Bred as a mix between the Shih-Tzu and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, the Cava Tzu has many coat varieties (though their look will depend on the unique genetics). 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.

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

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3 Pros and Cons of Owning a Cava Tzu

Here are a few brief pros and cons to owning a Cava Tzu.

Size and Weight

The Cava Tzu is a small dog, so it falls into the “toy dog” category. Males and females alike only weigh about 10-16 lbs., standing about 18 inches tall. Their 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 only weighs a few pounds when they are weaned from their mother.

Common Health Issues

When a breeder creates 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.

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Mitral Valve Disease is the most common condition, indicating that the dog is prone to heart failure. It is most often found in small dogs. They 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 requiring very little support. 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:

• Mitral Valve Disease
• Syringomyelia
• Patellar Luxation
• Hip Dysplasia
• Eye Problems
• Brachycephalic Syndrome

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. They can even be left alone for hours on end for working adults without any issues.

How To Take Care of Cava Tzu

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.

The Best Dog Food for Cava Tzus

As small as the Cava Tzu dog may be, they still need 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.

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Maintenance And Grooming

With a medium-length coat, the Cava Tzu needs 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 their 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 activity, it is still imperative. With a propensity for obesity, make sure to get them out on a brief walk every day. Since they have 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. Though they require less food, they still need the same attention for grooming, exercising, and socialization.

Cava Tzu And Children

Though 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.

Dogs similar to Cava Tzu

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

• Shih-Tzu. Often the dominant breed of the Cava Tzu, the Shih Tzu’s name means “little lion,” coming from Tibet where royals kept them close.
• Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. This breed stands proudly at 13 inches tall (maximum) and originally became popular due to English and Scottish nobility in the 14th century.
• Lhasa Apso. This breed is a significant part of Tibetan culture, given as a sign of friendship (rather than being sold through a breeder).

Popular Names for Cava Tzu

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

• Dottie
• Daisy
• Fergus
• Teddy
• Ralph

Last update on 2022-07-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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