Buying a Cavalier King Charles Puppy

What to look for in a puppy. To know what to expect in buying a show puppy or a pet.

Permalink Reply by Toni Wade on July 17, 2008 at 7:11pm: Look for a breeder who loves their dogs. Visit and see how the dogs are treated.
Ask about bloodlines. I believe in outcross which mean there should not be lots of common ancestors in the line. Puppies should have lots of room to play. Watch for curiosity and friendly behavior. Expect puppy play to be fierce sounding. I was scared the first time my puppies started playing hard. Watch the puppy coming and going. Take someone with you who knows. I still have a difficult time predicting which puppy is the show dog.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jo Ann Weise on July 17, 2008 at 11:14pm: Hi Jayne,

I guess first, one would want to decide if they wanted to show their puppy or not. Buying a healthy pet is much easier than deciding on a puppy to show--just be very careful in who you buy from, make sure you can get copies of all health testing on the parents, etc. Remember, first you "buy" the breeder, then you buy the puppy. If you want to show, you need to educate yourself on the breed standard and study it, learning how to apply it to a puppy. This is easier said than done! It takes most people years to develop their eye for evaluating dogs. The easier route is to find a reliable mentor, one who has done well for themselves in the ring, and one who is willing and can help you in developing that eye...explain terms, what judges look for, understanding movement. It could take a person a long time to find a show potential pup as show dogs don't grow on trees, no matter what some breeders will tell you. We are very lucky to get one show potential pup in a litter, even in the best of breedings. I guess I would advise people to acquire their first dog as a pet, get involved in a Cavalier club, and work hard at learning first, before attempting to buy a show dog.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jo Ann Weise on July 17, 2008 at 11:17pm: Oh, and one more thing...longevity is primarily due to the luck of the gene pool. Even when you do all your homework, buy from a great breeder, get all the health testing results...nature can still whack you in the rear, gene-wise. There is no guarantee on how long any dog will live, much less a Cavalier, with the inherent heart issues in the breed. I have found this out the hard way...; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Veeta on November 16, 2008 at 9:49pm: I got Tobey from a puppy shop, which I am embarrassed about. (I had gone to the SPCA several times, and they deemed me an unfit owner... because I have an Australian Cattle dog and I live in a duplex, I think). I couldn't stand not getting a dog, so I went to a puppy shop.

Again, so embarrassed.

I picked the cutest dog there, and he happens to be a Cavalier King Charles dog. I was looking for a smaller toy dog, but he wouldn't quit crawling on me and giving me sad eyes.

I love him so much. He is the friendliest dog I've ever met, the happiest little fellow (I've rescued 24 dogs, and kept 6 of them throughout my life).

It's important that you know that these little adorable guys have a propensity for a devestating neurologic disease (syringomylia) and heart disease. They are worth the investment, in terms of their personality and absolute beauty.

Still. You should be an owner who can care for them, should problems arise.

Love,

Promisabel; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Cavalier Health on September 1, 2009 at 6:17pm: I suggest that you check out this webpage about finding Cavalier puppies in the US:
http://www.cavalierhealth.org/breeders.htm#HOW_TO_FIND; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Robin Drake on September 19, 2009 at 10:46am: I am learning the Cavalier's struggle to live with their inherent diseases. My Cav, Grant-bishop, a Tri, 10 years old, now has an enlarged heart and chronic bronchitis. He struggles to breathe. Dr. has him on 3 meds. In tears I called Dr. today telling him that Grant is struggling to catch a breathe. Dr advised me to let the meds work for a week and if not improved, he will put Grant on a new med that has been out for a year. I felt better. Grant also needs to lose weight. This would help him. I asked Dr if Grant will die of this. He told me that before we take him to Davis, let us try to treat him in the Lincoln Clinic. I respect this doctor so much. Also Davis would be very expensive. But......don't we do all we can to make our loved ones comfortable. If there is a Cav owner that is sharing these problems, please reply. Thank you, Robin

Jo Ann Weise said:
Oh, and one more thing...longevity is primarily due to the luck of the gene pool. Even when you do all your homework, buy from a great breeder, get all the health testing results...nature can still whack you in the rear, gene-wise. There is no guarantee on how long any dog will live, much less a Cavalier, with the inherent heart issues in the breed. I have found this out the hard way...; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jayne Hamlin on September 27, 2009 at 8:32pm: How lucky you are to have you beloved cavalier 10 years. I hope I will be that lucky when I find her. It is a terrible fear of losing a beloved part of your family as an animal. You can only do what you can . Then let them go to Cavalier heaven and bless them., .; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by BetteB on February 1, 2010 at 6:17am: Is there a list of recommended breeders? I am looking for a pet, rather than a show dog.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jayne Hamlin on February 1, 2010 at 12:14pm: Hi Bette

If you go into ckcsc.org. Searching for cavaliers and breeders. then by state. There is a list of breeders. Even if you are looking for a pet, be careful of the health of the mommy and daddy. But this is a start. Go visit the breeders and see how the puppies are raised. Get as much information as you can from the breeder. Sometimes your state has clubs for Cavalier King Charles breeders.

BetteB said:
Is there a list of recommended breeders? I am looking for a pet, rather than a show dog.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by BetteB on February 1, 2010 at 5:30pm: Thanks, Jayne!

Jayne Hamlin said:
Hi Bette

If you go into ckcsc.org. Searching for cavaliers and breeders. then by state. There is a list of breeders. Even if you are looking for a pet, be careful of the health of the mommy and daddy. But this is a start. Go visit the breeders and see how the puppies are raised. Get as much information as you can from the breeder. Sometimes your state has clubs for Cavalier King Charles breeders.

BetteB said:
Is there a list of recommended breeders? I am looking for a pet, rather than a show dog.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Shari Wolfe on February 4, 2010 at 10:03am: I agree with Jayne Hamlin's comments on searching for a Cavalier, and accessing reputable web sites. I found these two very helpful, the latter of which was not as easy to find, but excellent. Go to the following: ckcsc.org http://www.cavalierhealth.org/breeders.htm#HOW_TO_FIND
The second was very informative, regarding the health of the breed.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jayne Hamlin on February 4, 2010 at 4:36pm: Good Information. So much to learn looking for a Cavalier. Thank you for commenting.; ▶ Reply to This