Shih Tzu, Havanese or Toy Poodle??

[BlueRaspberry7]

I've researched for many months to whittle our breed shortlist down to these 3 - removing cockapoos and Cavapoos along the way - having learnt of behavioural issues eg. SA.

I wfh, go on 2 short daily walks and have a private garden, have a husband who also wfh half the week, two young teens and 3 cats, and rarely travel.

Can anyone please advise which breed would be best suited to us as first time dog owners?

We have a cavapoo and don’t have separation anxiety with her. Whilst their breed may be prone, it’s still down to how you raise/train your dog.

Thanks, I hear what you're saying. As a first time dog owner, I'm thinking it'd be wise to go with a bed that isn't as prone to that.

Breed, not bed!

Toy poodles are bred to be companion dogs, so are liable to separation anxiety.

We have a Havanese. They are very different to poodles so I recommend meeting some of these dogs to see what suits you. Certainly the poodle crosses I meet are very outgoing, Havanese are more reserved- very loving to their family, but less fussed about strangers.

We haven't had any issues with SA and toilet training was straight forward. Ours has quite a nervous personality, but not all are. You need to put in time for grooming with all of these breeds. We don't own cats but ours is fascinated by the cats he meets. Your lifestyle sounds perfect for a havanese / SZ. I don't know much about TPs just that you need to be careful about health issues.

It depends what you like and want and also very much on the personality of individual dog.
I've never 'owned' any of these breeds (and may never) but I have also heavily researched their breed characteristics. Overall, take my comments with a pinch of salt as I know no more than you do.
I know 2 people who have Shih Tzus. They are both very happy with them. But the breed is too independent, standoffish to strangers and barky for me.
Havaese seem like lovely natured dogs but I ruled them out personally as they can be prone to SA, I'd heard.
If I had to choose between the 3 breeds, miniature poodles would be my choice. Highly trainable and good natured, I've never disliked any I've met. But some can be noisy, most seem too frenetic / lively / always on go for me personally. They're the perfect size though, and their intelligence, trainabilty, good nature and longevity holds great appeal to me. I've read that some can be barky though and their grooming needs is also a consideration. There's no perfect breed, just the dog that's perfect for you. My advice would be to go to see litters from all breeds before choosing. So much depends on the individual dog and it's taken ne decades to realise books are no substitute for your own hands on experience. See some, with your heart and good luck. Try to choose a pup who clearly likes you and who you lurve too!

Go with your heart is what I meant to say :-)

We had a toy poodle for 14 years. They are one person dogs. He went nowhere with anyone else but me and would follow me everywhere. If I was away he could be found waiting for me on the front door mat!

Speaking from dog walking my dog, the ship tzu around our area are aggressive, barky little terrors, and if were any larger wound be put on the dangerous dog register. The two or three I regularly past all snarl and bark (and has passive parents for owners).

We've had a few breeds of dog in our time and the best have been shih tzu which we had two of. Absolutely fantastic "easy" dog. Mine were easy to toilet train, recall train. Doesn't mind being left alone, never chewed up the house! Not overly barky but will let you know if someone's at the front door. Very chilled out and loving and don't need overly long walks. I'd have shih tzu again in a heartbeat! Only downside was the grooming but we kept ours in a neat short cut every 8-10 weeks. Growing up parents had poodles (years apart) and both could be very stubborn and slightly snappy!

Mixed reports about Shih Tzus here - interesting to hear about aggressive ones, I hadn't heard of that but imagine it's a possibility in any breed.

We’ve had shih tzus in our family and I wouldn’t have them again. We’ve had a couple of lovely ones and a couple that have been very aloof, one-person dogs. Plus they are flat-faced and can have eye and teeth issues as a result.

I would go for a miniature poodle rather than a toy. The minis are a bit more easygoing. Any dog bred to be a companion breed is naturally more prone to SA though, so bear that in mind.

I don’t know about Havanese so can’t comment on them. In your circumstances I would have a look at papillons and bichon frise as well as poodles.

Shih-tzus are brachycephalic so I would avoid them for that reason alone. They're also prone to issues with their eyes and skin.

I don't know much about Havanese.

I would personally avoid any "toy" dog - a mini poodle would fit the bill though.

Interesting, thanks all.

Very interested to hear about Havanese if anyone has experience? I met a very lovely older one at the park yesterday.

Ex Havanese owner here - lovely dog, very chilled, nice on walks, cute. Lovely with kids. Did have some health problems with ACL and arthritis and did not have a healthy old age. We had cats as well and they got on fine. they are great dogs for a novice owner.
Shiz tzu - MIL had one - manic, horrible to toilet train, completely insane and she had to rehome.

I now have a toy poodle mix who is the perfect dog tbh and has read all the books about how to behave! So they also seem like lovely dogs for a FT owner.

Poodle owner here
negatives: bark is loud & reasonably frequent (he came to us as a barker), very fussy with his food; grooming is essential - we like him longer haired but that means daily brushing and 6 weekly grooms. Our also came with severe SA but through consistent training we can now leave him for a couple of hours but this does mean we always need a sitter or help if we're going out for the day or evening.
positives: ridiculously lovable always up for a cuddle; very loyal; eager to please/easy to train; will walk for hours but doesn't need loads of exercise (mental stimulation a must) lovely size, doesn't shed at all and

I think I'm leaning towards Havanese....

Would a bichon frise be an option?

Poodles are clever and would need more than two short walks a day imo (although that goes for most dogs...)

Shih Tzu can have health issues and be tricky to train.

I don't know any havenese so can't comment but do know a few bichon frises who all seem to be lovely, friendly dogs.

It would also be worth considering some of the terrier breeds, westies are lovely family dogs.

Chihuahua

I've heard lots of lovely tings about bichons- my cousin adores his - but I don't want a white dog the various reasons.

Pure-bred Havanese can be white though

They're also quite well "known" for changing colours as they age, often completely by the age of one.

Havenese and poodles are generally white...

My Havanese was black.

@EasyComfortDishes was your Havanese a happy and healthy dog? I've seen quite a few black ones around too.

I have a shih tzu x poodle. She has a lot of traits of both breeds. She is very stubborn (shih tzu) but very loyal and loves people. She likes people more than dogs. She is territorial of the home and very alert generally. She also loves walks and chasing things (poodle). Poodles tend to be quite neurotic and she does have some of that. She’s not a hectic as as most poodles are, so the shih tzu side is a good balance. We didn’t have her from a puppy, she was rehomed to us, but I imagine she was probably quite stubborn to train, as shih tzu’s can be. She will bark at the doorbell etc but is not aggressive. She is less barky than the westie I grew up with. She is a fussy eater as small dogs often are, but very healthy. We wouldn’t be without her.