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Finally decided upon a cavalier KC - now more choices!

4 replies

mamayaya · 05/07/2010 19:31

Yay !!!

Now got to decide. Male or female ? What colouring? Thoughts anyone? Very excited! We were considering getting a lab for ages (and had decided female and yellow) but decided too much walking etc. Cavs are so cute. And I think will be easier than a lab. I always had springers growing up and they look to be smaller less bouncy versions. Again ... yay !!!

OP posts:
CountryGirl2007 · 05/07/2010 23:52

I personally wouldn't buy a CKC because of all the potential serious health problems, so my main advice would be to try and find a breeder with a good history of producing healthy dogs, all the dogs to be genetically sound etc. so as not to pass on diseases such as heart/skull problems etc.

They may be quite small but they still need plenty of exersize and careful feeding as they are also prone to obesity and get fat very easily.

Personally I would go for a dog from a rescue if you are just looking for a nice, small/medium size family pet, there are lots of spaniel types looking for homes.

Confuzled · 07/07/2010 14:22

Don't.

We have one, and we adore her. But she has an Anti-G disorder that's a known problem with the breed so practically no immune system. If she gets a bug she has to go on three sorts of drugs - gut soothers, pain relievers, and antibiotics. For three months each time. She's also on a prescription only diet after much trial and error. You might also want to google Chiari Malformation and Syringa Myelia, as 95% now have the first, which often leads to the second.

The ver hospital we have to go to annually in Cambridge (it's attached to the uni and one of the top 2 in the country) also worried that she might have a liver shunt, another very serious problem not uncommon in Cavvies. They told us that they almost died out in the 1920s and were then bred up from about 20 dogs. The inbreeding is appalling, even without the irresponsible breeding for appearance everyone knows about. They are lovely, lovely dogs, and we adore ours, but the vet hospital said there are other breeds they can recommend that are far kinder to the animal than encouraging the creation of very fragile lives. Alison Collings is lovely there and has treated Izzy all her adult life; she will have a chat with you as a fellow dog owner if you are interested, I'm sure.

If you really do want to go ahead regardless, for the love of God, get Petplan insurance. You still have to pay 90 quid a pop that isn't claimable, and Cavvies are 29 quid a month to insure, but given she averages about 4 grand a year in vets bills, it was the best decision ever.

Also second the reputable breeder. You need a specialist - not a puppy farm, but not a family who just fancy puppies, either. They need to really know their stuff... although as mentioned, as 95% now have the CM, it's pretty much unavoidable and a very nasty condition if it develops into the SM.

sorky · 07/07/2010 14:30

Get one, just make sure they're eye/heart tested and from a reputable breeder. Don't use someone from the Kennel Club lists, you'll be risking your dogs health.

Most of the best breeders won't accept you or allow you to buy a dog without a recommendation first. Someone I know, for instance, never advertises and will not sell you a Cav unless you've been recommended to contact them by someone they know (like another breeder).
Their dogs are all clean and healthy, no syringa and are not inbred.

Most of all avoid anyone who advertises like the plague!

Confuzled · 07/07/2010 17:36

You can't guarantee a syringa free Cavvie, according to the Queen's vet hospital. They said that the CM is too widespread now (95%) and that it's pure luck as to whether cysts will result, depressingly. They also said all Cavaliers are inbred, because as mentioned they all came from about 20 dogs less than a century ago. I'm sorry, but that's what they told me, and the woman I spoke to about it (Alison's supervisor) is conducting research into conditions affecting the breed as a result. They simply said, don't get another.

My dog was heart/eye tested and from a very good breeder, incidentally. Her heart is fine.

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