Cavaton
Hybrid Breed Description
The Cavaton is a cross between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Coton de Tulear. Because each hybrid inherits a unique combination of traits from both parents, we recommend thoroughly researching both breeds before choosing a Cavaton. Pay special attention to temperament, health issues, and care requirements, as your dog may express characteristics from either parent breed.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel stands between twelve and thirteen inches tall at the shoulder and weighs thirteen to eighteen pounds, making them one of the larger toy breeds despite their compact size. Their well-proportioned body features a moderately deep chest that extends to the elbows, a level back, and a sturdy yet elegant build that hints at their spaniel heritage. The breed possesses a somewhat longer body than it is tall, with sloping shoulders and muscular legs that provide surprising agility for their size. The breed's most distinctive feature is its beautiful silky coat, which can have a slight wave but should never be curly. Long feathering adorns the ears, chest, legs, and tail, with the feathering on the feet being a particular characteristic of the breed. Cavaliers come in four recognized color patterns: Blenheim (rich chestnut markings on a white base), the most common coloration; tricolor (black and white with tan points); black and tan; and ruby (solid chestnut red). The coat requires regular maintenance to keep its lustrous appearance and prevent matting. The Cavalier's face is especially captivating, with large, round, dark brown eyes set wide apart that create the breed's signature sweet and gentle expression. The skull is slightly rounded with a moderate stop, and the muzzle is full but tapered, neither flat nor elongated. Long, feathered ears set high on the head frame the face beautifully, fanning forward slightly when the dog is alert. The neck is fairly long and gracefully positioned atop sloping shoulders, contributing to the breed's overall regal appearance. This combination of features creates an unmistakably charming and aristocratic look that has made the Cavalier beloved for centuries.
Key Characteristics
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel exemplifies an enchantingly affectionate and playful personality that makes them one of the most beloved companion breeds. These happy little dogs display endearing devotion to their families and eagerly indulge their guardians with constant companionship. Fortunately, shyness and aggression are not part of their behavioral repertoire, making them excellent family dogs that thrive on human interaction. They are particularly wonderful with children and show remarkable patience and gentleness, though their desire for attention means they should not be left alone for extended periods. Cavaliers demonstrate remarkable adaptability and can fit into various living situations, from apartments to larger homes with yards, provided they receive ample love and attention. They possess moderate energy levels and enjoy both playtime and relaxation, making them suitable for both active families and those seeking a calmer companion. Their spaniel heritage means they can be surprisingly athletic and enjoy activities like fetch, short hikes, and agility, though they're equally content curling up on the sofa. These dogs are highly social and typically friendly toward strangers, other dogs, and even cats when properly introduced. The breed shows average intelligence and is generally eager to please, responding well to positive reinforcement training methods. However, they can occasionally display an independent or stubborn streak inherited from their spaniel ancestry. Training provides important mental stimulation for these clever dogs, who enjoy learning new tricks and commands. While Cavaliers are not typically protective or suitable as guard dogs, they may bark to announce visitors before greeting them enthusiastically. The breed's defining trait is their exceptional need for companionship, often following their owners from room to room and seeking physical closeness. This attachment makes them prone to separation anxiety if not properly trained to handle alone time, and they truly thrive in homes where someone is present most of the day.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels face several significant health challenges that prospective owners must understand and prepare for. The breed's most serious concern is mitral valve disease (MVD), a degenerative heart condition that affects over half of all Cavaliers by age five and nearly all by age ten. This terminal illness occurs twenty times more frequently in Cavaliers than other breeds and is the leading cause of death. The disease causes the heart's mitral valve to deteriorate, resulting in blood flowing backward and eventual heart failure, with symptoms including exercise intolerance, coughing, rapid breathing, and in advanced stages, fluid accumulation and muscle wasting. Another prevalent condition is syringomyelia, affecting more than fifty percent of the breed, which occurs when the skull is too small to accommodate the brain properly. This malformation blocks cerebrospinal fluid flow, creating painful fluid-filled cavities near the brain and spinal cord. Dogs with this condition may scratch constantly at their neck and shoulders (particularly on one side), show sensitivity to touch, experience severe pain, and in serious cases, suffer paralysis. While medications can help manage symptoms, there is no cure for this painful condition that typically appears between six months and one year of age. The breed also experiences various other health issues including hip dysplasia, affecting approximately fifteen to twenty-five percent of Cavaliers and causing pain, abnormal development, and arthritis. Patellar luxation (kneecap dislocation) is the second most common orthopedic problem in the breed. Eye conditions such as cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy, and dry eye occur with notable frequency. Ear infections are common due to their long, floppy ears and skull shape that promotes poor drainage. The Cavalier's average lifespan ranges from twelve to fifteen years, though serious health conditions can shorten this significantly. Regular veterinary checkups, health screenings by cardiologists and ophthalmologists, and purchasing from breeders who test for genetic conditions are essential for maintaining the health of these dogs. Many countries have raised concerns about the breed's health issues, with Norway even banning Cavalier breeding due to welfare concerns.
Coton de Tulear
The Coton de Tulear is a small, sturdy dog standing nine to eleven inches tall at the shoulder, with females typically measuring nine to ten inches and males reaching up to eleven inches. Despite their diminutive size, they present a robust and well-balanced appearance, weighing between eight and fifteen pounds, with females generally ranging from eight to thirteen pounds and males from nine to fifteen pounds. The breed's body is notably longer than it is tall, creating a distinctive rectangular outline with proportions where height at the withers represents about two-thirds of the body length from shoulder to buttock, ensuring they never appear long and low to the ground. The breed's most defining characteristic is its remarkable cotton-like coat, from which its name derives (coton meaning cotton in French). This medium to long, profuse coat consists of hair rather than fur and has an exceptionally soft, fluffy texture comparable to touching a cotton ball. The coat is naturally white, though slight shadings of light gray (a mixture of white and black hairs) or light tan (mixture of white and light tan hairs) are permitted on the ears, with standards allowing up to five percent color on the body in mature dogs. The coat is dense with a dry texture and can have a slight wave, though it should never be tightly curled, woolly, or silky, and it notably does not shed, making the breed hypoallergenic. The Coton's head is short and triangular when viewed from above, with a small, almost triangular appearance overall and a straight, slightly shorter muzzle. Their most captivating features are large, round, expressive dark brown or black eyes set wide apart that convey an intelligent, inquisitive, alert expression often described as displaying joie de vivre. The breed sports a prominent black nose and completely black-pigmented eye rims, lips, and paw pads. High-set, pendulous triangular ears hang close to the cheeks, reaching to the corners of the lips and covered in white or lightly shaded hair. The chest is well-developed, reaching to the elbows, while the back remains strong with a slight arch. Small, arched feet with black paw pads and a low-set, tapering tail that curls over the back when the dog is in motion complete the breed's charming appearance.
Key Characteristics
The Coton de Tulear possesses a remarkably happy, stable temperament combined with high sociability toward both humans and other dogs, making them one of the most adaptable companion breeds. Known as the Royal Dog of Madagascar, these dogs exhibit a bright intelligence coupled with a gay, energetic disposition that can be boisterous at times, yet they never become demanding or overbearing. Their personality perfectly balances between being naturally clownish and lighthearted while simultaneously calm and easygoing, and they possess a gentle, sympathetic awareness of those around them that makes them exceptional therapy dogs. Cotons are intensely loyal and affectionate dogs that form deep bonds with their families and thrive on companionship, genuinely enjoying being with their people above all else. They demonstrate remarkable versatility in adapting to various living situations, thriving equally well in apartments or houses, city or country environments, as long as their need for human interaction is met. While they have moderate energy levels requiring at least two daily walks of twenty to thirty minutes each, they're content with indoor play and don't need excessive exercise. However, these intelligent dogs require mental stimulation through training, games, and interactive activities to prevent boredom. The breed shows friendly, patient behavior with children and gets along well with other pets, including cats and small animals, as they lack a strong prey drive when properly introduced. Cotons are naturally entertaining, often performing tricks and walking on their hind legs to delight their families, and they respond enthusiastically to positive reinforcement training due to their desire to please. Though generally quiet and not excessive barkers, they may offer an alert bark when strangers approach, though they quickly greet visitors with wagging tails rather than displaying any protective aggression. The Coton's signature trait is expressing unique vocalizations and displaying constant joy, though they can become distressed if left alone for extended periods without companionship or adequate mental stimulation to occupy their active minds.
The Coton de Tulear is generally a healthy and hardy breed with an impressive lifespan of twelve to sixteen years, considerably longer than many other small breeds. Studies have shown life expectancies ranging from eleven to fourteen years depending on the region, with this longevity attributed to their robust constitution and the breed's relatively diverse genetic background compared to many modern purebreds. However, like all breeds, Cotons are predisposed to certain health conditions that responsible owners and breeders should monitor through regular veterinary care and health screening. The most significant genetic concern for the breed is Canine Multifocal Retinopathy 2 (CMR2), an inherited eye disorder that can cause retinal decay potentially impacting vision, though it very rarely results in complete blindness. Regular ophthalmologic examinations help detect this and other eye conditions early. Some Cotons may develop luxating patella, where the kneecap slips out of its normal position, causing varying degrees of lameness depending on severity. While many cases are mild and manageable with conservative treatment, more severe instances may require surgical correction to prevent progressive joint deterioration and arthritis. Dental disease represents a common health concern for Coton de Tulears, as with many small breeds whose compact jaws crowd teeth together, promoting plaque buildup and periodontal disease. This makes daily tooth brushing essential along with professional dental cleanings to prevent tooth loss and systemic infections that can affect internal organs. The breed's long, cottony coat requires diligent grooming to prevent matting that can lead to skin irritation and infections. Their pendulous ears need regular inspection and cleaning to prevent ear infections, though these occur less frequently than in breeds with completely closed ear canals. Some Cotons may experience allergies manifesting as skin irritation or digestive sensitivities requiring dietary adjustments. Overall, the Coton de Tulear's health profile is quite favorable compared to many purebred dogs, and maintaining a healthy weight through proper nutrition and regular exercise, combined with routine veterinary care, typically ensures these charming companions enjoy long, active, and healthy lives well into their teens.
Important to Remember
Each hybrid dog is unique and may inherit any combination of traits from either parent breed. The information above represents the characteristics of the purebred parent breeds. Your Cavaton may favor one parent over the other or display a blend of both. We strongly encourage you to read the complete breed profiles for both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Coton de Tulear to fully understand the range of possible temperaments, health concerns, and care requirements.