Closest Breed to a Cavalier

Just as the title says...

If you wanted a cavalier in temperament, but without the heart/head issues that are such a detriment to the breed as a whole, what breed would you pick?

Not looking to get a dog. Just curious. My coworker has brought his cavalier into work today and she is just a doll, but then I think of the health issues :yikes:

Maybe a Japanese Chin, or a Tibetan Spaniel? Not really sure. Cavs are such awesome little dogs!

English Toy Spaniel? I know nothing about the breed and I would suspect they're probably not dissimilar to CKCs in the health department.

I'd get the right papillon. Phalene if you wanted a more spaniely look.

In my experience they are usually more alert/hyper than cavaliers but some of them have very similar spaniely wonderful temperaments. Summer is one of those- just a good, steady, sweet, and biddable dog and always has been.

But if you got a Mia.... that would be no good.

ETA: English toys have about the same health that cavs do. Paps do have some SM but from what I understand it is much less (and I hope it stays that way). But those are definitely the closest relatives to cavs.

I love Tibetan spaniels but they're not true spaniels and are more akin to pekes and eastern breeds. Same with chins. Though the one chin I know well is a charming little dog.

I realize it isn't the really an answer to the question - but I'd just get a Cavalier and be very careful where I got it. There are certainly breeders working to improve the health, and from my understanding, some lines that have never shown any SM. One of our agility buddies is a 10 year old Cavalier still competing.

I haven't met another small breed with such a fabulous, easy-going temperament. If I had room to have a dog just for a companion, I'd desperately want one now.

Havanese is another good choice for cute, friendly dogs. I know a few smooth coated havanese and they're adorable.

Ime English cockers are pretty darn close. Papillons ime tend to be sharper than cavs .

Don't kill me for recommending a mixed breed, but almost every cockapoo I've ever met has fit the bill. My moms new cockapoo pup is really great thus far, and yes she's super young, but her last cockapoo who died six years ago was awesome as well... I've met like 6 cockapoos that I've been around a decent amount of time and they've all been so fantastic in temperament.

Cocker Spaniel is close. Still have potential for ear issues but I think they have less in the way of heart problems. I always wanted one.

-Mark.

tibetan spaniel, or look for one of the breeders doing cocker x cavaliers. theyre beautiful and tend to be on the small side like a cav

Wanted to add you can also find some good breeders of cockapoos since it's a mix that's been around for a long time -- way before the 'doodle' fad, so there's a few somewhat 'established' lines if you will. You don't HAVE to go rescue or puppy mill to get one.

I'm not sure you can find them anymore, but check out Ganaraskans. They're bred near Toronto, so I've met a dozen of them or so, and they're kind of perfect for people looking for cuddly, small dogs. I don't personally care for them, but they're pretty wonderful for those who do. Solid temperaments. Health testing. Happy. Low impact.

Last I heard the people who'd been breeding them for the few decades had stopped. If you can hunt down a breeder, it might be worth your while.

They're English Cocker, Bichon Frise, Poodle and Miniature Schnauzer.

Can I just say I had NO idea smooth coated havanese existed? OMG are they cute. http://www.erashavanasilkdogs.com/satincoat.html Are they even Havanese in this link? haha

I love Havanese but wasn't a huge fan of the poodle-ish hair look on some of them. I wonder how uncommon they are.

Every one I've met has been fantastic, too. Don't know what it is about that cross that makes them good, but I don't think I've ever met one with a bad temperament.

Knowing quite a few cockers (american and english) and cavs. I can't say I see them being all that similar. A calm pap I can totally see. The only other breed I have met that has that super sweet easy going loves everyone sort of things is a Bichon, but a very different look.

I know, it's so odd, because I meet a lot of ill-tempered Cockers. I guess most poodles I meet are great too. But I hate to say it, I prefer most cockapoos looks to purebred poodles, so the mix works out for me. But yeah literally every one I've ever come across has just been so friendly with everyone, dogs, people, kids.... that "perfect" family dog that has just the right amount of energy, cuddliness, lack of behavioral problems, etc.

I would totally take a smooth Havanese. Those dogs look just like the three I know. Sadly they're out of breed standard but occasionally pop up.

thanks for all of the input, guys! I'm off doing research during my lunch break

Shhh! Havanese breeders try and keep the smooths on the down low because it's out of standard and they don't want the puppymillers/bybers to get wind of it and start churning out OMGRARESMOOTHHAVANESE!!111

My mentor has a smooth that was given to her and she is a fantastic little dog. That dog is really busy though, not sure if it's normal for a Havanese or not. The tibetan spaniels I have met were a lot more like cavs in activity level and temperament than any other small breed I've met.

Smooth Havanese, how interesting!

I'm assuming it's because I'm active with the cocker spaniel rescue, but I've met several nasty tempered cocker x poodle mixes. I've seen sweet ones, too! But I've also seen really "ouchy" ones; don't want to be handled or touched unless on their terms, a little quirky, and the owners always seem to under-estimate their grooming needs.

I'm not saying don't do it. I'm actually not against it I'm just saying be careful and do your research, as with anything

I love cavs, too! I've always said they'd be my next breed in a heartbeat if it weren't for all of the health issues. I'm really starting to think that choosing a well bred one would be totally worth it, though.