Looking for a gentle companion dog

[Woldspace]

Looking for a companion dog to join my quiet household. Dh and I are semi retired and regularly go away for weekends ,and would like a companion dog to come camping with us and join us for sunday lunches , walks and the like.
We are aware that due to the nature of camping - we do not need a hi alert breed ( barking) .
We have narrowed it down to two litters.

1. Pure Bichon. Mum very affectionate calm. Dad unknown.But kennel club show type dog/ stud . Breeder - at home- providing lots of cuddles- have dc . Say will socialise- but unsure - how much. Household feels calm. Puppies mostly in large playpen . Feel that the family wont have a great deal of time to start potty training— and that pups will be in the pen quite a lot. Seem to care for pups .. slight communication issues as English second language . (Eastern Europe) .Seem v keen on breeding lines . 2 nd litter - first litter -2 years ago . Health checks done.
2. Cavapooshon.Mum - gentle cavashon. Dad gentle toy poodle. Family home. Mum works. They have the grandma, the pups mums mum and they have the pups mum , and have kept a sibling of the last litter ( a year ago) 3rd litter. Health checks done.

Both pups seem good options. Human focused.
We do not want a high alert dog prone to barking. We are looking for a dod that would enjoy a family focused life and enjoy the ride ! It is important that it is a human focused companion type dog as we are in out 60 s. ( family around should ill health strike) .

Which would you choose for us - and why ? Please do not talk about other breeds as It really is between the two. We do not carr what a dog looks like- temperament is paramount. - easy going .

Many thanks.

I am a bit confused by option 1 - why can’t they tell you what breed Dad is? Apologies if I haven’t understood correctly.
I was going to recommend a Greyhound too, they can make themselves very small! I understand you don’t want a large dog though. I have always had, and will always have a rescue dog. Some rescues do have puppies too. If you really want a small breed puppy and cannot go down the rescue route then I honestly recommend finding a properly licensed and kc registered breeder and go for a pure breed where there is lifetime back up and knowledge.

MuffinsAreJustCakesAtBreakfast

this is the bichon - please have a look at the tests etc

As for a cavapoochon- i feel that ‘ mongrels’ have been around a long time and many rescues are x

So you do know who the dad is? What is it that is unknown?

the link you gave is just a photo....

MyGirlDaisy
please see bichon ad - have sent a link above .

The family of the cavapooshon seem
the most lovely caring family and have the mum , a sibling and the grandmother.

Cavapoos were made only for cuddling.
Ours burrows into my sleeping bag when camping so I never get cold.

MuffinsAreJustCakesAtBreakfast She is on the Kennel Club website underBichons - Will try to link again.

https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/litter-adverts/published-litter-advert/

I’ve only had experience of bichons and would highly recommend. My bichon was the perfect companion. Playful and friendly.

I had mine until she was 12, in her younger days she loved going to different places, long walks and would easily sit in pubs etc and be around people and other dogs without yapping / causing a scene - unlike my chihuahua ! She loved to run and explore and at home she was like a shadow by my side all the time.

The only thing I would say about the breed in my experience is they tend to resource guard - so toys, chew sticks etc so require training and monitoring around this. And like pp have said they need a good groomer - we would go every 4-6 weeks or so to keep her coat in check

That’s wrong. And widely debunked. I’ve made multiple posts about this in recent weeks and can’t be bothered to go into detail but, basically, those breeders with the healthiest pedigrees are not farming their dogs out to breed mongrels because it de-values their own dogs. And those breeders with the best dogs breed to make their breed better. Not for profit.

If these ‘mongrels’ are so healthy, please explain to me why so many have dysplasia, PRA, heart defects and various other inherited diseases that are rarely present in their pedigree counterparts. I’ll wait.

Also, good breeders don’t breed a dog more than twice. This mongrel mix OP wants has bred three times now. So they’re not exactly animal lovers either. Defective dogs and overbred dogs - there’s a phrase for that: puppy farm.

MuffinsAreJustCakesAtBreakfast

Would you mind looking at the kennel club web site.
If you put in Bichon in the search box - its the second ad down - Mansfield

re the Cavapoochon - have linked testing on parents done . The family obviously love them as they have 3 generations in the home and state the poodle is gentle sire.

They don’t love their dog that much if they’ve bred her three times. Most dog breeders agree dogs should have no more than two litters.

And two litters in two years is disgraceful.

Please don’t kid yourself. You’d be getting a dog that’s come from a puppy farm

I thought you said dad unknown in the first post? Now he's a champion? I'm confused.

I have had 2 Bichons , and love the breed - they are definitely people dogs , they give and take a lot of affection. Very gentle and tolerant with special needs sister . Also robust - I lost the first one 2 months ago aged 15 and the 16 year old one is still going strong albeit deaf , but she’s just been out for a mile walk . Mine are not big barkers - they will bark if they spot another dog going past the house but it’s short lived . Good with visitors , fine in the car for long and short journeys.

Arran2024

i meant by dad unknown- as in Ive not met him!

LandSharksAnonymous

You seem an experienced dog person.
Please would you consider checking the Bichon advert for me ?

I cant send a link but would you mind looking at it on the Kennel Club website?
If you tap in bichon- its the second ad down - full details of parents and tests I think.
Id really appreciate.
Thank you .

I'd go for a pedigree pure belted dog. I have 2 Lhassa Apso and I love them but they do bark if anyone comes near the front drive.

https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/search/dog-profile/

Have just tried to send link re the Kennel Club Registered Bichon.
The owner says she does not know his nature but looking at the record of his litters he is popular!
Please look at the Bichons listed in Mansfied- second ad down. Are they well tested please.

This is a very weird thread. The OP is on one track and all the other posters are on a different one.

@Woldspace - based on what I could see, yes. I’d be happy with that litter in terms of health tests. Well tested parents (fully tested and dad has been repeatedly tested), good coefficient inbreeding, mum was a good age before she had her first litter and she’s only had two litters - all those things are big pluses 😊I hope that’s helpful!

Thank God someone else though same as me! Very weird OP, bit obsessed actually and not really able to follow a conversation.

BICHON FRISE
CH DAVEYLUVS D'ARTAGNAN

this is the dad .

TickyandTacky

How rude . I am not obsessed - I am just trying to get advice and support.

TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross
What do you mean?
Have you never struggled with a decision?