Thinking Of Buying A Cavalier - Finding The Right Cavalier

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Finding The Right Cavalier

Where do I find my Cavalier?
This is one of the most important questions you must ask yourself when embarking on purchasing your puppy. You will probably be impatient to find a puppy, but in the long run this is the wrong approach. Remember this little creature will hopefully be with you for many years, so you will find that a bit of time and effort to find the healthiest and soundest (physically and mentally) puppy will be of benefit in the long run. Do not expect to find a suitable puppy "round the corner". If you are not prepared to travel a bit to find the right puppy, maybe you should rethink your reasons for getting one. A bit of travelling time is not to much to ask to find what is basically a new member of your family. Shop around and don't fall into the trap of buying the first puppy you see. Similarly don't buy a puppy you have ANY doubts about, there are many questionable breeders out there, so be careful not to fall into their trap. Also remember that there is very little health guarantee on a pet shop puppy, and unfortunately you will never know what sort of background (conditions and health) those puppies have come from.
There are many breeders of Cavaliers who love the breed and care about it's future well being, these breeders are the one's you need to look for. A good place to start is to contact the dog control authority in your state, they will be able to give you the Cavalier Clubs and some breeders in your state. Below is a list with contact phone numbers.

Victorian Canine Association.......0393 762255
Royal NSW Canine Council.......0298 343022
South Australian Canine Association.....0883 494797
Canine Association of Western Australia...0894 551188
ACT Canine Association.......(02) 6241 4404 - Fax: (02) 6241 1129
Tasmanian Canine Association.........0362 729443
Queensland Canine Control.........0732 522661
Canine Association of W.A...........0894 551188
North Australian Canine Association....0889 843570

There is also a list of OzCavalier breeders all of whom would be happy to discuss the breed with you and answer any questions you might have, also some have websites which might be of interest for you to look through. The OzCavalier Breeders List address can be found on the links page.

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How do I know a breeder is reputable?
Most breeders are reputable, but some are not. Unfortunately there are breeders out there who are only interested in the money aspect of their dogs. It is a sad fact of life that some of these are registered breeders, and their names may be given to you by the controlling bodies and breed clubs. It is up to you to talk to the breeders, ask a lot of questions, perhaps go to a dog show, and get a "feel" for who is a good breeder and who is not, trust your instincts! If you see someone with a Cavalier you like the look of, ask them about it, and the breeder, they may recommend them, or not. There is nothing like "word of mouth"!

What questions do I ask?
How are your puppies raised?
Inside with the rest of the household is preferable, it means they will be well socialised and used to all household situations.
Do you check your dogs for hereditary diseases?
Obviously the best answer to this is yes, but the degree of testing/checking may vary from one breeder to another. A responsible breeder should be able to explain the checks they do on their dogs.
Will I get a health guarantee? What does it cover?
Some breeders will give you a verbal guarantee and others a more comprehensive written guarantee.
* It should be suggested that you take the puppy to your own vet for a check up (at your expense) within a short period of purchase, and if anything serious is found to be wrong, return of puppy and full refund be available.
* Also if a serious hereditary (not environmental) problem becomes obvious in the first year, your breeder may offer you some form of compensation.
If I have questions, when can I ring the breeder?
Your breeder should be happy for you to keep in touch with them and to hear about the puppy's progress. They would rather you contacted them, than the puppy was not totally happy because you were not sure of how to go about some things.
The breeder asked me lots of questions, should I bother with this breeder?
Breeders who have lovingly raised their puppies and care about their well being will want to know that the puppies are going to suitable homes where they will be looked after properly. Good breeders also know the personalities of their puppies and will be able to pick the right puppy to suit a particular family (or person's) lifestyle.
What should we do if we find we can no longer keep our dog?
Hopefully this situation will never arise, but if it does, the breeder should be happy to take the dog back from you. Good breeders CARE about their dogs for life and would want to know that the dog has gone to another good home. In fact most good breeders will tell you to get in touch if that situation ever comes about.

Beware of the breeder who just wants to take your money and close the door on you. After all you wouldn't buy an expensive household appliance without a guarantee and back up service, would you?

Best of luck with your search for a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and hopefully this has been of some assistance to you in your search.

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Below is a story, which is very sad, but it should be read by people contemplating purchasing a puppy. Unfortunately it can be all too true. It demonstrates the need to be wary of uncaring, irresponsible breeders.

An Unnamed Story

I don't remember much from the place I was born. It was cramped and dark, and we were never played with by the humans. I remember Mom and her soft fur, but she was often sick, and very thin. She had hardly any milk for me and my brothers and sisters. I remember many of them dying, and I missed them so.

I do remember the day I was taken from Mom. I was so sad and scared, my milk teeth had only just come in, and I really should have been with Mom still, but she was so sick, and the Humans kept saying that they wanted money and were sick of the "mess" that me and my sister made. So we were crated up and taken to a strange place. Just the two of us.

We huddled together and were scared, still no human hands came to pet or love us. So many sights and sounds, and smells! We are in a store where there are many different animals! Some that squawk! some that meow! Some that Peep! My sister and I are jammed into a small cage, I hear other puppies here. I see humans look at me, I like the 'little humans', the kids. they look so sweet, and fun, like they would play with me! All day we stay in the small cage, sometimes mean people will hit the glass and frighten us, every once in a while we are taken out to be held or shown to humans. Some are gentle, some hurt us, we always hear "Aw, they are so cute! I want one!" but we never get to go with any.

My sister died last night, when the store was dark. I lay my head on her soft fur and felt the life leave her small thin body. I had heard them say she was sick, and that I should be sold at a "discount price" so that I would quickly leave the store. I think my soft whine was the only one that mourned for her as her body was taken out of the cage in the morning and dumped.

Today, a family came and bought me! Oh happy day! They are a nice family. They really, really wanted me! They had bought a dish and food and the little girl held me so tenderly in her arms. I love her so much! The mom and dad say what a sweet and good puppy I am! I am named "Angel". I love to lick my new humans! The family takes such good care of me, they are loving and tender and sweet. They gently teach me right and wrong, give me good food, and lots of love! I want only to please these wonderful people! I love the little girl and I enjoy running and playing with her.

Today I went to the veterinarian. it was a strange place and I was frightened. I got some shots, but my best friend the little girl held me softly and said it would be OK. So I relaxed. The Vet must have said sad words to my beloved family, because they looked awfully sad. I heard "Severe hip dysphasia", and something about my heart... I heard the vet say something about, back yard breeders and my parents not being tested. I know not what any of that means, just that it hurts me to see my family so sad. But they still love me, and I still love them very much!

I am 6 months old now. Where most other puppies are robust and rowdy, it hurts me terribly just to move. The pain never lets up. It hurts to run and play with my beloved little girl, and I find it hard to breath. I keep trying my best to be the strong pup I know I am supposed to be, but it is so hard. It breaks my heart to see the little girl so sad, and to hear the Mom and Dad talk about "it might now be "the time". Several times I have gone to that veterinarians place, and the news is never good. Always talk about "Congenital Problems". I just want to feel the warm sunshine and run, and play and nuzzle with my family.

Last night was the worst. Pain has been my constant companion. Now, it hurts even to get up and get a drink. I try to get up, but can only whine in pain.

I am taken in the car one last time. Everyone is so sad, and I don't know why. Have I been bad? I try to be good and loving, what have I done wrong? Oh, if only this pain would be gone! If only I could soothe the tears of the little girl! I reach out my muzzle to lick her hand, but can only whine in pain.

The veterinarians table is so cold. I am so frightened. The humans all hug and love me. They cry into my soft fur. I can feel their love and sadness. I manage to lick softly their hands. Even the vet doesn't seem so scary today. He is gentle and I sense some kind of relief for my pain. The little girl holds me softly and I thank her, for giving me all her love. I feel a soft pinch in my foreleg. The pain is beginning to lift. I am beginning to feel a peace descend upon me. I can now softly lick her hand. My vision is becoming dreamlike now, and I see my Mother and my brothers and sisters, in a far off green place. They tell me there is no pain there, only peace and happiness. I tell the family, good-bye in the only way I know how, a soft wag of my tail and a nuzzle of my nose. I had hoped to spend many, many moons with them, but it was not meant to be. "You see", said the veterinarian, "Pet shop puppies do not come from ethical breeders."

The pain ends now, and I know it will be many years until I see my beloved family again. If only things could have been different!

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