Tibetan Terrier or Cavalier?

[kag2007]

I have spent month researching dog breeds for our first family pet and have narrowed it down to these two. I found 2 great breeders but am struggling to decide which breed to go for. I have a 4yr old and a 6 yr old, so not tinies but still young. I've spent time with both breeds and am very prepared for training, puppy classes and all the practical things. Can anyone who has owned either breed please give me their views. My main cons are TTs seem to mouth lots and this might frighten kids, cavs are big shedders and have health issues (breeder does all the screening though). I did attempt the rehoming route but there was nothing in my area that was appropriate. Please help me decide :)

[happygardening]

We used to own a cav. they are happy go lucky very friendly easily trained cheerful little dogs.They often seem to be overweight as they are easily spoilt! I don't think they shed any more than and other shedding dog.
On the other hand a friend owned a TT it was gorgeous to look at but wilful and not overly friendly to those outside of its family. They do need to go to the groomers on a regular basis and need much much regular brushing than a cav. My old dog groomer a complete dog nut said they were the only breed of dog she didn't like.

[happygardening]

haveapear interesting my min. poodle never mouths!

[shepherdsdelight]

I am biased. Adore my TT - he is so much more than just a dog somehow. Ours is quiet and docile at home but has high energy levels outside - perfect combination for family life. They were mis-named terriers. Characters can vary widely but they are always fun dogs to have around and love being at the centre of family life (taking shoes, inspecting the fridge every time the door is opened, sniffing through the shopping bags, jumping into your chair the minute you leave it,whatever I am doing he is there 'helping'!)

[kag2007]

How does your TT fare with kids Shepherd? The breeder has given me another day to think about it, her line is called Boshanti and looks like a great breeder. Decision....

[CajaDeLaMemoria]

I'd go with the TT. Meet the parents, and see how they are with your kids. I've never met one that's grown up with kids and loved them, though. No mouthing or aloofness in my experience.

Of course Cavs are lovely roo, and make great family pets, but there are very few without heart problems these days. I'll never forget nursing our Cavs through heart disease. It was expensive, both financially and emotionally, and having to put him to sleep when it got too much was one of the darkest days of my life. He was 12, and I was 19, but it broke me.

So I'd go TT, because they are almost equal on everything else, but TTs win on health.

They make fantastic guide dogs, too!

[shepherdsdelight]

kag dd was 12 when we got ours, so I don't have experience with younger children and TTs. I've heard of Boshanti but don't really know much about them (ours is Araki). Ask about hip scores of both parents (under 20 is ok I think). And ask about eye tests - you'll need to google what is considered 'acceptable' and what specific eye conditions TTs are prone to. Then before you commit make sure your puppy's parentage falls within the acceptable parameters. (Our first TT, whilst adorable, had hip dysplasia (his mother had an unacceptably high hip score which I sadly chose to ignore).
Our current TT is mouthy, and noisy - but both could be sorted easily if we were more consistent in our training!
Good luck, and don't be rushed into making a decision. Talk to the breeder about any concerns - and if there is anything you think they are avoiding answering then be suspicious.
We are still in regular contact with the breeder of our current TT, and she likes having him for holidays so she can see how is doing, and address any behavioural problems. He always comes back much better behaved than when he went!!!

[Willowisp]

Wait until your youngest dc is at school. Then get a cav . Perhaps I have a rogue one, but she doesn't shed at at all.

Seriously, Imo, high energy dogs + DC are a bad mix....especially when you'll have to drag the 4 year old out for walks in all weathers 2x a day.

[Booboostoo]

Soooooooooooooo? What did you decide OP?

[digerd]

Lhasa don't shed, BUT they have a full dense furry undercoat which matts quickly if not combed through daily. They are non aggressive, calm, love running when out, but curl up like cat indoors and look like a stuffed teddy.

Shitzus are also lovely and tend to be more energetic and playful.
TTs are very active and more excitable.

A cav has an easier coat to care for, very active as a spaniel, especially when young .

[saintmerryweather]

We have one rescued and one
TT. the rescued bitch is very quiet, anxious and difficult with other dogs. the dog is a 2 year old baby, he has the most personality of any dog ive ever met, hes just such a clown and loves to make people laugh. he is incredibly intelligent, watches the telly and both of them only respond to positive training methods. the dog mouthes sometimes but its more of a nibble.

They are both very stubborn and suffer horribly with seperation anxiety, its a breed trait because they are such people dogs. you have to give them a reason to do anything, if you want a dog who will do what you want, when you want, dont get a tt. They arent really laid back dogs, they always want to be involved and will stick their little noses in everywhere they can to see whats going on. To be completely honest, i love our dogs and wouldnt be without them but they are not easy dogs and i wouldnt recommend them as first dogs

[buttercrumble]

Cavalier, ours was amazing with the kids. He was so loving and hardly ever barked and never chewed. He was perfect..

[saintmerryweather]

Oh and both of ours seem to have some sort of allergy and our bitches ears get infected and blocked up

[LeeCoakley]

We have an overweight, untrainable Cav who sheds loads and we absolutely adore her. I can't think of a more perfect companion. Someone mentioned the eyes, the eyes on a Cav are lovely but the eyes on a King Charles are very bulbous.

[mervynmouse]

We had a lovely little TT but would agree they can suffer badly with separation anxiety, had to take her everywhere with me smuggled into a large bag or she would bark incessantly when left home alone even for short periods. Would also say that although she was great with my DS she went totally hyper when other kids visited and it became quite a stressful issue. Barking maniacally and racing round and round. I personally wouldn't recommend for young family, can be very hard work. Very loving and loyal though.

[kag2007]

It is great to hear other people's experiences I am still undecided but its looking more like a cav at the moment. I have also been having a look at the Havanese and cavachons (don't shoot me!) These two have cav type temperament but none shedding. People seem to vary greatly on their experience of cav shedding so I could be lucky I guess. TTs aren't sounding great for first time owner, so will have to weigh that up against how lovely they are!

[Floralnomad]

No one can say a dog won't shed ( in the designer crosses) ,as can be seen from numerous other threads on here. Also you really need to be wary about whether the pure bred bits of the cross had had all the relevant health checks. Had you considered mini schnauzers ,lots of young families around here have them and I may be wrong but I don't think they shed much if at all .

[saintmerryweather]

Havanese are very expensive but i love them they look like mini tt's. i went to discover dogs at crufts and was allowed to hold one and they feel like a proper dog, proper solid little bodies even though they are toys. i spent a long time talking to the breeder who was on the stand. he said that havanese are loving, affectionate, want to please you, little lapdogs who can rough and tumble with big dogs and children. reading between the lines of what he said i think maybe seperation anxiety could be a problem but he didnt actually say that. i know of one havanese personally and it is a nasty yappy snappy little thing that cant be trusted with other dogs BUT every single time i see it it is either being carried or sitting on its owners lap. its never allowed on the floor to be with other dogs. when i spoke to the guy at discover dogs and mentioned this dog to him he said that a havanese should never be like that, it should be slightly reserved with strangers but otherwise happy and friendly and he reckons its because it is molly coddled.

dont buy an.imported one either he said. his breed name was larwinsca he runs the breed club, might be worth a look. They are a rare breed so are expensive but i would have one very happily based on his reccomendation

[mrslaughan]

None of what I call the "designer dogs" are guaranteed non shedding ..... Though it seems to be what all the breeders want you to believe - I know two families that have labora doodles that their dogs shed like buggery.....

[kag2007]

Thanks again for all your input. We decided to go for a cross breed (cavalierxbichon frisée) and hope for cavs lovely temperament and bichon a none shedding though if we end up with bichon's lovely temperament and cav's lovely shedding coat I'll be equally delighted