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Cavalier King Charles Spaniels: the most honest dog breed review you'll ever find. Information about Cavalier King Charles Spaniel personality and behavior. main page breed review faq health training adopting/buying links My book, Your Purebred Puppy: A Buyer's Guide (published by Henry Holt & Co.), includes a full-page profile of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, including these excerpts: "Often called a sporting toy because of his combination of spaniel and toy traits, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is sweet-tempered, gentle, and playful. This comfort-loving breed adores cuddling in laps and snuggling on soft pillows, but he has more field instincts than you might think. Indeed, he can be a runner. A fenced yard or a leash are musts at all times, because he will pursue squirrels, chipmunks, low-flying birds, even butterflies, right into the street. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is people-oriented and friendly, though there is potential for timidity. He needs plenty of early socialization to build a confident, outgoing temperament. With other dogs and cats, he is peaceful, but as mentioned, he'll chase little creatures that run or flutter. Cavaliers are willing to please and respond well to praise and encouragement. This sociable breed does not like being left alone and should have companionship (either human or other pets) most of the day. He will whine or bark or chew destructively if not given enough attention." History Developed in England, his primary job was to warm laps in drafty castles and on chilly carriage rides. Size 12-13 inches and 13-18 lbs, but larger individuals are fairly common

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels What's good about 'em What's bad about 'em If you want a dog who... Is small and soft, with large expressive eyes and a lovely feathered coat in a variety of striking colors Adores comfort, cuddling in laps, and snuggling on soft pillows, yet has more athletic and outdoorsy instincts than you might think Is peaceful with everyone Is willing to please and responds well to praise and encouragement A Cavalier King Charles Spaniel may be right for you. If you don't want to deal with... "Separation anxiety" (destructiveness and barking) when left alone too much Timidity and shyness in some lines, or when not socialized enough Chasing instincts Regular brushing and combing Lots of shedding High prices Extremely serious health problems and a short lifespan A Cavalier may not be right for you. If I were considering a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel... My major concerns would be: Separation anxiety. More than most other breeds, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels need a great deal of companionship and do not like being left alone for more than a few hours. They become anxious, which they express through destructive chewing and barking. If you work all day, this is not the breed for you. Timidity. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels need extensive exposure to people and to unusual sights and sounds so that their natural "softness" and submissiveness doesn't become fearfulness or suspiciousness, which are difficult to live with. If you have small children, I do not recommend Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppies, no matter how well-meaning the child. Small children cannot help being clumsy, and that a child meant well is little solace to a Cavalier puppy who has been accidentally stepped on, sat on, rolled on, squeezed, or dropped onto the patio. Even Cavalier adults may feel overwhelmed by the loud voices and quick movements that children can't help making -- and stress and shyness may be the result. Chasing things that run. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels cannot be trusted off-leash. They have more spaniel (hunting dog) instincts than you might think. They will chase things that run and can easily end up under the wheels of a car. To teach your Cavalier to listen to you, "Respect Training" is mandatory. My Cavalier Training Page discusses the program you need. Grooming. To keep their silky coat short and free of mats, Cavaliers require regular brushing and combing, and occasional trimming. Shedding. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels shed quite a bit. You'll find lots of hair deposited all over your clothing, upholstery, carpeting, under your furniture, on your countertops -- even in your food. Frequent vacuuming will become a way of life. High prices. Even though this breed is very common and easy to find, breeders are charging $1000 and up. The health epidemic. The biggest problem with Cavalier King Charles Spaniels today is health. This breed is in serious trouble. Heart disease (specifically, mitral valve disease or MVD) is the number-one killer of Cavaliers. Up to HALF of all Cavaliers is likely to develop MVD by 5 years of age -- and virtually ALL Cavaliers by 10 years of age. No one should acquire a Cavalier today unless they're prepared to spend lots of money for heart monitoring and heart care. A second serious health problem is syringomyelia, an inherited neurological disease. If a puppy is born without enough room in his skull to accommodate his brain, the back of the brain gets forced out of the skull and blocks the opening to the vertebral canal. This prevents cerebrospinal fluid from circulating freely; instead the fluid is forced into the spinal cord, causing a variety of neurological symptoms: abnormal skin sensations that cause excessive scratching around the neck or shoulder, sensitivity to touch around the neck or shoulder, yelping for no apparent reason, incoordination, and so on. (Not all symptoms are present in every dog.) Symptoms usually (but not always) appear between 6 months and 3 years old. There's no cure for this condition and current research suggests that 50% or more of the breed may be affected, though many are not yet showing symptoms. To keep this breed healthy, I strongly recommend following all of the advice on my Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Health Page. Not all Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are alike! There are energetic Cavaliers, and placid Cavaliers. Hard-headed Cavaliers, and sweet-natured Cavaliers. Serious Cavaliers, and good-natured goofballs. Introverted Cavaliers, and Cavaliers who love everyone. If you acquire a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy, you can't know for sure what he or she will grow up to be like. Because a good number of purebred puppies do NOT grow up to conform to the "norm." If you're considering an adult Cavalier... There are plenty of adult Cavalier King Charles Spaniels who have already proven themselves NOT to have negative characteristics. If you find such an adult, don't let "typical breed negatives" worry you. When you acquire a puppy, you're acquiring potential -- what he one day will be. So "typical breed characteristics" are very important. But when you acquire an adult, you're acquiring what he already IS. If you would like to link to this review, here is the HTML code: <a href="http://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/reviews/cavalierkingcharlesspaniels.html">Cavalier King Charles Spaniels: What's Good About 'Em, What's Bad About 'Em</a> Copyright © 2000-2008 by Michele Welton. All rights reserved. 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