Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Pugs

[benjihairybutt]

Hello,

I am looking into getting a dog, but I want to know what type of breed would be best for me. I've posted about this before but the thread got kind of long and ignored, so I'm posting again. I've been doing some research on different breeds and I am now most interested in the pug and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Does anyone own one of these dogs? What are the good and bad points of both breeds? I've never met a Cavalier before, but from what I have read they seem like good dogs, and they are absolutly adorable. The websights I've visited about them do not tell much about their energy level however. I want an energetic dog, but one that will calm down after a while.

 

[BlackDog]

The thing you need to do is see if either of these breeds fit in to your lifestyle. Too many people try to accomidate the dog's traits that don't work in their lifestyle because they like the way the dog looks, or some trait about it. But that almost never works out. Having said that, before we tell you about those breeds tell us about your lifestyle.


1. Do you live in a apartment or house?
2. How big?
3. Do you have a backyard?
4. How big?
5. What level of difficulity do you want in training the dog?
(on a scale of 1 to 10, rate what you want, 1 being the easiest, 10 being the hardest)
6. How intelligent do you want the dog to be? (scale of 1 to 10) remember that the smartest dogs will, usuallybe harder to train.
7. What size do you want the dog to be? (height [in inches] & and pounds)
8. What level of time do you want to spend on grooming per week? (rate it in either amount of brushings per week, hours per week) If you don't mind a breed that needs professional grooming and money to do that, please state it
9. Do you have kids?
10. What ages?
11. If you don't have kids, will you be having them at any given point you have the dog?
12. Will you be moving at any point you have the dog? (if you know ahead of time)
13. Will you be willing to take the dog with you?
14. Do you have any other pets?
15. What are they?
16. What are their ages (b/c a puppy may hurt a old cat if you have one)
17. How healthy do you want the breed to be?
18. How much do you want to spend on the initial price of the dog?
19. How many hours of exercise to you want to spend with the dog per day?
20. Will you get getting married soon?
21. If so will your mate allow this breed to move in with you when you get married?
22. What coat length to you prefer?
23. What amount of shedding to you prefer? (scale of 1 to 10)
24. How active do you want the dog to be? (scale of 1 to 10)
25. Do you have a fenced yard?
26. If not, and the breed you want needs it, will you be willing to get one or an invisible fence? (cavaliers tend to be wonderers.)

That's all I can think of off the top of my head

 

[bubbatd]

Wish I could help !! Don't really know that much about the Cavs... but have known Pugs who never were potty trained. Both have breathing problems.

 

[benjihairybutt]

I live in a house, a doublewide to be exact.

I have a medium sized backyard.

I'm only 14 and a first-time trainer so the dog should be fairly easy to train, but not too easy, I like a challenge. Probubly about a three, four at most.

Intellegence could be anything, as long as it's not too stubborn to train.

I want a smaller breed, nothing bigger than a cocker spaniel. I'm not sure what that would be in inches and pounds to be honest.

I would be willing to groom every other day. I don't want professional grooming or trimming. I love bathing dogs, so as often as it needs it, though I know only about once a month is good.

I am the kid in my family, 14.

Can't see myself having kids at this point, but 14 + about 16 years for the dog is about 30 so maybe.

Yes, I will be moving out and probubly going to college, I've thought about this ahead of time, don't worry. I'd take the dog with me if at all possible, and I'll start looking for a college to allow this within the next few years.

I also have a cat and four rats, but the rats are in a closed off room.

The cat is about a year I think, the rats are between three months and two years.

I don't want to be running to the vet all the time cause it gets expensive, but I don't mind a few health problums. I do a lot of research and so if the problums are preventable I can learn about them and do what I can to prevent them.

I'm not sure about the price, if i find a breed I like I will save up untill I can afford it, I'm in not huge hurry, and my parents will probubly help out too.

I would love to go for medium length walks with the dog at least once a week and playtime every night is a preferrable, I don't want a couch potato basically.

No, I won't be getting married soon. That's still quite a way away.

I have no preference on coat length, i like both smooth and long and have had both.

I could probubly tollerate about a 7 at the most for shedding, but the less the better.

I'd like between a 5-7 for activity.

I don't have a fenced in yard, but could probubly get an invisible fence if nessesary.

Wow, that was a lot of questions. I've thought about most already, that's why I am down to those two breeds. I'm leaning twards the cavalier right now by the way, but still want input on both breeds, whatever you can tell me. I want to be well informed. I am worried about potty training, but I know that's gonna be an issue with toy breeds.

 

[JennSLK]

You have a lot of probablys in there.

Now Im not saying you whont be a good owner because of age but

What happens if:

The dog get sick and mom and dad say they whont help pay for it. It can cost $1200 and way more for a injury/accident. Dont tell me oh they will. I want to know what you would do if they wouldnt

Your future school whont allow you to have a dog in dorm and your parents don want to take it? Dont tell me oh they will. I want to know what you would do if they wouldnt

I would love to go for medium length walks with the dog at least once a week and playtime every night is a preferrable, I don't want a couch potato basically

No No No. A dog needs a walk at leat once a DAY. It needs play alot during the day expessialy if you are getting a puppy.

 

[mjb]

I've had a pug. It wasn't the smartest dog by any means, but it might have been the sweetest!! And quite funny. Thought he was a clown. I didn't have any trouble potty training. I used the crate, but he was quite easy, especially after we got a doggy door that he could go out whenever he needed to. They do shed alot, and they do require that you watch them carefully in the heat with their breathing. They can't be left outside in the summer, and they couldn't jog with you, etc. They are playful when they're young, though, and very loving. I would have no problems having another one. In fact, I would love to have one.
When the Pug died, and we started looking for another dog, we ended up with a pound puppy. However, we did look at breeds, and we also were interested in the Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. I was under the impression that they could handle a little more outdoor exercise than the Pug. When we were researching, though, we found out that quite a few of them have some kind of mitral valve disease of the heart. It sounds like the whole breed is having some serious problems. Even the reputable breeders seem to be having problems at times with this. They gave the percentages of puppies with this, and I don't remember now, but it was a large percentage. I really felt like this was a dog whose temperament would suit me, but that scared me.

 

[RetrieverLove]

I am also looking into getting a Cav!

They’re great companions and brilliant dogs. I see them kind of as the Golden Retriever of the small dog world, so to speak. They are great well-rounded dogs. They are intelligent with persistent training, and they are usually great family dogs. (Of course there are exceptions this statement is a generalization). They are fairly tiny, and weigh anywhere from 12-17 pounds. I do believe that any dog needs more strenuous exercise requirements than what you are willing to offer. I firmly believe that most dogs should have at least 1 walk a day. They do not shed excessively but they do indeed shed.

IMO an invisible fence is not a great option. There are several down falls to an invisible fence. 1) Although they do [kind of] protect the dog from leaving the yard, they DO NOT provide protection to the dog and many predators can still enter the yard. 2) These fences are not fool proof. The dog will most likely test it’s limits and exit the yard. 3) Once the dog has exited the yard it may be afraid to enter again because of the shock. Please rethink your yard situation. A fenced in your is recommend when getting a puppy!


Please pm me if you have any other questions. I am more than happy to help out.

 

[benjihairybutt]

Ya, I am a bit worried about the heart thing. It doesn't seem like theres much to be done about it either.

I have thought about getting a dog A LOT I know the risks and I see it this way. I could get a dog now, be happy, give it a good life, and cross over the obsticles along the way. Or, I could wait nine years untill I am out of college. This way I would be safer, but that's a long long time to wait, and I would be miserable the whole time thinking about how much happier i would be with a dog.

To answer your questions, if the dog got sick and my parents wouldn't pay for it I would work to get the money. I'm good at saving money. I would work through it, my pets are my best friends and I would do everything, and I mean everything in my power to make sure my dog was happy. For example, when my rat got a tumor I worked untill I had enough to take it to the vet to get diagnosed. Then, I made a deal with my parents that they would pay the money for the surgery if that was what I got for christmas, my idea by the way. I am willing to sacrifice what I have for my pets. The only reason this deal didn't work out is because my rat can't have surgery.

If my future college wouldn't let me keep a dog in my dorm I wouldn't live in a doem. I would find a nearby appartment or, if nessesary find a different school. If worst came to worst I would live at home and go to a nearby college while working and paying rent.

Believe me, I could do this. I have thought about it a ton and weighed all the possible outcomes and situations. All I want right now is advice on a possible breed in case I do get a dog. Please, no more responsibility questions. I know your just trying to make sure another dog doesn't end up in a shelter. But you don't have to worry about that, I swear. i just want breed input right now, I don't mean to be rude BTW.

 

[benjihairybutt]

Well, as it is my mom's house I can't put up a fence. But I could watch the dog, keep it on a long leash, or maybe litter train it and take it for walks instead of letting it go out into the yard to go potty. Couldn't I put it on a really long leash that reaches all around the yard, that's what i did when my other dog lived here, and I would watch it while it is outside, I'm protective that way, I like to know where my dog is.

I would definately give the dog more exersise than what it sounds like. I meant one long walk a week, I would walk it around the neighborhood at least once a day. I didn't know how to word the playtime thing, of course i would play with my dog all the time, as often as I could spare the time (which is a lot, i have no social life) and he could tolerate. I didn't mean I would only take him out of the house once a week, that would be mean. I meant like one long outing once a week. I have a pom at my dad's that never gets tired out and I keep up with him just fine, energy isn't a problum. lol I'm sorry,am I making any sense?

 

[JennSLK]

For example, when my rat got a tumor I worked untill I had enough to take it to the vet to get diagnosed

OK say your dog brakes it's leg and needs surgery NOW. what do you do? mom and dad whont pay for it. No the vet will not do payments.

 

[bubbatd]

Believe me I know where you are coming from !!! You want a dog so badly !! But, I see some problems here. You're 14... fine... but you'll be 16 in 2 years and will have a completely different life. Then College. You shouldn't have an apt your freshman year... you shouldn't own a dog then either. Personally, I feel this should be a breed that your family will want to take over for you for at least 4 years. This is a family decision ... at your age, no way could you take on the financial responsiblity for the up keep of a dog , or the problems which could arise. I really feel for you !!! I was 13 when I researched and my folks agreed on a Golden. How I missed him when I was off to college.!! But, by the time I settled , he was their dog.... I couldn't take him away from the love and home he knew. Please keep us posted ... we care !!

 

[RetrieverLove]

Well, as it is my mom's house I can't put up a fence. But I could watch the dog, keep it on a long leash, or maybe litter train it and take it for walks instead of letting it go out into the yard to go potty. Couldn't I put it on a really long leash that reaches all around the yard, that's what i did when my other dog lived here, and I would watch it while it is outside, I'm protective that way, I like to know where my dog is.

I would definately give the dog more exersise than what it sounds like. I meant one long walk a week, I would walk it around the neighborhood at least once a day. I didn't know how to word the playtime thing, of course i would play with my dog all the time, as often as I could spare the time (which is a lot, i have no social life) and he could tolerate. I didn't mean I would only take him out of the house once a week, that would be mean. I meant like one long outing once a week. I have a pom at my dad's that never gets tired out and I keep up with him just fine, energy isn't a problum. lol I'm sorry,am I making any sense?

I would not keep it out on a lead for a very long time however that could be a solution if you watch the dog extremely closey. Dogs (especially tiny ones like Cavaliers) can easily strangle themselves with those large leads.

It sounds like your mom wont support the dog at all. Is she even up to *getting* a dog?

 

[benjihairybutt]

A lead would be for when it would go out to go potty, so no it would only be on there for like ten-fifteen minutes while I watched it.

Once again, I am begging you, stop questioning me. I answered a lot of these questions on my other thread "The breed for me" you can look at that one. I'm just looking at possible breeds right now. If you can't help me please don't critisize me, I don't need it right now.

As for your question on the medical emergency situation, in the case that my parents wouldn't pay, which is very unlikely in an emergency, I would have a back-up plan. I'm getting a job this summer, I'll put most of that money away for pet funds, and I already have a little bit saved up now. It's not like I'm trying to support this dog completely on my own either. If my mom wasn't going to take some of the responsibility I couldn't get a dog, and I wouldn't be on here right now.

 

[RetrieverLove]

I’m not criticizing you at all. I just genuinely want to help out with your dog search. You are trying to decide on breeds so I was just trying to educate you and figure out what breed would best fit your lifestyle.

I’m on your side, I know exactly how you feel as I was in your position when I was 14. You seem very mature for someone who is 14 and I bet that you are fully ready to take on the responsibility of a dog.

 

[benjihairybutt]

lol, no I'm sorry I wasn't talking to you RetrieverLove, you didn't offend me at all.

 

[BlackDog]

I didn't mean I would only take him out of the house once a week, that would be mean. I meant like one long outing once a week.

so you mean 1 long walk once a week plus many shorter walks several times a day? If that's what you meant, how long is long? how short of a walk is short?

 

[BlackDog]

The biggest problem here is that you are 14 and your life will change alot of the next 15 years. Both these breeds live about this long. Only get a dog when you know that either you are your parents will provide for the dog for it's entire life. The last thing anyone needs is another shelter dog. If your parents agree 100% to take care of the dog, if in the event that you might not be able to keep it, then get the Pug. Otherwise, don't get a dog until your on your own.

 

[cavlover]

I have a 1 year old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Wilson. He is so loving and smart. We have an electric fence, which is wonderful. Also, Wilson rings bells that are attached to the doorknob to let you know when he needs to go outside. Wilson was potty trained exceptionally fast and it is amazing how fast he can understand training concepts. He does many tricks. My family was a little concerned about Mitral Valve disease, which many Cavaliers get by age 5. When we first adopted Wilson, his heart didn't beat exactly right. However, we soon found out that this is very common and that it goes away by 6 months of age, which it has. From my experiences, Wilson has the best personality. He loves to play, yet also loves to relax and watch t.v. Also, Cavaliers only need 20 minutes of exercise a day. As a type this, Wilson is sleeping at my feet.

 

[suzanne118]

hi i own 2 cavalier king charles spaniels.
they are great dogs.
the good points are they are kind ,gentle and goofy
they love a good snuggle up on a lap.
They love lots of attention
the bad points are they have a few health problems
My ruby cavalier had a dislocated patella which is comon in cavaliers but my other cavalier has no health problems.
Cavaliers can also become overweight so be careful what u feed them.
from
susie

ps. cavaliers snore

 

[dr2little]

Wish I could help !! Don't really know that much about the Cavs... but have known Pugs who never were potty trained. Both have breathing problems.

Pugs who aren't potty trained have owners who don't know how to train them properly I hear this so often with many of the smaller breeds, many owners just aren't as diligent because the consequences (poop/pee size)aren't as big compared to that of a big dog. Hand the same owners a mastiff and you bet, they'll make sure there are no "accidents" in the house. It has very little to do with pugs being hard to house train.. they're bright little creatures.
I love both breeds. Pugs are a usually a little bit more exuberant than the KC and if shedding is a problem for you, the KC is a little better. Pugs breathing is typically a little more problematic than the KC but both can snore like a trucker when happily snoozing The KC is definetely more of a lap dog than is the pug, but both breeds love their humans