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My younger sister is probably bringing home a Kings Charles puppy in about two months or a tad more, she's already searching around...

Even though I hate this decision, I/my sister is curious to what sex would be best to get? My sister asked me this question and I'm not sure. I have a male and a female so what sex should she bring in next? I'd think a male?

Sunny is great with all dogs, male or female. Serenity has fear issues with strange dogs, even puppies at times it seems so she's the one I'm thinking about when my sister brings in a pup.

Would another male be good so there might be more of a chance him and Serenity will grow to like each ether? I'm thinking a female may have more chances of issues down the road but I'm not sure, due to people saying same sexes are more prone to fighting. I know Sunny and the dog could fight but I'm not to worried about Sunny.

Anyway, thoughts? I have no say in this, I'm asking for my sister because she wants to know what sex may be best.

[Essefsbyday]

Serenity has fear issues with strange dogs, even puppies at times it seems

sounds like a great idea to me...

[Accecyncphory]

sounds like a great idea to me...

It's not her decision. It's her sister's.

Anyways...

Cavaliers are a very dog-friendly breed.. If neither of your dogs have a particular dislike for a certain sex, I don't think the sex of the puppy will matter

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sounds like a great idea to me...

It's not my choice and mum isn't doing much about discouraging my sister. I have been begging her not to get one.

Thanks Teal. I was thinking that, I was just a bit unsure. I know Serenity will learn to live/like the pup but it will take a slow introduction and we'd have to not leave the dogs together till they are comfortable around one another (only when we are home though) All three will never be left alone together when no one is home, I've told my sister she needs to kennel her dog when we are all out because I can't trust three dogs alone together.

[Nafheense]

It's not my choice and mum isn't doing much about discouraging my sister. I have been begging her not to get one.

Thanks Teal. I was thinking that, I was just a bit unsure. I know Serenity will learn to live/like the pup but it will take a slow introduction and we'd have to not leave the dogs together till they are comfortable around one another (only when we are home though) All three will never be left alone together when no one is home, I've told my sister she needs to kennel her dog when we are all out because I can't trust three dogs alone together.

Why are you begging her not to get one?? Hopefully she is getting one from a reputable breeder that does testing.. don't want her to have to go through Syringomelia (SM)... they are also VERY prone to heart defects.

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Why are you begging her not to get one?? Hopefully she is getting one from a reputable breeder that does testing.. don't want her to have to go through Syringomelia (SM)... they are also VERY prone to heart defects.

I'm trying to convince her to get one from a reputable breeder but she's unsure what she wants to do. I'm going to search for breeders and show them to my sister and hope goes that route. I've told her about the health issues they may have as well as they get older.

The reason I begged her because while she would make a good dog owner, she's going to probably get bored of this dog at one point and want me to have it or it'll get sick and she'll make me look after it. I bet after it's not as 'cute' I'll have to do things with it, especially because she won't spend as much time with it as she should. She spoil it for a while and then get bored, like she has with her other pets. She's already said 'If I don't want it anymore, I'll give it to you' she keeps saying she wants to go places were she wouldn't be able to take a dog...

I pray the dog will be in good hands if she gets the dog but if what I'm thinking is right, I'll have another dog at one stage or she'll just get rid of it.

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I may be wrong and she'll do great with the dog but I'll see when the time comes.

[Sthjrderfida]

Isn;t your sister the one who gave you Sunny? Or was that your brother?

Wait I lied, you are worried your sister won't be able to handle it.

Personally I would never own the breed, if you think she is careless, maybe she should get a sturdier breed instead?

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Isn;t your sister the one who gave you Sunny? Or was that your brother?

Wait I lied, you are worried your sister won't be able to handle it.

Personally I would never own the breed, if you think she is careless, maybe she should get a sturdier breed instead?

No, my brother gave me Sunny. My eldest brother gave me my very first dog. My sister has given me all the pets she's owned because she got bored of them. Everyone gives me the animals because they know I'll stick it through with them..

I'm just worried. I am hoping I'm wrong and she'll care deeply for the dog and never even think of giving it away or to me but it's hard to think that when she's clearly said 'If I don't want it, you can have it' but maybe she'll feel differently because it's a dog.

Why wouldn't you own the breed? Can you suggest other sturdier breeds? She wants a small one now, I already convinced her out of getting big dog (she originally wanted a Great Dane...) I think she's stuck with Kings Charles but it wouldn't hurt to see what other sturdier breeds are out there. I thought they were good little dogs though.

[Nafheense]

Show her a video of a dog with Syringomelia. I'm sure she might change her mind...

[LeaderBiz]

TO be honest, seeing as your sister is irresponsible and not likely to do the required training and socialisation with a dog a Cavalier is her best option as they are less likely then pretty much every other breed (bar maybe Pugs) to grow up with a behavioural issue. The last thing you need is for another behaviourally wrong dog in the house.

She needs to get it from a reputable breeder though, they are prone to a few health issues (lots of dogs are) SM being one (although not as common here as it is in the States) and MVD is a big problem, although I know a fair few Cavs who are fine (all from good breeders).

I would push her towards a male dog, not only are the easier to raise but male dogs are less likely to fight between each other and Serenity is less likely to have issues with a male.

I hope your sister is aware that Cavaliers are companion dogs, bred for that reason and cannot be left outside all day/night? They are an inside breed and are very people orientated and won't deal well with being a garden gnome.

[geaveheadeNox]

How old is your sister? I only ask because both my kids BEGGED me for a dog "of their own". Meagan got Mollie, who I raised, potty trained and took care of (and pretty much still do for the most part), and I finally relented and got my son Titus, who he just took to live with him last year after he had lived a year on his own and Titus stayed here. Titus is back with me now because my son just moved from one place to another and Titus is with me until he settles in (my request, not necessarily his, but he didn't fight it too much). The reason I asked how old she is, is because what a teenager wants very badly at 16ish, they no longer have time for when they start driving and can go out after school and the weekends, not to mention that they are in classes during the day and if they do come home after school, they have homework and tests to study for and really don't have time to take care of a dog full time for training, potty breaks and constant watching to make sure they don't eat the couch or throw rug.

Actually, I would hope your mom will realize that the dog is really going to be HER responsibility and SHE will be the one that ends up taking care of the pup, potty training it, buying it's food, pay for shots, any illnesses or anything else that comes up and requires Vet visits, along with spay/neuter costs. Throw in having a puppy to run after, keep from eating the Sunday dinner off the table, (or cake),

Now.... if your mom is still willing to get your sister a pup, then she has my sympathy... been there, done that and while I have great dogs as a result, hind sight being what it is, I wouldn't do it again. But if she wants to take on a pup, she knows it's a responsibility no matter who ends up with it, either your sister or herself.

I'm not familiar with the breed, but with my dogs, male/male doesn't seem to get along all that great. Female/female seems to depend on who it is. Mollie and Bella are both pit bull mixes, and got along great for 2 years, only to not be allowed in the same room together now, but Bella and Zoey (female lab mix) get along really good. Bella loves Gizzmo (male Shih Tzu mix), and Bella and Cooper (male pit bull mix) seem to get along well, but just for preventative reasons, I don't let anyone out with anyone unless I 100% trust them, which narrows the field greatly. Gizzmo can go out with anyone except Cooper (and for the record, it's Gizzmo that attacks Cooper), and just because Titus is 100ish lbs, I don't put Gizzmo out with him either, but they have always gotten along.

So in some cases, it's going to depend on the dogs, and in come cases, it will depend on the breed, and sometimes, one mix will work for these two dogs with this certain person, but the same two dogs of the same kind of breed won't work with 2 different people, and what works today may not work tomorrow, and what works tomorrow, may not work next time, or maybe you get lucky and it will.

Multi dog households that work well, work because of one combination.... constant supervision and never letting your guard down and thinking you can take a break and give them "just a minute" alone. The multi dog households work because the humans make it work by being on top of it all the time. It's hard work, and it's 24/7 that never takes a vacation.

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K&F:

I think I can push Amelia (my sister) to go to a proper breeder if I can find one. She said she'd go to a good one if I can find one so the search is on. I do believe she'll socialize the dog IF and only if she keeps to her word and takes the dog out with her a lot. I may be able to convince her to go to dog training, she can drive so she can do training with her dog but then again, I don't know if she will. As far as I know, the dog will sleep with her, she's going to try and get the dog to be a inside dog. If she wasn't with the dog, it would probably be spending time with me but there would be moment it'll be alone outside. If my sister doesn't provide the dog with what it needs, I will.

Mollie:

She's 18, 19 in September. She works hard, she saves money but she does go out a lot. I think she'd probably focus on the dog while it is 'cute' and small but as it grows, she may loose a tad bit of interest, especially once she see's how much work a dog it is or she'll make me do things for the dog.

Sadly, my mum will not take responsibility for the dog because she really doesn't want the dog here. I don't understand why mum won't put her foot down and not let her get the dog. I'd be the one who'd have to take responsibility over the dog.

Thanks for the extra read/advice, I really appreciate it. I think the mix could work well once Serenity got used to her.

I just hope I'm being paranoid and she turns out to be a great dog owner.

[geaveheadeNox]

Hopefully, she will.... if not, are you willing to step up and become the owner of another dog, potty train it, feed it, make sure it gets the vet care needed/necessary, even if it means paying out of your own pocket? Are you willing to teach the dog manners/commands, and then (possibly) have your sister move out and take "her" dog with her?

With your sister being 18, almost 19, chances are she is going to get bored with the pup after it looses it's "newness". At best, she will enjoy if for maybe 6 months, then she will be too busy doing her own thing. After she turns 19, she is going to be way more interested on going out and hanging with her friends, than staying at home to let a young pup out every hour or so and cleaning up after it has been cooped up while she was out doing something else.

My daughter got Mollie when she was 16, my son was maybe 17 when he got Titus, and within about 3 months, both dogs being fed and taken care of rested on my shoulders, and I at least was willing to take on the responsibility.

It's sad that your mom doesn't want another dog around, but is willing to get one anyway.... I'm sure it's because she knows you will take care of it, but it isn't fair to you or the puppy coming in. If the dog is your sisters dog, it should be her responsibility not yours. Of course, I knew that Mollie and Titus were both my kids dogs and their responsibility, but when it came to feeding it or letting it go hungry, or cleaning up after it or letting it sit in it's crate in poop, I couldn't let the pup be hungry or walk around in a dirty crate, thus I became responsible because I brought them into the home, not doing so would have been unfair to an innocent pup.

It's good that you at least, see that it isn't the greatest idea in the world to bring another pup into the home, but I commend you for being willing to pick up the slack, for the pups sake.

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Yes, I'd be willing to do all that, even if it came out of my own pocket. I save and I know I could afford it. I hope to god I don't have to because I already have a huge issue dog on my hands who needs so much of my attention but I could work it out. I would make sure my sister didn't take the dog, there's no way she'd get the dog after I looked after it. If I really had to hand the dog over but I dought she'd make me anyway.

That's what worries me, her getting bored after 6 months.. I know she goes out a lot already. She sad she'll take the dog everywhere with her but again, I'm sure she'll get sick of doing that and slowly I'll be looking after the dog. She works nights sometimes so guess who the dog will be sleeping with? Me.


It is sad. Mum said the other day when my sister was talking about it 'I don't even like dogs that much and I know you'll get sick of the dog and give it to Tahlia' so, she said it herself, it's not just me who thinks it. I just wish my sister could understand why getting this dog is such a big responsibility. I have enough on my plate but as you said, I couldn't watch the dog not getting the proper care he/she should. I respect you for doing the right thing for your dogs, it's sad to see how bored people get of their dogs ..

Thanks. I couldn't just leave the dog. I know I'll get attached with helping the dog out and by then, I won't have the heart to send it away so it'll stay with me. I hope to god she does keep her word with this dog because I really don't want another dog, especially a Kings Charles, especially because that means the SBT I want one day will have to wait a few more years.

We'll see...