Cav-A-Mo – Cavalier King Charles Spaniel X American Eskimo Mix
The Cav-A-Mo is quite popular for being a family-friendly and loyal dog breed. It is a hybrid of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the American Eskimo pure breeds.
A proper fit for any family, the Cav-a-Mo is charming and adorable. Thanks to its parent breeds, the dog is small-sized, quite curious, and playful. Considering if the Cav-A-Mo is a perfect pet for you? We answer all your questions about care, grooming, and even price in this article.
Cav-A-Mo Facts and Figures Summary
| TRAITS | DETAILS |
|---|---|
| Name | Cav-a-Mo |
| Other names | Cavamo |
| Parents | Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, American Eskimo |
| Life span | 11-16 years |
| Height | 12-13 inches (30-35cm) |
| Weight | 10-20 pounds (4-10kg) |
| Personality | Energetic, outgoing and curious |
| Temperament | Affectionate and friendly |
| Shedding Level | Medium to High |
| Puppy cost | $800-$1000 |
What is a Cav-A-Mo Mix?
The Cav-a-Mo is a fairly new crossbreed, so it doesn’t have much history. However, all the information we need can be found looking at its parent breeds. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel can be traced to the United Kingdom, sometime in the 17th Century. Initially, dogs with the configuration of the spaniel were bred by King Charles II. Due to the link, these dogs shared with the king, they were named after him not too long after.
Interestingly, the king’s supporters began to keep similar dogs, creating the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breed. This breed almost ran extinct until 1926 when Toswell Elridge called for British breeders to revive the royal breed. The dogs closely resembling those found in paintings of King Charles II were recognized as Cavalier types.
As for the American Eskimo, its name doesn’t do justice to its origins. It was initially a part of the German Spitz breed. However, the dog was renamed due to anti-German sentiments after WW1. Unlike the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel which was used for hunting, the American Eskimo was a herding dog.
Although the parent breeds of the Cav-a-Mo enjoy full recognition from the American Kennel Club, it still doesn’t have similar status. Nevertheless, as a designer dog, it is recognized by the Designer Dogs Kennel Club and the Dog Registry of America.
Cav-A-Mo Health & Appearance at a Glance
One of the noticeable features of the Cav-a-Mo is its pointed muzzle and designer toy appearance. The breed takes a chunk of its size and height from its parents. This explains why the Cavamo is relatively small, compared to most dogs of a similar classification. Most other aspects of the dog’s appearance like its coat and color depend largely on the dominant genes from the parents.
Build, Height and Weight
The Cav-A-Mo is a really sturdy dog, despite its small size. Generally, this hybrid weighs between ten to twenty pounds or about four and a half to ten kilograms.
At shoulder height, Cavamos tend to measure between 12 to 13 inches (30-35 centimeters). While the exact height may differ according to the parent, the range is pretty consistent across the dog breed.
Cavamos also have thin legs and feet which helps hold up their delicate build. They have a long body structure, relative to their height. This explains why the dog may appear rectangular when lying flat on its side.
Colors and Coat
An interesting feature of this cross-breed is the variety in its color. It partly takes the white coat of its American Eskimo color and draws its other color from the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Cavaliers come in brown, black, red, chestnut, or tricolor of black, white and brown. As a result, most Cav-a-Mos have a white coat with markings of brown, red, black or chestnut around its head, back and limbs.
The Cav-A-Mo’s coat is long, curly and quite fluffy, just like the American Eskimo. It mostly has slightly dense hair around its body and in the middle of its toes. Cavamos have an averagely long and curly tail too. In addition to its dark nose and muzzle, this breed has round and adorable eyes.
Life Expectancy and Possible Health Issues
A rough estimate of the lifespan of the average Cav-A-Mo is around 11 to 16 years. These figures suggest that a Cavamo has the tendency to outlive its parents by a year or two. Fortunately, the Cav-a-Mo is a healthy dog, as is the case with many mixed breeds. However, the dog is prone to a few health challenges like hip dysplasia, mitral valve disease, and syringomyelia. Your Cav-a-Mo could also have some dental problems as it grows older. But for the most part, you can prevent health issues by regular examinations and visits to the vet.
Cav-A-Mo Personality Traits
Most people find the Cav-A-Mo very likable, energetic, and enthusiastic. While the dog is known to be quite playful in its younger years, it grows calmer into adulthood. Regardless, it has all the qualities of a family dog.
The Cav-a-Mo is very smart for a companion dog. It also gets on really well with children. In fact, the dog breed is quite fond of cuddling and sees it as affection from its owners. Keep in mind though that small child should never be left to play alone with a dog. While it may be a bit reserved with strangers, it remains friendly. At extreme times, though, the dog can show sensitivity to contact in harsh environments.
Cavamos are also outgoing dogs. It would help if they are socialized from an early age and get lots of opportunities to meet other dogs.
Cav-A-Mo Temperament and Instincts
The Cavalier and Eskimo mixed breed is very affectionate and obedient. You can hardly get a dull moment around a Cav-a-Mo because it is a very lively breed and likes to channel its energy. One possible temperament problem to look out for is separation anxiety. As a companion dog, the Cavamo hates being left all by itself and can turn to bad habits without supervision. Asides from that, Cav-a-Mo dogs are usually easy to please and train.
How to Care for a Cav-A-Mo?
One of the most interesting aspects of owning a Cav-a-Mo is that it has very moderate care requirements. While you don’t have to spend so much money, the dog still needs a great deal of attention. If you have a Cav-a-Mo or intend to keep one, here are factors you should consider during its care.
Grooming and Shedding
Thanks to its dense coating, the Cav-A-Mo is a medium to high shedder. While it sheds its hair throughout the year, this increases during summer and winter when they blow out their seasonal coats. The shedding levels of the Cav-A-Mo means it’s not hypoallergenic.
During its more excessive shedding period, it is best to comb your dog up to three times a week. At other times, brushing your Cavamo once weekly will be enough. When brushing, keep the coat slightly wet to make detangling easier.
For effective care of your Cav-A-Mo, you’ll need to have a sticker brush, pin brush and nail clipper. You need to trim your dog’s nails at least once every two weeks. This will prevent painful injuries both to you and your dog.
In addition, because Cavamos are prone to dental issues, it will be helpful to brush the teeth of your dog about twice a week.
Diet and Feeding
The Cav-a-Mo mixed breed helps you cut down on feeding costs as it is not a picky eater. Your canine can thrive on one or two cups of dog food every day. In a month, the average cost of feeding your Cavamo could be about $30. You could also feed it kibble and some treats very often.
Cavamos not being fussy eaters could be a disadvantage since they tend to eat everything that comes their way. So, ensure they are properly supervised when they eat to avoid them overeating or eating something they shouldn’t.
Activity and Exercise Requirements
Exercises ought to be a regular part of the daily routine of your Cav-a-Mo. As an expressive and energetic dog breed, the Cavamo needs at least thirty minutes of exercise each day. However, make sure the physical exertion is not too rigorous. A stroll and playing catch are good options.
If you’re playing with your dog in an open area, make sure to keep an eye on it or use a leash. This is because Cavamos can have a high prey drive and have a tendency to chase after things.
How to Train a Cav-A-Mo?
The best way to train a Cav-A-Mo is by reinforcement. This breed is highly obedient and loyal, making it more likely to learn your likes and dislikes when you reward its behaviors.
Also, training your Cav-a-Mo should start early enough. They rely mostly on consistent training to please their owners. One mistake you shouldn’t make with the Cav-A-Mo is punishing it with seclusion. This makes it more prone to experience separation anxiety.
You may get a crate for your pet for easy mobility. Also, for your many walks and outings, it is always advisable to use a leash.
Known Cav-A-Mo Health Problems
Although a psychological problem, separation anxiety is a potential problem area to look out for with your Cav-A-Mo. Besides this, your Cav-a-Mo may suffer dental health problems. That’s why an annual dental checkup is recommended for the breed, as for all dogs really.
Other potential health problems include hip dysplasia, syringomyelia, and mitral valve disease. You should also make regular trips to the vet for proper examination.
Daily Routine for a Happy Cav-A-Mo
When your Cav-a-Mo wakes up in the morning, its first activity should be a potty break. This helps it to relieve itself and master the use of a potty. Afterward, your dog needs a short walk of about 15 minutes before it takes breakfast. Puppies usually need to relieve themselves when they are full, so you might need to let your dog take a potty break immediately after eating. You should let your Cavamo take a potty break about five times daily, including after each meal.
You should also encourage your Cavamo to take a short nap about 30 minutes to 1 hour after food. As soon as your dog wakes up from its nap, it should get some minutes of good physical activity. This could either be exercise or play.
In the afternoon, your Cavamo should get another walk after lunch, to help it socialize. You may also allow some training in the process or after the walk. Your Cavamo needs one more walk in the late afternoon and another in the evening. If it is a puppy, you should make out time for five walks daily.
Your pet’s day ends at night after it is served dinner. You could allow it some training or short exercise before it finally goes to bed.
Is a Cav-A-Mo the Right Dog for You?
Determining if the Cav-a-Mo is the proper dog for you depends on a lot of factors. If you have a family, the Cavamo could be a very good companion pet as it is very friendly with children and adults.
Also, before deciding to get a Cav-A-Mo, you must be confident that you can provide it with the much-needed attention. Owning this mixed breed further requires devoting time to training and exercises.
Cavamos are an excellent choice of pets if you want to get a quality mixed breed without breaking the bank.
Should you buy or adopt a Cav-a-Mo?
As great as this hybrid canine is, it is not very common. Most of the Cavamo breeds available are in shelter homes. So, your chances of getting a Cavamo for adoption are higher compared to purchasing it from a breeder. Buying a Cavamo from a breeder is also more expensive than adopting one.
FAQs about the Sprocker Spaniel
Are Cavamos healthier than Cavaliers?
Generally, mixed breeds are healthier than their purebred counterparts. In the same way, the Cavamo combines the health status of both the Cavaliers and the American Eskimo. The result is often that the Cavamo is slightly healthier. It is also prone to fewer diseases than the Cavalier and lives longer.
What is the Cav-a-Mo life expectancy?
The average Cavamo can live for a period of 11 to 16 years. This life expectancy is a little higher than those of its parent breeds.
Do Cavamos smell?
No, Cav-a-mos do not give off any offensive odor, especially if they are well taken care of. If your Cavamo is smelling, you should consider cleaning it up. You can also brush the hair and trim the nails to ensure that a smelly object is not caught in it
Is a Cav-a-Mo puppy easy to train?
Absolutely. By nature, Cavamos enjoy pleasing their owners and are obedient. As a result, training them comes very easy. All they require is a bit of attention and supervision. Training them early will also make the process more enjoyable. Besides, be sure to reward your puppy as a means of positive reinforcement.
Do Cavamos have high energy levels?
Thanks to their parent breeds, Cavamos are active dogs. They should get at least 30 minutes of physical activity a couple of times daily. They also thrive better in environments where they can express their enthusiasm and curiosity.
Is the Cav-A-Mo dog a low shedder?
Quite the opposite. The Cavamo is a high shedder during winter and summer seasons. All round the year, it is a moderate shedder. Its shedding levels are necessary for its coating to match different annual seasons.
Are Cav-A-Mo mixed breed dogs hypoallergenic?
No, the Cav-a-Mo is not hypoallergenic. This is because the dog breed is a high shedder. So, allergic people may want to go for more hypoallergenic breeds. However, as the AKC says, no dog is 100% hypoallergenic.