Healthy Family Dog Breeds with criteria..

[DollyDayScream]

I've posted about the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel today and I learnt that despite being the perfect family dog the likely health issues make me pause considerably.

We want a sweet natured family dog that doesn't require more than 1 hour minimum daily exercise, isn't too big and is not yappy.

Must be steady around toddlers and not shed too much.

It will primarily live with mil, but will very much be a part of our family and come and stay at our house.

Although I really dislike the poodle mixed breeding and the ridiculous price that's being charged for them, every cockerpoo I have come across has been a lovely natured dog.
Only downside is the grooming and trimming required.

Chinese Crested Powderpuff... Lovely little dogs with a happy go lucky attitude! (At least nine where like that!)

Our border terrier fits what your looking for really well. They are overall a healthy breed, little shedding if you keep get them stripped twice a year and he has been brilliant with our kids. They can be a bit jumpy (we have a boy and a girl and the girl can loves to jump to lick noses) but we taught them and the kids how to deal with so it's not been a problem.

A whippet would fit the bill ime.

Does it have to be a pure breed dog? Yes King Charles Cavalier Spaniels are quite prone to getting heart problems but most breeds are predisposed to something. The gene pool is so small in a lot of breeds that they have serious health issues that are not being bred out.

Most rescues have young pups or just nice dogs in general that you can meet before you commit to anything. Lets you get an impression of the dog and you'll get to see a small bit of its personality. Not all of the dogs in rescues come with full histories known but some do and they are often cat and dog tested and have a recommended age of children that the dog can be around.

Adopting stops any contribution going towards overbreeding of dogs and towards puppy farms.

No puppy is suitable around toddlers
Cockerpoo and the like are a puppy farmer's dream. Steer clear.
I'm not sure I understand. You want a dog but it won't live with you? Doesn't sound like you're ready for a dog at all.

One of these....

Wolfie perhaps it's actually OPs MIL that is getting the dog but they're making the commitment as a family and want to make sure they get the right dog? And plenty of pups are suitable around toddlers if you manage it correctly. My daughter had just turned three when we got our pup and they are inseparable

Is it MIL's dog then? I'd suggest a poodle but no dog should be around a toddler without strict supervision.

A toddler and a puppy is a bloody awful combination.

Whippet or greyhound, Ready? Can't tell the size from your pic.

Shi chon / zu chon / teddy bear dog.
Easy to look after, not yappy, great personality, doesn’t shed and is sooooo cute!

Don't get a puppy, they are so much work and it's not fair with a toddler. I would also second (or third) the suggestion for a whippet or whippet x (small Lurcher). Get one around three years old, they live forever (late teens is not uncommon), will be past the mad puppy thug part and are complete couch potatoes but happy to go for a meander - unless it's raining then will be under a duvet hiding.
Downside to Lurchers - you must allow them on the sofa, it's cruel not to and they will let you know it 😂
And they are addictive! Few can stop at one...
Most sighthound breeds are very healthy and Lurchers generally more so. Plus there are so many in rescue that you have a wealth of choice.
I know what you mean about Cavs, they are the perfect family dogs but their health is shot 😔
Cockerpoos-will almost certainly come from a puppy farm, their coat is quite an upkeep and although often friendly the ones I've met have been quite high maintenance requiring lot of exercise.
Get a pointy dog, you'll never look back 😁

My girls in all their glory!! No nicer ddogs have I ever met!!

Look like whippies to me...?

Our gorgeous new girl is whippetizing, as DH puts it.
First pic breeder's pro one at around 8 weeks; second one with my crappy tablet camera at 12 weeks 5 days. Definitely starting to get the whippie look!

It is possible to find a healthy cavalier, it's just hard. You need to find a breeder who has the parents genetic tests, regular eye tests, regular heart checks and MRI scans plus knows their bloodlines (really important for heart health).

Although cavs are healthier and happier with over an hour off lead walking per day.

I have a show type cocker and a cavalier and they are very alike in exercise requirements and general spaniel nutty-ness and both are total softies- the cocker is also adamant that he was meant to be a lap dog but will settle for sleeping on your feet. The cocker has a little more tendancy towards separation anxiety, is better at retrieving balls and is more intelligent, so learns quicker. Oh and the cocker needs clipping but the cavalier is fine in full coat with brushing.

It will be Mils dog, she lives alone and wants a companion. However, we are very close and the children will be there lots and the dog will also spend time in our home. We fully support Mil and will be very involved.

I wonder if a Cavalier mix would work? Cavalier and poodle or Cavalier and another spaniel.

Yorkie?

Definitely not a cavalier cross - it doesn't stop the problems and actually increases the risks since anyone with a rare Cav good enough to breed (including the knowledge of lines) won't waste that potential on cross breeding (unless they are dodgy and doing it to over breed the bitch - you can only register 4 pedigree litters from a bitch in her lifetime).

Spaniels are high-energy dogs, even small ones like Cavaliers should get more than one hour of exercise a day. Poodles are also high-energy, so crossing the two is not going to get you a dog that's calm or low-energy!

I would second Cavaliers but from a good breeder. When I was younger we grew up with 5, they had perfect temperaments and were our best friends. My youngest sister wasn't even born with the first one and was 2 with the second.

Sorry it sent before I was ready.

Obviously each dog is an individual but we found that Cavaliers can be quite 'happy go lucky' they would join us on day trips round country parks and walk for miles, equally they would spend days at home playing with us in the garden and never seem to mind. (This would happen occasionally if someone was sick and couldn't be left while the dogs were walked or if a dog was sick.) I wouldn't advise no walks everyday.

Research actually shows that while all breeds of dogs have different exercise needs, there shouldn't be a defined time for walks everyday. 20 minutes is a good minimum for most breeds but everyday should be different otherwise they get use to it and it isn't as stimulating. Also mental exercise is far more valuable than physical so lots of training, play, interaction.

There are responsible breeders for all breeds out there, and also for some of the more well established crosses. Not every person breeding cocker poos or labradoodles is a shyster puppy farmer (although a lot are unfortunately).

Perhaps one of the best ways of finding a reliable breeder is to borrow someone else's friendly dog and go walking. Get chatting to anyone with a dog that's on your short list. If you like what you see, ask them where they got theirs from.

I’m glad a Border Terrier has already been mentioned here, when I walked into my vets when she was a puppy, BT’s are the breed my vet recommends for family’s. Have had many rescues but once having children felt I really wanted to know the dog so we got a puppy from a very reputable breeder. She ticks all the boxes, she’s sociable with other dogs, puts up being treated like a teddy from DD, doesn’t shed too much, she’s stripped twice a year and having had her will always recommend.

People who breed mixes do so for money. They are not reputable breeders. Would you consider a visit to discover dogs to meet different breeds?