Welcome to the Cavachons by Design Blog!

We celebrate Bentley & Lexi — two inseparable Cavachons by Design pups who’ve shared 14 joyful years together.

Some Cavachon pairs are simply meant to be — and Bentley & Lexi are one of those unforgettable duos.

Born just two months apart in 2011, Bentley and Lexi have shared 14 wonderful years side by side, bringing endless love, laughter, and joy to their devoted family, Rebecca and Winston.

Most people measure a good walk by distance. But your dog isn’t measuring distance — they’re measuring information. A structured walk has its place — and so does learning to heel — but a 20-minute sniff walk delivers more mental stimulation than an hour of structured exercise ever could.

If your dog comes home from a walk still restless, still barking, still unable to settle — it’s not because they didn’t walk far enough. It’s because they didn’t get to think enough.

That’s what a sniff walk fixes.

What Is a Sniff Walk?

A sniff walk — sometimes called a decompression walk or a free sniff walk — is exactly what it sounds like. You let your dog

What does healthy dog poop look like?

It seems like a simple question. But your dog’s stool is one of the most information-dense health signals their body produces — daily, consistently, completely free of charge. Once you know how to read it, you’ll never look at it the same way again.

This is your complete color-by-color, texture-by-texture guide. No fluff, no panic — just the information you actually need to become a genuinely informed advocate for your dog’s gut health.

Every time you pick up after your dog, you have a four-second opportunity to check four things:

Color — the most immediate signal of digestive and organ health Consistency — tells

They say that love comes in many forms, 
Through sunshine bright and through life’s storms, 
But few compare, I’ve come to find, 
To a dog’s devoted heart and mind.

No words are needed to convey
The joy they bring to every day, 
Those gentle eyes that seem to see 
The very best of you and me.

Their love asks nothing in return— 
No tests to pass, no roles to learn, 
Just presence, kindness, and our time, 
A bond so simple and sublime.

Through changing seasons, years go by, 
They’re there through laughter and through cry, 
No grudges held, no love grows cold, 
A faithful friend worth more than gold.

They greet us like we’ve been away for years, 
Though only minutes disappeared, 
A spinning tail, a joyful

When people think about heart disease in dogs, they picture genetics, age, or breed.

They rarely think about teeth.

But veterinary cardiology and internal medicine have shown a clear and growing body of evidence:

Chronic dental disease is one of the most common silent contributors to heart strain and systemic inflammation in dogs.

Dental disease is not just “bad breath.”

It is a progressive infection of the tissues surrounding the teeth.

Stage 1 – Plaque

Bacteria form a sticky film on the teeth within hours after eating.

Stage 2 – Tartar

Brought to you by her mom, Perri, this is Sadie — a 3‑year‑old Cavachons by Design pup who spends most of her time in New York City, with the occasional trip to Long Island or Florida.

If you’re looking for one of the simplest, most powerful upgrades you can make to your dog’s diet, sardines deserve a top spot.

These small fish punch far above their weight nutritionally. Sardines support joint health, skin and coat quality, brain development, heart function, and immune resilience — all while being affordable and easy to source.

When outdoor time is limited, indoor enrichment becomes essential for your dog’s well-being. At Cavachons by Design, we know that a happy, balanced Cavachon isn’t just a product of walks and playtime — it’s also built through mental stimulation and calm skill-building. Simple indoor activities, like scent games, puzzle toys, and mat work, can engage your dog’s brain and help them develop focus, confidence, and emotional balance.

Our story at Cavachons by Design is rooted in raising dogs who are not only adorable but also well-prepared for

At Cavachons by Design, we’ve seen how maintaining fresh bedding, toys, and everyday accessories can make a huge difference for a Cavachon’s comfort, skin health, and overall well-being. Your dog’s items are in constant contact with their skin, mouth, and surroundings — and when these aren’t cleaned regularly, they can harbor bacteria, yeast, odors, and allergens that contribute to irritation, infections, or illness. For clarity, our Cavachons are bred by pairing Cavalier King Charles Spaniels with Bichons, rather than breeding Cavachon to Cavachon, which is considered a poor breeding practice.

A clean

This 7-day calm challenge is designed to help dogs of all ages build calm, confident behavior through simple, everyday exercises. It focuses on mental engagement, emotional balance, and real-life skills rather than just physical tiredness. Whether you’re raising a new puppy or supporting an adult dog, these practices make calm achievable, consistent, and rewarding.

You may have heard the phrase “a tired dog is a happy dog,” and while there’s truth to it, the type of tired matters.

Dogs don’t just need physical exercise — they need mental

Natural detoxification isn’t a single organ’s job. It’s a coordinated, full-body process that depends on multiple systems working in harmony. The gut and liver process and package toxins for elimination, the kidneys filter metabolic waste from the blood, the lymphatic system transports cellular debris, the skin and lungs assist with secondary elimination, and proper hydration and movement keep everything flowing efficiently.

As we discussed in Part 1: Why So Many Dog Health Issues Trace Back to the Gut, detox cannot work properly if the intestinal lining is compromised and toxins are constantly reabsorbed. In 

Many dogs experiencing chronic inflammation don’t have weak immune systems — they have overactive ones.

In our previous posts, Why So Many Dog Health Issues Trace Back to the Gut and The Liver–Gut Connection: Why Detox Matters More Than You Think, we explored how gut integrity and liver function form the foundation of whole-dog health. When the gut barrier is compromised and detox pathways are overwhelmed, the immune system is placed under constant strain.

Because such a large portion of immune activity

Before diving into liver detox, it’s helpful to recall insights from our earlier post, Why So Many Dog Health Issues Trace Back to the Gut 🐾 PART 1, which explains how gut health underpins overall well-being. A compromised gut can increase the toxic burden the liver must process, making gentle support even more crucial.

The liver detoxifies in two phases, and understanding this process explains why slow, steady support works better than aggressive protocols.

Phase I makes toxins more reactive and potentially more dangerous. This phase creates oxidative stress as toxins are broken down into intermediate

Over the years, a consistent pattern has emerged across the dog world, particularly around common concerns like allergies, ear infections, skin flare-ups, digestive upset, and low energy.

On the surface, these issues may seem unrelated. But beneath the surface, they are often deeply connected.

The common thread is gut health — and it helps explain why so many dog health issues trace back to the gut.

Around 70% of a dog’s immune system resides in the gut, which means the digestive tract does far more than simply break down food. It plays a central role in immune regulation, inflammation control, nutrient absorption, and overall resilience.

When the gut is compromised, the effects rarely remain

Thanksgiving brings delicious food, full hearts — and a few hidden dangers for your Cavachon.

When Thanksgiving rolls around, it’s hard to resist those pleading eyes under the table — especially when your Cavachon looks like a walking ball of charm. But while sharing “just a little” of your holiday meal feels harmless, some Thanksgiving staples can trigger major health issues for your Cavachon.

Cavachon’s tend to be more prone to food sensitivities than larger breeds. Rich, fatty, or seasoned dishes can quickly lead to stomach upset, pancreatitis, or worse. So before you pass a

Broccoli isn’t just a healthy choice for people — it’s one of nature’s best whole-food boosters for dogs, especially Cavachons. This beloved breed, known for its gentle temperament and sensitive digestion, can benefit tremendously from broccoli when it’s prepared and portioned correctly.

Packed with fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins, broccoli can help support the areas where Cavachons sometimes need extra care — like gut health, skin and coat condition, and inflammation control.

A simple, healthy, and dog-safe Valentine’s snack made especially for Cavachons and other small breeds!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup oat flour (hypoallergenic and gentle on digestion. Organic is best
• 1/4 cup unsalted pumpkin puree (low-fat alternative to peanut butter)
• 1 mashed banana
• 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1/4 cup finely chopped cranberries (dog-safe, in moderation and also optiona
• 1 egg white (instead of whole egg to reduce fat)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mix all ingredients in a bowl until combined.
3. Roll out dough and cut into heart shapes.
4. Bake for 15 minutes or until golden.
5. Let cool before treating

Some puppy stories are extra special—and this is one of them.

Paddington Rubin and London Weinberg are Cavachons by Design cavachon siblings who hit the jackpot when they each went to live with two friends. Now, not only do they get to enjoy wonderful families, but they also get to see each other often—and have become the very best of buds.

From week-long “extended sleepovers” to top-down car rides, playdates, and even shopping trips, these two are inseparable. Their adventures are just as full of laughter as they are of tail wags.

Sure, when they first met, Paddington was a

At Cavachons by Design, every puppy placement is special and intentional — each one has their own story. Today, we’d like to share Bracket’s.

For 14 wonderful years, Smiley, another Cavachon, faithfully served as a therapy companion in Dr. Jack Fisher’s orthodontic office. Smiley wasn’t just a friendly presence — she was a certified emotional support dog who had passed a rigorous 13-task test with flying colors. Patients adored her, and she became an irreplaceable

Walk into most homes and you’ll be greeted with a burst of “fresh linen,” “ocean breeze,” or “apple cinnamon.” Over 75% of households use air fresheners in one form or another—sprays, plug-ins, wax melts, candles, or automatic mist machines. But here’s the catch: while these products make your home smell clean, many of them are hiding toxic chemicals that can silently harm your dog.

Your pup doesn’t get to choose the air they breathe—and what smells pleasant to us can cause long-term damage to them. Let’s look at the dangers, and then I’ll share a pet-safe, DIY alternative you can make today.

Have you ever noticed that your Cavachon greets you with a full-body wiggle when you say “Good boy or good girl”? Or maybe yours insists on curling up against you every night like a tiny shadow. Just like people, dogs have their own ways of giving and receiving love—and your Cavachon’s love language holds the key to a deeper, happier relationship.

Cavachons are affection-driven by design. A cross between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Bichon Frise, two breeds known for their companionship, they were practically born to love. But the way each Cavachon expresses that love can vary. Some crave cuddles, some need words of praise, and others light up at the sound of the

Many people grew up hearing that dogs see the world in “black and white.” While it’s a catchy phrase, it’s not true. Dogs can see color—but not the same way we do. Their world is tinted differently, shaped by specialized vision.

So, what colors can dogs actually see—and how does this affect your Cavachon’s daily life? Let’s take a closer look.

Human eyes contain three types of cones (red, green, blue), which allow us to see the full rainbow. Dogs,

Bringing a new puppy home is an exciting milestone filled with cuddles, playtime, and first adventures. But it also comes with big responsibilities—one of the most important being vaccinations. A carefully considered puppy vaccination schedule is essential for protecting your dog from serious diseases while also giving their developing immune system the chance to respond effectively. 
Vaccines save lives, but giving too many too close together can stress your puppy’s body and create unnecessary problems. By following a thoughtful, well-planned vaccination schedule tailored to your puppy’s needs, you’ll ensure they are protected without overwhelming them.

Protect your pup, prevent travel stress, and ride in comfort together.

If you’re the proud parent of a Cavachon puppy, you already know how much they love to be near you, including during car rides. But did you know that traveling with your Cavachon without proper safety can put both of you at risk?

Many pet parents buckle up themselves but overlook car safety for their dogs. A dog car seat for small dogs, especially one designed with your Cavachon’s size and temperament in mind, can make a world of difference in safety, comfort, and behavior during every ride.

In this article, we’ll explain why a Cavachon dog car seat isn’t just a smart idea, it’s