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Original poster

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.

40 replies

Elmosgirl · 10/07/2008 13:25

I have decided (after lots of research) that this is probably the family dog for us.

I have always grown up with Labs but think realistically I will not be able to commit to their exercise needs and would prefer something a bit smaller round the house.

I have not contacted any breeders yet but would hope to get a puppy around next May (ish) as don't fancy toilet training in the winter.

So do any of you own this breed, tell me about your dogs, did you get them from a breeder, if not where from, could you recommend them?

OP posts:

pucca · 25/07/2008 00:40

My nan and grandad has a lovely KCS (Charlie), he was a lovely sweet natured dog, but had quite alot of health problems. They rescued him from a dogs home when he was 18mth old, and unfortunately was put to sleep a couple of months ago.

He had heart problems (which cost a fortune in medication)

Dry eyes (common prob in this breed)

Had teeth removed

Needed castration too.

He had to be put to sleep as his back legs went and it was very unfair on him, my grandparents are still very upset, and miss him terribly.

Defintely get insurance as this breed has lots of health problems.

muffinmum · 25/07/2008 00:43

Elmosgirl, these are a fabulous family breed,from a behaviour point of view they are the ONLY breed that you can recommend to someone with children. They have been bred from the year dot to be companion animals so the friendliest out of a litter have been used not the most energetic or aggressive or neurotic. Downside is 50% have heart probs by age of 5 so make sure you get a lifetime insurance policy, cardiology really advanced now and meds are good.
you've got loads of time to find a breeder that has puppies inside the home and not outside in a run.also find one near to you so that you can go to visit a few times before you take your puppy home.
In case you think i am biased i dont have one, i have a standard issue medium brown crossbreed rescue as i got him before i had dd.i wouldnt get another rescue now i have children though.

pucca · 25/07/2008 00:44

Muffinmum...Why do you say they are the ONLY breed to have with children?

mel1981 · 25/07/2008 00:47

I REALLY want a king charles spaniel too....always have since I was a kid and reading up on then they are a really good choice if youve got kids.
I have 3 cats are they compatable with other pets too?
I would like to rescue a dog from a home but unfortunatly they can (understanably) be quite funny bout giving dogs to homes with young kids, etc. We had trouble getting a cat from them cause we had an under 3 at the time!
Breeders can have waiting lists too so get your name down asap.

CountryGirl2007 · 25/07/2008 00:48

agree with pucca. any breed will be good with children/anybody if socialized/trained correctly, even the supposedly "vicious" pit bulls make great pets. (actually were the top family pet in the 19th century before this modern era of thugs and chavs began training them to be vicous!)
sorry to go a bit of-topic but breed-ism is a bugbear of mine.

pucca · 25/07/2008 00:50

CG...We have a staffie and she is fab with our kids.... really lovely, gentle and has the patience of a saint

CountryGirl2007 · 25/07/2008 00:52

oh yes, staffies are just great pets, so sweet, they never stop wiggling/licking lol.

muffinmum · 25/07/2008 00:52

Countrygirl i dont mean to be narrowminded as i think loads of breeds are great, i went to a canine behav lecture and the super top tip vet behaviour person said this was only breed with no reported behav probs with children

pucca · 25/07/2008 00:54

Mel1981....Any dog will accept cats if you get them from being a puppy. We got our dog from a pup and she is lovely with our cats,(chases others though lol).

pucca · 25/07/2008 00:57

I think as long as you go for a pup, and it grows up with your children, you are fine, the dog needs to know the pecking order from day 1, i think that is why our dog accepts the cats so well too, as the cats were here first and put our dog in her place from the beginning.

My grandparents KCS was a lovely dog, but hadn't been around kids much so i was always wary of my kids being in his face too much. It isn't about the breed but how they are raised from being a puppy.

Joolyjoolyjoo · 25/07/2008 00:59

I agree- CKCS are fab with kids- I've been a vet for 13 years and never met a nasty one.

THey do, as others have pointed out, unfortunately come with lots of potential medical problems, the main one being heart murmurs, which often don't develop until they are into middle age. On the plus side, this has been recognised by many good breeders and they are trying to breed selectively nowadays to try to reduce the incidence.

Very important, therefore, to go to a good breeder- contact the kennel club for ones in your area. Sadly, popular breeds always become attractive to puppy-farmers, and cavaliers are no exception. I would be wary of anyone selling puppies of different breeds at the same time, or anyone who is happy to hand you a puppy without grilling you first!!

Good luck!

muffinmum · 25/07/2008 01:07

Pucca genetics has a lot to do with temperament which is why it is always essential to see the mum and dad.you are right that how they are socialised as a puppy is very important but half the battle is genetics unfortunately.

hatwoman · 25/07/2008 01:12

we had one when I was a kid and it was lovely. we've gone the other way to you though - and have just taken the plunge with a lab (pic on profile). the KC website is good - lots of advice about picking a puppy - and you can find litters on it - but being listed on their website is no guarantee as to being responsible - you still need to make all the right checks

suedonim · 25/07/2008 02:28

We've always had cats and both puppies adjusted well to being in the same house. I think our first Cavalier thought she was was a cat as she used to rush up to any feline she saw and then look so sad and mournful when she was rebuffed with a bop on the nose!

Qally · 10/08/2008 14:33

The perfect dog with kids - ours genuinely loves them and is very clever at playing in open spaces/dodging little hands inside the house - but SO prone to health issues. Don't just go for any local breeder as we did, to our cost. Find out which are ACCREDITED (not just registered) with the KC, and maybe even check out Crufts breeders. It'll cost more to start with, but the horror of coping with an ill animal... and insure with Petplan or similar as some other insurers are shocking at paying out.

I had a Lab when growing up, too. Got a cavvie for the same reasons as you, and despite the health issues, I can't regret it. They're such happy, merry, affectionate little dogs.

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