The Cavachon — Cavalier King Charles Spaniel × Bichon Frise — is a small, soft-coated companion cross whose coat lands somewhere between the Bichon's plush curls and the Cavalier's silky feathering. Wherever it lands, it's low-shedding, fast-growing and mat-prone: a proper grooming schedule isn't optional.
The coat
Usually a soft, wavy-to-loosely-curled coat of medium density, often with Cavalier-style feathering on the ears and tail. Like most Bichon crosses it holds onto loose hair rather than dropping it, which keeps homes cleaner but means the coat must be brushed through or it felts. Ears are the hotspot: heavy, feathered, and constantly in motion.
How often should a Cavachon be groomed?
Every 6–8 weeks professionally, with home brushing two or three times a week. Use a slicker followed by a metal comb through to the skin, and treat the comb as the test: if it won't glide to the root behind the ears or under the harness, matting has started. Introduce puppies to the groomer early — Cavachons are gentle, biddable dogs that turn into lifelong easy customers if their first grooms are positive.
Popular styles
- Teddy bear clip — the Cavachon default: rounded face, even plush body around 10–16mm, neatly rounded ears.
- Puppy clip — one even length; simplest to maintain.
- Longer feathered tidy — for silkier, more Cavalier-type coats: light trim with feathering kept; only sensible with committed home combing.
What does Cavachon grooming cost?
Small and generally well-mannered on the table: typically £33–46 for a full groom, in line with Cavapoos and a touch under the bigger doodle crosses. Dematting charges apply at most salons, so home combing pays for itself.
Between grooms
Comb the ears, harness line and armpits — the classic trio — plus the tail feathering. Wipe eyes a couple of times a week (light coats show tear staining), dry and brush after wet walks, and check inside the ears monthly: the drop ear plus feathering traps warmth and moisture. A five-minute comb-through in front of the television, three times a week, is the entire secret to a cheap, happy Cavachon grooming life.