Hepper is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

Cava-Corgi (Pembroke Welsh Corgi & Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Mix): Info, Pics, Facts

Emma Braby Profile Picture

By Emma Braby

Cava Corgi mixed breed dog

Height: 10 – 13 inches
Weight: 15 – 25 pounds
Lifespan: 12 – 14 years
Colors: Black, tan, fawn, white, sable, ruby, blenheim
Suitable for: First-time dog owners, apartment living, families with children, multi-pet households
Temperament: Loving, affectionate, playful, calm in the home, friendly, well-mannered

The Cava Corgi is the best of both his parents: the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. His parents couldn’t be much more different. His Corgi parent is energetic, bouncy, and in-your-face sociable. In contrast, his Cavalier parent is sweet, gentle, and graceful. Combine those traits, and what have you got? A well-balanced, friendly and polite Cava Corgi.

Just like many designer dogs out there, he is proving to be a popular hybrid. He has created an option for those families out there who cannot choose between the two breeds. Thanks to the Cava Corgi, there is no need to make that difficult decision anymore. Instead, you can get a two-for-one designer doggy deal.

He is a bundle of fun, but he needs certain things from his owner to be his best self, and this is where this guide comes in. Here, we will run you through everything that you need to know about the Cava Corgi, from his personality to his grooming and training needs and much more.

Hopefully, by the end of this guide, you’ll know whether the Cava Corgi is your next family addition, so let’s get straight to business.
Divider 1

Cava Corgi Puppies

Energy
Trainability
Health
Lifespan
Sociability

The Cava Corgi is a generally well-balanced, easy-going pooch who fits into most families. But as with any dog breed, there are certain things that you should be aware of before you fully commit to him. The first thing that you should be mindful of is that his Corgi parent is a herding dog, so he will most likely inherit the herding instinct.

This means that there is a chance he could herd other pets inside of the home, or small children. He likely won’t exhibit this behavior in the home, thanks to his Cavalier influence, but there is still a chance. If he does, you must discourage this behavior straight away.

Coming from a herding lineage means that he could have heaps of energy, which is far from the amount his Cavalier parent has. Expect to exercise him between 30 and 45 minutes of exercise every day. Without the proper exercise and stimulation, he is more likely to exhibit the nipping behavior explained above, so you must commit to his exercise needs.

With that being said, if he takes after his Cavalier parent more, he’ll need much less exercise. Being a mixed dog means that he could take after either parent, so you must research both parent breeds. If you arent too keen on a few character traits of either parent, you should skip this hybrid pup altogether. If you’d be happy with either breed, then the Cava Corgi would be an excellent fit for you.

Parent Breeds of the Cava-Corgi
Image Credit: Jumpstory

3 Little-Known Facts About the Cava Corgi

1. The Cava Corgi Might Nip Your Ankles

The Corgi parent is best known for his ankle-nipping herding technique. Although it isn’t dangerous in any way, it can be annoying and uncomfortable for his herding victims. Read our training section below with links on how to correct this behavior.


2. The Cava Corgi Is Fit for Royalty

British Royalty has always favored both of the Cava Corgi’s parents. The Corgi parent is the all-time favorite of Queen Elizabeth, and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel was adored by, you guessed it, King Charles. Their puppy product is just as majestic and loved by all.


3. The Cava Corgi Is an Independent Dog

Despite being a small pooch who looks like he could be a needy pooch, he is independent and happy in his own company. Many dog owners love the idea of a King Charles Spaniel but often feel that they could not handle their neediness. Instead, this mix is much less needy and more laidback, which is one of his biggest appeals.

Divider 5

Temperament & Intelligence of the Cava Corgi 🧠

The Cava Corgi is a lovely mix of both of his parents. He is very friendly with everyone, both family and strangers. He has more confidence than his Spaniel parent, but he is a lot more mellow than his Corgi parent. Finding himself in the middle ground, he is friendly but not too in your face, making him the perfect companion for everyone.

He is playful and loves to get involved in the family fun. But thanks to his calmer Spaniel parent, he also has an off-switch. This is great for those lazy Sundays when you just want to chill in bed for that bit longer. Invite him in and he’ll lay with you for hours.

The Cava Corgi is very smart, and he inherits his intelligence from both of his parents. He may inherit the slight stubborn streak of his Corgi parent, but his obedient and eager-to-please Spaniel genes should be more influential. This is why he makes an excellent option for first-time dog owners.

His intelligence means that you’ll need to stimulate his brain throughout the day. Be sure to invest time in interactive play with him to keep his body and mind active. It’s also a good idea to get plenty of dog toys too so that he can keep himself busy for those times when he fancies solo brain games.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡

His cheerful personality means that he is an excellent fit for families with young children. He is tolerant of their behavior, and just as long as he doesn’t try to herd them, they love him too. His small size and gentle nature make him a fantastic playmate for small children.

Because of his mellow personality, he fits himself into most family environments well, and he is very adaptable too. He is suited to homes of any size, and his small frame means he is popular amongst city-dwellers and for apartment living.

Although he loves to spend time with his family, he is also happy to spend time alone. This means that he is an excellent option for those who want a dog but have to leave them for several hours every day without worry. The only ask that he has is that you provide him with a comfy bed, brain games, and chew toys to entertain himself with.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets? 🐶 😽

As long as the Cava Corgi is socialized well as a pup, he should get along well with other dogs and pets. The only concern that you might have is his potential herding behavior. Again, as long as you discourage this behavior, it shouldn’t be an issue. But other household pets might find this irritating, which is something to think about if you are a multi-pet household or have any grumpy furry-family members.

Divider 3

Things to Know When Owning a Cava Corgi:

Now that you know about the Cava Corgi’s laid-back personality, let’s take a closer look at his day-to-day needs.

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

The Cava Corgi will consume between 1½ to 2 cups of food every day, depending on his age, size, and energy levels. Feed him a high-quality kibble that will sustain his energy needs and provide him with high-quality protein and a well-balanced diet.

The MSD Veterinary Manual recommends that all puppies should eat a kibble that provides them with a protein content of 22%. When he reaches adulthood at the age of 12 months, switch him to an adult kibble that contains a protein content of at least 18%.

If he inherits the appetite of his Corgi parent, he’ll be always looking for treats and titbits. Be sure to keep an eye on how many treats you give him because this guy can put on weight quickly. This can lead to further health problems, and if you notice a weight gain, switch him to a weight management kibble. Try healthy low-calorie snacks, such as apples and carrots, to keep him feeling fuller for longer.

Exercise 🐕

As you already know, the Cava Corgi needs at least 30 minutes of exercise every day. If he takes after his Corgi parent more, he will need more exercise, about 45 minutes. Because he is energetic, has pent up herding energy, and lots of intelligence, his activities should be intense and vigorous to wear him out; not just a casual stroll around the block.

The Cava Corgi makes an excellent agility course participant and jogging partner. He can handle just about any form of exercise that you throw at him, just as long as it is fun. If you’re walking through fields where there are cattle, be sure to keep him on a leash because he will not be able to resist their tasty ankles.

Training 🦮

The Cava Corgi is an intelligent and trainable pooch, which makes him a perfect first-dog. He might inherit the slight stubbornness of his Corgi parent, but with a tasty treat in hand, you’ll teach him tricks in no time.

He needs to be socialized well as a pup, with dogs and other animals, to ensure that he is confident and polite with them all. Although he is an easy-going and polite pooch, like all dogs, he needs to learn how to be a good boy. Regular training sessions will help him become a well-behaved dog.

If he displays any kind of herding behavior, you must discourage and correct it straight away. Do not allow him to get away with it once; otherwise, he’ll think his instincts are acceptable. Redirect his attention to something else, such as a ball or object that he likes to play with. Positive reinforcement training is essential with the Cava Corgi. Plenty of verbal praise and belly rubs will work wonders.

Grooming ✂️

The Cava Corgi has a relatively simple grooming regime. He will need brushing once or twice a week, depending on whether he inherits the curly hair around his ears. If he does, he will require brushing more often to ensure that the curls do not become tangled or matted.

General eye, ear, and teeth cleaning are required for the Cava Corgi, just like any other small pooch. Sticking to a once-a-week grooming session will ensure that the risk of bacterial infections is kept to a minimum, as well as looking healthy and fresh.

Health and Conditions ❤️

The Cava Corgi is a mixed breed, and therefore, he has the chance of inheriting the health problems that affect either of his parents. He is a relatively healthy dog who enjoys a long lifespan of 12 to 14 years. Be sure to make yourself aware of his most common concerns listed below.

Minor Conditions
  • Cataracts
Serious Conditions
  • Patellar luxation
  • Hip dysplasia
  • Progressive retinal atrophy
  • Mitral valve disease
  • Degenerative myelopathy
  • Syringomyelia
Divider 5

Male vs. Female

There is little difference between a female and male Cava Corgi, apart from the obvious, of course. But what you will probably find is that the female Cava Corgi is smaller than the males. But because Cava Corgis are little dogs anyway, this will not be a significant size difference.

Divider 3

Final Thoughts

The Cava Corgi is a great all-rounder who is adaptable to most family homes. As long as you can meet his exercise needs and are strict with his potential herding behaviors, he will get along splendidly with most families.

Overall, he makes a fantastic dog for companionship thanks to his calm and fun behavior. From small kids to the older generations, he impresses everyone with his polite doggy manners. If he’s fit for a king, he’s fit for anyone, and we hope we have helped you in your Cava Corgi research.

See also:


Featured Image Credit: Pikist

Related Articles

Further Reading

Vet Articles

Latest Vet Answers

The latest veterinarians' answers to questions from our database