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Original poster

King Charles or Labrador?

21 replies

DeRoo · 20/10/2020 14:47

I am thinking of getting a dog next year.

Would be happy to rehome a dog, but there seems to be a shortage.

I like both of the above two breeds. More familiar with a Labrador as had one as a child, but also like King Charles spaniels. It would be just me and the dog. I am near the country but live in a town, so would be a bit concerned re. exercise, as long walks could only probably happen 2 - 3 times a week.

I am only at the "consideration" stage, but if anyone has any advice or experience on this it would be most welcome.

OP posts:

maxelly · 20/10/2020 15:01

They're very different breeds. One is a large,high energy, food driven working gundog breed, one is a lapdog, low-energy toy dog - what is it that attracts you to those breeds in particular and others may be able to recommend other suggestions?

To be honest in your circumstances neither breed seems perfect. Always under-estimate how much exercise you can offer/go for a breed which needs less walking than you think you can cope with, as e.g. you may think well I can walk him for 30 mins a day with an extra hour on a Monday, Weds and Friday after work but that's really on a good week. What happens when you feel rough and exhausted on the Monday, have a doctors appointment on the Wednesday and its pouring with rain on the Friday? If you have a high energy breed that's climbing the walls without exercise you'll have to drag yourself out religiously regardless of the weather and whatever else is going on in your life, whereas if it's a breed that's fine with 30 mins a day and anything else is a bonus not such a big deal.

So for that reason I'd say no to the lab, and I'd avoid the KC spaniel as well as the breed has really bad health issues, their skulls are misshapen and press on the brain through years of inbreeding and they have heart issues too and often only live 9-10 years which is not a lot for a little dog.

If you like the spaniel look you could look at cocker spaniels or Britanny spaniels which are smaller and more manageable than a lab but still bred to go all day and will need plenty of physical and mental stimulation. Or if realistically you need something more chilled, why not look at one of the healthier toy breeds, maybe a toy poodle (don't think of the ones with the silly pom pom show cuts, look at pics in a natural cut), tibetan terrier, havenese or maltese, shih tzu or a small terrier breed (these can be trickier to train than the toys due to high prey drive) - border terrier, jack russell or a mini shnauzer? Any of these would be suited to town life with short-ish daily walks but be able to enjoy longer countryside walks as and when?

Or retired racing greyhounds are notoriously very easy to keep, just need short bursts/sprints of exercise and then will snooze all day long and there's certainly no shortage of them? They have downsides in that most can't live with cats due to hunting/chasing instincts and some can't be let off lead except in an enclosed area but if you can manage those things they are lovely dogs...

Original poster

DeRoo · 20/10/2020 16:08

Its more temperament-driven (and what I know - I know something about Labradors as I had as a child, but realise the younger ones esp may need more exercise than I can provide - though I have factored in bad days or over-estimations). I'm not really wanting a greyhound. I do know about the health problems of King Charles spaniels, though I didn't think it was that bad, its so sad as they have lovely temperaments. Thanks for your other advice re. other breeds, I'll have a think.

OP posts:

NewlyGranny · 20/10/2020 16:12

Your lab needs 8 miles a day, every day, so that's a no! CKC are cute, but the sweetest dogs I've ever seen have been King Charles/cocker crosses, both glossy black. If I ever have another dog I'll hunt for one of these.

MaddeningtheUnhelpful · 20/10/2020 16:13

Love my king charles. Don't love hip dysplasia and cav heart though....

MaddeningtheUnhelpful · 20/10/2020 16:15

newlygranny my wonderful doggo is cocker cross cav. Everything us beautiful about her except her cav heart and hips

Figgygal · 20/10/2020 16:20

I grew up with Cavaliers both died early due to heart conditions the later one was on heart medication for humans which cost a fortune.

Don’t be fooled that all of their temperaments are lovely looking back our second one came from not a very good breeder they weren’t raised in a Home they were on a farm in a shed, he had behavioural issues from very young he was very temperamental he bit everyone in the house hated my brother was aggressive to him constantly yet was good with other dogs.

vanillandhoney · 21/10/2020 09:04

Honestly in your situation?

Neither. You need to walk a dog a decent distance everyday, especially while they're young. Labradors in particular need a lot of exercise and even though KCS are small they're still hardy little things and need a decent walk or run about each day.

You need to think about what you can give the dog in terms of time and exercise, then look at what breeds fit your criteria.

Wolfiefan · 21/10/2020 09:07

Depends what you mean by “long” walks. Dogs need exercise for both their mental and physical health.

AlwaysLatte · 21/10/2020 09:10

Labradors like long walks every day, CKCS are very happy on your lap or the sofa with shorter walks (I have one). I'd definitely have another one rather than a lab (although my husband wants the latter next time so we'll see!)

Inastatus · 21/10/2020 09:14

@NewlyGranny

I certainly don’t walk my lab 8 miles a day, every day! However, she does get a good hour every day so I think if you are unable to do that then you shouldn’t get a lab OP. I don’t know much about King Charles.

Wolfiefan · 21/10/2020 09:17

I wouldn’t have a CKCS. Beautiful dogs but such heart problems and syringomyelia (sp) too. Awful conditions.

CovidNightmare · 21/10/2020 09:32

I am near the country but live in a town, so would be a bit concerned re. exercise, as long walks could only probably happen 2 - 3 times a week.

A dog needs walked 2-3 times a day. At least one of those daily walks needs to be a reasonably long walk (once they are past the puppy stage where you need to be careful not to over exercise, but walks are important for socialisation and training). You can pay £10-£15 a day for a dog walker on the days you cannot do a long walk, but you would still need to do a morning/evening walk yourself.

Are you working full-time? Are you sure you can provide for a dogs needs if you don't have time to walk it?

Original poster

DeRoo · 21/10/2020 11:59

I am sorry to hear about the King Charles stuff . Thanks for the helpful, respectful and gentle replies. Though I do think the bossy / patronising tone of a some of the posters was a bit insulting, but heh I'm used to it in this world! Anyway, I will put this matter on hold for now, and think again in the NY.

OP posts:

Original poster

DeRoo · 21/10/2020 12:00

Covid, I don't work btw.

OP posts:

Original poster

DeRoo · 21/10/2020 12:02

I wont' be getting a King Charles Spaniel, its just too upsetting, bless them . I wish the breeders associations would do something but perhaps its not going to happen so easily once a "breed" is established, sigh.

OP posts:

theconstantinoplegardener · 21/10/2020 12:13

OP, did you mean King Charles Spaniels or were you actually thinking about Cavalier King Charles Spaniels? There is a difference! Cavs (aka CKCS) are very popular and can be quite sporty, energetic little dogs. They do have lots of health problems, so you would need to choose your breeder carefully. King Charles Spaniels are smaller and more lap-dogs than the Cavaliers. They have very short (brachyencephalic) muzzles, a disposition to various health problems, and are quite rare now.

PersonaNonGarter · 21/10/2020 12:14

Just go to the rescue and tell them what you need. They will find you a lovely dog that’s right for you.

Inastatus · 21/10/2020 13:47

@PersonaNonGarter - if only it was that easy to get a rescue dog in this country. I know several friends who desperately wanted to adopt in the UK but ended up getting dogs from overseas because of the over-complicated system we have here. One friend said she thought it would be easier to adopt a child!!

vanillandhoney · 21/10/2020 14:05

Though I do think the bossy / patronising tone of a some of the posters was a bit insulting, but heh I'm used to it in this world! Anyway, I will put this matter on hold for now, and think again in the NY.

I don't think anyone has been bossy or patronising, they're trying to be helpful and give you advice based on your OP so that you end up with a breed that's suitable for your lifestyle.

You said yourself long walks could only happen 2-3 times a week - unfortunately for an active, working breed like a Labrador that's just not enough, unless of course you have the money to pay for a dog walker or daycare on the days you can't manage it yourself.

Dogs that are regularly under-exercised often end up with behavioural problems - that could be anything from barking and stealing things for attention, to becoming destructive when left, to refusing to come back when out because they don't get out enough. And the sad reality is that dogs with behavioural problems often end up in rescue centres when the owners realise they just can't cope anymore. There was an owner on here a few years ago whose young labradors ate through a WALL when she left them for half an hour to do the school run!

It's honestly worth thinking about what you can happily commit to a dog on a daily basis. How long you can walk them and how long they'll be left are the main things to consider. My dog has severe separation anxiety, for example - we've had to make massive adjustments to our lifestyles to accommodate that but a lot of people wouldn't be able to live with a dog who can literally never be left beyond 30 minutes.

That's not me being patronising - it's realistic. It's really hard to change your life for a dog, so the more you think about it and plan, the more likely you'll be to have a happy, well-adjusted dog that fits in with your lifestyle. Happy dogs = happy owners, after all!

maxelly · 21/10/2020 14:27

@PersonaNonGarter

Just go to the rescue and tell them what you need. They will find you a lovely dog that’s right for you.

Haha, if only! Maybe this is true if you are an adults only household, large enclosed garden, someone at home all day AND you aren't fussy about breed or type of dog and/or are prepared to take on a dog with health or behavioural issues. But if like OP and I suspect most dog owners (no judgement whatsoever here) you have a preferred breed or type you want and that type isn't a staffy or greyhound/lurcher, you you could well be facing a long wait - how many labs or spaniels do you see in rescues for instance, hardly any around here and the ones that are usually have very significant health and/or behavioural issues - a popular breed (or crossbreed) puppy or young dog is worth at least £1000 so why would anyone just give them over to rescue unless something's gone badly wrong? Fair play to you if you are equipped and able to take that on but not everyone is (if they have children or they work or they are novice dog owners for instance) and that doesn't mean they shouldn't get to have a dog at all.

I'm a huge fan of rescuing BTW and have a house full of rescue animals myself but I do think you have to be realistic, unless you are very lucky indeed you don't get to walk into a rescue shelter with a shopping list e.g. I want a

sarahwil1 · 28/10/2020 12:42

Both breeds are lovely but I definitively have a soft spot for Labradors (very loyal, fun and loving). Obviously its ideal if you can take them on long walks yourself, but its not always necessary everyday as there are plenty of people who want to walk dogs (especially in the current climate!!). You should check out borrow my doggy as you can get dog walkers for about £40 a year!! This works great for us as we have just started working back in the office so don't always have time for a second walk etc. You could also try borrowing a lab/spaniel a few times to see which you prefer?

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