MyDogBreeds
Dutch Shepherd is originated from Netherlands but Cavachon is originated from United States. Dutch Shepherd may grow 29 cm / 12 inches higher than Cavachon. Dutch Shepherd may weigh 22 kg / 49 pounds more than Cavachon. Both Dutch Shepherd and Cavachon has same life span. Dutch Shepherd may have more litter size than Cavachon. Both Dutch Shepherd and Cavachon requires Moderate maintenance.
The Dutch Shepherd is of Dutch origin, hailing from the Netherlands. They were originally used as herding dogs on the farms, where they became a jack-of-all-trades type of dog.
The Dutch Shepherd in those days, 100 odd years ago, were also known as Hollandse Herders.
These dogs are more rare in modern days, but when you do find them, they are being used as police or security dogs, as guides for the blind, or simply as family friends.
The Cavachon dog is a mix of the Bichon Frise and a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. There isn’t much on the history of the dog but it seems as though certain kennels in Berryville, Virginia, in the United States are the first breeder of the dog, establishing the hybrid dog in 1996.
This attractive little toy breed has become one of the most popular cross-breed dogs to own in the United Kingdom, United States, Europe and other parts of the world. As it is a hybrid, the Cavachon isn’t recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC), but it is recognized by the American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC).
The Dutch Shepherd dog is very similar in appearance to the popular German Shepherds, being a medium to large sized dog.
The males are slightly heavier than females, but both males and females can stand between 55 and 62cm and weigh between 20 and 32kg.
There are actually 3 varieties found in the Dutch Shepherd dogs - short-haired, long-haired, and wiry or rough-haired. The dog has a double coat, consisting of a woolly undercoat and a top coat. The basic color of the coat is gold or silver through to red, giving rise to the brindle variations. Too much black or white seen in the fur is considered a fault.
In 1914 it was decided that brindle coats would distinguish them from the others.
The eyes of the Dutch Shepherd are dark, almond shaped and slightly slanting, while the medium sized ears are erect and high on the head and the thick tail is slightly curved. The dog has an unusually long tongue which is often found hanging out.
Early training and socializing for this dog is important so that he can learn to stay calm around new people, or visitors to the property.
The beautiful Dutch Shepherd doesn’t like being left alone for too long, loving rather to be involved with all that the family is involved in. They get on well with other pets in the home as well as being child-friendly.
They are happy dogs, who can also be smart and cunning, therefore highly trainable. They soak up new commands easily. Dutch Shepherds are also good watchdogs as they are fiercely loyal, and do not take kindly to strangers.
Cavachons are small dogs standing from 31 - 33 cm at the withers and weighing 4.5 - 9 kg. He has a medium-to-long silky coat which can be slightly wavy or even straight. The coat is available in several different colors – with white being the main color and he’ll have patches of apricot, tan and black or a mix of these colors.
Individual dogs will vary to some extent depending on which parent breed is more dominant, but they’ve generally got a compact, well formed body and short legs. People with allergies appreciate this breed as they don’t shed a lot.
The Cavachon isn’t aggressive at all and they are sweet dogs, enjoying being around children. Their wonderful nature makes them a great therapy dog as they love to charm and delight people. He is tolerant of the actions of children as well as being able to get on well with other dogs and cats in the home.
Even small dogs like the Cavachon however can benefit from training and socialization, and then he becomes a wonderful obedient little dog. He is actually more robust than he looks and this is what makes him such a good pet for children.
He is a social little dog and just loves his human family and doesn’t want to be left alone for any long lengths of time. His lack of aggression means you can’t really rely on him to be much of a guard dog although he will give you some warning with his barking.
Your alert, intelligent and somewhat rare Dutch Shepherd is a loyal, protective dog, and while he can be aggressive around intruders and be a great guard dog, he can also be a gentle, loving animal around his human family members.
Though his tongue is long and often hangs out, you won’t have to contend with drooling. He is a wonderfully active dog and doesn’t easily gain weight. He isn’t a barker or howler, and his exceptional intelligence makes him highly trainable.
Whether there are children or other animals in the house, you can rely on your Dutch Shepherd to get on well with them, making him a wonderful family pet and canine friend.
The sweet Cavachon is a balanced, happy, social dog and with his amicable nature and appealing looks, everybody wants him as a friend. He is fun and entertaining and makes a wonderful family pet and playmate for children.
He gets on well with other pets in the home too. Even though he is a small dog, he will require training and socialization as his cuteness tends to make him want to assert himself over his owner. With socialization he becomes the most awesome, loyal and devoted little companion.
The Dutch Shepherd dogs are the healthiest of the Shepherd breeds. They have relatively few health problems.
However, like the German Shepherds they may develop hip dysplasia, but this is in fact fairly rare. Get your pet to the vet if you suspect this in your dog because it can lead to lameness.
In 2018 the University of Minnesota identified a disease in Dutch Shepherds called Miositis. This is an inflammatory myopathy causing painful inflammation of the skeletal muscle tissue.
Although a mixed breed such as the Cavachon is considered healthy, they can still have their share of health problems. Some of the common health problems that the Cavachon may have to contend with and which come from the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Bichon Frise are ear infections, liver problems, hip dysplasia and eye problems.
A healthy Cavachon who has been fed well and nurtured can live to be up to 15 to 18 years.
Arthritis is a disease seen in many dogs and it is inflammation of the joints because of wear and tear. You’ll notice lameness with your pet, stiffness, swelling, heat and pain and even depression.
Your pet may even display some aggressive behavior because of the pain, but this is excusable as this isn't an aggressive breed. Osteoarthritis is seen more often in senior dogs. Thankfully the good news is that arthritis can be managed by your vet.
Unfortunately Dutch Shepherds shed quite a bit of hair during their shedding period in spring and autumn. This makes regular brushing important during these seasons so as to remove the dead hairs, especially from the undercoat.
The wire- or rough-haired variety shouldn’t be brushed but should rather be groomed by a professional groomer every 6 months or so.
Their nails need to be trimmed when necessary, to avoid cracking, splitting, or an injury.
Their ears can be cleaned weekly to get rid of any debris or wax build-up. This, if left, can lead to infection. Brush his teeth 2 or 3 times a week to avoid dental disease which brings on a host of illnesses.
These dogs do need regular exercising, and at the same time need to be physically and mentally stimulated. He is the kind of dog that has been used for herding purpose on the farm and he just craves activity. Take him with you on your walks and include him in ball games, hikes, jogging, swimming or when you go cycling – he is game for all kinds of activities.
The formula for their diet would be that of a medium to large dog with high energy levels. The top commercially manufactured foods have been developed to include all the important vitamins and minerals. Fish oil can also be added to their food to keep the coat shiny.
Add in cooked rice, cooked vegetables and chicken from time to time and be sure to add in some raw meat occasionally to prevent problems with the skin. Always ensure that your pet has fresh, cool water to drink.
The Cavachon is a small dog, so if you have a nice sized garden, a lot of his exercise needs will be met. However he will still want a walk every other day and appreciate ball games in the garden. He can adapt to living in much smaller places but then he will certainly need to be exercised.
Small dog breeds like the Cavachon have a quick metabolism and you want to feed him a top quality dog food high in protein and fat. Protein is important as it supports growth in puppies and promotes lean muscle mass in adult dogs.
The Cavachon’s hair sheds very little, so grooming and brushing will only be required twice a week. His hair may need to be clipped every now and then to keep him well groomed. If you don’t have the experience or the required tools, a professional dog salon in your area will be able to do it for you.
The nails must also be clipped regularly and the ears kept clean and dry to prevent ear infections. His teeth will need to be cleaned at least 2 or 3 times a week with special dog toothpaste and toothbrush to prevent dental decay.