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Cavalon (King Charles Spaniel Papillon Mix): Info, Pics, Facts, Traits

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By Nicole Cosgrove

The Cava-lon

Height: 10–13 inches
Weight: 8–16 pounds
Lifespan: 11–17 years
Colors: Black, brown, white, silver, red, black, and tan
Suitable for: Families with kids and other pets. House or apartment living with time for a loving pet
Temperament: Intelligent and cheerful. Playful, affectionate, and loving. Excited and requires a lot of attention.

If you are a first-time owner looking for a small hybrid to join your family, the Cavalon is a great option. This is an intelligent, playful, and affectionate pup that is at home with kids and other animals. They are alert, energetic, and love to play. You will need to make sure you have a lot of time to devote to this dog, however.

Every breed is different and opting for a hybrid can be even more difficult as there is not as much information available. In this case, the adorable Cavalon is bred from a King Charles Spaniel and a Papillon making them a small, well-mannered pooch. Although those are the obvious qualities, there are many other aspects of this canine a prospective pet parent should know.

In the article below, we will go over all the details of this breed, so you can make an informed decision. Details about their temperament, puppy years, and general care will be provided, plus some extra tips and potential reasons why this pup may be a pass for you. Keep reading to find out more.

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Cavalon Puppies

Energy
Trainability
Health
Lifespan
Sociability

These precious little dogs will snuggle into your hearts right away. They are playful, affectionate, and intelligent even as puppies. They will be eager to play, romp around, and be part of the family. This designer breed is a mix between a King Charles Spaniel and a Papillion originating sometime in the 2000s. Both parents are toy breeds, and this little pooch inherited the best qualities of both.

King Charles Spaniel has been a loyal companion for centuries and has been a favorite lapdog for decades. The Papillion originated from France, and their name comes from the French word for butterfly. Due to that, they are also called the butterfly dog or the Continental Toy Spaniel. Both of these dogs are cheerful, family-orientated, and intelligent.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Cavalon

1. The Name

One of the Cavalon’s parents is named after King Charles I as he was a great lover of this breed. Guess which one?


2. TV Debut

The King Charles Spaniel made a rather famous cameo on the HBO original series Sex in the City. The pup played Charlotte York’s feisty pet named Elizabeth Taylor. It is also rumored that Elizabeth’s puppies in the show were actually Cavalons.


3. Royal Companions

Though we mentioned above that the King Charles Spaniel was a companion for royal families, it is actually true of both breeds. This is why the Cavalon has a courtly air at times.

The parent breeds of the Cavalon
Image Credit: Left – Courtney Mihaka, Unsplash | Right – AndyBir, Shutterstock

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Temperament & Intelligence of the Cavalon 🧠

The Cavalon is an intelligent, sweet-natured, and playful pooch. They have a lot of energy for a small pup, and they are not prone to barking. This breed will be at home in apartments, homes with yards, or anything in between. Their cheerful disposition is delightful, and they love to learn antics that will make you laugh.

This is a breed that is eager to please. They are very alert and in tune with their surroundings. Unfortunately, their friendliness rules them out as a guard dog. They will give up the keys to the safe for a treat and belly rub before you can blink.

The Cavalon can also be a needy pooch. They require a lot of attention, especially as puppies. You will need to devote a lot of time to ensure their well-being. Predictably, they are also not good with extended periods alone. Separation anxiety can quickly take control of this sweet pooch. They will become very nervous, which can lead to destructive behaviors.

On the other hand, this playful pup is easy to please. They take enjoyment in the small things in life and quickly become excited over small pleasures. A good belly rub, a new ball, or just a ride in the car will send them over the moon with doggie delight.

Are Cavalons Good for Families? 🏡

The Cavalon makes a great family pet as long as you have time to devote to this pint-sized pal. They fit right in with the normal hustle and bustle of family life, and they want to be included. They are happy to play outside with you or relax while watching TV. As mentioned, you can also have this breed in an apartment or house. Either one works as long as they get proper exercise.

This dog is also great with kids. They will quickly befriend your children and become their constant companions. One thing to note, however, is they can become nippy if they are mistreated. Make sure that you explain to your children the right way to play with the dog. Pulling their ears or pulling them around by the neck will make them uncomfortable and nervous. This can also cause them to bark, nip, or chew on things they are not supposed to. As a general rule though, this is not an aggressive breed, and they rarely bite.

Do Cavalon Get Along with Other Pets? 🐶 😽

This breed does well with other pets in the home. They are social creatures that will want to play with other dogs whether they are part of the family or they meet them at the dog park. They also do well with smaller pets like cats or rabbits. The Cavalon has a low-prey drive, but they have been known to chase smaller animals. Be that as it may, their cheerfulness is hard to resist—even for a feline.

Although this pup is considered a social pet, it is still important that you socialize them as puppies. Exposing them to different sights, smells, and sounds is important for their overall disposition. There are also exceptions to any rule. If you already have another pet at home, you will want to introduce them before adopting another pet to ensure no friction could cause harm to either pet or yourself.

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Things to Know When Owning a Cavalon:

It would be great if pet-parenting was nothing more than finding a compatible personality to fit your lifestyle. Unfortunately, that is not the case. Even though your breed of choice might be the sweetest and gentlest dog around, if you are unable to meet their basic care needs, it is not a good fit.

To make sure you have all the info you need about this hybrid, we have provided you with all the care details you will need to take care of this pooch.

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

The diet requirements for this pooch should be discussed with your vet. It can vary depending on their age, weight, and health. Also, their diet will change as they age from their puppy years into adulthood and finally into their golden years. In general, though, they should be fed a small breed diet that will provide them with all the nutrition they need to be healthy.

Many small breeds are prone to weight gain, and the Cavalon is no exception. As that is the case, you want to find recipes that contain high levels of lean protein, fat, and fiber. You also want to stay away from fillers, artificial ingredients, and high levels of salt and sugar.

Another great aspect of this breed is they are usually not picky eaters. This will give you a lot of options as far as brand and flavor. Dry or freeze-dried raw meals are typically the most nutritious, but there are many other options available, as well.

Snacks

Another important part of your pet’s diet is their snacks and treats. As a general rule, table scraps are not a good idea for your pet, but that doesn’t mean all human food is not good for them. Things you want to stay away from (besides what was already mentioned) are overly processed foods, fatty oils, raisins, grapes, onions, garlic, and chocolate. There are many other ingredients you should stay away from, but there are also some great homemade recipes for dog snacks your Cavalon will love!

Exercise 🐕

This little pup has a lot of energy pent up in their little frame. They only need a 15 to 30-minute walk per day with some additional playtime to get rid of any excess energy. Taking them for short jogs or walks around the block, or a trip to the dog park is sufficient. They also do well if you can break the walks up to two times per day.

This breed also loves to play games and do tricks. They have a love of fetching a bright tennis ball. They also like other mentally stimulating games that will stretch their minds, as well. Small plush toys are also fun for them, as they will carry them all over the house.

What to Avoid

As we have explained, this is not a pup that does well alone, and they need a considerable amount of attention. Playing with your pup and breaking up their daily walks will help. What’s more, if you have a fenced-in yard, you do not want to leave them alone for too long, especially in the cold. They do not do well in colder climates and will need a dog sweater when the weather turns foul.

Lastly, you want to be careful when letting your Cavalon off the leash at a dog park or other outdoor area. They tend to chase smaller animals, and in the excitement, they can quickly take off on you. This is not only stressful for you but can be dangerous for them.

Training 🦮

Training the Cavalon is one of the easier parts of their care. Their intelligence and eagerness to please make them a quick study on obedience training and other lessons. They do well with fun activities and positive reinforcement. As they love the attention, training sessions can be longer than other breeds. Just be careful that you don’t become frustrated if they don’t pick it up right away.

Like most dogs, they won’t necessarily learn everything right away. Consistency and repetition are what will get the job done. Any mistreatment, even in the form of an angry voice, can make them nervous. This will only lead to difficult roads later on.

As we already mentioned above, you also want to socialize your Cavalon as young as you can. This will benefit them by making them even more friendly and open to new faces. Additionally, you want to start potty training right away. As this is a small breed, they can be taught to use the litter box. This is helpful when the weather is bad, and your pooch can’t go outside.

Grooming ✂️

The Cavalon has a long, silky coat that is soft and beautiful. It makes them the perfect snuggle buddy, but it also requires grooming. You will want to brush their coat a few times a week to keep up the appearance, remove debris, and reduce mats. They also have a moderate amount of shed. You may need to brush them daily when they are losing their fur during different parts of the year. Baths can be done as needed.

You will also need to check their ears for signs of infection weekly. As they have longer fur around their ears, debris and bacteria can get caught causing an infection. Clean their ears with soft cotton and an approved dog ear flush. You may need to trim some of the fur from around their ears, as well. Teeth cleaning should be done daily if possible, and their nails should be filed when needed.

Health and Conditions ❤️

Designer hybrid breeds are usually a healthier version of their purebred parents. That being said, if their ancestors have genes that make them predisposed to certain ailments, the hybrid can also develop the same concerns. Other issues can develop due to lifestyle, age, diet, and exercise levels, too. Take a look at the major and minor health concerns below that are most prominent in this breed.

Minor Conditions
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy
  • Cataracts
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Ear Infections
  • Weight Gain
Serious Conditions
  • Mitral Valve Disease
  • Neuroaxonal Dystrophy

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Male vs. Female

As the Cavalon is a fairly new designer breed, there is not a lot of documented information on the difference between the two genders. Of course, every dog is different and will have different personality quarks. Spaying and neutering your pup can also make a big difference in their temperament.

For example, the female heat cycle can last for several months. This can give them some pain that, in turn, can cause them to be a little grumpy. Males, on the other hand, can sense a female in heat from a few miles away. If they are not fixed, they may want to go after the female. Many dogs that run away are after some companionship.

Besides that, the Cavalon’s, lifestyle, health, and age can play a role in how they behave. Even in purebred cases where there is a lot of documented research, many experts are still not convinced that gender plays a major role in personality.

Divider 3Final Thoughts: Cavalon Dog

The Cavalon is a sweet-natured, adorable, and playful pup that will make a great family companion. They are excellent with kids and other animals, plus they are quick to make friends with other new faces. As long as you have some time to devote to this cute hybrid, we believe you will be happy with your choice of pet.

Overall, this breed is moderately easy to take care of concerning exercise, grooming, and diet. They are easy to train, love to learn tricks, and basically be a part of the family. Though you may initially pay more for this tiny tyke, they will add a lot of laughter and joy to your life.

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