Move over labradoodles, there’s a new adorable dog breed in town.
The cava-poo-chon may be the dog of everyone’s dreams. This dog is smart, healthy, hypoallergenic, and will always have that puppy dog face.
The cava-poo-chon is a tribrid, also known as a “triple cross.” The dog is a mix of a cavalier King Charles spaniel and bichon frise mix bred with a miniature poodle. This new breed was created by Steve and Linda Rogers of Timshell Farm in Pine, Arizona with the help of a geneticist and reproductive veterinarian.
Of course, be prepared to spend a pretty penny if you want one. These forever youthful looking dogs will cost between $2,000 and $3,500, but you’ll be getting a bang for your buck because according to Linda Rogers this breed should be able to live for at least 20 years. You can even choose the color you would like your cava-poo-chon to be and whether you want a curly coat or a very curly coat.
Veteran trainer Steve Haynes of Fidelio Dog Works in Austin said, “There’s always been a market for these forever-ish young dogs. Until recently, specialized dogs like miniature Yorkies and miniature Maltese were the go-to dogs.” Haynes is currently working with 50 first-generation cava-poo-chons.
The American Kennel Club does not recognize the cava-poo-chon as a breed though. AKC spokesperson Lisa Peterson said, “AKC does not recognize cross-bred or mixed breed dogs as official breeds. These dogs are the product of two purebred parents of different breeds, resulting in a litter of mixed breed puppies, not a new breed, according to our requirements.”
Darlene Arden, an author and certified animal behavior consultant, who is unfamiliar with the cava-poo-chon, was happy the Rogers’ used a genetecist. Arden does however believe too many breeders use “gimmicks” to get people to drop a hefty amount of cash on a dog. “There is no such thing as a teacup anything. It is a market term used by backyard breeders and commercial breeders so they can breed the smallest dogs that shouldn’t be bred and sell them for a whole lot of money. These dogs usually end up having health problems and most veterinarians don’t want to touch them because the organs are so small,” said Arden.
Owners of the tribrid have nothing to complain about when it comes to their cava-poo-chons.
Amy Wolf, the owner of 3-year-old Callie said, “Never have we had a more loving, sweet dog. She wants to say hello to everyone. We’ve met tons of people while walking her. We feel much more connected with this neighborhood than the previous one, all because of her. She makes us more approachable, and we feel a lot safer.” Because Callie is hypoallergenic, Wolf’s allergy ridden husband can still play with her.
Rogers added that 58 of the families who have already purchased a cava-poo-chon have come back for another one. Also, 12 of the dogs have already been certified to work as therapy dogs in nursing homes and hospitals.
You can’t look at a cava-poo-chon without awwwwing all over the place. Seriously, try it. I dare ya.
Believe me, a cava-poo-chon will make me a better person. So, please, universe, give me one. 🙂
— Ella Monster995 (@EllaMonster995) November 20, 2013
I'll love anyone who give me 'cava-poo-chon' for free
— Amanda Esther (@AmandaEsthr) November 21, 2013
So I think I need a cava-poo-chon dog in my life – more fuzzy faces this way >> http://t.co/WXkUF43Yah pic.twitter.com/Vk0jiK09hN
— Tamara Abraham (@TamaraAbraham) November 20, 2013
Seriously. Look. At. That. Face.