Choosing a second dog to live with a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

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Emiliano1 Icon representing the flag French
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Hi everyone,

I’m looking for some advice as I’m planning on getting a second dog soon. He would be a companion for my male Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (CKCS), who is nearly 3 years old.

To give you a bit of background, I've grown up around dogs. My parents had a Jack Russell and a Parson Russell Terrier for years – both were very feisty! At the moment, I’m still living with my parents; they have a female Jack Russell and I have my male Cavalier. They are both about to turn 3 and arrived at the house only two days apart. They get on like siblings and are inseparable.

I’m planning on moving out and living on my own soon. Once I’m settled in, I’d love to get a second dog to keep my Cavalier company, so I’d really appreciate your thoughts. I’ll be moving into a flat, but I spend half my day outdoors with my dog anyway, in parks and green spaces.

I’m tempted by a medium to large breed this time, rather than another small dog. Apart from Golden Retrievers, which I love, I’m a big fan of tan, brown, black, ginger, and ruby colours.

Look-wise, I really like Beaucerons, Dobermans, German Shepherds, and Golden Retrievers, but I’m open to any breed suggestions.

I’m mainly looking for a breed that is hardy, affectionate, and sociable with people – and especially with other dogs, as I love taking my dog everywhere with me. I go for long walks every day and my dog is my top priority; he's always by my side.

I don't know much about other breeds, so what would you recommend?

It’s worth noting that my Cavalier is a real "velcro dog" who lives for me. He follows me everywhere, he's quite possessive, and while he’s very calm, he also has plenty of energy. He’s affectionate and lovely, and gets on with people and all other animals. However, he never actually plays with other dogs (except for the Jack Russell he grew up with). I’ve lived alone with him for a few months before and it went well, but his separation anxiety was so bad he’d even go on hunger strike because he couldn't cope with me being away, even for a short time. My biggest worry is that he won’t accept a new dog or will just ignore them. I’m also wondering whether a male or female would be better; I personally prefer males, but he definitely seems to get on better with females on walks, even if he usually prefers just doing his own thing and sniffing around rather than playing with other dogs.

Thanks for reading, and I hope you all have a great day. Thank you in advance!

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    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    You're right Wie... I could go on about them for ages! But it's true that Caribbean rescues usually tick all the boxes, largely down to their incredible ability to adapt! 😉

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    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    Hi there, If you're looking for a hardy dog, the Dobermann isn't necessarily the best choice. They don’t handle the cold or the damp very well due to their short coats. Also, be aware of the heart issues that are frequent in the breed. They are very affectionate "velcro dogs" indoors, but can have a fairly independent streak outside (they can be real mules when it comes to recall, for one thing, and they like to range quite far, so you'll need safe, open spaces for walks). Socialisation-wise, there are easier breeds out there. They are playful, but if a conflict arises, they can be quite vindictive; socialisation is a priority to avoid or limit poor communication. You don't need to overwhelm the dog with tons of meetings; just a few healthy, occasional interactions are enough to keep them balanced so they don't try to rule the roost later on. In terms of living with other pets, if they're introduced young and have basic rules, there aren't any particular problems to report. Like a typical macho lad, the Dobermann will bag the best bed, the best toy, claim everything he's interested in, and that’s that (only joking... mostly!). I don't know German Shepherds very well, but I’d avoid them because of the "hip" side of things. Dysplasia isn't as common as it used to be, but when I see dogs of this breed walking with a swaying backside and never standing straight but always roached, I’d worry about old age and the pain associated with bone and joint issues. Then there’s the Beauceron; there are some fans here who own them. They’re hardy with a good temperament—if they see this, they’ll give you a full breakdown lol. Retrievers—@Balista has already mentioned them! Then there are crossbreeds from rescues. Lab crosses, Beauceron crosses, etc.—they’re out there, and young ones too. So, if you aren't against getting a dog that's slightly older than a puppy, that would be a great option. As for Creole dogs, @Aggie19 could write pages and pages about them—adaptable, sociable, and hardy. Basically, you find all sizes, temperaments, and colours, but with a common foundation. And rescue charities regularly take in puppies... In the photo is Sirius, who loves wallowing in the water (a real explorer) but hates the cold and hates the rain even more (if it’s raining, he rushes to have a wee and bolts back upstairs to the warmth...). One last thing: Dobies are real bruisers when they play!

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    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    I’ve got a Creole too… he ticks every box on your “wishlist” and then some! 😉
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    Emiliano1 Icon representing the flag French
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    Thanks for the reply, and that’s brilliant about the Creole dog; they’re such a lovely breed. Maybe it would be more sensible to see who my Cavalier actually clicks with and look for a calm young female, rather than getting a specific breed from a breeder where you can’t be sure how their personality will turn out as they grow. In terms of the size of the place, I’ve already been in touch and it’ll be at least 750 sq ft. I’m hoping that’s enough room for everyone to have their own space.
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    Caroline-eg Icon representing the flag French
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    I have a sociable dog, but he really struggles with being pestered. Having puppies around is a bit of a nightmare for him because he has to get quite snappy—more than usual—just to get them to understand the "leave me alone" message. I rescued a small Creole cross from the streets; she’s about a year old. She’s very sociable, has great manners, and isn’t "dominant" in the sense that she’s never tried to act the big girl with my male, though she won’t be pushed around either. She’s a medium-sized dog, quite slim and leggy—it’s a real change from my little tank! ^^ On second thought, it might be best to sort out any socialising issues before considering another dog. Especially as a puppy will grow up, and there’s no guarantee the relationship will always stay rosy. The ideal would probably be a young, dog-savvy female who can understand your dog’s cues without letting herself be bullied. You also need to think about the size of the flat. In practice, plenty of dogs can live in a flat, but when they’re living together—especially with a puppy—your dog will definitely need some space to breathe. The smaller the living space, the higher the risk of a scuffle, particularly with a young puppy who might not always understand when the older dog is telling them off. There’s a dog I’ve been meant to take in from my mum’s for quite a while now, but I can’t do it at the moment. Aside from the flat size, I know my male will need his own space away from such a high-energy dog. So, even a large studio flat is a no-go.
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    Emiliano1 Icon representing the flag French
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    Thanks for the reply, I'll do that.

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    Docline
    Docline Icon representing the flag French
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    Whatever you decide, you should definitely involve your dog in choosing a new one.

    Go along together to visit breeders and rescue centres; you'll see straight away if they're going to get on or not.

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    Emiliano1 Icon representing the flag French
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    Thanks for the reply. Indeed, what matters most to me is that my Cavalier stays as stress-free as possible and is happy with the new addition, if it goes ahead.
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    Emla
    Emla Icon representing the flag French
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    When it comes to adopting, you should start by visiting local rescue centres to see which dog would suit your lifestyle and who you click with.

    Once you’ve made a shortlist, you’ll need to head back with your pooch to see how they get along.

    The advantage of adopting a dog over the age of two is that you can see their temperament straight away; there won’t be any real surprises further down the line. While a few personality quirks might come out over the first three months after adoption, you’ll generally have a good idea of their character and how well they bond with your current dog.

    I agree with @Kikaah – sometimes a puppy can be a real handful for an adult dog that isn't very playful. A Cavalier King Charles will have a much harder time calmly putting a six-month-old Labrador or Golden Retriever puppy in its place when the pup is already four times its size. Even if they manage it, it’s likely to be at the cost of a lot of stress for them.

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    Emiliano1 Icon representing the flag French
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    Hi there and thanks for your replies, I really like Labradors too, especially the black or chocolate ones – by the way, yours is lovely! Your points have really reassured me about choosing a female. My grandad always had Labs, and they really are such loyal companions... Regarding adoption, to be honest, I’d actually prefer to adopt rather than buy; I think it’s a wonderful thing to do. However, I’ve often been told (in my case because I have a Cavalier) that it might be easier and probably better if the new arrival was a puppy. That way, they could grow up and develop their personality alongside my current dog, who could also show them the ropes and set boundaries in his own way when necessary. It’s worth mentioning that my dog gets on perfectly well with everyone and is very sweet, but he can spend a whole day with another dog (except for his Jack Russell friend) without even acknowledging them, even if they try to get him to play. It’s a bit of a shame, but that’s just his personality! He’s incredibly clingy with me but is also quite happy doing his own thing and playing by himself – though being home alone is another story... But I agree with you that adoption is a lovely thing to do; it helps an animal in need and often means getting a dog that is already trained. That would save the time and intense focus a puppy needs, which might otherwise upset or sadden my current boy, so that’s a big plus. If I were to adopt, the choice of breed would be more about how they click with my dog than if I were getting a puppy... it doesn't make the choice any easier!
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