Puppy Buying Guide
The following article is adapted from the excellent publication made
available by the Cavalier Fanciers of Southern Ontario. You may view
the original article
here.
The addition of a dog to any family is a long term commitment.
Emotional attachments happen very quickly so it's best to
make the right choice from the start. To do this, you will have
to find a breed and the breeder who is best for you.
While we know that the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is the
best companion on four legs, the purchaser must keep in mind
the purpose for which the dog was bred. The Cavalier was
originally bred as a small sporting spaniel but because of
its affection for their owners, it is equally as comfortable
romping in the fields with you or curled up on your lap.
Cavaliers have an instinct to give chase to just about
anything that moves.
Cavaliers are small dogs and we often find that we are
not as diligent as we should be in our training. He may
not knock you over when he jumps but dirty paws are all
the same regardless of the size. Some gentle discipline
is required. Don't be "conned" by those
big brown eyes into ignoring undesirable behavior in
your dog.
Cavaliers as guard dogs? They will certainly
announce when visitors arrive, but the only thing a
Cavalier is capable of guarding is the bird bath.
Cavaliers shed moderately and are not considered
"non-allergenic".
PET SHOPS, COMMERCIAL KENNELS AND BACKYARD BREEDERS
Dogs from pet shops often originate from U.S. and
Canadian puppy mills. The background of the dams and
sires are unknown. They usually do not screen for
inherited problems and there are no health clearances.
These businesses produce large number of various breeds
of dogs so human contact is practically non-existent. In
order to reach the pet store in time, the puppies leave
their dams much too early. Canadian Kennel Club (CKC)
registration is virtually impossible.
Backyard breeders are usually pet owners who see
breeding a litter of puppies as an inexpensive way
to get another dog. Their dogs have no health
clearances because they don't know what to check
for. They have little experience or understanding of
the breed and they often cut corners to make a few
dollars.
Cavaliers are very social dogs who thrive when
they are "Home Raised". They need and want early
human socialization to ensure good behavior and
temperament. Good Cavaliers can never be bought
in a pet store.
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HEALTH PROBLEMS IN CAVALIERS
Genetic defects occur in Cavaliers as they do in all
breeds. What is important is how the breeder deals
with them. Eye anomalies such as cataracts or
retinal dysplasia can occur in our breed. Dogs of
both sexes should be tested and cleared by a
veterinary ophthalmologist regularly to prevent
genetic defects from being passed on to puppies.
The heart problem known as mitral valve disease (MVD) is
common in Cavaliers. Breeding stock should be tested
annually after one year of age. The Cavalier King
Charles Spaniel Club of Canada produces a voluntary
Health Registry as a reference available to both
breeders and future pet owners.
Slipping patella's or kneecaps may also occasionally
be a problem in Cavaliers, as in other small breeds.
Again, dogs exhibiting this problem should not be bred
from.
You have the right, and are encourage to request to see
documentation on all health clearances of both the sire
and the dam. While the breeder cannot guarantee that the
puppy will never be affected, it is an indication that
the breeder is attempting to produce healthy puppies.
Breeders have their own guarantees when they sell a
puppy; they are as varied as the breeders who give them.
Puppy buyers should have their vet give the puppy a
check-up within one week of receiving it. This is not
only a safeguard for both you and the breeder, but
enables the vet to become familiar with your pet from
the beginning. All reputable breeders give a full refund
if the puppy does not pass this examination. Beware of
anyone who states that all sales are final!
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HOW TO FIND A REPUTABLE BREEDER
We are fortunate to have many reputable breeders of
Cavaliers in Canada. However it is best to take nothing
for granted. 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. If you are not
comfortable, don't buy!
Caution:
To safe-guard all puppies, only visit one kennel per
day.
During the Initial conversation, determine if the
breeder:
POSITIVE
:
 is a member of the CKC and/or a breed club
will not sell you a puppy under 8 weeks of age
asks you about your family, lifestyle etc.
asks if you have a fenced backyard
offers health clearances of breeding stock
sells puppies on a CKC legal non-breeding contract
emphasizes that buying a puppy is usually a minimum
10 year commitment.
NEGATIVE:
indicates that financial considerations are their
main concern
charges different amounts for "registered" and
"unregistered" pups. It is illegal to charge extra
for registered puppies.
says that all sales are final
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When you visit the Breeder check
the following:
is the facility clean?
are the dam and the pups on the
premises; are they friendly,
alert and show no sign of
shyness?
are original health clearances
for the dam and copies for the
sire available?
have the puppies received their
first series of shots and have
they been wormed?
are the pedigrees available?
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS:
Q: Why is the breeder
picking out my puppy for me?
-
A:
The breeder knows the personality of each puppy
and is the best person to make the match between
the puppy and its new family.
Q: Is it true that Cavaliers don't
require grooming?
-
A:
No, like all dogs, Cavaliers do need some
grooming. This includes weekly combing,
brushing, teeth and ear cleaning, monthly nail
cutting and bathing when your nose or eyes tell
you it is necessary.
Q: What about trimming?
-
A:
Our breed standard prohibits the trimming of
show dogs. A neutered or spayed Cavalier may
develop more coat and periodic trimming may be
required.
Q: What is the difference between a pet and show
quality puppy?
-
A:
Pet puppies are equal to show quality puppies when
it comes to companionship and health. Often, the
only difference may be markings or imperfections
obvious only to
a breeder. If you are interested in breeding,
the person you purchase your puppy from will
want to play a part in mate selection.
Co-ownership and terms for show quality puppies
must be carefully considered if this is the
direction you choose. Pet and show quality
puppies may cost the same since there is no way
to guarantee championship qualities at 8 weeks
of age.
Q: What is a non-breeding contract?
-
A:
A non-breeding contract prevents the registration of
a litter with the Canadian Kennel Club. Reputable
breeders put non-breeding contracts on all puppies
sold as pets. These conditions can be changed at the
discretion of the breeder.
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Questions and Answers Continued...
Q: Male or Female?
-
A:
Cavaliers are equal in temperament, energy, size and
affection regardless of their gender.
Q: How much does a Cavalier cost?
-
A:
In Alberta, Cavaliers generally cost between
$1200.00 to $2000.00. A highly successful show
career by the dam and/or sire or long distance
transportation costs may affect the final cost
of your puppy.
Q: Can you explain the cost?
-
A:
Please see the following points:
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average litter size 3 - 4 puppies
- stud fee equals a puppy
-
normal costs for the litter and
quality food equals a puppy
-
yearly expenses for vet, show and
club membership equals a puppy
-
yearly health testing for breeding
stock equals a puppy
-
Breeders have basic expenses even if
the bitches have false pregnancies or
miscarriages; choose not to breed a
bitch until they are older or have
neutered dogs. It is uncommon for a
hobby breeder to break even having a
litter of puppies. If a breeder is
charging substantially less than
everyone else, ask yourself why.
Q: Are Cavaliers easy to train?
-
A:
The participation of Cavaliers in Agility,
Obedience Trials and Flyball tournaments appears
to be on the increase.
Regardless of whether you want to formally
participate in these sports or you just want
your Cavalier to be well behaved, your dog
will benefit from training. Cavaliers are
intelligent and eager to please. However,
intelligent dogs are smart enough to know
how to avoid doing what they don't want
to do!
Q: How do I know if the breeder has too many
dogs?
-
A:
For some people, one dog is too many! It is
something that's different for everyone.
Cavaliers thrive in a home environment as
they require lots of socialization with
human beings. Make sure the dogs are in good
condition, happy and healthy.
Q: Should a puppy be spayed or neutered?
-
A:
Unless you are considering showing and breeding
your Cavalier, your life may be simpler if your
dog is spayed or neutered.
PLEASE VISIT OUR RECOMMENDED READING
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