Cav-A-Mo

10-20 lbs
12-13"
United States
American Eskimo
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

The Cav-a-Mo is a hybrid breed, with parents the King Charles Cavalier Spaniel and the American Eskimo. This hybrid is an inquisitive, energetic, and affectionate canine. He is a great family pet and is good with children. As he ages, he will become more calm, but will never lose his curious nature. He is actually one of the easier hybrid breeds to train; the temperament of this eager to please canine is obedient and lively. Maintenance of the Cav-a-Mo in all respects is relatively easy. Generally a small dog, he is considered a miniature in regards to similar dogs. He is a perfect companion for someone who lives in an apartment as well as for a family with a fenced-in backyard.

purpose Purpose
Companion
history Date of Origin
Unknown
ancestry Ancestry
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and American Eskimo

Cav-A-Mo Health

Average Size
Male Cav-A-Mo size stats
Height: 12-13 inches Weight: 10-20 lbs
Female Cav-A-Mo size stats
Height: 12-13 inches Weight: 10-20 lbs
Major Concerns
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Mitral Valve Disease
Minor Concerns
  • Syringomyelia
Occasional Diagnoses
  • None Known
Occasional Tests
  • X-Rays
  • Blood Tests
  • Heart Testing

Cav-A-Mo Breed History

While there is little documented information on the Cav-a-Mo hybrid itself, one can still learn much about this curious and affectionate dog by studying the parent breeds. A stunning white dog, the American Eskimo descended from the Northern Spitz breed (and later others were added, such as the Keeshond) and was a valuable helpmate on the farm as well as a guardian of property. Formerly called the American Spitz, the name change to American Eskimo is thought to be related to the kennels where much of the breeding was done. This lively and inquisitive canine was accepted into the American Kennel Club in 1994. With an appearance that was quite varied from what we see today, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, a descendant of the Toy Spaniel, is thought to have roots in Italy, Malta, and the far East. The look of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel was not standardized until the 1920's - the face and muzzle in particular are more defined and less flat or "pushed in" as they were in the days that this dog roamed and ruled the courts of King Charles I and II, both of whom adored the breed, eventually giving it their name.

Cav-A-Mo Breed Appearance

The Cav-a-Mo is usually quite small. He generally does not weigh over twenty pounds and is around one foot in height at the shoulder. Of course, this will vary due to the Cav-a-Mo’s parent breeds and the dominance of the genetic traits. His fur will generally be medium to long in length. Sometimes he may have a wavy or curly coat. Unlike his parent breed the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, he does not generally have the ear fringing of the Spaniel family. He may be a variety of colors, but often he will be patterned much like the parent breed Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. He may be white with brown, red, fawn, or black markings. He may also have hair between his toes much like the American Eskimo dog. His tail will quite likely curl over the back and be thickly covered with fur. He will be sturdy but could have a dainty look to his legs and feet.

Eye Color Possibilities
brown Cav-A-Mo eyes
Brown
Nose Color Possibilities
black Cav-A-Mo nose
Black
Coat Color Possibilities
white Cav-A-Mo coat
White
brown Cav-A-Mo coat
Brown
red Cav-A-Mo coat
Red
fawn Cav-A-Mo coat
Fawn
black Cav-A-Mo coat
Black
Coat Length
coat
Short Medium Long
Coat Density
coat density
pin
Sparse Normal Dense
Coat Texture
coat texture
Cav-A-Mo wavy coat texture
Straight Wiry Wavy Curly Corded

Cav-A-Mo Breed Maintenance

The Cav-a-Mo has moderate grooming requirements. He will need brushing at least once a week, as well as a bath when dirty - just be sure to brush his coat smooth before getting it wet so that tangles are easier to remove. The Cav-a-Mo typically inherits the soft, silky coat of the American Eskimo dog parent, and this means he may experience matting if his coat is not regularly brushed. Use a soft, bristle brush to work any tangles and mats out of his hair. You may need to brush him two or three times a week during shedding season. Brushing the teeth of your dog two or three times a week will help prevent tooth decay, injury to the gum or periodontal disease. An annual check up of the teeth is recommended. Your Cav-a-Mo's nails may need to be trimmed every two or three weeks so that painful cracks and tears do not occur. 

Brushes for Cav-A-Mo
Pin Brush
Pin Brush
Slicker Brush
Slicker Brush
Nail Clipper
Nail Clipper
Brushing Frequency
fur daily fur weekly fur monthly
Cav-A-Mo requires weekly brushing
Daily Weekly Monthly

Cav-A-Mo Temperament

The Cav-a-Mo is a very sweet dog. He is energetic and lively. Over time he will seem to mature and “calm” as he ages. He is most definitely a companion dog. He loves his family, and he will want to be with you everywhere you go. He is smart and one of the easier breeds to train, though he needs reinforcement with treats and other positive measures. He is known for obeying commands and listening to his owner more than other breeds. He is excellent with children and has a reputation for being playful and energetic with them, as well as being highly affectionate with all family. Not keen on being left alone for long periods, he can become destructive if left to his own devices day after day. He will thrive in a home where there is plenty going on that he can be a part of.

Cav-A-Mo Activity Requirements

The Cav-a-Mo is a lively, energetic little canine. However, experts note that as he ages, he calms down nicely. He does need a minimum of 30 minutes of daily exercise to keep him from storing pent-up energy, which might lead to his being destructive. Dog parks are recommended for the Cav-a-Mo; he will definitely enjoy the interaction with other dogs. If you don’t have a dog park in your area, perhaps he could accompany you on a walk or jog. It is not recommended that you let your Cav-a-Mo outside in a yard without a fence, and it is not recommended that you leave the Cav-a-Mo unattended. He has a reputation for chasing cars, so if you are outside with him, he should be on a leash or in a fenced-in area.

Activity Level
low activity medium activity high activity
Low Medium High
Rec. Walk Mileage Per Week
9 miles
walk mileage
Minutes of Activity Per Day
30 minutes
activity minutes

Cav-A-Mo Food Consumption

Cups Per Day
1 cups
cup per day cost
Daily Cost
$0.90 - $1.00
food bowls daily cost
Monthly Cost
$25.00 - $30.00
food bag monthly cost

Cav-A-Mo Owner Experiences

Princess sassy
16 Weeks
4 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Cuddling
Running
easy to train
Still learning about the breed, nutrition, etc
5 years, 11 months ago
Scout
14 Weeks
6 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
I’ve love her so much
5 years ago
toby
6 Years
5 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Playing fetch
Playing in the snow
boat rides
going on walks
swimming
The experiences I have had with my Cav-a-Mo are all great ones. Toby is always energetic and playful no matter what time of the day it is. We will be laying on the coach watching a movie and he'll bring his toy in and start running throughout the room. When he does this the whole house lights up because Toby is the "favorite child". He is always there to snuggle with and he will always be ready for a walk.
4 years, 6 months ago
Book me a walkiee?
Pweeeze!
Sketch of smiling australian shepherd