Cavapoo or Cavalier King Charles

[SurreyisSunny]

I’m considering getting a dog and after a lot of research am beginning to narrow it down!

Most importantly it must be good with young children (DS is 3) and be good with a child who has some behavioural issues (this is one of my main reasons for getting a dog as think my son would really benefit). Small as don’t have a huge garden.

I understand Cavs are not so easy to train as Cavapoos. Also they have more health issues and shed more.

Big plus for Cavs is I can buy from a KC breeder as finding a reputable Cavapoo breeder is not so easy. Risk of puppy farms as Cavapoos are a “designer” breed worries me.

Cavapoos obviously look cute and I’ve heard amazing things about them being therapy dogs. I also like the idea of having a big of the poodle intelligence.

Anything else I should be considering?

Totally out there as I love cavaliers and would always recommend them as a family pet but have you considered a whippet? They are fun and friendly and I've literally never met a bad one.

@Newuser82 no I haven’t, I’ll admit I know very little about them!

@SurreyisSunny have a read about them and see what you think. They are also pretty healthy little guys.

Cavaliers are wonderful dogs - we had one - never a moment of aggression, got on well with the cats, not fazed by children or other dogs. But they are prone to serious and expensive health problems. We were fortunate in being able to find a local breeder who took this seriously and our chap had no major health issues and lived to 14. Careful research is needed - or you could look at a rescue where any health problems will be made clear - Bliss Cavalier Rescue are good.

I agree that whippets are great, I had a whippet cross and he was a total sweetie.
My friends have a cavapoo, he's more poodle size than cav and he killed all their neighbours chickens.....All the poodle crosses I know are really clingy and if left alone for very long can be naughty, I wouldn't get one. Cavs are just a disaster health wise, living hardly any time because of all the bad breeding - I would expect you'd need to be prepared to pay a lot and wait quite a while if you want a decent one, but they are lovely if you find a really good breeder. I'd definitely go poodle or whippet otherwise though.

*Also whippets have a run around and then they're good, they don't need loads of stimulation or really long walks and if the weather's dodgy they'll probably be quite happy staying in or not going far.

I've had both, and still have a 10 year old cavapoo.

She's honestly the most wonderful kind little dog you could ever wish for, but she has had cataracts (which we've had sorted) and now a luxating patella that will require her to have an op at some point.

The cavalier however had heart issues, hip issues and wasn't the brightest tool in the box, but very sweet.

I'd also consider a poodle...

@Choconut OMG killed chickens?! Yes Cavs are ridiculously expensive which is potentially meaning I can’t afford. Anything cheaper seems to be inbred. The health issues really worry me

@PlaitBilledDuckyPuss yes health issues seem to be a increasing problem. Personality wise they’d be perfect but the health issues mean I need serious thought about what i could be taking on