A cross between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Bichon Frise, the Cavachon is a small dog with a big heart! These adorable little pups are full of fun and make excellent companions for families and singles alike, but before you welcome one into your home, you’ll need to make sure you understand the real costs involved. After all, owning a Cavachon is a lifelong commitment that comes with ongoing expenses for food, grooming, and more. So, to help your budget properly and make sure you’re fully prepared for the costs, we’ve put together this ultimate guide to Cavachon prices, where you’ll find everything you need to know about purchasing and caring for this lovable little breed.
The first cost to cover is the actual price of buying a Cavachon, and this will vary depending on where you get your puppy from. Buying from a registered breeder will set you back anywhere from $2,500 to $4,000, while adopting from a rescue shelter will usually come with fees averaging $300 – $600.
As you scroll through listings, you might also find puppies advertised at much lower prices. This is something to avoid at all costs, as they’re likely being sold by unregistered breeders. These sellers usually cut corners on health testing and early socialisation, which can lead to both medical and behavioural issues in the puppy later in life. So, for peace of mind, always buy through a registered breeder or adopt from a shelter.
If you feel going through a registered breeder is the better of the two options, you can expect to pay between $2,500 and $4,000 for a well-bred Cavachon puppy. Several things influence where within that price range the puppy will be priced, including lineage and the breeder’s reputation, and we’ll look at these closer in a moment.
Adoption is your other option when buying a Cavachon in Australia, and it comes with a much lower cost of around $300 – $600. This price also includes some initial veterinary care like vaccinations, microchipping, and desexing, so you’ll potentially be saving even more money. One thing you will need to keep in mind, however, is that there’s never a guarantee you’ll find a Cavachon when you visit your local shelter, so you may have to do a bit of research and have some patience waiting for a Cavachon to become available if you’ve got your heart set on this breed.
Those are the average costs of buying a Cavachon. But what actually influences the final price tag? Well, there are a few factors, including:
Although Cavachons are small dogs, some breeders specialise in “toy” or “teacup” varieties, and these are even smaller than standard Cavachons. These pint-sized pups tend to be priced higher because there is an increasing demand for them, especially for people who live in apartments. However, even though they’re more sought-after and priced accordingly, it’s important to remember that extreme miniaturisation can come with health risks, so make sure you research the breeder’s practices first.
Cavachons aren’t recognised as a breed by Dogs Australia, which means they don’t have any breed standards. However, if the puppy’s Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or Bichon Frise parents have won awards in dog shows and meet their individual breed standards, the price will go up as they will be seen as having a superior lineage. This isn’t necessarily just because of their show-winning past but also because it can indicate superior genetics, potentially meaning fewer health issues in the future.
Another factor that influences the price of a Cavachon is its coat. Cavachons come in a variety of coat colours, including white, apricot, and tan, as well as combinations of all three. It’s those with the latter tricolour coat that are rarest, and this means puppies sporting this coat will be priced higher. Also, the texture of the coat will impact pricing, and puppies with wavier, low-shedding coats will cost more as they are hypoallergenic.
It’s not all in the Cavachon puppy’s looks and lineage. A lot of what influences the price is determined by the breeder’s reputation, and those who invest in proper health screenings to rule out common genetic issues will charge more. There are two reasons for this. Firstly, these tests come at a cost, so the breeder will need to add this to the price of their puppies to make it back. Secondly, these health screenings guarantee you’ll be getting the healthiest, happiest pup possible, and while this makes the upfront cost a little more, it can save you from expensive vet bills later.
You’ll also need to pick up a few essentials for your Cavachon before their little paws come pitter-pattering into your home. Here’s what to add to your shopping list and what you can expect to spend:
Those are only the one-off costs of owning a Cavachon, and you’ll need to be prepared to cover their ongoing expenses to offer them the healthiest, happiest life possible. This includes budgeting for everything below.
Cavachons need a balanced diet to support their energy levels, and a healthy adult weighing around 5kg – 8kg (depending on their size and sex) will need between 150g – 250g of food each day. This means, taking the diets below into account, your monthly dog food bill could be anywhere from $60 to $360.
Note: These are only estimates, and the amount you’ll pay will vary as your Cavachon ages and in line with their sex and overall health. Also, the brand and diet type you choose will heavily influence the cost. Speak with your bet for the best diet plan for your dog’s specific needs.
That’s your food budget sorted. But what about ongoing, preventative health care? This is another thing you’ll need to cover both annually and monthly, depending on the treatments, and these costs will average:
Because Cavachons have soft, wavy, or curly coats, they need regular grooming to keep them clean and tangle-free. You can only do so much of this at home before things start to become unmanageable, so trips to the doggy salon are also needed, which could cost:
Little dog breeds have a reputation for being naughty, and Cavachons are no exception, which means that training is needed! This is something else you’ll need to budget for, and while prices vary depending on the class, here’s a general idea of your costs:
Cavachons might be small, relatively low-maintenance dogs compared to some other breeds, but they still require proper care, time and financial commitment. So, before you decide that this is the right pup for your home, make sure you’re comfortable with footing the bill across their average 12- 15-year lifespan. After all, they’re fully dependent on you for their entire lives. If you do feel you’ve got what it takes, you’ll be getting more than just a pet – you’ll be bringing a new best friend into your life!
Welcome to Pets Online, a team of pet parents, animal lovers and veterinarians devoted to providing you with everything you need to know about pets.