Preparing for a new puppy -Cavalier, Japanese Chin or Papillon?

[Kaida]

Hey guys. I've been lurking for a while and finally decided to post.
I am getting my first dog at the end of May, and through researching for the past 6 months (daily!) I've narrowed it down to 3 breeds. I met them all at Crufts this past weekend too, and they were all adorable. So now I'm looking for any experiences people have with the Chin, Papillon or Cavalier King Charles Spaniel to help me decide. I'd been put off the Cavalier because of the really high incidence of mitral valve disease, but they're just so lovely...

Also, is there anything else I need to consider before getting a dog? I've got two definite dog-sitters for if I go away and two more possibles, I've checked out pet insurance and budgeted for that together with food etc., obviously done research on breeds and on puppy care, planned what equipment I'll need and priced it up... anything I've missed? I want to be thoroughly prepared.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Kaida

[KatzNK9]

I don't have any experience with any of those adorable little breeds. Good luck in your search for the right dog.

Did you get a chance to talk to any of the breeders about testing for genetic soundness in the Cavaliers? Most breeds are prone to some diseases more than others so I wouldn't let that steer you away if there's a reasonable method of breeding healthy dogs.

It sounds like you're doing the right thing by getting prepared in advance.

[PomeranianCrazy]

I have experience with small breeds but not with any of those 3, mainly Pomeranians! Sorry I couldn't be of help! Maybe someone will come along soon to help with this thread! Good job on getting prepared in advance! You sounds like you're going to be a great dog owner!

[Ceph]

I dont have any experience either....I just think the Papillion is about the cutest toy breed ever...who wouldnt love thos ears :D

good luck in searching!

[Kaida]

Did you get a chance to talk to any of the breeders about testing for genetic soundness in the Cavaliers? Most breeds are prone to some diseases more than others so I wouldn't let that steer you away if there's a reasonable method of breeding healthy dogs.


I did get to talk to breeders about it. It seems to be fairly random. One breeder I spoke to had a cavalier who lived to 14 with no heart trouble at all, but her litter-mate died at about 4 years old from mitral valve disease. Exactly the same parents, both raised well because the poorly pup stayed with the original breeder so was well looked after. I'm leaning away from cavaliers again, I think I'd just be constantly worried. I know most breeds have some health trouble they are prone to, but the figures for this scare me. A study I read said half of all cavaliers have MVD by age 5, and almost all have it by age 10. Those aren't good odds.

Ceph, papillons are the cutest ever, I love their ears, and they're so dainty. I held one at Crufts and it was so light! But I just found out they can be a bit dog agressive, not much but a little. I expect to get another dog perhaps in a few years, and if my relationship with my partner continues as I expect it to, he will be getting a springer spaniel in 5-10 years, so dog aggressive is not ideal. I figure I can get a papillon at some point when we have another dog already, then it can grow up with it.

So... now it's down to the Japanese chin or the havanese. The havanese is lovely, but so expensive. £800! I'm not sure how much the Japanese chin will be, I emailed a few breeders but none have gotten back to me. The advantage of the havanese is it doesn't shed much, and they come in lots of colours. Temperament wise, they are both lovely.

Decisions decisions!

Kaida

[Areias]

Haha, I've worked around all 3 breeds. I want a Papillon, eventually, but that's just me. Japanese Chins are SO cool. They are really smart dogs. I knew two of them that were avid escape artists though, they could climb up a fence like nothing. Cavaliers are wonderful dogs in general, a little more laid back than the others. All the breeds you are asking about have a tendency for luxating patellas, so make sure the parents are tested. Chins can have lots of eye problems. Papillons are probably the most healthy of all of them. :) It just kind of depends what you are looking for.

[COUNTRYSIDE]

hello this is countryside lisa here i have owned and breed lots of small breeds well mabe only a few papillons, chihuahuas, pekingese, pomeranian, now i have had papillons for years now the ones i had were the sweetest things but i did have one that was aggressive towards rabbits naturally they are ratters, they are very very high energy hyper the cuteest inthe world, we did agility wiht ours. as for chins my girlfreind runs a rescue in ct.. now im so crackingup at you because those are the same 3 breeds i love now i keep going back anforth to the chin , but i love the mellow peeks they are soo mello chins are very happy go lucky dogs and very very sweet. cavailiers are the favorite of all but i cant afford 2,000 for one and the heart ache of teh heart problems sometimes the vets say cant be tested till they are 5 years old i would pick cavalier first if money was no object, but papillions are so dainty and beautiufl i have one papillon chihuhua cross, i love her. i love chins too i want one of each i own 5 dogs. siberian husky 6 mos , chinuhuahua 16 yrs peek/chi mix 4urs, papillon chi cross 1 lab 10

[dogzdoc]

Glad you are doing your research, but aside from potential medical issues, breed disposition and cuteness, please ensure if you buy from a breeder that they are reputable and the puppies are well socialised and stimulated.

Read all you can on Puppy rearing and training. Gwen Bailey is a good author. Enrol in puppy socialisation classes.

Puppies who are well socialised, and reared/trained using humane methods tend to grow into well balanced and happy dogs.

[Vickypoodle]

Hi

Not sure if this will help but my cavalier had problems throughout all his life.

He started with severe conjuntivitus (if thats how you spell it). We were told he'd never get over it and was on monthly medication for the rest of his life. This cost us around £40 per month. Then in the last 2 years of his life he started having convultions. He was given tablets to stop these as there was nothing causing them, just his age and these cost £20 per month plus blood tests every 6 months which were £90. We never minded paying this and we would have done it forever if it meant keeping him as he was an amazing dog who is missed very much.

On the other side, if you have pet insurance as we didn't due to his sickness being from when he was born, then you should be ok.

I don't want to put you off though as they are the most loving little dogs you cab find. Beautiful!

Vicky xxx

[Kaida]

Thank you for the reply, VickyPoodle, but I already got a cavalier :) . His name is Zack and he's a ruby boy, nearly 5 months old. Thank you to everyone who helped me decide.

Kaida

[Vickypoodle]

Aw what a beautiful boy! He's gorgeous!

Vicky x

[Kaida]

Thank you. I think so ;).

[KatzNK9]

Zack is adorable! Congratulations on your new family member. I do hope you'll post some more pics now that he's growing up.

[dlambertz]

Well, it looks like you made a great choice. Congratulations!

[Kolibree]

Oh, he is just the cutest. I'm partial to Papillons myself, but we did look into the Cavaliers too, they are just so sweet. Good luck with him!