachon and Cavapoo are commonly described as being hypoallergenic dogs.
A more accurate description would be low- to no-shedding dogs.
Since the Cavachon’s Bichon Frise parent and the Cavapoo’s Poodle parent are both single-coated dogs, neither sheds visibly.
However, just like all dogs, both of these dogs actually do shed.
Their hair just gets trapped in their coat and doesn’t fall to the floor.
If it is very important to you to have a non-shedding dog, look for an F2 or later generation hybrid dog breeder.
Cavachon vs Cavapoo Temperament and Personality
The Cavachon tends to be a more laid-back dog with a lower energy level.
On the other hand, the Cavapoo can be more high-spirited and active.
Difference Between a Cavachon vs Cavapoo As a Family Pet
Both dogs have been bred to be lap-sized and cuddly.
But both Cavachons and Cavapoos are small even as adults, so you should only bring these dogs into a home where you can supervise interactions with children to ensure safety for all.
Cavachon vs Cavapoo Exercise Needs
The Cavachon or Cavapoo will be happy with indoor play and mild daily walks.
Cavachon vs Cavapoo Intelligence
Both the Cavachon and the Cavapoo are very smart and can easily learn tricks!
Cavachon vs Cavapoo Training and Socialization
Both the Cavachon and Cavapoo are bred to be companion pet dogs to people and are typically enthusiastic participants in training.
The Cavachon may be slightly easier to train due to this dog’s naturally lower energy level.
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