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The Cavalon is a small breed that combines the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Papillon. The resulting mixed-breed dog is small but lively. It does require some daily exercise and benefits from mental stimulation, but what this breed requires above all else is companionship. It will want to spend as much time as possible with humans and can become anxious if this isn’t possible.
The size of the breed means it is suitable for apartment living, but will also enjoy having an outdoor area to play in.
Although they are sweet-natured, mild-mannered dogs that are relatively easy to train and get along with people and other animals, no single breed is ideal for everybody. Read on for more information about this mixed breed to see if it is the right choice for you and your circumstances.
Breed Overview
Colors:
White, tan, beige, brown, gray, black
Suitable for:
Owners looking for an active but responsive and trainable dog
Temperament:
Loyal, loving, affectionate, playful, responsive, easy to train
The Cavalon is quite an energetic breed thanks to the sporting nature of the Cavalier, but it doesn’t require too much exercise and will be happy as long as it can spend as much time as possible with its family.
The breed is eager to please its humans, too, which makes it a fairly easy breed to train. They will usually get along with everybody, including family members and strangers, but their size means that you need to take care with this breed around very young children, who can be a bit too physical for the small dog.
Cavalon Characteristics
Cavalon Puppies
The Cavalon is a mixed breed and is not considered a popular hybrid breed. As such, intentional breeding of the cross is rare, and it can be very difficult to find a breeder. However, it is worth searching on the Internet and checking with any social media groups dedicated to the breed.
Similarly, the rarity of this mixed breed means that it is unlikely you will happen upon one in a local shelter or rescue, but there are many dogs in need of adoption and it is always worth checking with shelters.
Because it is a mixed breed, the Cavalon should not be expensive, if you do find one at a breeder. And, if you do, complete your due diligence of the breeder. Make sure you meet the puppy and its mom, ideally at the breeder’s location, and ask for any evidence of health checks and screening completed on the puppy and parents.
Cavalon Dog Breed Origin & History
The Cavalon Dog Breed is a mixed breed and has no real history. However, the parent breeds are well known.
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a relatively new breed, only having been accepted by the UKC in 1945. It took until 1995 for the AKC to officially recognize the breed. But it was bred from the Spaniel sporting breeds of Spain that have been popular working breeds since the 15th Century.
The Papillon was likely also bred from Spanish and other European dogs sometime in the 17th Century when it was especially popular in the courts of Louis XIV of France.
Temperament & Intelligence of the Cavalon Dog Breed
The Cavalon is playful and lively, doesn’t require too much exercise, and because it is eager to please, it is easy to train. This combination makes them a good choice for retired seniors, who will also be able to provide the Cavalon with enough companionship and time that they won’t suffer separation anxiety or be left alone too long.
Although they are friendly and mild-mannered, the Cavalon does require early socialization to ensure they get on with strangers, and will also benefit from early, regular, and ongoing training to help teach them basic commands and good behavior.
Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪
The Cavalon can make a very good family dog, and will especially enjoy the company of older children who are willing to play with the dog or involve it in their games. It will also get along well with adults and enjoy spending time on their lap in the evening. However, the small size of the breed means it can be nervous around small children who will need to be taught not to grab at the dog or be too rough.
The Cavalon should not be aggressive, and will view children’s games as playtime, so it will be safe to let these dogs play with children and their friends, although they may shy away from particularly rough or boisterous games.
Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?
The Cavalon is a generally very sociable breed. They don’t just get along with people but will also get along with other dogs and potentially even cats. Always take introductions slowly. Give the new dog and existing pets plenty of space and time, introducing them through a closed stair gate initially.
If you’re introducing the dog to a cat, ensure the cat can get to an elevated position out of the way of the dog. If you’re introducing it to another dog, ensure they both have their own spaces, toys, and other resources. This will not only help ensure the introduction goes smoothly but also set the animals up for a good long-term relationship.
Even though the Cavalon is not especially prone to chasing small animals you should never leave a dog and smaller animals unattended.
Things to Know When Owning a Cavalon:
Below are some facts about this mixed breed to help determine whether it is the right choice for you.
Food & Diet Requirements 🦴
Although the Cavalon doesn’t need a special diet and will do well on good quality dog food, it can be a good idea to feed a kibble designed for small breeds and one that is appropriate for the age of life stage of your dog. Small breed food has smaller kibble pieces, which are easier for small dogs to eat.
Alternatively, you can feed wet food. Follow the feeding guidelines on the packaging and avoid buying too large tins, as the food might go off before you manage to feed the entire can. Measuring food for small dogs is especially important because it doesn’t take much extra food per meal for your dog to put on weight and potentially become overweight.
You will also need to watch the treats you feed. A small morsel of human food can contain a lot of calories for a dog of this size. Proper dog treats should only account for 10% of your dog’s daily calorie intake, at the most, and the calories you feed in treats need to be removed from your dog’s daily food intake.
Always ensure your little pup has access to fresh, drinking water, no matter what time of day it is or where your dog is.
Exercise 🐕
The Cavalon is a lively dog, but it doesn’t need too much exercise. 45 minutes of walks a day should be ample, and these don’t need to be high-intensity walks: gentle walks around the block or to the park will be enough. You can also supplement this walking regimen with additional exercise at home by playing games.
And, while the Cavalon might not be able to compete in strength-based sports, they can do well and enjoy agility classes.
Training 🎾
Training is an integral part of every dog’s development and is something that should be ongoing throughout the dog’s life. Start with puppy classes when your dog is young. These will help teach some basic commands and they will give you the skills required to continue with training development outside the class. They are also great for early socialization because they provide an environment that is safe and full of understanding owners.
Set aside some time every day for basic training and bring your training efforts into your everyday lives. Walking, dinner time, and even time sitting on the couch together can be good opportunities for impromptu training sessions.
Socialization should also continue outside puppy classes. Introduce your dog to new environments and new situations. Have them meet different groups of people and other animals. The more they are exposed to new situations, the less likely they will respond with anxiety or fear in the future.
Grooming ✂️
The Cavalon doesn’t have especially heavy grooming requirements, but regular brushing will help keep the coat in good order and ensure your dog is comfortable. Brush two or three times a week and if you notice your dog shedding more often, increase the frequency of brushing and make it a daily occurrence. This will get rid of dead hairs, which not only prevents matting but also helps keep your dog cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
Check your dog’s nails every 2 months and trim them if required. Be careful not to trim them too short. You can always just take a little bit off and increase the frequency you trim.
You also need to brush your dog’s teeth. Ensure you do this at least three times a week and ideally every day. You can supplement brushing and annual dental checkups with dental treats, but these are not enough to ensure good dental hygiene on their own.
Health and Conditions 🏥
The breed is generally healthy, especially if you get your Cavalon from a responsible and reputable breeder. However, there are some conditions that they are prone to. These are conditions inherent in the parent breeds. Hip dysplasia is quite common in small breeds and occurs when the bones around the hip are not situated or seated properly.
It can be uncomfortable, lead to pain, and may cause lameness as your dog ages, with surgery helping to rectify the problem. Some conditions and problems to look out for can be found below.
Minor Conditions
- Allergies
- Cataracts
- Obesity
Male vs Female
The male Cavalon will grow a little bigger and heavier than the female. Individual character is more likely to determine the traits of dogs, but there are anecdotal reports that male dogs can be more prone to wanderlust while being more playful and potentially more difficult.
3 Little-Known Facts About the Cavalon
1. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Was Bred to Keep Their Owners Warm
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel was bred in Spain and used primarily to warm the laps and hands of courtiers. Today, the King Charles is a lapdog that still performs this task admirably.
2. Papillon Means Butterfly
Papillon means butterfly in French and the breed gets its unusual name from the appearance of its ears. They were also known as dwarf spaniels and squirrel spaniels.
3. Cavalons Need Human Companionship
Thanks largely to its Cavalier King Charles Spaniel heritage, and the breed’s original use as a lapdog, the Cavalon needs the companionship of its human owners. As such, it can suffer separation anxiety if left alone for long periods. As such, it might not be the best breed for owners who are out all day.
Final Thoughts
The Cavalon is a mixed breed that crosses the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel with the Papillon. Both breeds have similar heritages, which means that the resulting cross is quite predictable, although it is still a rare mixed breed that has not yet gained the popularity of some other mixes.
The Cavalon can do well in an apartment, integrates into family life well, and doesn’t need an excessive amount of exercise or grooming. However, they can struggle with very young children and can also suffer separation anxiety if left alone for too long during the day.
They do make great pets for the right owner, including retired seniors as well as families with slightly older children, and will become a loving lapdog that shadows their family around the house.
Featured Image Credit: Left- otsphoto, Shutterstock | Right – Mariya Kuzema, Shutterstock
