Hi
I'm seeking a professional opinion on which breed of dog I should Have out of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (CKCS) & the Miniature Schnauzer (MS), Can anyone Help?
I work part time 4 mornings a week (4 hours) but I've told on another forum that, that time should be ok as the dog needs to learn to be left and I don't want him to become clingy!! We have the school hols at the end of July so ideally we would love the pup around that time. I have two teenage children (13 nearly & 15).  My daughter loves dogs and at the moment her friend has a new pup so is teaching her for a temporary measure.
Thanks :)

have you owned dogs before, i would say cvkc, mini schnauzers have a stronger will and temprement. but cvkc are still very lively little dogs!

i would like a cvkc :)  !

Have you experience of either breed?  If not, I would suggest visiting both breeds "at home".

I agree, as they are about as different as chalk and cheese in nearly every way.

I don't know anything about schnauzers, but Cavs are wonderful dogs - they certainly have a will of their own and will try to blackmail you with those eyes into all sorts of things, but they are so gentle and loving and affectionate! I have 2 so far and they are fine to leave for 4 hours at a time, although as you say, having a puppy in the holidays might be better until the toilet training is secure enough to leave them. :-)

Miniature Schnauzers are great dogs but can be stubborn, especially the males.

The only experience I have of CKCS is when I looked after my friends dog whn she was on holiday - he was a real sweetie and coped with my terrors, one of who was still a pup.

I don't have much experience of MS aside from the 3 I groom - they are lovely little dogs, but they can be wilful at times :D

Cavs on the other hand, my boss at the kennels has a friend with 9 of them - all show lines, and two are only 3 months old, the cutest little things :) they are always friendly and loving, very happy little dogs and will walk as long as you want - or as short, so long as you're there.  Quite capable of looking after themselves and mixing with other dogs too - this little pack lives with a very large, boisterous and in-your-face male german shepherd!  Very bright too - the youngest of the adults (adult-ish anyway, he's 11 months) I had the pleasure of working with for a college assignment - he has had no formal training, but he picked up "sit" and "down" wonderfully fast.

We have had schnauzers and cavs at classes and found the schnauzers more outgoing than the cavs. They can be a bit timid. But, I suspect it is the breeding and their initial upbringing from breeder to owner that can make a difference, like in all breeds.

> their initial upbringing from breeder to owner that can make a difference, like in all breeds

Exactly - my only, in depth, experience of CKCS (which quite honestly, has put me off the breed) was my in-laws' who was a horrid, aggressive dog. I was always really worried when they came to stay or we went to visit, particularly when my son was a toddler. I'm afraid to say I was very relieved when he was PTS. However, the dog had been very spoilt and I'm sure that this had a lot to do with it, as in any breed :(

Daisy

MS have terrier in their make up & TBH apart from a very few I wouldn't give one house room as they can be very very bad terrier like & this is based over 30 + years of regular contact with dogs from all sorts of bloodlines & homes

Cavaliers on the other hand are spaniels & as a breed are much more biddable. I've only met a few badly bred nasty ones & aggression is most unusual in Cavaliers

I haven't own dogs before, my parents owned poodles when I was younger! Mix opinions, so no decision really. We have just been offered a Golden Cocker Spaniel pup (9 weeks old) so........ any more opinions please!!??? :)

P.S It's baking down here

I have a cavalier and can't fault him. He is easy to train, excellent with my kids and a wonderful companion. :)

Well, my American cocker is a lovely friendly boy - some of the English ones I've known can be snappy, but that's probably more upbringing than the breed. :-)

i had a blue roan cocker before i had nips. bob was a lovely, friendly boy - the classic "merry" cocker - but be aware that they can be quietly stubborn when they want to be! They are also past masters at selective hearing.  But, I'd be careful to buy from a recommended breeder since a badly bred cocker (like any other breed) may not be the loyal and jolly companion he or she ought to be and I'd expect to go on a waiting list for a top quality cocker so I'm surprised a 9 week old pup has made itself so readily available.

We got an e-mail last week saying the owners who had the ECS pup had sold it already to one of the family :( Never mind, it was not meant to be :rolleyes: So back to the drawing board I guess
Also if anyone knows of any REPUTABLE breeders in the South or around this area (willing to travel) who have some pups or a bit older one (up to about 2 - 3 years) of either the MS or CKCS please let me know. Thanks :)

The best source of reputable breeders would be the breed clubs whose members will be conforming to their code of ethics:-
Miniature Schnauzer Club
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club