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Original poster

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels - anyone got one? know much about them?

50 replies

granarybeck · 21/09/2007 22:33

We are thinking of getting a Cav king charles spaniel. I've heard people mention differences between the temperaments etc of the different colours but I'm really struggling to find anymore information. Just wondered if anyone had any experiences or knowledge?

Also, any ideas between whether it matters between boy or girl puppy (sorry not very technical!)

Any advice really appreciated. Thinking should have put this much thought and research into having the dcs!

OP posts:

NoNameToday · 22/09/2007 09:36

This is the only time I've had two Papillons at the same time and I have to admit that they do bark more when together than when one is on its own.

They make great housed dogs because they will alert you to any visitors.

Have also had Papillons at the same time as German Shepherds and that was brilliant, best of friends, minimal noise.

Very intelligent breed, being used a lot for helping people with disabilities.

vacua · 22/09/2007 09:37

Try cyber spaniels for chat about all things spanielly.

RoundTheBend · 22/09/2007 09:51

Argh! Disregard what I said about Pappilon. DH was looking over my shoulder and told me I was confused. One of the grandparents was called Papillion. Our breed is actually an Oktob. So sorry!!!!

muma3 · 22/09/2007 10:06

i will second the insurance !!!! i have mine with more> then and they will pay out for for a life long illness aslong as it wasnt detected before insurance was taken out. i had her have a full health check -eyes and heart and the vet was very adamant that she would be fine as i was fussing at the time.

i also feed only dry food and its premeasured so i know she isnt having too much. she has never been aloud scraps even though she is very quick to grab toast if dd3 drops any . no scraps from beginning im hoping she wont be a scavenger

muma3 · 22/09/2007 10:07

yes she does snore too

Original poster

granarybeck · 22/09/2007 14:38

Going to visit little black and tan boy this evening!!

OP posts:

NoNameToday · 22/09/2007 14:58

Good luck, you know that won't want to leave at all don't you!

muma3 · 22/09/2007 16:32

oh wow, have fun take pics. ask anything you like. love it endlessy , good advice i can give is take something like a blanket or pillow or towel that smells of your home so that he can start to smell it and gets used to you before bringing him home. i also gave fifi a teddy that looked like her and left it there for 3 weeks before i brought it home so it would semll of her siblings and mum. big change for them . bless!! keep us posted i need cheering up ..long story lol

Original poster

granarybeck · 22/09/2007 16:47

Oh thankyou, great tips. Am so excited am going to burst! How old was yours when you got him?

OP posts:

crokky · 22/09/2007 16:56

my mum has a brown and white one. she is lovely and is eleven. she is a really kind and loving dog, but she is a bit too old to run around with DC, but she likes to be stroked.

my godmother has one the same, but she is only a puppy. she likes to play with my DS.

i don't think the breed is particularly obedient, many of them can't be allowed off the lead EVER! my mum says females are easier.

true about the heart conditions - my mums has a heart mumour.

suedonim · 22/09/2007 18:00

We've had two tricolour CKC's and tbh, we wouldn't have another. They are sweet little dogs but ime they need company and crave attention all the time, which can get very wearing when you've other things that need to be done.

They are a bit yappy and definitely greedy. We could let ours off the lead and they didn't run away. But I do think they're the airheads of the canine world as I've noticed that virtually every CKC I've ever seen acts insanely on the lead, hurtling round in circles, snorting and snuffling and so on!

We didn't have any major health problems with ours, the first one lived to be 12 and the current one is now 13yo. And returning to where I began, if I ever did consider having another CKC I'd have two. From what I've seen, I think they enjoy being in pairs and tend to be less dependent on the owner.

LittleB · 24/09/2007 09:15

My MIL had a black & tan Cav. He was very sweet, lived until 14. He did have a few health problems, had a bad back, had to be crated for it for a while, had a heart murmour, and anal glands to be emptied every so often, and the usual old age problems but not too bad and lived a long and happy life. Was very good with my dd, he'd bark at other dogs and when people first visited but soon settled down. Didn't run off much and was fine on the lead apart from pulling toward other dogs (to play - not an ounce of aggression in him). They used to leave the radio on for him when they went out, and he did enjoy the cats company, but was fine alone when the cat died. Lovely little dogs really.

MuffinMclay · 24/09/2007 20:50

MIL has one, and has had many over the years. Hers is the most gentle, docile dog I've ever come across (as were its predecessors, I believe). Half the time you have to check that it actually is alive.

Fabulous with children - lets ds poke it in the eye, pulls its tail and ears, and doesn't bat an eyelid.

As a springer person, it doesn't seem like a proper dog to me - far too dull - but I can't fault its temperament. It couldn't be aggressive if it tried.

They do have lots of health problems though. MIL's has rheumatism, heart problems, and is very obese (refuses to go for walks).

Kewcumber · 24/09/2007 20:51

my vet recommends them if you have children. Said that has never known a bad tempered one in all his days as a vet.

Original poster

granarybeck · 24/09/2007 22:36

Oo lovely to hear som positive things! I do know what you mean about proper dogness MuffinMclay but added to the temperament that did kind of attract me as not always been a dog person and this is our first dog so seemed like a good beginner's option. Am so excited now!

The puppy has been health checked twice by vet and we saw the health screening papers for mum and dad too. But will def still get good insurance

OP posts:

Piffle · 24/09/2007 22:37

I have a chink bitten out of my back by a tan and white one...
neutered boy

but have also met some very sweet ones too but they do make a lot of noise

brimfull · 24/09/2007 22:38

are those the ones with big googely eyes....they give me the willies.I can't bring myself to look at them in the eye.

LittleB · 25/09/2007 12:17

You'll have to post a picture of the pup, they are gorgeous puppies!

muma3 · 25/09/2007 13:25

i have added one of fifi to my profile. was a while ago though ans she is a lot taller and slender now

KikiH · 25/09/2007 14:10

Hi granarybeck

My Mum's had king charles' for the last 15 years or so and they are really lovely dogs. Great with kids, good with cats etc. I agree with faustina though, they are prone to health problems, Mum had a beautiful little 3 year old die of kidney failure, so make sure you check the breeding. I am thinking of getting one myself but might be a bit mad as first baby due in Feb! Will probably end up doing it anyway as I tend to do all the big things at the same time. Moved house, got married and changed jobs and become pregnant in the last year, so may as well add dog to the list.

Original poster

granarybeck · 25/09/2007 22:14

KikiH, yes I'd tried to wait so didn't do evrything at once like usual but failed!

Muma3, fifi is beautiful! Have uploaded pics of our little nameless puppy to profile!

OP posts:

VeniVidiVickiQV · 25/09/2007 22:16

They are prone to heart problems IIRC.

Hobnobfanatic · 25/09/2007 23:13

Only buy from heart-tested parents (who are clear at five years of age, IIRC) and also ask if the parents have been tested for Syringomyelia which is a devastating illness that affects more than HALF of all Cavs, I believe. Maybe more!

If you can get one from healthy lines, they are super family dogs - very straightforward and loving.

jomorgan · 24/10/2007 00:30

I've got a lovely 11 year old ruby cavalier called Jasper. He's very sweet, loves people and dogs and very good with children (my young neighbours went from being terrified of him to absolutely loving him!)

When the bitches are on heat, he did used to run off when we were in the woods and so we got him castrated after we lost him for a whole day and night! So i would definately recommend getting a male 'done'.

In terms of health, he's very fit and energetic, but has developed a heart murmour (very common in the breed), and in the last year has gone stone deaf (although we're told this is though old age and isnt a common health problem for the breed).

They make fantastic pets and hes got a huge personality, and loves attention...hes a real mummy's boy and follows my mum around everywhere (very similar to a young child!)

I havent heard that the different colours have different temperments? We were lucky with the ruby because they ate most unusual colouring.

Good luck and keep us posted!

pud1 · 24/10/2007 13:37

my bil has a tan and white one. he looks lovely but he yaps constantly. i have a boxer but the king charles is 50 times louder. i was shocked that such a small dog could make so much noise. he also runs off when not on the lead and often smells of piss when he wees on his belly ( long hair), i do think that they are ok but dont be fooled into thinking that cos its a small dog they dont have to be trained as well

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