[Wee Tinkers]

Originally Posted by StressMonkey

lol - I was going to go 'LAB!! Low Molt!!!' with as many as I DS would allow

Ha ha. Not enough s in the world for that. What an eejit I am - only 1 out of 4 boxes ticked.

I do read posts (honestly!!) I just end up going off on a certain train of thought... Like if someone said recommend a small dog who's good with kids I'd probably start off grand...'ooh what about a bichon frise or cav, eh?'. But I'd soon go off track...'Or a Newfoundland - they're good with kids. Or a St. Bernard - loverly dogs. Yes I recommend any dog the size of a house. You're welcome'.

[year 1957]

Originally Posted by DaisyBumbleroot

I have a prejudice against westies, I've no idea why, maybe I was growled at by one as a kid, but I get the impression they are grumpy little sods I don't know any or know anyone with a westie, so I'm probably prejudiced for no reason. Sorry to any lovely westie owners....!


My dad think ALL small dogs are Yappy little buggers, not true, Ren the jrt barely says a word, McGee the parson barks sometimes. But he is right about Cabbage, our yorkie. Noisy little bugger, she is.

You are dead right they are grumpy,so am i, we growl but rarely bite.I think we grump with a certain charm

[msmasood]

Originally Posted by year 1957

I recommend a westie

a) small
b) very playfull and freindly if treated right
c) does not require a lot of exercise
d) does not moult at all requires a hair cut about once a year.
e) very cute face, and little compact muscular frame.
f) likes to hunt spiders.
g)throaty little bark
h) likes companionship
i) surprisingly clever

I agree! After never liking small dogs and then getting a westie she has completely changed my heart! Hardly malts, happy to be on her own, happy to walk whenever we feel, ours also loves other animals, rabbits and cats even! I think a westie would fit all that you want

[DaisyBumbleroot]

Originally Posted by year 1957

You are dead right they are grumpy,so am i, we growl but rarely bite.I think we grump with a certain charm

awww! Dogs and their owners

[Red Whine]

To anyone considering buying a Cavalier, please don't.
The majority of them now suffer from syringa myalgia (sp), a painful condition where the dogs brain outgrows it's skull.

[Wee Tinkers]

Originally Posted by Red Whine

To anyone considering buying a Cavalier, please don't.
The majority of them now suffer from syringa myalgia (sp), a painful condition where the dogs brain outgrows it's skull.

Really? Thanks for the info. We're keeping our eye out for a cav / cav cross or cocker / cocker cross in rescue shelters (we may have quite a wait, I know).

I was aware of significant heart and eye problems in cavs but didn't know about this. Is there anything that can be done to avoid it? Good breeding and reputable breeder? Any questions about tests/exams we should ask? Less risk in crossbreeds e.g. Cav x bichon?

[Red Whine]

Originally Posted by Wee Tinkers

Really? Thanks for the info. We're keeping our eye out for a cav / cav cross or cocker / cocker cross in rescue shelters (we may have quite a wait, I know).

I was aware of significant heart and eye problems in cavs but didn't know about this. Is there anything that can be done to avoid it? Good breeding and reputable breeder? Any questions about tests/exams we should ask? Less risk in crossbreeds e.g. Cav x bichon?

It tends to happen in breeds the have a 'squashed' face and prominent forehead, lots more on google, I!m sorry, I can't do links. Don't think cross breeds cavaxbons, cavapoos are so susceptible.

[AtomicClock]

OP there are so many unwanted dogs at shelters. You can't really go wrong with a Heinz imo, they don't have the inbred wiring or health problems of a pedigree and they are generally well natured (providing it isn't a Japenese Toza/jack russell cross) I've had loads of rescue cross breed mutts, they're lovely!

You may have some with baggage ie abused, neglected etc, but it doesn't take long to lose that if you put the time in.

Most importantly, get it to a dog training class to socialise it and work its brain...it'll pay dividends!

[strictlyfloss]

Originally Posted by year 1957

I recommend a westie

a) small
b) very playfull and freindly if treated right
c) does not require a lot of exercise
d) does not moult at all requires a hair cut about once a year.
e) very cute face, and little compact muscular frame.
f) likes to hunt spiders.
g)throaty little bark
h) likes companionship
i) surprisingly clever

More like every 10-12 weeks actually, at a cost of approx £20-£30 depending on where you live.

[Wee Tinkers]

Originally Posted by Red Whine

It tends to happen in breeds the have a 'squashed' face and prominent forehead, lots more on google, I!m sorry, I can't do links. Don't think cross breeds cavaxbons, cavapoos are so susceptible.

Thanks. To be honest cockers are our first choice so we haven't read up on cavs in any great depth. We've just recently considered them as an option should a rescue one turn up. Will definitely look into it more.

[StressMonkey]

Originally Posted by Wee Tinkers

Really? Thanks for the info. We're keeping our eye out for a cav / cav cross or cocker / cocker cross in rescue shelters (we may have quite a wait, I know).

I was aware of significant heart and eye problems in cavs but didn't know about this. Is there anything that can be done to avoid it? Good breeding and reputable breeder? Any questions about tests/exams we should ask? Less risk in crossbreeds e.g. Cav x bichon?

Pups bred from older, asymptomatic parents are a better bet. If you know anyone with an older Cav that is in good general health and without SM symptoms ask about the dogs in their pedegree.

If you are getting a rescue then again, older dogs are a better bet.

Crossbreeding is always hit and miss. The only thing cross breeding can rule out is resesive genetic disorders where one of the breeds never suffers from that illness. And even then, the pups can be carriers. If you are very unlucky, a cross bred pup can end up with the worst of both parent breeds!!

[Wee Tinkers]

Originally Posted by AtomicClock

OP there are so many unwanted dogs at shelters. You can't really go wrong with a Heinz imo, they don't have the inbred wiring or health problems of a pedigree and they are generally well natured (providing it isn't a Japenese Toza/jack russell cross) I've had loads of rescue cross breed mutts, they're lovely!

You may have some with baggage ie abused, neglected etc, but it doesn't take long to lose that if you put the time in.

Most importantly, get it to a dog training class to socialise it and work its brain...it'll pay dividends!

Hear, hear. Another great thing about rescue shelters are they really want the re-home to be succesful so they try their best to match a dog to you and your lifestyle. They won't re-home a dog to you that they feel would be too much for you. And they also continue to provide support and advice after the adoption.

[KieranDS]

Get a dalmatian. They are absolutely adorable.

[molliepops]

Originally Posted by KieranDS

Get a dalmatian. They are absolutely adorable.

Rather bigger than a small to medium breed though.

[Wee Tinkers]

Originally Posted by StressMonkey

Pups bred from older, asymptomatic parents are a better bet. If you know anyone with an older Cav that is in good general health and without SM symptoms ask about the dogs in their pedegree.

If you are getting a rescue then again, older dogs are a better bet.

Crossbreeding is always hit and miss. The only thing cross breeding can rule out is resesive genetic disorders where one of the breeds never suffers from that illness. And even then, the pups can be carriers. If you are very unlucky, a cross bred pup can end up with the worst of both parent breeds!!

Thanks StressMonkey, all good stuff to take on board.

Plan to go for an older rescue and hopefully the rescue centre will advise us as much as they can too.

I wonder how easy it would be to get insurance cover for a rescue cav with possibly a scant health record. Anyway, I shouldn't worry about that now...it'll be a while before we take the plunge so getting ahead of myself with talk of insurance deals, lol.

[KieranDS]

Originally Posted by molliepops

Rather bigger than a small to medium breed though.

True. Not mine though...he's a little midget

[StressMonkey]

Originally Posted by KieranDS

True. Not mine though...he's a little midget

The're also usually mad as a box of frogs