Aibu to get a puppy cavachon?

[Onynx]

A friend of my aunt has a litter of cavachon puppies. She has both of the parent dogs. Our boys have been begging us for a dog for years (12,9&5). I had a King Charles growing up, my mum currently has a bijon frise. Aibu to ask the drawbacks of having a cavachon (and first dog for the boys?) I am a sahm so would be home most days. Also the dog is bright red- is that unusual for a cavachon?

I am picking up on an earlier comment you made about allergies OP. Please be aware that whilst a Bichon Frise is a non-shedding "hypoallergenic" dog a Cavalier isn't and a mix of the two doesn't necessarily confer the non-shedding on to the resulting pup. Basically if you think because it is half Bichon then it won't cause allergic reactions you may be wrong. Make sure the allergic person spends time with the pup before you take it home to be sure no allergic reaction.

I have a Bichon. I am told they are hard to house train (mine isn't), can't be left alone (mine is fine being left on the odd occasion we need to), very clean as don't moult (mine is FOREVER in the dirt and subsequently the house is filthy!)

Just be aware that the characterists everyone associates with the breed might not show in your particular dog. Mine is also very big for a Bichon and rather gorgeous (even if I do say so myself!)

A crossbreed and a mongrel are the same thing. A mix of two or more breeds of dog. HTH.

*The Kennel Club is responsible for hideous pain and suffering in many breeds I’m afraid,

Nope. Unscrupulous breeders are. Anyone can KC Reg a purebred puppy.

we need to be sure of parentage as one of our boys has allergies - you need a pedigree non-shedding breed then, so that you are guaranteed of what you are getting. You may get the Bichon non shedding gene, or the Cavalier shedding gene. Chances are you won't know what you've got until the dog is 6 - 12 months of age, when the adult coat comes in. If allergies are a problem, what are you going to do if the puppy turns out to be a shedder?

I had missed the bit about allergies. OP, dog allergy is caused not by hair but by skin flakes and saliva. There aren’t any hypoallergenic dogs, I’m afraid.

Adopt, don't shop. There are breed specific rescues if your child's allergies require it, although if you are considering a spaniel bichon cross, that opens up quite a range of dogs. There are so many lovely rescue dogs who need a home, please don't encourage back door breeding.

I am about the notion that rescue is somehow the answer. People do realise that the dogs in rescues are the same dogs that have come from the puppy farms people are advising against don’t they? so the only difference in going to a rescue is that you won’t be paying the earth for a dog and encouraging a trade, but you will still be getting an unknown with potential health or social problems.

These puppies are already here. The aunt is not selling the puppy to the Op, or do people genuinely think it’s better that these puppies go into rescue so the OP can rescue one of them from there? Because that is essentially what you’re suggesting.

I get what you are saying summer but I think the general assumption is that if everyone stopped buying puppies (so that sellers have to send them to shelters) then there is no incentive to breed in the first place. But then eventually surely we'd end up with no puppies being sold OR ending up in rescue centres?

I think the train of thought on this thread is that you should get a dog from a reputable breeder. But even the Dogs Trust official advice says that a Kennel Club registration is not a guarantee.

They have some general advice on how to buy a puppy and I can't see that there is anything in OPs initial information to suggest she wouldn't be (generally) following that advice.

www.dogstrust.org.uk/help-advice/advice-for-owners/buying-a-dog/buying-a-dog

Anyone can KC Reg a purebred puppy.

You can register a crossbreed too.

These puppies are already here. The aunt is not selling the puppy to the Op, or do people genuinely think it’s better that these puppies go into rescue so the OP can rescue one of them from there? Because that is essentially what you’re suggesting.

Yes, these puppies are already here, and perhaps unwisely so if the only home available would be to gift it to a relative of a friend, that to our knowledge the OP has never met, it sounds very responsible! It is a friend of her Aunt, not the Aunt that has the puppy.

By breeding more puppies in an overstocked market the inevitable result is that it creates a spiral of dogs that are homeless, which is my whole issue with getting a puppy in the first place. I have a neighbour that is always breeding and selling puppies, there is a continuous run of 'designer' breeds that are kept in the garden a few at a time or caged in the house. Anyone visiting would think that it is a nice family dog that the owner has allowed to have puppies, the reality is that it is a commercial enterprise with dogs that aren't socialised or trained.

Stopping the demand is the only answer I'm afraid.

Not all rescue dogs have problems, and not all are greyhounds, lurchers or staffies, although admittedly they are sadly more common.

I've currently got two very well bred labradors and a lurcher that were all rescued, and I've had dozens of rescues over the years, from pedigrees to Heinz 57's. All made lovely dogs, and behavioural issues can occur in any dog, buying a puppy is no guarantee that it won't have issues down the line.

I don’t think the OP is doing anything wrong here. But the reality is that on MN people are far more passionate about buying a dog than having a child.

Want a baby you can’t afford? “It’s ok, all babies need is love, and all will be well.”

Want a puppy? “How dare you not go to rescue rather than buying from a breeder.” .

My personal view is that if it was made illegal to profit from buying dogs then you would shut down the puppy farm trade overnight.

In my circle of family and friends we have five cross breeds (lab retrievers/retriever/GSDx/cavachon, and the only dog which has been plagued with serious health problems throughout its life is a pure-bred labrador who came from so-called reputable breeders.

As for rescue, they put far more effort into raising money than they do into rehoming dogs. And sometimes putting a dog down is not a bad thing. The likes of dogs trust send out these adverts about how “we never put a healthy dog down,” and then show adverts of dogs who are so traumatised they will never be rehomed and will, instead, spend the rest of their lives in kennels. Sorry but that is not a healthy dog and it’s a despicable way to earn money. Just put the poor thing out of its misery. Sometimes not putting a dog down is worse than putting it down.

Best dogs ever!

I got one because I love cavvies but didn't want the associated health problems.

She's so lovely my parents got one as well.

Here she is 😍

Summergems - nope, I'm as passionate about children being brought into the world that can't be supported too!

I also agree that euthanising isn't the worst thing that can happen to some unfortunate dogs that are so damaged they can't be homed. That is only some rescues though, and surely it would be better to tackle the problem from reducing the supply of dogs in the first place, so that we aren't having to kennel and/or euthanise thousands of unwanted animals. Adding more dogs, whether cross bred, mongrel or pedigree is exacerbating the issue.

A crossbreed and a mongrel are the same thing. A mix of two or more breeds of dog. HTH

Wrong! A cross breed is a cross between two breeds of dog. The parents breeds are known.

A mongrel is a cross between 2 parents, one of whom has been crossbred so at least 3 breeds make up the mongrel.

You can call mine mongrels if it, somehow makes you feel superior. I couldn't care less what you think.

What's wrong with mongrels anyway? I've had a few mongrels in my time, as well a few "pedigrees".

Most people want a dog for companionship. Most people have no inclination to train their dog to agility, flyball or anything else to champion standard. Personally, I couldn't think of anything more boring than ensuring my dog is clipped to KC specification, stands to KC specification etc

Myself and my children were happy to take the dog for a walk, teach him some tricks, enjoy jumping over hurdles and through tunnels for fun. Any dog can do that. Nobody needs to spend a fortune on a dog that meets KC standards - unless that's their hobby.

I'm sure you can explain to us "idiots" why a pedigree dog is superior to a mongrel... And let us know what superior breed you own?

Btw I didn't pay an eyewatering amount for mine. I don't know anyone else who paid over £500 either. If you don't own a cross breed don't believe all you hear.

I can’t understand the viteriol against mixed breeds. Whilst I totally agree that dogs and humans are different if people started applying the the pure breed criteria that people insist is right and proper for dogs to humans you end up with some rather unpleasant ideologies.

Some of the best dogs I've owned have been mongrels; I think the thing to look for if you are intent on buying a puppy of whatever make/model, is to ensure it is as healthy and well socialised as possible and avoid lining the pockets or making life easier for unscrupulous breeders, whether of pedigrees or crossbreeds. I do think that many 'designer' breeds are bred by folk wanting to make a quick buck sadly.

I think a lot of the issue with cross breeds is that they are essentially designer dogs and have been given designer names so as to essentially create the illusion that they are a breed in their own right, so e.g. you get a cockerpoo instead of a cocker/poodle cross. And with the fancy name comes the fancy price tag, and thus the temptation for unscrupulous individuals to breed them for money.

As a rule I don’t hold with the issues that are claimed to be unknown as there is very little evidence of these crosses coming out with serious health problems in the way that the purebreds have.

I have a family member with a purebred lab who bought it from a reputable breeder, parents genetics known, elbow/hip scored etc etc etc long line of shows behind the parents, paid a large amount of money for said dog as a puppy and she’s had nothing but health problems throughout her life.

Friend of my mum’s put in a lot of research to finding the breeder of her dog, waited for eighteen months for her puppy, collected it and the puppy had Parvo virus so clearly not vaccinated as promised or kept in decent conditions. Also has had numerous other health problems since she bought it.

Purebred guarantees absolutely nothing, not even if you think you have a reputable breeder.

You can register a crossbreed too

Not as a pedigree dog you can't.

Tilly - you're wrong. Look it up.

Of course not professor. A pedigree is by definition the offspring of two dogs of the same breed.

But you can KC register a crossbreed.

I know, I'm perfectly aware, seeing as I own KC registered dogs of both kinds. But it has nothing to do with breeding or health, it's for working or competitions.

Please tell us what magnificent breed of dog you own Professor...We are all itching to rush out and buy one

Why do you need to know so much? I own rescue dogs and pedigree dogs. It makes no difference to this conversation.

I'm not entering the pedigree/non pedigree debate but just saw on Page 1 or 2 Annabel's statement that crossing virtually eliminates the pedigree health problems. No! Seriously have whatever dog you want from who ever but crossing two breeds does not eliminate the specific health issues. Vet here! So many clients believe this and are stunned that there health xbred has got a condition that they could have avoided with health tested parents. Get what you want, dont assume across is healthier and please whatever breed or breeds make up your pup get it from health tested parents.

(and sorry for typos!)

There you go...