Cavapom
Other names: Cavaranian, Cavalier Pomeranian Mix, Pom-a-Cavalier
Imagine the perfect fusion between the elegance of the Cavalier King Charles and the sparkling charm of the Pomeranian, and you get the Cavapom!
This small hybrid dog displays a variable appearance depending on which parent it most takes after, creating unique individuals full of surprises. Weighing... Read more
Are you a breeder or owner of a Cavapom?
Create your free account and request your dog's pedigree in just a few clicks. Use our tools to manage your kennel and select your breeding stock in the best conditions.
Are you a breeder or owner of a Cavapom?
Create your free account, manage your kennel and pedigree requests with our tools.
Create my accountHistory & Origin
T he Cavapom belongs to the new generation of hybrid breeds, commonly referred to as "designer dogs," which emerged at the turn of the 2000s.
This intentional creation aims to combine the best qualities of two purebred dogs into a companion suited for modern living. Although accidental litters likely existed previously, the first planned Cavapom breeding programs date back to recent decades in the United States.
Breeders sought to merge the legendary gentleness of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel with the spirited energy and keen intelligence of the Pomeranian. The Cavalier, a favorite of English royal courts since the 17th century, contributes its affectionate temperament, patience with children, and sociable nature.
The Pomeranian, a miniaturized descendant of Arctic sled dogs and a favorite of European royalty in the 18th century, brings its quick wit, courage, and outgoing personality.
This hybridization also aims to reduce certain health issues affecting the parent breeds, a phenomenon known as hybrid vigor. However, results vary considerably from one individual to another, with each puppy inheriting a unique combination of genes.
Currently, the Cavapom is not recognized by major kennel organizations such as the FCI or AKC, as these institutions only recognize purebred dogs.
Nevertheless, several organizations specializing in hybrid breeds officially recognize it: the American Canine Hybrid Club, the International Designer Canine Registry, and the Designer Dogs Kennel Club. Its popularity continues to grow among families seeking a small, affectionate, and adaptable dog.
Register your Cavapom with our club! A modern alternative offering breeders greater flexibility and innovative breeding management features.
Description
I magine the perfect fusion between the elegance of the Cavalier King Charles and the sparkling charm of the Pomeranian, and you get the Cavapom!
This small hybrid dog displays a variable appearance depending on which parent it most takes after, creating unique individuals full of surprises. Weighing between 4 and 9 kg for a height of 23 to 36 cm, this miniature companion possesses a compact and well-proportioned silhouette.
Its slightly rounded skull sits above a full muzzle that can vary from a pointed to a more rounded shape. The dark eyes, round or nearly almond-shaped, shine with intelligence and mischief.
Its ears constitute one of the most unpredictable characteristics: some Cavapoms sport small erect ears like the Pomeranian, while others display long drop ears adorned with feathering like the Cavalier.
The coat represents the true genetic lottery of this breed. It can be silky and medium-length with feathering on the chest and legs, or dense and fluffy with a thick undercoat.
Colors come in a varied palette: cream, white, black, red, brown, often in bicolor or tricolor combinations inherited from the Cavalier. The tail may be elegantly feathered and carried low, or plume-like and laid flat over the back.
In terms of temperament, this little dog overflows with affection and liveliness. Playful without being hyperactive, calm without being apathetic, it offers a balanced temperament that adapts remarkably to its family's lifestyle. Its intelligence and eagerness to please make training easy, while its natural sociability works wonders with children and other animals.
Personality
T he Cavapom radiates affection and joy in daily life. This small hybrid dog combines the legendary gentleness of the Cavalier with the spirited vivacity of the Pomeranian, creating a well-balanced and endearing companion.
Its temperament may lean toward calm and relaxed or energetic and alert, depending on which parent it takes after most.
Sociable to the core, it forms deep bonds with the entire family and displays remarkable patience with children. Its keen intelligence makes training straightforward, and it thrives on participating in family activities.
Playful without being exhausting, it equally appreciates quiet cuddle time on the couch. Its friendly nature generally extends to other animals, although a prey drive may emerge around small animals. However, it does not tolerate prolonged solitude well and distinctly prefers human companionship.
Photo Gallery
Breed Characteristics
General Information
- Category: Approval
- Origin: United States
- FCI Recognition: No
- Est. monthly upkeep: 40-60
- Daily exercise: 30 minutes
Key Facts
- Height: 23.00 to 36.00 cm
- Weight: 3.60 to 9.00 kg
- Life expectancy: 12 to 15 years
- Average price: 1000.00 to 2500.00 €
-
Grooming frequency:7/10
Training Tips
Training begins as soon as the puppy arrives home at around 8 weeks of age. This clever little dog responds admirably to positive reinforcement with treats and enthusiastic praise. His intelligence allows for rapid mastery of basic commands. Short, engaging training sessions maintain his attention. Early socialization with a variety of people, animals, and environments develops a confident, well-balanced adult, reducing tendencies toward excessive barking.
Health & Common Conditions
General Health
The Cavapom generally benefits from a robust constitution thanks to hybrid vigor, a genetic phenomenon that reduces certain health risks affecting purebreds. Its life expectancy ranges between 12 and 15 years with appropriate care. This longevity is a testament to its overall sturdiness.
However, like all hybrids, the Cavapom may inherit genetic predispositions from its parent breeds. A balanced diet formulated for small breeds helps prevent obesity, a common issue in these food-motivated dogs. Regular veterinary examinations allow for early detection of potential health conditions.
Selecting a responsible breeder who performs health testing on parent dogs significantly minimizes risks. Establishing good dental hygiene practices from an early age protects against the dental problems commonly seen in small breeds.
Common Conditions
Patellar luxation ranks among the primary concerns, causing intermittent lameness and reluctance to jump. Orthopedic screening allows for early detection. Mitral valve disease, inherited from the Cavalier, requires annual cardiac monitoring, with a heart murmur being the first detectable sign.
Eye problems include progressive retinal atrophy and entropion, warranting regular ophthalmologic examinations. Dental issues particularly affect this breed due to the small jaw. The drop ears require monitoring for ear infections.
Shoulder luxation occasionally appears in individuals of the Pomeranian type. Fortunately, conscientious breeders test their breeding stock, and most Cavapoms enjoy excellent health throughout their lives.
Care & Living Environment
Daily Care
Grooming requirements for the Cavapom vary considerably depending on the type of coat inherited. A Pomeranian-style coat requires thorough daily brushing to prevent mats and tangles, parting the hair into sections and brushing forward.
A Cavalier-type coat requires two to three weekly brushings with a firm bristle brush. In all cases, shedding remains moderate year-round.
Monthly baths with a gentle shampoo preserve the coat's beauty. Professional grooming every 4 to 6 weeks maintains a neat appearance according to your preferences.
The pendant ears require weekly cleaning to prevent infections. Nail trimming should be performed every 3 to 4 weeks. Dental brushing several times a week protects against tartar buildup, which is particularly problematic in this breed due to its short muzzle.
Recommended Living Environment
The Cavapom thrives perfectly in an urban apartment thanks to its small size and remarkable adaptability. A house with a yard also suits this breed well, although it vastly prefers indoor living close to its family.
Its moderate energy level accommodates smaller spaces well. However, care should be taken not to leave this dog alone for extended periods, as solitude causes genuine distress.
Recommended Activities
Daily walks of 30 to 45 minutes satisfy his moderate exercise needs. Games of fetch stimulate his playful side. Searching for hidden treats engages his natural intelligence. Interactive toys and canine puzzles keep his keen mind occupied.
Indoor play sessions are sufficient on days with inclement weather. Keep him on leash during outings as his prey drive may lead him to wander far.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Cavapom is a hybrid breed created through the intentional cross between a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Pomeranian. These adorable small dogs combine the best qualities of both parents: the affectionate gentleness of the Cavalier and the spirited liveliness of the Pomeranian. Each Cavapom displays a unique appearance and temperament depending on inherited genes. This designer breed is gaining popularity among families.
Le Cavapom sheds moderately throughout the year. The amount varies depending on the inherited coat type: a Pomeranian-style coat with a dense undercoat will shed more than a silky Cavalier-type coat. In all cases, this shedding remains manageable with regular brushing. Daily or several-times-weekly brushing captures dead hair before it spreads throughout the house. This routine also maintains a healthy and shiny coat.
The adult Cavapom generally stands between 23 and 36 cm at the withers with a weight ranging from 3.6 to 9 kg. This significant variation depends on the genes inherited from each parent and the sex of the dog, with males often being slightly larger than females. Some individuals remain very small like the Pomeranian while others approach the size of the Cavalier. This compact size is perfectly suited to apartment living and travel.
Yes, the Cavapom generally proves easy to train thanks to the intelligence inherited from both parent breeds. This small dog learns quickly and displays a genuine eagerness to please its owners, facilitating the learning of basic commands. Positive reinforcement with treats and praise produces excellent results. Short, engaging training sessions maintain its attention. Its sensitivity requires gentleness and patience rather than excessive firmness to develop a well-trained companion.
No, the Cavapom does not tolerate prolonged solitude well. This companion dog develops very strong bonds with its family and truly suffers from long absences. Ideally, avoid leaving it alone for more than 4 to 5 consecutive hours to preserve its emotional well-being. Repeated absences cause anxiety, excessive barking, and undesirable behaviors. If your schedule keeps you away all day, this breed will unfortunately not suit your lifestyle.
Expert Rating
Overall rating for the Cavapom
This overall rating is calculated from 7 key criteria: activity level, trainability, guarding ability, child and animal friendliness, grooming frequency and barking level.
Activity level
Trainability
Sociability
Guarding ability
Parent Breeds
Discover the breeds that make up the Cavapom
About this crossbreed
The Cavapom is the result of an intentional cross between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Pomeranian, two toy breeds with complementary qualities.
Breeders sought a companion dog combining the affectionate gentleness and sociable nature of the Cavalier with the keen intelligence and spirited temperament of the Pomeranian. This crossbreeding also aims to reduce certain genetic predispositions affecting purebred dogs through the phenomenon of hybrid vigor.
Each Cavapom inherits a unique combination of parental traits, creating considerable variability in appearance and temperament within the breed. Some individuals lean more toward the Cavalier with their calm demeanor and drop ears, while others resemble the Pomeranian with their energy and dense coat. This diversity is part of the hybrid's charm but makes each puppy unpredictable.
The Cavapom is not recognized by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale or the American Kennel Club, as these organizations only accept established purebreds.
Nevertheless, several specialized registries such as the American Canine Hybrid Club and the International Designer Canine Registry officially recognize this hybrid breed.
Its genetic stability remains variable, with most Cavapoms being first-generation crosses between two purebreds rather than hybrids bred to one another.
Other Non-FCI Recognised Breeds
Discover other breeds not officially recognised by the FCI
