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If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Pick up 9 week old cavilier King Charles spaniel next week

30 replies

CharlieBoo · 28/10/2013 22:29

We're so excited! She will be our first family dog (we have 2 dc's age 8 and 4). We went and met her at the weekend and spent a good 90 minutes at her owners house playing and watching her.

So does anyone have any tips for puppies in general, or specifically for this breed? She is already going to the toilet in the garden. We pick her up next Friday so we'll all be home that weekend to settle her in. We expect her to be scared at first as it will all be strange but she's coming with her toys and a blanket with mum and siblings smell.

Any tips gratefully received!

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FuckyNellItsHalloween · 28/10/2013 22:33

Aww! What's her name? No tips from me, the dog here told me to keep my trap shut Halloween Grin

Bowlersarm · 28/10/2013 22:36

Lots of cuddles! And she'll need lots of short naps in first week or two.

Very envious. I have labs, but DM had cavs.

surpriseitsme · 28/10/2013 22:38

How exciting!! We have 2 ckcs and imo they are a fantastic breed for a family! Mine are 18mth and 3 lovely and playful but snuggly and loving too. as far as advice goes make sure to take her outside after playing napping sleeping etc as it may take her a while to get used to the new layout!! Have fun!!

Original poster
CharlieBoo · 28/10/2013 22:47

We're going to call her Molly!! We are super excited and keep watching the video I took of her at the weekend!!

We're going to get a crate o keep her in at night to start with and when were out (I don't work so won't be for long). Is this what you've done with puppies? I know she will cry and I will feel bad but need to keep her safe.

Yes I've heard they can be slow with house training.. So just keep going outside and give a treat?? Thanks

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FrightRider · 28/10/2013 23:07

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FrightRider · 28/10/2013 23:16

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Original poster
CharlieBoo · 28/10/2013 23:21

I have read about the heart defect this breed is prone to and have been through this with the breeder... She has shown me the 5 generations of Molly and no interbreeding. None of her ancestors have had the gene and she will be checked at 8 weeks but understand it can show up a lot later than this. There are no guarantees she won't have any health problems, no one can guarantee that even the best breeders but we are happy that this breeder is legit and has followed all the breeding procedures. Can you recommend anyone or insurance?

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FrightRider · 28/10/2013 23:34

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surpriseitsme · 29/10/2013 07:26

We too are on pet plan although fingers crossed we have not had to use them yet we only went for these because of the lifetime cover they offered. Great advise from frightrider! My girl was no problem to train she was quick and easy but big bad barry was a pain in the bum.

Beccadugs · 29/10/2013 07:40

We got our pup this time last year! (Best year ever!) make sure she has rhe opportunity for plenty of downtime, and reinforce with your kids that the crate is her retreat where she can go to get away from the hussle and bussle!

We use John Lewis for insurance and they have been v good and reasonable. Make sure you get the lifetime cover not the yearly one. (Obvs you renew every year, but you want the one that covers for the lifetime of an illness condition, not one that will exclude it after a year.)

Enjoy!!

babyboomersrock · 29/10/2013 11:08

Our rescue cavalier is 10 now - she's had a low-grade murmur for a few years but we keep her lean and fit, and I think that has helped. People think she's a puppy when they see her racing along the beach.

Too many people see cavs as lap dogs, and it's lovely that yours will be a family dog - do try to resist giving treats and too much food. We put Bonnie's food in a cat dish to remind us not to over-feed - she's very small - about the same weight as our (large) cat. We feed her two tiny helpings of a high quality/high protein food per day.

She loves nothing more than to be with us all day, running along beside us, and curled up between us on the sofa at night. They do crave company, so they really need to be one of the family and not left at home alone for hours on end. They are perfectly trainable, though mine will chase birds, given the chance - get your children to teach her simple tricks and that will keep them, and her, occupied.

You'll find people will stop and ask about her, or tell you about all the cavaliers they've had, so be prepared to stop and chat. I'm sure you will have so much fun with your new puppy - oh, and ours was 2 years old when we got her, but she must have a HUGE bladder...has never had an accident and has to be encouraged to go outside in the dark and rain for a last wee at night.

HoggleIsMyFriend · 29/10/2013 16:40

We rehomed a cav 2 months ago. She is 14m old and is the perfect dog. So loving and is great company but not a minutes bother at night. Like babyboomer's cav ours must have a big bladder. She hates going out in the rain or when it's dark but she's never had an accident.

I am so smitten that we will definitely be getting a second cav in a year or two but like FrightRider I'll be hunting far and wide for a breeder who does all the health tests inc MRI.

Have fun with your pup.

FrightRider · 29/10/2013 19:04

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HoggleIsMyFriend · 29/10/2013 19:42

Yeah my girl cav is not daft she goes under the trampoline usually but if it's really coming down she angles herself under the chute so that she stays prefect dry.

Cavs are wonderful but why oh why do people let them get so fat and only dodder about on the lead. Our girl is lovely and lean and so fit now. She lives hairing about of the lead.

BOF · 29/10/2013 19:52

Yes, you need to keep them slim and fit- they are actually a lot sportier than they look, and enjoy haring around and getting muddy. My almost 3-year old is under 7 kilos and can belt round the park with the best of them.

They are eager to please and easy to train- just don't over-do the edible treats! Work on recall while they are still little and actually want to be near you.

You will never have a more loving dog- be prepared to have her follow you round the house like a persistent toddler!

I get far more excited about cavalier puppies than I do new babies- I'm soooo Envy Grin

We will need lots of photos!

FrightRider · 29/10/2013 20:00

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FrightRider · 29/10/2013 20:03

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Original poster
CharlieBoo · 29/10/2013 21:18

Thank you all for the overwhelming response... I'll see if I can add some pics, have loads on my phone... She is gorgeous!! Really can't wait, I'm just concerned she's going to be scared at first and the kids will be so excited so need to keep them calm to help keep puppy calm... Lots of ground rules!!

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Original poster
CharlieBoo · 29/10/2013 21:26

I've put a pic on but it won't go the right way up.. Will try and get another on

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BOF · 29/10/2013 22:03

I can't see your profile- have you definitely set it to be publicly visible?

ithaka · 29/10/2013 22:15

I am sooo jealous. My boy is 12, so a little old man now, bless him. Cavs make wonderful family pets.

My CKCS house trained really quickly. He has also never needed a vet in his life. His breeder wouldn't breed until they were past the age heart defects emerge, so with a responsible breeder, you should be fine.

My boy has always been lean and fit and I never feed treats so no issues with begging. He has always visited the horses with me and used to run alongside, but is now happy with a sniff & a snuffle round the field.

I usually get him clipped out in summer as he doesn't really enjoy being groomed.

I hope he will keep going for a few more years as he doesn't seem to have any health problems yet - just a bit slow & doddery at times.

I am sure you will have years of pleasure with your adorable new family member.

clpsmum · 30/10/2013 05:53

Cavaliers are amazing dogs. Our beautiful boy milo died earlier this year two weeks before his ninth birthday and he was possibly the best dog in the world.

He was fantastic with my three young DC. He had a tendency to be extremely lazy though so you need to push them and force them out even if it's raining. Like everybody else has said keep up to date with vet checks etched as the health problems are a worry.

We are collecting our two 8 week old puppies on 11th November so feel free to keep in touch and we can compare notes and help each other through the early days.

HollyBollyBooBoo · 30/10/2013 21:31

Sorry to hijack, would anyone mind PM'ing the details of the fab breeders they have found to me? Thanks.

Bakingtins · 31/10/2013 20:37

I love CKCS, but have three words of advice. lifetime pet insurance.
They nearly all end up on heart medication in middle age and a good proportion have syringomyelia as well.

livingzuid · 02/11/2013 15:05

Beautiful puppy will be fine was what I was going to say!