Looking For A Cavalier? Here is some information you need to know...............
1. The Cavalier comes in four accepted colors--, blenheim (red and white), and tri-color (black and white with tan markings), ruby (solid red) black and tan. They are 12-13 inches at the shoulder and 12-18 lbs. on average.
They are indoor dogs, need lots of attention and affection, become members of the family, and yes, they lick and they DO SHED. They are VERY sociable dogs and do best with company (human and/or other animals). They require minimal grooming, basically just a daily brushing to prevent the fur from matting. They do not require any trimming except the hair between the pads on the feet. They are very intelligent and easy to train.
2. There are two Clubs registering Cavalier King Charles Spaniels in the United States. The CKCSC, USA is the original parent club in the US, formed before the breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club. Now both the AKC and the CKCSC, USA register Cavaliers. In the US, the dog should be registered with the AKC and/or the CKCSC. In Canada, the dog would be registered with the Canadian Kennel Club. In England with The Kennel Club. They might also be registered with the United Kennel Club for obedience and agility, but beware of ones ONLY registered with them or the copy cats ones like Universal Kennel Club (also uses UKC initials), Continental Kennel Club (to copy the legitimate Canadian Kennel Club) or the FIC (to copy the legitimate international FCI.) New registries are cropping up every day. Be very cautious of people using the FIC, Continental Kennel Club (CKC), APR, No. American Dog Registry, Worldwide Kennel Club, Krystle Kennel Club, and Dog Registry of America. Often these people have lost CKCSC and/or AKC privileges or may be breeding a dog that was sold on limited AKC or CKCSC papers.
When reviewing pedigrees on ancestors of the puppy you are considering buying, beware of any names which do not include a kennel name. Names like "Princess Sunshine" or "King Kirby" should be a red flag that these dogs are from puppy mill/puppy farms. If the dogs are not CKCSC registered, you can check with the club and see if the breeder has been expelled for Code of Ethics violations.
<http://www.ckcsc.org/ckcsc/ckcsc_inc.nsf/Founded-1954/expelled.html>
DO NOT DEAL WITH SOMEONE "USDA" REGISTERED. These are commercial breeding farms in the U.S., commonly referred to as puppy mills.
DO NOT BUY FROM A PET STORE. They are almost always supplied by puppy mills, no matter what they say. No reputable breeder would ever sell a puppy to a pet store.
DO NOT DEAL WITH A BROKER/IMPORTER. Always insist on speaking directly with the breeder. A broker/importer is a middleman--he makes the arrangements between the seller and buyer. There is a significant problem in the USA with importers of Cavaliers from Ireland. These importers claim to have "relatives" in Ireland who breed Cavaliers, but in actual fact there are no "relatives", just puppy mills (called puppy farms in Ireland) who sell their puppies to the importers who then sell them here in the U.S. Not all Cavaliers from Ireland come from these puppy farms, but beware of anyone who says they have puppies for sale which they got from a "relative" in Ireland. No reputable breeder in Ireland would EVER sell a puppy to a broker/importer, but would always insist on speaking directly with the prospective owners to evaluate whether they would provide an appropriate home for one of their puppies. Also, do not believe it if you are told that Irish Cavaliers have any
fewer health problems than Cavaliers bred in the U.S. The incidence of mitral valve disease and other health problems in Cavaliers is about the same no matter which country the dog originates from.
Reputable, Responsible (RR) breeders do NOT deal with a broker or importer for the following reasons: 1. A RR breeder wants to follow the puppy for its lifetime. 2. A RR breeder wants to turn down a sale. Puppy does not get bought just because the person has the money. 3. A RR breeder wants to place the right puppy in the right home. 4. A RR breeder may want to have certain requirements like a fenced yard, a non-smoking home, etc. 5. A RR breeder will sell a pet quality puppy on a limited registration and/or spay/neuter requirement. 6. A RR breeder will require that they be notified if the pup can not stay in the home of the buyer at any time for any reason. They will either help in the placement or take it back. 7. It is against the Code of Ethics for the Cavalier Club to sell a broker or pet store or to provide a Cavalier for a raffle or auction. It is also against the Code of Ethics to buy a litter for resale.
3. Buy the breeder first and then the dog. You want someone experienced and knowledgeable who you will be comfortable with for the lifetime of the dog. They should be there to answer questions, help with training, etc. They will want to know of any problems you are having and will require you to notify them if you are unable at any time for any reason to keep the dog.
ASK as many QUESTIONS of the breeder as a reputable one will be asking you--where the puppies were raised (should always be raised inside the home and as members of the family, not in a kennel), what the breeder did to
socialize them, what clubs the breeder belongs to, why this particular breeding was done, what good points these dogs have, what their bad points are. If the parents are not being shown (and winning!) ask who evaluated
them as breeding quality--besides the breeder!! Be comfortable with the answers you get. Ask many questions BEFORE deciding whether to even go meet a breeder/see puppies so you don't make an impulse purchase (which is what keeps dogs in pet stores.)
4. INSIST ON SEEING CURRENT HEALTH CERTIFICATES ON PARENTS. The appropriate ones for Cavaliers are:
HEART--The latest research presented at the International Heart Symposium in May 98 says sire and dam should be at least 2.5 years of age and heart cleared by a CARDIOLOGIST within the previous year (not just regular vet). Both parents of the sire and both parents of the dam should still be heart clear at age 5. Mitral valve disease is a major concern in this breed. Fifty percent of all Cavaliers will develop MVD by age 5 and about 98% will develop it by age 10. The protocol suggested by the International Heart Symposium is intended to decrease the numbers of Cavaliers who develop early onset MVD. You can download the Heart Symposium's findings from this site: www.ckcsc.org <http://www.ckcsc.org>
EYES--Sire and dam should have a current (within the last year) CERF test by an OPHTHALMOLOGIST (this also cannot be a regular vet). The web site for CERF (Canine Eye Registration Foundation) is
www.prodogs.com/chn/cerf/index.htm <http://www.prodogs.com/chn/cerf/index.htm>
PATELLAE--Luxating, or slipping, patellae, or kneecaps, are a common problem in toy breeds, including Cavaliers. A (regular) vet needs to check sire dam before breeding. Certification can also come from the OFA.
The OFA website has some excellent info and you can check the status on any dog (who has passed). www.offa.org <http://www.offa.org> (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals Home Page.)
**Be aware, however, that dog breeding/genetics being the complicated and inexact science that it is, even if a breeder follows all of these protocols, there is NO GUARANTEE that the puppy you adopt will not have any
health problems. Find a breeder who is willing to talk about the problems in the breed (and she should NOT tell you that others have this problem but that she has bred it out of her lines!!!), and she should also be willing to
tell you what she is doing to try to better the odds of producing puppies that will be free of these problems. Breeding from tested and cleared parents is NOT a guarantee that your puppy will never develop a health problem, but it certainly helps stack the odds in his favor. When a breeder does not properly test her breeding stock, then every breeding is like playing Russian Roulette as she has no idea if a dog has a problem or not, and she may double up on that problem which greatly increases the odds of producing puppies with a problem.
5. If possible see the parents, or at least the mother. Be sure the mother has a good temperament. She will influence the puppies more than the father.
6. Red flags-- "I have any color, male or female available right now," "The whole litter is show quality," "All that testing is not needed," "If you don't trust my word, I don't want to deal with you," "My line has no problems," "The imports have less health problems than the American ones," "My vet is as good as the specialists."
7. Good reading--Cavalier books by Barbara Garnett Smith, John Evans, Bruce Fields, Sheila Smith, and an excellent one by D. Caroline Coile (the last a small paperback). (You can find these at www.dogwise.com <http://www.dogwise.com> ) Other good ones, not specifically Cavalier, are "How to Raise a Puppy You Can Live With" by Rutherford and Neil, "Good Owners, Great Dogs" by Brian Kilcommons, "Super
Puppy" by Peter Vollmer, "Social Graces" by Margery West, and "The Culture Clash" by Jean Donaldson.
8. More Information and Contacts-
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club USA at www.ckcsc.org <http://www.ckcsc.org> They have a free
packet of breed info available.
www.qhome.com/cavaliers <http://www.qhome.com/cavaliers> site has more in-depth info on what to consider
when looking for a Cavalier and specific questions to ask breeders.
Cavalier Rescue (for a shelter, found, or pre-owned Cavalier) Linda at [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>. There are also regional chairs. Tell us your area.
Cavalier Quarters online magazine: <http://www.sweetprints.com/cavalierquarters/Homepage.html>
The American Kennel Club website for Cavalier information:
<http://www.akc.org/breeds/recbreeds/ckcs.cfm> Keep in mind that the CKCSC, USA does have a Code of Ethics which breeders must abide by. The AKC does not have an enforceable one.
You may consider joining the Hoflin Cavalier email list. This list is for breeders and pet owners to share stories, ask questions, seek advice, and obtain mutual support. To join, go to this site: <http://www.hoflin.com/Lists/DogLists.html> Scroll down, type your name and email address where indicated, then scroll to "Subscribe" in the left hand box and "Cavalier-KCS-H" in the box on the right hand side, then click on the box marked "Submit Email List Order".
Information posted with permission from the author by:
Monticello Cavaliers
http://www.monticellocavaliers.com
