Breed Health Score

Cavachon

The Cavachon is a cross between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Bichon Frise. No large study has measured the cross directly, so the honest guide to its health is the data for its two parent breeds, shown below.

Estimated lifespan: ~12 to 13 years. This is the range between the two parent breeds' median lifespans (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 11.8 yr, Bichon Frise 12.5 yr), not a measured figure for the cross. The same study found crossbred dogs lived a median of about 12 years overall, close to the 12.7 years for pedigree dogs, so a cross is not automatically longer-lived.

The parent breeds

57
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel11.8 yr · grade C
74
Bichon Frise12.5 yr · grade B

Health conditions reported in either parent

Mitral valve diseaseSyringomyeliaChiari-like malformationEpisodic fallingDry eyePatellar luxationBladder stonesCataractsAtopic dermatitisDental disease

A cross can inherit conditions from either side, so this combines the lists for both parent breeds. It is indicative, from RVC VetCompass / AKC / PDSA, not a diagnosis. Note: the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a flat-faced (brachycephalic) breed, so some Cavachons can inherit shorter-muzzle breathing risks.

More crossbreeds

CockapooEnglish Cocker Spaniel × Poodle · ~13–14 yr
CavapooCavalier King Charles Spaniel × Poodle · ~12–14 yr
LabradoodleLabrador Retriever × Poodle · ~13–14 yr
GoldendoodleGolden Retriever × Poodle · ~13–14 yr
SprockerEnglish Springer Spaniel × English Cocker Spaniel · ~13–14 yr
JackapooJack Russell Terrier × Poodle · ~13–14 yr

Why we do not give the cross its own score. The Breed Health Score is built on cited, breed-level data. Designer crosses are not tracked as breeds in the source study, so assigning one a single number would imply a precision the data does not support. Instead we show both parents, cited and linked. Median lifespan: McMillan, K.M. et al. (2024) "Longevity of companion dog breeds", Scientific Reports (584,734 UK dogs). Data CC-BY 4.0. Not veterinary advice.