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A Puppy Buyer's Guide
Any time you bring an animal into your home, be it a puppy, a grown dog, a cat, or some other animal, it is usually a long term commitment. Emotional attachments happen very quickly, so it is very important to make the right choice from the start. If you are thinking of getting a dog, you will want to review breeds and select the one or two you think will fit best with your situation, your family, your lifestyle.
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is best known as a companion animal, a couch potato, a cuddle buddy. However, there are some who are athletes, who compete in obedience, agility, rally - and are of somewhat higher energy levels than the ones who really prefer the couch to the playing field. The Cavalier was originally bred as a small sporting spaniel, and today most of them are equally happy romping in the yard or fields with their family, or being and enjoyed companion in the home. Cavaliers do have 'prey drive' and will chase pretty much anything that moves - a piece of paper blowing in the wind, a butterfly, a moth, a fly, a bird. Cavaliers are typically happy, healthy, playful friends who make wonderful companions, but not so great at being a watch dog. They do shed and are not considered 'non allergenic'. If hair or dander is likely to be a problem for you, if there are members of the household with allergies, Cavaliers may not be the ideal pet for you. If you or members of your family have other small pets such as a bird, a Guinea Pig, mice, etc., you may want to consider carefully if you want to introduce a Cavalier to your home. It can be handled - but you will need to be watchful!
Pet Shops, Commercial Kennels, and Backyard Breeders
Dogs sold in pet shops usually come from large commercial breeders or puppy bill sources. The background of the breeding stock is often unknown - certainly to the buyer of the puppy! These puppy producers usually do not screen their stock for inherited problems so there are no healthy clearances. These businesses produce large numbers of various breeds and/or mixed breeds in facilities set up to handle large numbers, but because of the volume of dogs involved, these dogs have limited human contact. In order for these puppies to reach the retail outlets while at their most appealing age, they are often separated from their siblings and mother at a very early age - much too young! - and therefore miss out on a lot of socialization that they might otherwise have gotten.
Backyard breeders are usually pet owners who have decided to breed their pet. They see this breeding as an inexpensive way to get another dog, to recoup the cost of buying their pet, and possibly a way to make some income. Their dog(s) have little or no health clearances because the owners don't know what to check for - and aren't interested in investing more money into this project. These owners often have little experience with dogs and less understanding of the breed, what the breed standard says or means, and are not interested in being educated. They often cut corners to save money - to increase the possibility of a profit in the deal.
Cavaliers are very social dogs. They thrive in a home environment. They want and need early human contact and socialization to ensure good behavior and temperament. Yes, temperament is in large part inherited - but it is also very much influenced by early handling and education that comes when they are raised by a caring breeder. Good Cavaliers are NEVER available through a pet store!
Health Problems in the Cavalier
Cavaliers, like most dogs, do have some health issues. What is important is how the breeder deals with them.
Eye problems such as cataracts or retinal dysplasia can occur in the breed. Puppies can be screened for retinal dysplasia at approximately 8 to 10 weeks of age - so it is easy to eliminate the affected dogs from a breeding program at an early age! Both parents should have been examined by an ophthalmologist to assure eye health.
The heart problems in Cavaliers - known as mitral valve disease or MVD - is quite common in Cavaliers. Breeding stock should be screened annually for MVD.
Slipping patellas may also be a problem. Keeping your puppy in good condition and proper weight, allowing it adequate free exercise in a safe, fenced area will help keep this problem to a minimum.
You have a right to ask and to see any / all health clearances the breeder has for the parents of any puppy they are offering you. If they state certain clearances have been obtained, but cannot or will not show you these documents, you might want to consider using another breeder. Whereas breeders cannot absolutely guarantee a puppy you buy from them will not develop a specific health condition, or be affected in some way with a health issue, the fact that they have done the health screenings and gotten clearances on their breeding stock, information they can / will share with you, shows they are attempting to produce healthy puppies.
Puppy Buyers should have their own veterinarian give any puppy they purchase a thorough check up within one week of picking the puppy up - preferably within the first couple of days. This is a good safeguard for both you and the breeder, and it also enables the vet to become familiar with your new pet, set up a schedule for it to receive timely vaccinations, etc. Reputable breeders will offer a full refund for puppies who do not pass this examination. Be sure to have your veterinarian give you a written explanation of whatever they find wrong with the puppy if you are going to return it to the breeder! BEWARE of anyone who states 'all sales are final'!!
How to find a Reputable Breeder
It is important to personally research the breeder and find the one who is best for you. Do not hesitate to talk to more than one breeder and be sure to visit their kennel whenever possible. If you are not comfortable, so not buy for them! CAUTION: please visit only one kennel per day if you are planning on visiting more than one. Also inform the kennel owner so they can take appropriate precautions if you have been to another kennel recently. Disease can be picked up & carried to other places without anyone being aware there is any problem in the area!
You can visit the American Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club's web site for information about breeders you might wish to contact / visit. You might also check on the American Kennel Club's web site for information about breeders in your area. Please be very careful when contacting / evaluating breeders! Everyone who claims to be is not necessarily an educated, knowledgeable breeder!
Initial Contact Information
When you contact a breeder, be watchful to determine the following ->
Are the puppies registered with AKC/ Are they registered with any other registry?
They should be registered with AKC, or eligible to be so registered.They may be registered with CKCSC, USA - if this is the case, make SUREthey are eligible to be registered with AKC also!!! Not all are!!!They may be registered with the UKC. Again, be sure they are eligible to be registered with AKC alsoAny other registries other than these and/or other countries - Beware!Is this breeder a member of the American Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club?
Any other Cavalier club(s)?Any other dog clubs - all breed or other breed specific club(s)?ALL breeders that I know & respect are members of the national club and/ ora regional club in addition to an all breed club in their area.I am currently a member of the American Cavalier King Charles SpanielClub; the Central Carolina CKCS Club; the New River Valley KC (an all breed, AKC club); Star City Canine Training Club - a performance club where I take classes & teach classes in obedience.Does this breeder ask about you? your family situation? your home situation?
If you have a fenced in yard or not? They should!!Does this breeder so health clearances on their breeding stock?
With Cavaliers, they should be checking -> Hearts - annually; CERF checks ofthe eyes done on puppies & then every 2 to 3 years thereafter while they are in a breeding program; hips & patellas at age 2 yrs & possibly follow-up checks afterthat. These checks should have been done & the breeder should be willing toshow you the documentation and/or discuss the results with you.Note - some dogs do not pass a specific health screening, but are consideredhigh enough quality in other areas, they are kept in a breeding program. Some health issues are more 'quality of life' threatening than others. A good breeder willdo the health screenings - but they will also breed the Dog - not the test results!And they should be able & willing to discuss this with you.Does this breeder sell pets on a limited registration? Do they use a sales contract?
They should - both the limited registration & the contract.A contract protects both the buyer & the seller - and everyone has it all 'in writing'.Negatives to Beware of!
Does this breeder indicate that financial considerations are their main concern?
Does this breeder offer different prices for registered dogs vs non-registered dogs.
(this is illegal) Does this breeder sell non-registered dogs at all? If so, why??!?!Does this breeder say that all sales are final?
I would not buy from such a breeder!When you visit - Observe ->
Is the facility reasonably clean?
Are the mother & puppies on the premises? Or out in another building / location?
Are the mother & puppies friendly, alert, show no sign of shyness? Should be!
Are original health clearances of the mother available for you to see?
If the sire is owned by the same person, are these documents available for him?
They should be! Even if he is owned by another, copies should be available.Have the puppies received their first vaccines? have they been wormed?
**** It is illegal in the state of Virginia for any puppy or kitten to be separatedfrom its mother & siblings before it is at least 7.5 weeks old + have had its firstvaccines! **** ANY puppies - mixed breeds, purebred dogs - ALL of them!Are pedigrees for the puppies available? They should be!
Carol snuggling with 2 day old Rocket
