Cockaliers

[arlequin]

Very keen to hear from anyone who has a cockalier what they’re like as pets. We are looking to take a very long run into this and are particularly interested in them as a family dog for a family in outer London. Could I ask their energy levels compared to a cocker or cavalier? I’d be very interested to hear about either show or working cocker crosses. It would be imperative for us to find a puppy from a responsible breeder where both parents have been fully health tested so I’d be very interested to hear if anyone knows of one.

Thanks so much!

Having owned several CKCS, I can say I’d never buy another one. They have the most fantastic character and make an ideal family pet. Sadly they have been irresponsibly bred and it’s been a too small breeding pool in the UK. Hence, it’s not just cardiac problems but their propensity for severe neurological conditions. I read one study that estimated 94% of British cavaliers to have chiara malformations due to breeding for looks/small heads. A 2016 study estimated prevalence of CLM in CKCS to be remarkably high, ranging between 92% and 100%, with syringomyelia (SM) diagnosed in up to 70% of the breed. Even higher now. Symptoms often don’t show up until later. Many owners are unaware of subtle pain symptoms (excessive paw licking/rolling on their backs/head shaking/ear scratching) so are unaware their cavs have the condition.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23100307/

@funtimetoni😍😍😍

We have one. He’s a very happy, enthusiastic dog. He can last the distance on walks and loves water but he is small enough to be easy to manage. Friendly and cuddly, not a guard dog as loves visitors but does tend to bark quite a bit.

Easy to train as food orientated. My particular one is a little bit dog reactive on a lead but I think it’s because he had a bad experience with a bigger dog when he was young. He does need grooming as he has the cavalier fur pattern on his feet, tail and ears. He has a longer nose and so far he has been healthy, he’s now 6 years.

I’d have another as they are small but energetic. A ‘proper’ dog not a lap dog but a nice size to snuggle on the sofa with.

This 👆🏻 the appetite for poodle crosses is insane where I live and they’re not always great dogs temperamentally or health-wise. For example, a cocker spaniel has a much lower immune system than a poodle so instantly reduces its immunity score; The Cockapoos I walk are constantly in the vets. They are nervy, yappie, jump up at you all the time and are not always particularly good with other dogs. Although this could be due to the fact that all the Cockapoo owners I know are first time dog owners, haven’t socialised them very well and treat them like babies.

another thing to remember is that cocker spaniels are huge resource-guarding dogs which could be prevalent in any spaniel cross that you get.

always remember that when you’re getting a mixed breed you’re effectively getting two breeds of dog. You have to know what those breed drives are and cater to both of them.

I’ve never really understood the appetite for designer breeds. If you don’t mind a cross breed why not just go to a rescue - they’re full of them. If you have that much cash to spend on a ‘breeder’, you could donate that to the rescue centre instead of lining the pockets of people who often make breeding bitches’ lives a misery.

You’ll be lucky to find a reputable breeder of designer mongrels such as these - they are usually trend and money led.