Reasonable for a Cavalier KCS puppy?

[Cripesalive]

Hi All,
I've been researching getting a Cavalier KCS puppy and most breeders seem to be quoting between £3,000- 3,500. I've not had a dog since childhood, and my partner bought his a long time ago so we don't have much up to date experience. Is this about the going rate for a puppy? Obviously didn't expect it'd cost hundreds but 3.5k seems a lot.

Please don't buy a puppy. The rescues are full to busting!

Prices have rocketed because a puppy was apparently a must have during lockdown , give it a couple of months and you will either be able to pick up a slightly older pup from rescue or buy one at a more reasonable price . Are you considering any other breeds as they do have horrendous health issues

All dog prices are going up over lockdown.

Possibly it's to filter out the people who will then just plough them into rescues once it's over and possibly it's people taking the piss.

Some people have a lifestyle that means a puppy is the only option for them. I have a young daughter and I didn't want a dog that I don't know the history of around her. That being said my friend got a rescue dog at the same time and she is amazing so I think you can get a perfect dog from a rescue but you may have to search around.

There may be a breed specific rescue for you.

Christ no. Unscrupulous breeders making a mint from lockdown demand. Half these pups will end up getting dumped. Wait a while - you’ll see.

Thanks all - it did seem like a huge amount although I wasn't really sure what to expect.

LST I would have considered rescues but have been put off with stories from friends on how hard it is to get one if are not the perfect candidate (I have a job etc, although I play to use daycare for the days we are not at home). We are also planning a baby at some point and it makes me a little nervous not knowing the history of the dog.

Floralnomad I do love this breed and its also the right size/exercise requirement level etc for my lifestyle. Its quite confusing as some people advise me that mixed breeds are better for health issues but you see lots of posters on here who are very scathing of mix breeds (Cavapoos etc)

Thanks for your input - I think I'll give it a few months and reassess. One concern I do have now is that it will be harder to socialise the pup given social distancing etc so maybe better to wait for next spring.

Honestly, because of their predisposition for several genetic problems, you are going to want a top notch, pedigree line and therefore the price is going to be high. I would expect £1000-£2000.
Not many cavaliers in rescue, certainly not puppies and you have no idea of how healthy their lineage is.

Many tears often have ex breeding cavaliers but they come with their own problems so really need experienced owners.

My next dog is going to be a cavalier or a cavapoo, and I expect to be paying a lot for it.

@Cripesalive I don’t think a mixed breed cavalier will help as even less of the breeders of them are careful about health testing etc so just as likely to have issues . Have you looked at Bichon frise which do have their share of health problems but less hideous ones than cavaliers .

I also wouldn’t touch a puppy that went through its Socialization period during lock down. No way they could had had that done in the correct way. You risk Having a very badly socialised puppy. I wouldn’t touch one of those with a barge pole.

We were looking at getting a cavalier last year. We found a litter with all the correct health checks for £1900. Most were £1500-£2000. We ended up with a mongrel pup from a farm (accidental litter) that cost £300. I’d love a cavalier when I’m older though.

I am shocked at the prices at the moment up to £4000 for a cross breed.
Accidental heinz 57 pups going for over £1000
People selling older dogs for £1-2000.
It is awful and I fear for the future of dogs.
Unscrupulous breeders are going to over breed like mad and thieves will target breeders and dog owners.
We have been looking for a dog since Christmas. It is very difficult to get a rescue dog. We have applied for several and not even had a reply. Rescues seem to get 100s of applications for dogs that can live with children.

Thanks all for taking the time to post, really helpful. And the socialisation issue is a concern.

I'll check out Bichon frise too, thanks for the recommendation!

I would put puppy buying on hold for 12 months, the prices are ridiculous and feeding the market is not healthy IMO.
My parents had 3 CKC spaniels.
They were pedigree, physically robust, but all died of heart complications when about 10 years plus.

They are beautiful but expensive dogs given all the health issues. If you get one, buy the best pet insurance you can afford and never change provider!! Ours is not yet 10 and has suffered with syringomyelia (can’t spell sorry) since she was 5 and also has a heart murmur which is now grade 6 (out of 6) plus digestive problems. She costs
a fortune in medication, prescriptions, scans and specialist food.

She is also the sweetest most patient little dog and we adore her.

Oh and this is probably common to many dogs / puppies - lockdown has seen her become more anxious as she has become so used to having us at home all the time that she finds it hard now if we leave her home alone for even an hour.

I've two cavaliers. One ten years old and the other 9. I have the older one from 10 week old puppy and the other was a rescue from The Irish Cavalier Rescue group (I'm in Ireland). Both have no health issues but I do think that's just luck as the breed is reknown for heart and other issues. The going price for a cavalier pup before lock down was between €300 to €500 - now they are selling for €2000.

Dog theft is a large concern and I don't let mí é out of my sight due to their increase in value.

My advise would be to wait 12 months and prices may be normal as well as the pup being socialised correctly. And yes get insurance.

My CKC was under £1K last Feb. Even top breeders were charging under £1.5K then. I’d wait for the moment.

Decent breeders will still be charging around 1.5k, in fact a lot of good breeders have been disparaging of those breeders who have upped their prices to such ridiculous prices as 3-3.5k (usually with no health testing either!)

However, well bred and health tested puppies are like hen’s teeth thanks to lockdown. I would advise getting on a good breeder’s waiting list, and being prepared to wait for a puppy.

Personally I would not get a cav due to the prevalent health issues (almost all of them have mitral valve disease - heart problems - and syringomyelia - brains too big for skulls). They are sweet and endearing little dogs but you would be lucky to find one from healthy lines.

I am normally pretty chill about people finding puppies from one-off litters, but this a breed where I would make an exception. If I was trying to find one, I would want it from parents and from lines that have been health-tested to the hilt. I'd expect to wait a long time and pay well over £1k in normal times.

I wouldn’t buy any pup right now. And not just because of the insane prices.
I wouldn’t buy this breed at all. Have you researched the health issues OP?

We have a cavalier just over a year old. We paid £1100. He is health checked. He cane from a family who breed from their dog once a year. He is our 2nd cavalier. Our first dog died of cancer last year aged 11. There are health problems but I think if you buy from a good breeder this shouldn't be a problem. They are amazing dogs. I love them. Our dog was a lot cheaper than a cavapoo or cockerpoo.

There are very significant heart issues and the neurological problem for sure but it's not in every dog. I know personally owners with 11 dogs between us. Not one has either issue. But that's luck for you.

Wow quite a lot of hate for the Cavs on this post!
They are lovely dogs, but I am biased as I have had two. My little cav follows me everywhere and is constantly on my knee. We bought her as a 6 month old from her breeder who is a crufts judge and she has good bloodlines.
Please be careful when picking a pup as they are heavily puppy farmed and as a result can have health problems. Make sure you see Mum and that she has has all health checks.

@Glitterb , I don’t think it’s hatred of cavaliers , I think it’s just concern for the welfare of a breed that can suffer so many horrific problems . I personally know a couple of lovely cavaliers , both however have heart problems diagnosed at a young age despite being from apparently good breeders who do all the tests .

Mine is big for the breed and has a longer nose, he's also tireless and goes swimming and running for hours. A proper pint size crazy spaniel. The breeder assures me he is pure but a lot of people have questioned if he has a mix in him somewhere because of how energetic he is.

Regardless, I don't intend to breed, he is great fun and currently has no health issues.

I wouldn't get one. I really like the size as I have a spaniel already, but the health problems are too much. My dog plays with one locally and the breathing noises it makes when they chase makes me worried it's going to pop it's clogs whilst chasing ( and it's not old)

@Glitterb it’s far from hatred for cavs. It’s hatred for the fact that far too many die of horrible conditions.
And health tests or Crufts champ won’t guarantee you won’t get a dog who suffers horribly.