Cavalier King Charles spaniel vs Havanese

[J&T]

Hi all

I have a query for you , I'm asking for advice on behalf of a friend.

She is 67yrs old ( don't worry she said it's ok to say her age she wanted you all to know she's no spring chicken) but is fit and active but is slowing down a bit but quite able to look after a dog and as she's retired now she would like a dog.


She doesn't have much of a list either she just wants a small dog and we're talking shih tzu size , she is looking for a dog who is eager to please and who is quiet.

My first thought was a cavalier so I told her to look into them but she said she found out their not as quiet as I said which surprised me because all the ones I know are. The health didn't put her off and she does really like them.

She also spoke to her sister who is a dog behaviorist and who will be helping her train and socialize her pup well (she's a positive behaviorist and a good one at that) she recommended a Havanese as she told her their not to yappy like a lot of toy breeds.

So was wondering if any cavalier or Havanese owners here? Or anyone know either breed well

 

[Christmascinnamoncookie]

Has she considered a bichon? Might be easier to source. Some cavaliers can have serious health problems.

 

[J&T]

Has she considered a bichon? Might be easier to source. Some cavaliers can have serious health problems.

I'm not sure I'd have to ask her, am I right their related to the Havanese if I'm not mistaken?

So they should be quiet and eager to please like the Havanese?

 

[Bionic Boy]

Sorry can't help with either cavalier or Havanese but has she considered a toy poodle.

 

[Christmascinnamoncookie]

View attachment 111871

I'm not sure I'd have to ask her, am I right their related to the Havanese if I'm not mistaken?

So they should be quiet and eager to please like the Havanese?

Very much depends on the lines. I don’t agree with stereotyping breeds, you can have littermates (I’m on my 3rd pair) and each dog has been very different from their sibling. Obviously, lots of how they are relates to training. I’d advise she sees them a few times with the mum and asks the breeder which is the calmest, for example, if she wants a calm one. All puppies can be a bit bonkers!

@Amymay has a bichon, hopefully she’ll see this.

 

[some show]

I know two bichons (different owners) and they're both lovely things, they're dog and people friendly, really great companions - one of them barks at strangers coming up the drive but the other I've never heard a peep from. I tend to like big dogs more than smalls but have a soft spot for bichons.

 

[Boulty]

I have a Cavalier... he's flipping insane and if there was such thing as "working type" in the breed he would be it which erm is not really what I was setting out to buy (as my mother of a similar age to your friend does a lot of his walking as she's retired & I work full time). We had one when I was growing up and she was a lot easier, lower energy (although still loved a long walk or a run on the beach) and a lot more typical of how most people think of the breed. (Maybe there's certain lines that are higher energy than others but I don't know enough to know which). The one thing I will say is that both were / are stubborn little oiks who very much know their own mind!

Don't get me wrong we do love the Hooligan but to keep a lid on him looking for trouble to get up to in the house / his general kleptomaniac tendencies he generally needs at least 2 hrs of exercise a day (ideally with some times off lead / on the long line / playing with the flirt pole) plus multiple other playtimes with tug toys, plus chew time, plus enrichment feeding, plus trick / agility training a few times a week which is perhaps more than the average supposedly chilled toy breed generally requires!

Can't help re the Havanese as I've not really met many

 

[ArklePig]

I came to say bichon too, never met one I didn't like! Adorable, great companions, clever, what's not to love.

 

[malwhit]

Finding a small, easy to care for, healthy and calm breed of dog is something I am looking into at the moment.

I did seriously consider a Tibetan Spaniel, but from what I learned, most can not be let off the lead. They are also escape artists.

I have found Cavaliers vary in temperament and activity levels, but never hyper like some working spaniels. They do have health issue but so do most breeds, and good breeders will carry out health tests. I know it is stereotyping, but most elderly owners let them get too fat

I think I just want a Cavalier sized Labrador I am amazed nobody has developed them as a breed - there would be a big demand for them amongst the older generation who want to downsize dogs and houses

 

[AmyMay]

Obviously I agree with the Bichon suggestion

 

[J&T]

Finding a small, easy to care for, healthy and calm breed of dog is something I am looking into at the moment.

I did seriously consider a Tibetan Spaniel, but from what I learned, most can not be let off the lead. They are also escape artists.

I have found Cavaliers vary in temperament and activity levels, but never hyper like some working spaniels. They do have health issue but so do most breeds, and good breeders will carry out health tests. I know it is stereotyping, but most elderly owners let them get too fat

I think I just want a Cavalier sized Labrador I am amazed nobody has developed them as a breed - there would be a big demand for them amongst the older generation who want to downsize dogs and houses

You should look into Havanese their described as being like Goldens but In a smaller package. Their eager to please and happy go lucky just like Goldens

 

[Katie_daily]

We have had two cavaliers. One was a rescue who was a breeding girl on a puppy farm, the other we've had since 8 weeks. The rescue girl was pts after 4 years (broke my heart), and we still have our nearly 11 year old cavalier. The rescue could have walked miles, and loved being out for walks, but equally was happy to snuggle on the sofa, generally on top of me. She had been pretty badly abused, so would cower if you made any sudden movements, but all she wanted was to be with me, being cuddled and stroked.The elderly girl we still have, has never been a major fan of any exercise. Much prefers to lie up and sleep. Their temperaments were both amazing. So loving and affectionate. Never growled or showed any negative energy. Just brilliant, beautiful dogs. Despite the health issues, I don't think I would ever go for another breed.

 

[Flowerofthefen]

Sorry can't help with either cavalier or Havanese but has she considered a toy poodle.

Not saying all toy poodles are like this but my friends one is a complete nightmare!! It's all down to how you treat them I think. Hers had got away with murder and it shows!!

 

[Nasicus]

I did seriously consider a Tibetan Spaniel, but from what I learned, most can not be let off the lead. They are also escape artists.

Yup, wee little sh*tes for that! If you're okay with only doing stuff on the lead, and have a tibbie proofed garden though, they're great little companions, very popular with the aging crowd.
I know a few that can be trusted off lead, but for the most part they're wilful and independent.
Overall a healthy, intelligent breed, but not one for someone who wants an obedient dog that does what it's asked first time, every time.

 

[druid]

I was also going to suggest Toy Poodle - they're fab little dogs

 

[irishdraft]

Probably not so easy to find but sealyham terriers are lovely small dogs x

 

[J&T]

To give everyone an update since it's been nearly a month my friend has picked her next dog and it's not what I was expecting.

She researched a lot but decided neither the Havanese or cavalier were for her.

She went to a local dog festival at the beginning of May and she was smitten she told me with one of the dogs their and asked about them because she knew they had a reputation for being noisy dogs and the owner said hers wasn't very vocal only if someone comes to the house but she can quickly stop her and she listens.

She has since then spoken to the breed club and breed council , joined a Facebook group to ask more owners and met up with more of them and she's been told the same that even though they can be barkers it can be reduced how often and for how long by putting a lot of effort in at an early age with training.

Some also told her not all in the breed are vocal as some had ones that don't bark often at all.


So she chosen the standard Longhaired dachshund

She knows they are stubborn too and that doesn't bother her

 

[J&T]

I will say I was a little concerned with her not wanting a yappy dog considering dachshund's have a reputation for being big barkers and all the ones I've met have certainly lived up to that.

Anyone here familiar with dachshunds?

 

[AmyMay]

I will say I was a little concerned with her not wanting a yappy dog considering dachshund's have a reputation for being big barkers and all the ones I've met have certainly lived up to that.

Anyone here familiar with dachshunds?

I’ve not know them to be overly vocal, and there are a few owned by forum members.

Fabulous dogs, but she must make sure she gets really good insurance.

 

[J&T]

I’ve not know them to be overly vocal, and there are a few owned by forum members.

Fabulous dogs, but she must make sure she gets really good insurance.

Thank you , do you know which members own them?

 

[AmyMay]

Thank you , do you know which members own them?

I can’t remember

 

[wills_91]

I've had daschounds and everyone I've known has been very vocal. So strong willed as well.

 

[honetpot]

I have gained a dachshund by default, I am not in to small dogs, and he is a happy seal like joy, despite not having the best of starts. Loves a walk unless its cold or wet, and plays with my lab doodle. The only fault is if he gets hunting scent he is away as fast as his mini legs will go, so he is always on a lunge line. He is not what I would have bought but he reminds me of Dobby the house elf, or a baby Yoda, but with the muscles of Popeye, and makes me smile.

 

[Tiddlypom]

I love dachshunds, they have loads of personality bundled up into a small package.

The ones I've known have been wilful and vocal, though, not quiet peaceful dogs, not really meeting the spec that your friend initially had when looking for a dog.

They are also prone to serious spinal issues due to their long body and short legs, apparently 25% will suffer from Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) during the course of their lives .

Dachshund IVDD - all about Back Disease and our UK Screening Programme - Welcome

Welcome

www.dachshund-ivdd.uk

 

[Nasicus]

A dog trainer friend of mine got a Standard Longhaired Dachshund last year. And the thing is willful and stubborn as anything. Was a PITA to house train too apparently.

 

[CorvusCorax]

Dachshunds can be noisy (they are badger-hunting hounds, after all), hard to toilet train and can have bad separation anxiety. I do really like them but they are not always easy.