Cavachons are a crossbreed dog, offspring of the Bichon Frise. They grew in popularity during the 1990s as companion dogs, but do Cavachons shed? Cavachons are low to medium shedding dogs.
Because most Cavachons look similar to the Bichon, it is often assumed they do not shed hair. However, this is not the case, as all dogs shed some hair, and the Cavachon is no exception.
Cavachons are a mixed breed of Bichon Frise, regarded as a low-shedding dog, and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, a medium-shedding dog. This means the Cavachon will likely shed low to medium amounts of hair.
Cavachons have thick hair. In addition, their coats can reach long lengths. However, despite the Cavachon having longer and thicker hair, their shedding is not that severe. Their coats can be various shades and mixtures of white, cream, apricot, sable, brown, and black.
Because they tend to shed less, it makes them a popular breed. However, the inherited low shedding gene from the Bichon Frise may not significantly influence the coat shedding more than the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Therefore, it should not be presumed that there will be less shedding than the Cavalier.
Cavachon coats depend on the genetics inherited from the Bichon, which varies from one puppy to another and cannot be easily predicted. Your Cavachon could have predominantly more of the Cavaliers genes than the Bichon.
Therefore you could own a Cavachon with more shedding than you initially thought. Considering this, the shedding of a Bichon and Cavalier pup mix will most likely be somewhere in the middle of the two breeds, but it could also be more to one side than the other. Shedding could be low, low to medium, or medium.
A reputable Cavachon breeder will have DNA test results for their breeding dogs. As a Cavachon is a crossbreed, it would be beneficial to get a DNA test for your puppy if shedding is a significant concern to you. However, genetics is a complicated subject, so you may need someone to interpret the results.
Why is my Cavachon shedding?
Anything that disrupts the sebum structure in the skin, either genetic or environmental, is likely to increase shedding.
If your Cavachon is shedding more hair than usual, it is essential to know the causes and treatments for this condition. Many dogs will lose hair at some point in their lifetime. However, when dogs lose their hair, it often leaves the animal's skin exposed to infections and parasites.
The medical term for hair loss in dogs is alopecia. Causes for excessive hair shedding in dogs may be due to:
change in environment or lifestyle,
nutritional deficiencies,
thyroid imbalance,
skin allergies,
dermatitis/pyoderma,
parasitic infection with mange mites,
autoimmune diseases such as lupus,
cancer therapy such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
Significant hair loss in canines is typically caused by ringworm, insect bites, lice, or bacterial infection. It can also be caused by psychological distress due to allergies or fleas.
Contact your veterinarian to diagnose and carry out tests for skin or shedding concerns that you have with your Cavachon.
How dogs naturally take care of their skin and hair?
Dogs have natural ways of taking care of their skin and hair by licking, rolling, and scratching. They lick themselves, and their saliva contains a natural antiseptic: Dogs dry bath, a term for rolling in dust which dislodges debris and massages their skin. Scratching and rolling help to dislodge debris it cannot remove by licking.
This action also activates the sebaceous glands responsible for secreting oil called sebum. The sebum contains antimicrobial properties. It lubricates, keeps the hair flexible, waterproofs, and maintains thermal control. Sebum also contains chemicals that prevent infections. Anything that disrupts the sebum structure, either genetic or environmental, is likely to increase shedding.
Do Cavachons need more grooming if they are less shedding?
Grooming and maintenance are vital for all dogs on a regular basis. They are a must for breeds that shed less, which some owners don't consider.
Most Cavachons do fine on a six- to eight-week coat clipping if you want to maintain a fluffier coat and prevent problems such as matting. They will require regular combing and weekly bathing between trips to the groomers to keep them looking good.
Your Cavachon may end up costing you more money than you initially thought. If you are the owner of a Cavachon that sheds more, their coat will become matted more easily and will cost money and effort to keep it in good condition. In addition, the longer the hair, the more difficult it is to keep up, and they are more susceptible to parasites, scratches, or lumps.
A daily brushing and combing routine will help keep the tangles and knots at bay and keep the fur clean and fresh between grooming appointments. Obviously, their coat maintenance is more manageable if your Cavachon sheds less hair.
Having the right tools will make home grooming a more comfortable experience for your dog. Metal combs with wide, rounded teeth work best for a quick comb and are gentle on your dog's skin.
The closer teeth on the comb make the coat fluffier. Using a matt removing comb to remove severe mats and tangles is better. Always comb your Cavachon before a bath, as this will make the hair much easier to deal with afterward.
Are Cavachons Hypoallergenic?
Cavachon dogs are promoted as hypoallergenic, meaning they are less likely to cause an allergic reaction. An allergic reaction is a symptom of a person with allergies, and allergens are the substance that causes the allergic reaction.
So what is meant by Hypoallergenic? Hypoallergenic implies something unlikely to cause an allergic reaction. To reduce or minimize an allergic reaction.
According to The American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, as much as 10% of the American population is allergic to dogs.
No dog is 100% hypoallergenic. A dog that is promoted as hypoallergenic is a dog that is less likely to trigger allergies in a person.
The allergen that triggers the allergy is a microscopic protein that every dog carries in the skin cells. When these skin cells are sloughed off the dog's skin, it is known as dander and is shed along with the hair.
All dogs shed hair, and it is a myth that there are no non-shedding dog breeds, including hairless dogs, which do shed a little. So it is not the pet hair that causes the allergen; it is the dander carried on the hair. Not only is this protein found in the skin cells it is also present in the saliva, urine, and sweat.
This microscopic protein is what causes an allergic person to sneeze and wheeze as it is transferred all over the home on surfaces and is also carried through the air.
However, the protein concentration is significantly reduced with the frequency of grooming your dog, cleaning all surfaces, and maybe using an air purifier that helps filter out allergen particles from the air.
There are no breeds of dogs that pose a lower risk. Having a thorough knowledge about what triggers your allergies will determine what breed of dog you will if at all, be buying.
If the dog is hypoallergenic, it will enable someone who would love to have a dog they can care for and share their life with at home without triggering their allergy.
Conclusion
All dogs shed. A Cavachon is a mixed breed dog between a low and a medium shedding dog; therefore, a Cavachon should be low to medium shedding.
Exercise, enriched diet, baths, grooming, and plenty of water are great for minimizing the shedding of dogs' coats.
Cavachon as a cross breed dog is not eligible for registration with American Kennel Club but you can register with the International Designer Canine Registry and they are recognized by the American Canine Hybrid Club, The Designer Breed Registry and The Mixed Breed Dog Clubs of America.
