Having a pet dog seems to be a staple part of the ever-growing “American dream;” after all, what’s the use in a white picket fence in a suburbia paradise unless you have a cute little ball of fur to chase around your 1.5 children? The simple, yet incredible joy of owing a pup, however, has become a bit harder in recent years; allergies, small living spaces, and concerns about life spans inhibit many people from adding a cute furry face to the family. A new breed, however, might change that up; the Cava-Poo-Chon, a new breed created by an Arizona couple named Linda and Steve Rogers.

These adorable dogs are a “triple cross” mix, consisting of a King Charles spaniel and bichon frise being bred with a miniature poodle. The result is a small, adorable little ball of fur that has a long life span (up to 20 years, according to Linda), the “yapping” gene bred out of it, and, perhaps most impressively, and eternal puppy face. That’s right; these pups, with their curly coats, seem to have an “eternal youth” gene somewhere in their genetic makeup, letting them look like babies even as they age well into that 20 year expectancy.

Though the breed is not officially recognized by any official organizations, puppies can cost $2,000 to $3,500, but that doesn’t seem to get in the way of people who fall in love with their charm. It has been reported that 58 families had returned to get a second puppy, and twelve of the dogs have been certified as therapy dogs so that they can work in nursing homes and hospitals, bringing a smile to the face of those with illnesses and disabilities.

Needless to say, the pups are a hit with pet enthusiasts, including Austin resident Amy Wolf, who says she has found a perfect pet match in the forever-young breed. On the topic, she had this to say; “I can’t tell you the number of times a day I look at her and say, `You are so cute.'” Hopefully, many of these pups will find new homes over the holiday season, so that they can bring smiles to the faces of families and children for years to come.

[Image courtesy of this cloyingly sweet YouTube video.]