Breed Thoughts- Help!

tinselbobs

tinselbobs

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After losing our gorgeous Persian cat last week, the house is just too quiet and we are looking into getting a dog.

We both have quite flexible jobs and one of us is working from home 3 out of the 5 weekdays. For the other two days, my livery yard also has a doggy daycare which is brilliant and really well run so no problem with care when we have to be in the office and they also do holiday stays.

When we are at home, the dog can have a few good walks a day and can come down to the yard with me. At daycare, it will have plenty of exercise and socialisation.

Although my husband grew up with dogs, this would be our first dog as adults.

We'd prefer a smaller breed and we both like Dachshunds and King Charles Cavaliers- any thoughts on these breeds?
 
Dachshunds can be vocal and they are totally obsessed with food and making nests, but I adore them and I totally think you should get one. Big characters in a small package and great guard dogs :p
Make sure to research a reputable breeder that performs all the required health tests on breeding animals and has several generations of healthy dogs.
 
Love a sausage . Not sure I'd risk a King Charles.

I know I'm biased, but we have a Bichon. Cracking dog. Friendly, cuddly and loves a good walk and run (mine will happily do a couple of hours.)

Or of course a terrier- if you can get the 'right' one.

Or a Westie (I have a 5 year old foster here at the moment looking for a new home due to owners terminal illness).
 
Sadly you will hear a lot of people talk a lot of absolute rubbish about Cavaliers, which inevitably infuriates me as my mother has owned/bred/shown and judged the breed internationally for the past 35 years. Given that, I reckon I inevitably have had more exposure to the breed than the average person 😊

I will absolutely admit that the ones produced from puppy farms and unscrupulous breeders can be subject to health conditions, but then hopefully anyone with any sense wouldn’t buy from those sources 😊 if you buy one from a reputable breeder who health tests (not checks) the parents then you will get a fabulous affectionate easy dog which will be active and fun. Cavaliers can be as sporty as you like or as lazy as you want! My mums dogs seem to live for about 14 years on average, and enjoy healthy and active lives for that time.

Having said that, they are not my cup of tea at all and I adore daschunds 😄 which also come with a multitude of associated health risks unfortunately, so again always buy from a reputable breeder. They are adorable little dogs with a real hound personality - and all that involves! - in a small body 😊
 
Both the daschunds I knew were nice dogs, but struggled with more than a little walk (personally I like dogs who can go for treks!) and sadly had to have serious surgery on their spines at a young age.

Don’t know any caveliers.

I’m going to make my usual comment about considering a rescue: they may find a dog that really suits you but that is a breed you haven’t considered. I never used to like collies or labs and I now have rehomed both these breeds as they suit my lifestyle (active) but also my two are good with kids and having lazy days when needed.
 
Definitely do lots of reading on the health problems of Dachshunds and King Charles Cavaliers and the health tests any breeders must do to try and avoid breeding pups with these problems. Know what questions to ask any potential breeder! Don't make the mistake of looking on freelistings for litters of puppies. The Kennel Club also has lists of breed rescues which can help as well, a puppy is a LOT to take on, an older dog may suit you better as a first dog!

Personality wise, both breeds are fab, but their popularity has led to huge numbers of dodgy breeders, puppy farmers and even illegal smuggling from puppy farms in Europe and Ireland to fulfill the demand.

A few months ago I found a Standard Dachshund in my back garden, his brother was in next doors garden, they'd come from 4 gardens over - presumably under/over fencing - after a cat! Secure gardens are a must ;)
 
Thanks for all the replies- so many so quickly!

We went to our local RSPCA at the weekend and they didn't have anything suitable for us at the moment, but we will keep an eye out!

I know both breeds we like come with potential health problems (as does everything I suppose!) and we will be going to reputable breeders, and make sure parents have had relevant health testing etc.

We are happy with an active- attitude-filled dog and I definitely prefer the Dachshund, but my husband is really keen on the King Charles, so I will definitely go and have a look!

A puppy will definitely be a lot of work, but I think we're in a good place to take one on at the moment! We have flexible jobs, and no kids so lots of time to spend training puppy/dog!

I ideally want something that is happy to come down the yard and can be trained to be sensible around the horses, but it doesn't have to be up for walking miles and miles.
 
If they're coming down the yard and you're eyeing up a Dachshund, a Standard may be better than a Mini - the Minis are just SO SO TINY! And bound to get underfoot. You would also need to do a lot of training if they're off lead - especially if they get the whiff of a rat or rabbit and end up trying to get down into a warren on the far side of the field. Don't want to have to make that call to get the digger out to dig out a trapped little doggo! Dachshunds are designed to hunt and be vocal after all.
 
catxx said:
If they're coming down the yard and you're eyeing up a Dachshund, a Standard may be better than a Mini - the Minis are just SO SO TINY! And bound to get underfoot. You would also need to do a lot of training if they're off lead - especially if they get the whiff of a rat or rabbit and end up trying to get down into a warren on the far side of the field. Don't want to have to make that call to get the digger out to dig out a trapped little doggo! Dachshunds are designed to hunt and be vocal after all.
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Yes we'll definitely go for a standard rather than a mini- the minis are just too small to be near horses I think! I'd be paranoid about it being trodden on!

I've been reading that Dachshunds are very clever, but quite stubborn, so training classes are definitely a must! (For any breed we get really)
 
timbobs said:
I've been reading that Dachshunds are very clever, but quite stubborn, so training classes are definitely a must! (For any breed we get really)
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they are hounds, used to flush badgers so they need a certain character to do that :)

I mostly knew Australian ones-I think my then MiL was unusual for a farmer's wife to always have one and when she needed a new one, she would travel 1000s of km to get one with the family in tow. hers all made old bones with no surgery. her son is a leading vet surgeon, so we had a fair few come through the practice in the UK for surgery (all standards, the minis were not fashionable back then)-all great characters but spendy and then there's the rehab. keeping them fit and slim is key but a breed that really needs alot of research done first imo. I would even look abroad tbh, they're still required to work if they're to be shown in Scandi countries for example.
 
A teckel! I know a couple of people who use them out stalking to follow the blood trail and they are amazing. Cute as buttons, excellent on/off switch and no health issues that I know of. They are stubborn and you would want to work with them rather than against them but if you have been previously trained by a cat then you will be fine.

Having read that you are not necessarily wanting to do a lot of walking, just a side note that pottering at the yard would not suit any dog without a good exercise first, as they will make their own trouble.
 
Tiddlypom said:
Maybe because the last things a Cavalier needs are a shorter nose and a more domed skull...

Love daxis, but all of those I've known have had disc trouble. Cavaliers are lovely happy dogs.
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Oh no, if you listened to the bull**** merchants they would probably say it would allow more space for the brain to cope with syringomyelia.....
 
Now i'm confused!!!, in France they are all called Teckles, wire or smooth coated,all the same
My friend got a standard DH/ Teckel, I can't believe how amazing he is, i totally, totally want him, he's a tiny hound!! so loving and funny, just looking at him makes me smile and he's such a chilled out plucky little thing, not bothered by anything. The only ones i knew in England were a bit twitchy and growly but she just let this one get on with things and never picked him up like some owners do when other dogs are bigger. The only thing i would say is that he's greedy, can't go for long walks( or maybe doesn't want to) and barks a lot when people go by. I would have him in a moment tho, he's also the most amazing colour .
Ok, i really like them, sorry.....:p:D
 
I have a wonderful little rescue dog who is a cavalier x dachshund! I wouldn’t actively buy such a crossbreed (I only rescue) but she is legit the best dog we have ever had! She’s 10yo now, no heart murmur yet, no back problems (yet!), can run for miles and is the most loving lapdog.... she’s a bit funny looking! FB04CC65-AC6A-4F4C-A13F-D0A32947FC4E.jpeg63901EB1-1F78-41C9-91FC-B018F526A4AC.jpegEB48A457-8294-4829-ABF5-B214F6C8E380.jpeg
 
Bossdog said:
I have a wonderful little rescue dog who is a cavalier x dachshund! I wouldn’t actively buy such a crossbreed (I only rescue) but she is legit the best dog we have ever had! She’s 10yo now, no heart murmur yet, no back problems (yet!), can run for miles and is the most loving lapdog.... she’s a bit funny looking! View attachment 26869View attachment 26870View attachment 26871
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Wow, what a beautiful dog! Not a cross I would usually thing of, but she sounds brilliant :)
 
My daughter has a miniature dachshund, she is a farmer’s wife and they keep their horses at home. It is such a game little country dog, has enormous stamina, can walk a xc course no problem and come on a walk with a pair of flatcoats.
She is delightful with the family, a very vocal dog and not keen on anyone she doesn’t know.
Bad points.....far too near the ground which is a hazard mud wise in winter. Obsessed with hunting. Difficult to train although intelligent. Extremely good garden fencing needed, she can squeeze through anywhere.
She is not a hazard with the horses, quite respectful of them and even goes to help get them in from the field.
I was shocked to see on the Kennel Club website that they were deemed suitable to live in a flat and didn’t need much exercise! Rubbish!
 
So..... this happened! A15C91A1-047A-441C-8AC3-48B03A85540D.jpeg

Everyone, meet Roxie! She’s 13 weeks old and we brought her home last night.

She’s been excellent so far, slept in her crate last night and let us know when she needed the toilet so we could take her out.

First walk this morning and now she’s fast asleep in her bed.

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Absolutely in love with her so far!
 
She’s super cool. Been down the yard today and totally unbothered by the horses. Ed, on the other hand thought she was terrifying 🙄 despite the fact she’s tiny and there’s lots of dogs at the yard he’s not bothered by 🤷‍♀️
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Think she was a bit tired after her trip to the yard 💤
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