Cava Tzu (original) (raw)

This dog has royalty on both sides of its family: the King Charles Spaniel was named for King Charles I of England and the Shih-Tzu was bred to be a companion dog in the Chinese royal court.

Bred as a mix between the Shih-Tzu and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. The Shih-Tzu line comes from Tibet and China and goes back at least to the 9th century. The King Charles Spaniels were not only named for Charles I (1600-1649) but also were his constant companions.

The Cava Tzu has many coat varieties (though their look will depend on the unique genetics). Normally, the coat will be black, brown, white, or tan, but some puppies even feature a ruby-tinted coat. Their incredible intelligence and willingness to be trained make them ideal companions, and they won’t even need much exercise.

Even with a few health concerns, these small companion dogs tend to live a long and loving life in anyone’s home.

3 Pros and Cons of Ownership

Pros Cons
No unnecessary barking: As energetic as this pup might be, you won’t have to listen to them bark for hours or with every passing stranger. Terrible watchdog: A lack of barking could be on both the “pro” side, but it would be pretty challenging to know about any possible intruder with a quiet nature.
Minimal shedding: Although this dog is prone to some shedding, it is generally easy to keep under control with brushing through the week. Expensive: This breed is not as expensive as others, but the adoption price of a purebred is (at least) $500.
Friendly: This pup could not be more social! Adults and kids of all ages love the playful demeanor. Even complete strangers can’t help but give in when approached by one. Unpredictable features: Since this dog is a mix of two species, it is hard to predict its temperament and personality before it is born.

Size and Weight

The Cava Tzu is a small dog, so it falls into the “toy” category. Males and females alike weigh only about 10-16 lbs. and stand about 18 inches tall. The small size is complemented by a fine and silky coat that grows quite thick, requiring special attention for grooming to look as refined as possible.

As puppies, the Cava Tzu weighs only a few pounds when they are weaned from their mother.

Weight (Male): 10-16 pounds, fully grown
Weight (Female): 10-16 pounds, fully grown
Height (Male): 18 inches tall
Height (Female): 18 inches tall

Common Health Issues

When breeders create a mix like the Cava Tzu, they often benefit from eliminating the potential for specific health issues. However, they still have a few to face.

Mitral Valve Disease is a common condition, indicating that the dog is prone to heart failure. It is most often found in small dogs. The breed can also develop Syringomyelia (fluid-filled cavities in the spinal cord), if there is a malformation.

Patellar luxation and hip dysplasia are common issues in the legs. While dysplasia indicates that the hip bone is out of its socket, patellar luxation occurs in the kneecaps. Limping on one leg is an indication of issues in the joints and bones.

Due to the flat face with the short nose, brachycephalic syndrome is a concern. Some minor issues include backward sneezing, dental issues, ear infections, and other problems. Luckily, all dogs do not develop these conditions, and they often live healthy lives.

Overall, the most common (and significant) health issues that this breed deals with include:

Temperament and Behavior

The affectionate nature of the Cava Tzu is part of the great appeal to families, mainly because it is one of the few small dog species to have such an agreeable temperament. They prefer to be around their family as much as possible, and they get rather excited around children and strangers.

As adaptable as the Cava Tzu’s personality is, it should come as no surprise that many older adults like to adopt these types of pups. Whether on their owner’s lap, in their arms, or running around the room, their most notable trait is their happy demeanor. Working adults can even leave them alone for hours on end without any issues.

Care

Whether you pursue adoption through a shelter or with a breeder, Cava Tzus (both puppies and adults) require specific care to make them feel welcome. Their food and grooming must be important, tending to their needs as you would any other pet.

Best Dog Food

As small as the Cava Tzu dog may be, it still needs about a cup of food each day, divided into two meals. Don’t leave food out for this pup to graze on, as it could lead to obesity. The dry food has to have high amounts of protein and fat, and owners should avoid ingredients like wheat and corn that cheapen the nutrition. If you add some wet food, be aware that they’ll consume many calories, but it gives them a little more moisture.

Since this breed can have mitral valve disease and an elevated heart failure risk, stay informed on the added heart failure risk of legumes in dog food, and try a legume-free dog food.

With this in mind, A-Z Animals’ favorite for the best Cava Tzu dog food is Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diet | Small-Breed Adult Grain-Free Dry Dog Food.

The absence of legumes helps protect Cava Tzus’ heart health and longevity. Instead, the food is made of real chicken for hearty protein. There’s taurine with the dual benefit of nourishing the heart and the eyes. Plus, the calcium content sustains strong bones, teeth, and cartilage, and there’s copper for the connective tissues. So this food sets Cava Tzus up for mobile joints and good vision, too.

Click this link to purchase Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Small Breed Grain Free Dog Food on Chewy or Amazon.

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Maintenance And Grooming

With a medium-length coat, Cava Tzus need quite a bit of grooming to keep it looking smooth and beautiful. Their hair is dense but straight, requiring about twice-weekly brushings to avoid shedding. They even need regular trimming as their fur gets longer! However, the only time that a full bath becomes necessary is when the pup is exceptionally messy, protecting their otherwise sensitive skin. This dog is far from hypoallergenic, but the proper care bypasses the shedding that most owners fear.

If the dog will let you brush its teeth, daily upkeep is best.

Training

Since Cava Tzus are intelligent and easy to train, making any obedience classes incredibly easy to take on. Both parent breeds – King Charles Spaniel and Shih Tzu – have the same level of intelligence and desire to please their owners. They like to jump and play, but a firm hand with positive reinforcement is well-equipped for any training.

Exercise

With their small stature, this dog breed doesn’t require much activity to be happy and healthy. These dogs are just as comfortable playing around in an apartment as they are in a big yard, but watch the temperature! This dog is better suited to the cold than the heat, so you should reserve their physical activity for indoor time on hotter days.

Even though the Cava Tzu requires little exercise, it is still imperative. With a propensity for obesity, make sure to get it out on a brief walk every day. Since it has a positive reaction to training, getting this pup out and about for activity is relatively easy.

Puppies

These puppies are incredibly sweet and affectionate, much like their adult counterparts. Although they require less food, they still need the same attention for grooming, exercising, and socialization.

Children

Although most small dog breeds tend to get nippy with little ones in the house, that is not the case here. Instead, the Cava Tzu adores family members of all ages, and they barely even bark! With the proper training, they are at peace completely, but little ones should still have supervision while learning the appropriate ways to act around family pets.

Similar Dogs

Other dog breeds similar to the Cava Tzu include the Shih-Tzu, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, and the Lhasa Apso.

Some of the popular names you may consider for your Cava Tzu dog breed include:

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A Cava Tzu dog combines the genetics of the Shih Tzu and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Sometimes, they are referred to as Chrysanthemum Dogs, and they were initially owned by individuals with a royal status in China.

Sometimes. This breed loves attention, jumping around to get it. However, this type of dog rarely barks in most cases, which is why breeders do not recommend their adoption as a watchdog.

Adoption of a purebred puppy from a breeder can cost 500to500 to 500to1,000, depending on the source.

Like any species, this type of dog needs daily food (about 1 cup of dry dog food), at least one 30-minute walk a day, and love from their family.

All Cava Tzus have Shih-Tzu genetics. Their appearance, behavior, and personality are similar, especially if the former’s genes tend to side with the Shih-Tzu as the dominant species. The best way to know for sure is by getting a genetics test with a veterinarian.

The cost will vary with the age, breeding, and color of the dog. While puppies start around 500,otherfactorsthatdrivethepriceincludethecostoffood(about500, other factors that drive the price include the cost of food (about 500,otherfactorsthatdrivethepriceincludethecostoffood(about20+ per month), veterinary bills (varies), and grooming upkeep. These factors can cost owners upwards of $1,000 annually.

Yes. However, their tendency to jump and play with younger children means that they need consistent supervision.

The breed typically lives for 12-15 years.