Are you looking to adopt a Cavalier? Here is some very important information which you need to be aware of to help you in your search. When my husband and I first started looking for a Cavalier, several breeders took the time to educate us on all the issues discussed below. The information here was originally written by a breeder named Linda E. of Schoolhouse Cavaliers, whose permission I have to pass it along to other folks looking for a Cavalier. I hope you find it as informative and helpful as I did.
For newbies to the breed who may not know this, the only accepted abbreviation for Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is "Cavalier". Not Cav, or Cavvie, or King Charles. The Cavalier comes in four accepted colors: Blenheim (red and white), Tricolor (black and white with tan markings), Ruby (solid red), and Black and Tan. The average Cavalier is 12-13 inches tall at the shoulder and 12-18 lbs in weight. They are indoor dogs (meaning not ever to be left to live outdoors chained up or in a dog house or outdoor kennel), become members of the family, generally sleep with their humans in bed, and are very sociable dogs. They do shed, but this can be managed by grooming. Cavaliers do best with company (human or other animals) rather than being left alone for long stretches of time.
There are two Clubs registering Cavalier King Charles Spaniels in the United States. They are the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club, USA (or "CKCSC, USA" which was the original club before AKC recognition), and the American Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club (which is part of the AKC). In the US, any Cavalier you are considering purchasing should be registered with either the CKCSC, USA or the AKC. Steer clear of any unregistered Cavaliers or Cavaliers registered with "FIC" (which is the common registry used by puppymills), APR, Worldwide Kennel Club, Krystle Kennel Club, or Dog Registry of America. New registries are cropping up every day, so be on the lookout. Do NOT deal with anyone who is USDA registered. These are commercial breeding farms. DO NOT BUY FROM A PET STORE!!! Pet stores are almost always supplied by puppymills/commercial breeding farms, no matter what they tell you. If you buy a Cavalier from a pet store, you are condemning it's parents to a longer life of slavery and hell. DO NOT BUY FROM A BROKER!! A broker makes arrangements between seller and buyer. Always deal directly with the breeder. reputable responsible breeders never deal with brokers.
Always deal directly with a reputable responsible breeder for the following reasons: Such a breeder wants to follow the puppy for its lifetime; wants to place the puppy in the right home, and will turn down a buyer if it is not in the puppy's best interest to be placed with that person; may have certain requirements such as a fenced yard; will sell a pet quality puppy on a restricted registration, or a spay/neuter requirement, preventing the owner from breeding that puppy; will require that they be notified if the pup cannot stay in the home of the buyer for any reason; they will either help place the dog in a new home, or take the dog back. It is against the Code of Ethics for breeders in the CKCSC, USA to sell to a broker or pet store or to provide a Cavalier for auction of raffle. or to buy a litter for resale.
Always buy the breeder first, then the dog. You want someone experienced and knowledgeable and with whom you will be comfortable for the life of the dog. The breeder should be there to answer questions, help with training issues, advice with medical problems, etc.They will want to know of any problems you are having and will offer guidance and advice. Interview any breeder you are considering getting a puppy from. Ask such questions as: where were the puppies raised? (should be raised in the home as part of the family), what did the breeder do to socialize them?, what clubs the breeder belongs to, why this particular breeding was done, what good and bad points these dogs have. If the parents are not being shown ask who evaluated them as breeding quality (besides the breeder). Ask many questions BEFORE deciding whether to go meet a breeder or see puppies. Don't make an impulse purchase. INSIST ON SEEING CURRENT HEALTH CERTIFICATES ON THE PARENTS. This is critical to getting a puppy with the best chances at good health long into old age. Too many Cavaliers are suffering with and dying from genetic diseases that could be prevented by testing the parents before they are bred.
The appropriate health certificates for Cavaliers are:
Heart--Mitral Valve Disease is a major concern in this breed. The latest research presented at the International Heart Symposium in May 1998 says that sires and dams should be at least 2.5 years old and heart cleared (murmur free) by a CARDIOLOGIST (not a regular Vet), within the previous year AND both parents of the sire and both parents of the dam should be heart clear at age 5. This is commonly referred to as a breeder following the heart protocol.
Eyes--sire and dam should have a current (within the last year) CERF (Canine Eye Registration Foundation) test by an OPHTHALMOLOGIST (not a regular Vet). To see more info on CERF go to the CERF website at www.vmdb.org/history.html
Hips--hip dysplasia DOES happen in small dogs. Approximately 11% of Cavalier x-rays submitted to the OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) show hip dyplasia. Since the really bad ones are never submitted to the OFA, they estimate that as much as 1/3 of Cavaliers possibly have HD. An x-ray is taken by a regular Vet and sent in to the OFA for grading of excellent/good/fair/borderlin/or degrees of dysplasia.
Patellae--luxating (slipping) patellae (kneecaps) is a common problem in toy breeds, including Cavaliers. A regular Vet needs to check sire and dam before breeding. This is done by physical exam (not x-ray). Certification can also come from the OFA.
The OFA website has some excellent information and you can check the status on any dog who has passed by going to this website: www.offa.org
Be aware, however, that dog breeding and genetics is a complicated and inexact science. Even if a breeder follows all of the recommended protocols, there is NO GUARANTEE that the puppy you adopt will never have any health problems. The most important thing you can do is to find a breeder who is willing to talk with you about the health problems in the breed and what she is trying to do to better the odds of producing puppies that will be fre of these problems. She should NOT tell you that *other* breeders have these problems, but that she has bred them out of her lines. This is virtually impossible. Breeding from tested and cleared parents is not a guarantee that your puppy will never develop health problems, but it certainly stacks the odds in the puppy's favor. When a breeder does not properly test her breeding stock (sires and dams), then every breeding is like playing Russian Roulette, as she has no idea if a dog has a problem or not, and may be passing on genetic problems. She may even be doubling up on the chances of producing puppies with health problems.
If possible, see both parents of the puppy you are considering adopting. It is most helpful to see at least the mother, as she will have greater influence on the puppies than the father. Make sure the mother has a good temperment.
Here are some Red Flags---if a breeder says anything like these statements, DO NOT DEAL WITH THAT BREEDER.
"I have any color, male or female, available right now." This is most likely a puppymill or a broker.
"The whole litter is show quality." Next to impossible.
"The testing is not reliable." NOT TRUE!!
"If you don't trust my word, I don't want to deal with you." Remember--you need to SEE the health certificates on the sire and dam. Don't just take a breeders word for it.
"My line has no problems." This is virtually impossible.
Here are some books which you might find helpful:
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel in North America by Barbar Garnett Smith
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel by Bruce Field
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels by D. Caroline Coile (paperback, inexpensive)
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Today by Sheila Smith
How to Raise a Puppy You Can Live With by Clarice Rutherford and David Neil
Before You Get Your Puppy by Dr. Ian Dunbar
After You Get Your Puppy by Dr. Ian Dunbar
How to Housebreak Your Dog in 7 Days by Shirlee Kalstone
Here are some sources of more information and some contact information:
1) Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club, USA at www.ckcs.org. The advantage of the CKCSC, USA is that this club has a Code of Ethics which breeders must abide by or risk explusion from the club. The CKCSC, USA Code of Ethics is enforced. For non-on-line folks, call (513)-831-6755 for the Breed Information Service. They can send out a packet of info which is the same info that is on the website.
2) The American Kennel Club website for Cavalier Information: www.akc.org/breeds/cavalier_king_charles_spaniel/index.cfm
3) The Premier Cavalier Site at www.premiercavalierinfosite.com/tableofcontents.htm. This site is a must read for anyone looking to adopt a Cavalier. If you don't do any further research, at least visit this site. The breeders on this site are all dedicated to following the recommended health testing guideline. This site does a super job educating the potential buyer.
4) Cavalier Rescue thru CKCSC, USA. http://www.cavalierrescueusa.org/Rescue
More information about Rescue and an online application to adopt a Rescue Cavalier can also be found at www.ckcsc.org.
5) You may want to consider joining the Yahoo Cavalierlyspeaking email list. This list is for breeders and pet owners to share stories, ask questions, seek advice, and obtain mututal support. To join, go to this site: http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/cavalierlyspeaking/
I hope you have found this information helpful in your search for a Cavalier. As the owner for over 10 years of these loving, affectionate, sweet, playful, adorable dogs, I can attest to the joy Cavaliers can bring. Please consider the advice above to stack the odds in your favor of getting a healthy, well bred, well socialized puppy. Best of luck in your search!
Please feel free to contact me at this email address: cavalier family doc at yahoo.com
Ellen Crimmel
