How to Decide if a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is the Dog for You

Picking the perfect dog for you and you family is not as easy as it seems. If you are looking for a pure bred dog, you need to take many more things into consideration than you do if you are looking for a mix breed. A pure bred dog will generally share many traits with the rest of his breed--size, temperament, genetic defects, good genetic traits and one very important thing--the cost.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Determine the size of the dog you want. A Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is not a large dog, it is classified as a toy breed and will not get taller than about 13 inches. It is a good size for an apartment.

2. Estimate how much time you will have to groom and take care of the dog. A Cavalier King Charles Spaniel may be small, but he will have long hair that will require brushing a couple of times a week and a bath about once a month. If the dog is in a yard, there will be more brushing needed.

3. Check your environment. A Cavalier King Charles Spaniel needs exercise. All of the spaniels do. A yard is a big plus, but not necessary as long as the dog is going to be taken for at least two walks every day and this means in all kinds of weather.

4. Check out the pros and see if they match what you are looking for. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are very friendly and get along great with all ages, young children included. They tend to travel well, so if you are going on vacation, check for a hotel or motel that allows pets and the whole family can have a great experience. They are small, which is a definite plus for walking. They will not be able to pull most people, even children, down the street. They also have a good life span of 11 to 13 years, but with regular vet care, they can live even longer. The breed is very will regulated and you must buy from a breeder, not a pet store. A good breeder will breed carefully to minimize any of the medical cons from occurring.

5. Check out the cons. They do tend to bark when excited, but getting them proper training can help with that. The main con in buying a pure bred dog is medical problems. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is susceptible to heart murmurs and heart conditions such as mitral value disease. Eye diseases, most of which can be treated with surgery. Dogs who have these defects should not be bred. A reputable breeder will not do so, so the dog you get should not have any. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel can also have problems with their knee caps popping out of place, but in most cases it does not cause a major problem and if it does, it can be corrected by surgery. They can also suffer from hip dysplasia. Syringomyelia, a neurological condition, is very prevalent in a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel . They are also susceptible to Episodic Falling, which is caused by muscle spasms. Most of the conditions are easily controlled, but it will involve a vet bill. A Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is not a good watch dog. Yes, she will bark if a stranger comes, but the stranger will soon be considered to be a friend.

6. Decide where to get your dog. If you feel that a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is the dog for you, you have two choices. A breeder, where the price you pay will vary greatly depending on the pedigree of the dog and the age. The other choice is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel rescue group, where you can adopt a dog that has been turned in by a previous owner.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure you have it in writing that you can get your pure bred examined by a vet of your choice. In most states, it is the law that you have a certain amount of time to change your mind.
• Ask to see medical reports on the dam and the sire. If they do not have any of the genetic defects, the chances are your new dog will not have them either.
• Read everything you can about the breed. If you know any one who owns a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, they are your best source of information.

Resources

• Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club
• Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Info
• Rescue Group

[hoolihan0519]

on 11/29/2008 AS you can see by my avatar, I am very interested in a CKCS. I have been watching dog shows for quite a few years now and listening to everything I can about the breed. It will be my next dog. Thanks for the tips on things to watch for in the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

[Alamyluve]

on 4/16/2008 They make wonderful pets. I have a 7-month-old King Charles and love him so much! He's so good -- and they learn very quickly! He still uses the potty in the house, though -- but we're working on that.

[PattyOh]

on 2/21/2008 This sounds like it would make a great pet :)