Shipoo/cavapoo/other

[88milesanhour]

We are considering getting a dog. We have a 5YO child and 2 cats. I love larger dogs but I also want my child to be able to walk it etc and I think a smaller dog would be less offensive to the cats. We've cared for smaller dogs before and the cats have not exactly been thrilled but they've tolerated them.

I'm considering either a shi tzu poodle cross or a cavapoo as I feel that these would most tick the above boxes. Does anyone own either of the above breed? Or have any other recommendations/advice? Thanks xx

Yes I see lots in classes. widely variable, a lot really bonkers, some very withdrawn/ anxious. I personally would not get one. Id try to adopt but know thats hard with kids etc. I would try a whippet, once its brought up with cats should be fine. Try fostering a puppy maybe and see what its like- you can always return once its found a home.

Thanks. I think this is probably a common thing with trendy crossbreeds as you're mixing 2 very different personality types

I do love Sorry if I'm being daft but are whippets good with cats? I'd imagine them to have a strong prey drive like a greyhound for example?

I've tried posting this three times so here goes again!..
We have a Maltese. Not a popular choice but 5kg fully grown, v cute and very trainable. Absolutely loves dd 3 and all her little friends, likes to be dressed up by them. Loves cats. Two short walks a day and won't go out if it's raining!

Get a miniature poodle, they are amazing dogs. A pure bred is far better than a cross.

Whippets started as puppies can be fine with cats and are such a great dog. Not good on recall but perfect with kids. Poodles good too but health issues....

Got a cavapoo who is lovely and gets on with cats although she can get over excited and rush up to them at times which they don't like. It took work to slowly introduce them and get the cats comfortable with having a dog

Poodles aren’t known for being an unhealthy breed and they have a long life span.

https://poodleclubofamerica.org/health-concerns/

All breeds are prone to specific diseases. You could put a link up to every breed going. Poodles are generally healthy, much more so than many other breeds.

If you Google unhealthy dog breeds, poodles don’t get mentioned.

We have a shih tzu x bichon (zuchon) that we absolutely adore. He has such a lovely temperament, was easy to train, great around children. Can't imagine better family dog, for us anyway

My mum has a shihpoo and it’s a very anxious, needy dog

Poodles are generally considered to be a very sturdy breed with few health issues. Their life expectancy ranges from 10-18 years. Through the long history of genetically breeding calm, compassionate, and intelligent dog, most Poodles live a perfectly healthy long life.

We had a cavapoo, very clever little dog, easy to train, quite clingy thou and she lived with our old cat. Sadly she had inherited all the bad health problems of the Cavalier King Charles and died of a bad heart at 7 years.

I'm a poodle fan as well. Although they are bigger than your choices.

Toy poodles are quite small and very CUTE. 🐾❤️

I have a miniature poodle. He is the best!!

Thanks for all responses. This is is opening my mind to the idea of just going for a miniature poodle. ITO health problems with crossbreeds my understanding is that it doesn't really reduce the risks if any breed weaknesses it's just pot luck which (if any) they'll develop am I right?

Correct.

Mini poodles are fab. They don't shed, they're intelligent, they're quick to learn, they love people and are generally great little dogs to own.

We have a cavapoochon (don't laugh I know she's a mutt!)

Dad was a miniature poodle, mum a bichon x cavalier.

She's lovely! Very sweet tempered dog. But she's also 10kg, they're not always small!

Cavapoo here. A bit anxious - sticks close to
me on walks, and doesn’t like to greet other dogs. But that’s fine. Good w being left now she’s not a pup. We love her! Also had her genetically tested and she is clear for everything (phew!)

The issue with genetic health problems is that if you cross 2 dogs who are carriers for the faulty gene, you have 50% chance of each puppy inheriting the condition- hence the health testing in pedigree dogs.
So if both breeds, for example, have hip dysplasia then both parents, irrespective of breed, should be hip scored.

Unfortunately there is this popular myth that X- breeds are overall healthier than pure breeds. But that can only be if both parents don't carry certain faulty genes.

what about a shiztzu that’s not crossed. Happy little funny characters and generally pretty chilled with a low prey drive (so unlikely to chase your cat)
I also agree with the Maltese suggestion upthread

It's not 'pot luck' if the breeder has health tested their dogs (and the rugs score low - just saying health tested isn't enough).
The cavapoos I know are quite hyper (and one clingy but I think that's more the owners fault).

Your main issue with crossbreeds of that type is that the vast majority are puppy farmed. Obviously you need to ensure you are not supporting this vile industry, whether you buy a cross or a pedigree - but it is a lot easier to find a decent breeder with a pedigree. Please educate yourself to what buying a farmed puppy means for the welfare of both the parents and the puppy, for health and temperament.

Even when you have educated yourself, it is still hard. Do not be taken in by fancy websites, often all this means is that they are high output puppy farmers, so have money to throw at marketing. If you are buying from a licensed breeder, please contact the relevant council and see how many dogs they are licensed for. I wouldn't touch any breeder of cross breeds licensed for bitches in double figures with a bargepole.

To buy a dog responsibly is very difficult indeed these days, but please do take time to make as sure as is possible that you do this. For my money, the best chance of this is to buy a pet puppy from a show breeder who can show you generations of dogs with good temperaments, evidence of good health results appropriate to the breed, and who asks you more questions than you ask them!

I wouldn't have a Cavapoo or Cavadoodle as all the ones I've ever met, and that's a lot as they are very populate are very yappy. I love dogs but I can't stand any kind of yapping.