Help choosing breed after losing our CKCS

[knittymcknitface]

A month ago we lost our beloved Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. He was part of our family for almost thirteen years and I miss him dearly. Although we're not ready for another dog just yet, I know that I would like another eventually and I realise that good breeders often have waiting lists etc. so I've been looking into different breeds. I'm wary of getting another CKCS due to the health issues, even though ours was pretty perfect for us temperament wise (they are such sweet dogs).

I'm self employed and work from home full time. Two kids aged 12 and 15. I'd like a small/medium sized dog that's affectionate (our CKCS was laid by my side always), happy with an hour's exercise a day but also happy to go on longer walks too. So far I've been thinking of a whippet (but I'm worried about letting one off lead due to their prey drive), and a toy or miniature poodle.

I wondered if anyone had any thoughts or suggestions?

So sorry to hear ypu have lost your dog, it is such a painful time.

I have a 16 week old minature poodle and after a lifetime of springers he is suspiciously easy & enjoyable😅

He is cuddly & affectionate, wss clingy at the start but now much more independent and handling alone time well. He is very clever and trainable, happy to play and have fun but also good at chilling out. Housetrained so quickly & not interested in destroying anything. Both his parents are used as therapy dogs and a brilliant example of the breed, so I am hoping we can achieve something close to them with him!

Everyone thinks he is a cockapoo as we don't have the crufts poodle haircut they expect and some people are quite snooty about it, commenting on 'doodles' and 'designer breeds' so you just have to let that not bother you!

I was also tempted by a Havanese, but our friends has separation anxiety and doesnt enjoy long walks, which might just be him but it put me off a bit. He also has equal or higher grooming needs than our poodle. I love CKCS but couldn't consider them as we needed a non-shedder due to a family members allergy.

Japanese Chin or a Tibetan Spaniel

Bichon Frise
Minature Schnauzer
CKCS
I would not have any sort of Doodle cross

I’d highly recommend Border Terriers. They’re very healthy, can cope with long walks but don’t need mad amounts of exercise. My children (6 and 9) absolutely love ours and he is really good with them. He is always on the sofa next to me (or on my lap!) in the evening, loves a belly rub, very affectionate. Ours is fine on his own for a few hours whenever needed (which isn’t often in our case but I don’t worry when we do need to leave him). They need hand-stripping a couple of times a year but otherwise minimal grooming.

A mini poodle or sheltie might suit you.

Bichons are lovely but not if you want to go on long walks.

Mini poodle is my second favourite- they are very smart and loyal. Grooming and brushing will be a necessity.

Sheltie was my first thought.

A Papillon would fit the bill perfectly

Sorry for the loss of your boy. One of our dogs is a rescue ckcs and what a little sweetie she is I would have a hundred of them. Unfortunately we deal with the effects of abuse in her former life but still manages to be the most gentle little soul. Sorry no advice on breeds