Cava Inu Dog Breed Pictures, Characteristics, and Facts – DogTime

The Cava Inu is a crossbreed composed from two older and long-beloved breeds. They are developed for dog parents who need a small and playful companion, with the best of both parents’ traits. This is a cross between two popular small breeds: the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Shiba Inu. This breed is short in stature but huge in personality, and can be a rewarding companion for many different lifestyles.
The Cava Inu’s parent breeds are both beloved for many reasons. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel brings both a good temperament and a sporty side to the Cava Inu. The Shiba Inu has a cute and cuddly look, but they’re also fiercely protective. 
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The Cava Inu’s status as a crossbreed means that they’re unlikely to be found up for adoption. Still, there are millions of dogs waiting for homes in shelters. When looking for a specific breed, make an effort to adopt from a shelter or rescue. It’s important to keep in mind that given how uncommon the Cava Inu is and how similar they may appear to other breeds, they might not be recognized by shelters and may simply be listed as a mixed breed.
Read on for a detailed list of characteristics of the Cava Inu.
Photos by GlobalP via Getty
Contrary to popular belief, small size doesn’t necessarily an apartment dog make. Plenty of small dogs are too high-energy and yappy for life in a high-rise. Being quiet, low energy, fairly calm indoors, and polite with the other residents are all good qualities in an apartment dog. And you can find an awesome crate for your dog here to give them a little more personal space in your apartment.
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Some dogs are simply easier than others; they take to training better and are fairly easygoing. They’re also resilient enough to bounce back from your mistakes or inconsistencies.
Dogs who are highly sensitive, independent thinking, or assertive may be harder for a first-time dog parent to manage. You’ll get your best match if you take your dog-owning experience into account as you choose your new pooch.
If you’re new to dog parenting, take a look at 101 Dog Tricks and read up on how to train your dog!
Some dogs will let a stern reprimand roll off their backs, while others take even a dirty look to heart. Low-sensitivity dogs, also called “easygoing,” “tolerant,” “resilient,” and even “thick-skinned,” can better handle a noisy, chaotic household, a louder or more assertive owner, and an inconsistent or variable routine. Do you have young kids, throw lots of dinner parties, play in a garage band, or lead a hectic life? Go with a low-sensitivity dog.
Some breeds bond very closely with their family and are more prone to worry or even panic when left alone by their owner. An anxious dog can be very destructive–barking, whining, chewing, and otherwise causing mayhem. These breeds do best when a family member is home during the day or if you can take the dog to work.
Breeds with very short coats and little or no undercoat or body fat, such as Greyhounds, are vulnerable to the cold. Dogs with a low cold tolerance need to live inside in cool climates and should have a jacket or sweater for chilly walks. You can find a great jacket for your dog here!
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Dogs with thick, double coats are more vulnerable to overheating. So are breeds with short noses, like Bulldogs or Pugs, since they can’t pant as well to cool themselves off. If you want a heat-sensitive breed, your dog will need to stay indoors with you on warm or humid days, and you’ll need to be extra cautious about exercising your dog in the heat.
Some breeds are independent and aloof, even if they’ve been raised by the same person since puppyhood; others bond closely to one person and are indifferent to everyone else; and some shower the whole family with affection. Breed isn’t the only factor that goes into affection levels; dogs who were raised inside a home with people around feel more comfortable with humans and bond more easily.
See Dogs Less Affectionate with Family
Being gentle with children, sturdy enough to handle the heavy-handed pets and hugs they can dish out, and having a blasé attitude toward running, screaming children are all traits that make a kid-friendly dog. You may be surprised by who’s on that list: Fierce-looking Boxers are considered good with children, as are American Staffordshire Terriers (which are considered Pit Bulls). Small, delicate, and potentially snappy dogs such as Chihuahuas aren’t always so family-friendly.
**All dogs are individuals. Our ratings are generalizations, and they’re not a guarantee of how any breed or individual dog will behave. Dogs from any breed can be good with children based on their past experiences, training on how to get along with kids, and personality. No matter what the breed or breed type, all dogs have strong jaws, sharp pointy teeth, and may bite in stressful circumstances. Young children and dogs of any breed should always be supervised by an adult and never left alone together, period.
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Friendliness toward dogs and friendliness toward humans are two completely different things. Some dogs may attack or try to dominate other dogs, even if they’re love-bugs with people; others would rather play than fight; and some will turn tail and run. Breed isn’t the only factor. Dogs who lived with their littermates and mother until at least six to eight weeks of age and who spent lots of time playing with other dogs during puppyhood, are more likely to have good canine social skills.
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Stranger-friendly dogs will greet guests with wagging tails and nuzzles; others are shy, indifferent, or even aggressive. However, no matter what the breed, a dog who was socialized and exposed to lots of different types, ages, sizes, and shapes of people as a puppy will respond better to strangers as an adult. Remember that even friendly dogs should stay on a good, strong leash like this one in public!
If you’re going to share your home with a dog, you’ll need to deal with some level of dog hair on your clothes and in your house. However, shedding does vary greatly among the breeds. Some dogs shed year-round, some “blow” seasonally, some do both, and some shed hardly at all. If you’re a neatnik, you’ll need to either pick a low-shedding breed or relax your standards. To help keep your home a little cleaner, you can find a great de-shedding tool here!
Drool-prone dogs may drape ropes of slobber on your arm and leave big, wet spots on your clothes when they come over to say hello. If you’ve got a laid-back attitude toward slobber, fine; but if you’re a neatnik, you may want to choose a dog who rates low in the drool department.
Some breeds are brush-and-go dogs; others require regular bathing, clipping, and other grooming just to stay clean and healthy. Consider whether you have the time and patience for a dog who needs a lot of grooming, or the money to pay someone else to do it.
Due to poor breeding practices, some breeds are prone to certain genetic health problems, such as hip dysplasia. This doesn’t mean that every dog of that breed will develop those diseases; it just means that they’re at an increased risk.
If you’re adopting a puppy, it’s a good idea to find out which genetic illnesses are common to the breed you’re interested in. You may also want to ask if your shelter or rescue has information about the physical health of your potential pup’s parents and other relatives.
Some breeds have hearty appetites and tend to put on weight easily. As in humans, being overweight can cause health problems in dogs. If you pick a breed that’s prone to packing on pounds, you’ll need to limit treats, make sure they get enough exercise, and measure out their daily food servings into regular meals rather than leaving food out all the time.
Ask your vet about your dog’s diet and what they recommend for feeding your pooch to keep them at a healthy weight. Weight gain can lead to other health issues or worsen problems like arthritis.
Dogs come in all sizes, from the world’s smallest pooch, the Chihuahua, to the towering Great Dane, how much space a dog takes up is a key factor in deciding if they’re compatible with you and your living space. Large dog breeds might seem overpowering and intimidating, but some of them are incredibly sweet! Take a look and find the right sized dog for you!
Easy-to-train dogs are more adept at forming an association between a prompt (such as the word “sit”), an action (sitting), and a consequence (getting a treat) very quickly. Other dogs need more time, patience, and repetition during training.
Many breeds are intelligent but approach training with a “What’s in it for me?” attitude, in which case you’ll need to use rewards and games to teach them to want to comply with your requests.
Dogs who were bred for jobs that require decision making, intelligence, and concentration, such as herding livestock, need to exercise their brains, just as dogs who were bred to run all day need to exercise their bodies. If they don’t get the mental stimulation they need, they’ll make their own work–usually with projects you won’t like, such as digging and chewing. Obedience training and interactive dog toys are good ways to give a dog a brain workout, as are dog sports and careers, such as agility and search and rescue.
Common in most breeds during puppyhood and in Retriever breeds at all ages, mouthiness means a tendency to nip, chew, and play-bite (a soft, fairly painless bite that doesn’t puncture the skin). Mouthy dogs are more likely to use their mouths to hold or “herd” their human family members, and they need training to learn that it’s fine to gnaw on chew toys, but not on people. Mouthy breeds tend to really enjoy a game of fetch, as well as a good chew on a toy that’s been stuffed with kibble and treats.

Dogs who were bred to hunt, such as Terriers, have an inborn desire to chase–and sometimes kill–other animals. Anything whizzing by, such as cats, squirrels, and perhaps even cars, can trigger that instinct. Dogs who like to chase need to be leashed or kept in a fenced area when outdoors, and you’ll need a high, secure fence in your yard. These breeds generally aren’t a good fit for homes with smaller pets that can look like prey, such as cats, hamsters, or small dogs. Breeds that were originally used for bird hunting, on the other hand, generally won’t chase, but you’ll probably have a hard time getting their attention when there are birds flying by.
Some breeds sound off more often than others. When choosing a breed, think about how often the dog vocalizes with barks or howls. If you’re considering a hound, would you find their trademark howls musical or maddening? If you’re considering a watchdog, will a city full of suspicious “strangers” put your pup on permanent alert? Will the local wildlife literally drive your dog wild? Do you live in housing with noise restrictions? Do you have neighbors nearby? Then you may wish to choose a quieter dog.
Some breeds are more free-spirited than others. Nordic dogs such as Siberian Huskies were bred to range long distances, and given the chance, they’ll take off after anything that catches their interest. And many hounds simply must follow their noses–or that bunny that just ran across the path–even if it means leaving you behind.
High-energy dogs are always ready and waiting for action. Originally bred to perform a canine job of some sort, such as retrieving game for hunters or herding livestock, they have the stamina to put in a full workday. They need a significant amount of exercise and mental stimulation, and they’re more likely to spend time jumping, playing, and investigating any new sights and smells.
Low-energy dogs are the canine equivalent of a couch potato, content to doze the day away. When picking a breed, consider your own activity level and lifestyle, and think about whether you’ll find a frisky, energetic dog invigorating or annoying.
A vigorous dog may or may not have high energy, but everything they do, they do with vigor: they strain on the leash (until you train them not to), try to plow through obstacles, and even eats and drinks with great big gulps. These dynamos need lots of training to learn good manners, and may not be the best fit for a home with young kids or someone who’s elderly or frail. A low-vigor dog, on the other hand, has a more subdued approach to life.
Some breeds do fine with a slow evening stroll around the block. Others need daily, vigorous exercise, especially those that were originally bred for physically demanding jobs, like herding or hunting.
Without enough exercise, these breeds may put on weight and vent their pent-up energy in ways you don’t like, such as barking, chewing, and digging. Breeds that need a lot of exercise are good for outdoorsy, active people, or those interested in training their dog to compete in a high-energy dog sport, such as agility.
Some dogs are perpetual puppies — always begging for a game — while others are more serious and sedate. Although a playful pup sounds endearing, consider how many games of fetch or tag you want to play each day, and whether you have kids or other dogs who can stand in as playmates for the dog.
The Cava Inu is a mixed breed, so they don’t have history as their own breed. Both parent breeds, however, are well known and loved.
Cavaliers are descended from the toy spaniels depicted in many 16th, 17th, and 18th century paintings by famous artists such as Van Dyck and Gainsborough. Used as a hunting dog, the athletic Cavalier was bred for both work and the ability to curl up on a lap at the end of the day. However, the breed itself is fairly new. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel was recognized by the UKC in 1945, after much pushing from devoted breeders and fans. However, American Cavalier fans still had to wait longer before the breed became popular or recognized in the US. In 1954, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club was created, the official breed club and only registering body for Cavaliers in the United States for more than fifty years.  The AKC officially recognized the breed in March 1995 — meaning that the breed has been able to be registered in the US for less than thirty years.
The Shiba Inu’s origins were based in flushing birds and wild game, but today they’re both compact guard dogs and loyal companions. They are the smallest of Japan’s native breeds: Akita (large), Kishu, Hokkaido, Kai, Shikoku (medium), and Shiba Inu (small). An American service family was the first to import the Shiba Inu into the United States in 1954, but there is little documented about the breed until the 1970s. The first U.S. litter of Shibas was born in 1979. The Shiba Inu was recognized in the American Kennel Club Miscellaneous Class in 1993 and acquired full status with the Non-Sporting Group in 1997.
The Cava Inu is a small-sized mixed breed. They have no breed standard, so their coats may be found in a variation of colors from either parent. They will usually have a medium-length curly-haired coat, along with floppy, curly-haired ears. The breed will most often be found in white with colored markings or tan, although other color variations aren’t uncommon.
The Cava Inu is often good-natured and loving with those they know well, but sometimes shy or wary with those they don’t. It’s crucial to work on socialization from a young age for any dog, regardless of typical good temperament; reactivity to people or other dogs will limit them in life, such as preventing them from going to a dog-friendly restaurant or burning off energy at the dog park. Training them consistently when young will ultimately improve their quality of life (and yours) as an adult. It’s important to work on positive reinforcement training consistently and firmly, and to bring in a professional trainer if you feel that you’re starting to see behavioral issues.
While Cava Inus originating from responsible breeders are often healthy, there are some genetic predispositions towards health issues to be aware of with this crossbreed. Many of these issues spring up later on in these dogs’ lives.
The Cava Inu, like most breeds, needs daily exercise to feel content. While playful, a lot of this stimulation can be mental, with some routine physical exercise. Ideally, this breed should receive at least a thirty minute walk daily. Additionally, they enjoy indoor or outdoor play like fetch or tug-of-war. A backyard is not required, but helpful for when this dog has a little extra expendable energy – just be sure it is very secure, as this breed can be good at escapes. This breed often can make a great apartment dog, provided that enough time is spent on training and exercise. They may be noisy at times, but this can usually be managed if your pup is well-trained and properly stimulated.
The Cava Inu should be fed a diet consistent with that of a small-sized breed with medium energy levels. Food motivated tasks, like snuffle mats or filled toys, can help stimulate this breed’s active mind; they are often motivated by harder puzzle toys as well. Because all dogs are unique in their diet requirements, it’s best to consult your veterinarian to determine the best food to feed your pup.
The Cava Inu’s coat doesn’t require heavy maintenance, but it does need regular grooming. With the combination of their parent breeds, these dogs have elegant but curly and fast-growing coats. Even pups that favor the Shiba will have double coats needing to be groomed. Since the ears are full of thick hair, check them regularly for buildups of dirt or wax. Ideally, brushing this breed two to three times a week should be enough to ward off excess shedding and mats. If you don’t have the time or energy, consider routine grooming visits for this pup; they should likely have a few visits a year anyway for routine clipping. As with all dog breeds, be sure to check on nail maintenance.
There are some considerations to be made before choosing to add the Cava Inu to your family. This breed can be good family pets. However, they may be best suited to older children due to their small size and fragility. Younger children may inadvertently injure them.  Additionally, they aren’t always patient, and may snap at grabby hands. Dogs need proper introductions, but this breed is often friends with other (preferably mellow) dogs; slow introductions and positive reinforcement is key. This breed is not a good fit for small animals like hamsters, due to their hunting natures, but they can get along just fine with cats (which often are larger than them!). While sometimes standoffish with strangers, typically more due to nerves than aggression, this breed is overall easygoing with almost everyone in the home.
There are no dedicated rescue groups specifically for the Cava Inu, as they are a designer breed. However, there are still many deserving dogs looking for forever homes. Similar mixed breeds with parentage from Cavalier King Charles Spaniels or Shiba Inus may be easier to find. Keep in mind that while loved, these aren’t the most common breeds – you may have better luck with a similar but more popular match like a Cocker Spaniel or Corgi mix. Whatever the circumstances, try opening your home to a rescue pup. With millions waiting for fur-ever homes, there’s no reason to opt to shop.

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