Can anyone please recommend a reputable breeder

[ChickenRat]

I really want a cavalier King Charles spaniel puppy and I've spoken with a friend who is a dog trainer and drug dog handler; she's told me they can be a lovely breed and will suit my lifestyle IF I can find a healthy one. I'm aware this breed can have a lot of issues so need to do a lot of research before getting the puppy.

We're not in a position to take on a dog right now but want to give ourselves time to do the necessary research and find a good breeder

We're in Norfolk but willing to travel

Thanks

I would be really, really careful - my Mum had 3 of them (oddly enough we’re in Norfolk too!), all from different, well recommended breeders and all developed heart issues as they got older (and I don’t mean old age). She was paying out £70ish for each dog a month for heart medication. Just something to keep in mind. They are prone to a lot of health issues, more than just the well known ones.

That's interesting to know, thank you @Xrays

I'd also consider a beagle but dog trainer friend says they're hard to train due to low motivation

If anyone would like to suggest a breed that's relatively trainable and likes exercise but not too much, maybe 60-90 minutes a day, I'd be very open to suggestions (will obviously research thoroughly before committing to anything)

We have a big garden (almost half an acre) but not the biggest house so probably not a Great Dane!

And I'm somewhat petite so it would need to be something I could walk without it ending up walking me 😄

I’d look on Champ dogs and try and get to know about some of the breeders. I’d also join relevant Facebook groups and possibly the breed society. That way you’ll know who is passionate about the breed and who is just into making money.

What about a miniature Schnauzer? Similar size, not as many health issues and still quite cuddly.

Labrador.

way more easier to train than a Spaniel!

when looking for a new addition to the family we generally attend a few dog shows leading up to the eventual purchase. hit up both small and large dog shows. take mental note of not just breeders but of the dogs lineage.
from there do more research.
so you're looking to see where the top breeders are getting their breeding stock from. most top breeders at this point and with that breed are most likely also interested in long term health.
once you find and correspond with you're breeder of choice go on a waitlist for a pet quality puppy.

My neighbour has a miniature schnauzer and he's adorable although very yappy!

I've never been a big fan of labradors, not sure why, I just tend to prefer smaller dogs

Have you thought about a Norfolk or a Norwich terrier to keep it local? Very cute and lively dogs but not as batshit terrier as a JRT (speaking as someone who has owned a JRT and lived with others...)

I love my cockapoo. He's so loving and easy to train. Highly intelligent but daft at the same time.

Speak to the CKCS breed clubs and the kennel club, there has been a lot of effort and continuing efforts to increase the health of the breed and there are reputable breeders.

A CKCS and a beagle are the extreme opposites in disposition so I would rule out a beagle. With the exercise you mention, I would keep away from the gundog and hound breeds. Some of the terrier breeds are more hard work than others.

Look at the breeds in the same group as the CKCS (the Kennel Club will list them all) and see if you like any of them, but the advice you have been given about a CKCS being a good fit sounds correct with the info you have provided.

Health issues, or varying kinds, can affect any breed - do your homework and find a breeder you are happy with long before a litter is even born.

Border terrier?

Active, but not too full on, biddable for terriers and a pretty healthy breed overall.

Cocker spaniels are a bit more lively than cavs, but less then springers, you’d definitely be wanting to do more like the 90 minutes, but definitely biddable and health wise in a much better state than cavs.

I really recomend going to Discover Dogs at Crufts... they have it Birmongham and also usually have a Discover Dogs in London once a year.

If you are set on a KC you can talk to breeders there, but you will also discover all sorts of smaller dogs that you may not have thought (or even heard ) of!

We went .. with a rough idea of size and exercise requirements in mind and found a breed we had never heard of... fell in love, went to meet breeders and was accepted on a wait..we've had our dog 4 years this week :)

I wouldn't have a Beagle, cute they tho they are, they quite naughty :D

My border terrier is cuddly, energy on demand, friendly, funny and a really nice dog in a very neat little package. She is still a pup but her relatives are all fit and healthy (health tested) and most I know from decent breeders are as well.

She loved the sound of her own voice as a small pup but now she's evening out nicely and has quietened down a lot. I find her easy to train and she is doing really well in just about everything we've done so far (KC GCS, foundation agility and a bit of UK Parkour). She is whip smart though so you do have to be slightly ahead of her as else she could be a master manipulator.

She is a great adventure buddy but also cuddly and affectionate.

So maybe worth a look. Again, they are being bred for money now so it took us a while to find a good breeder. There are bad ones out there.

As for CKCS they are lovely as small pups but all the dogs I know have developed significant health issues going into adulthood. None live active lives. I used to teach a youngster agility who came from a very good breeder and she was ok until she was about 4 then developed heart problems and lived a very sedate life after that.

CKCS are the best wee doggos. However you have to expect heart disease as an inevitability pretty much.
my pups granny has just died of it at nearly 12 but up till about 6 weeks or so ago was well ( murmur for a few years but no limitation ) and only stopped walking and loving it 48hr before she went. CNt really ask for a better end. Other relatives have been more unwell though from age 9-10.

my pup is 4 and his mum is 8 all so far so good x

Cairn!

really unfashionable at the minute, so not really bred for the cash as much as other breeders.

sturdy little dogs, lovely natured.

I have a yorkie, a breed I love. Also unfashionable but you do have to watch out for the “teacup” idiot breeders. Clever, like exercise but if you have a big garden can entertain themselves. Like a snuggle but I find not so much separation anxiety and other breeds.

now if health conditions concern you. the tibetian spaniel (not really a spaniel) is known to be a very healthy long lived breed.
the ckcs has equally long hair.
tibetian's shed more twice a year (spring and fall) and their only grooming needs are the occasional brushing and bathing clipping limited to paws only. some matting is usual behind the ears.
coloring is limitless and you could easily find one similar to the cavaliers.
Home - Tibetan Spaniel Association
mine is excellent with children a keen walker but certainly doesn't "need" much exercise.

Norfolk terriers (and their much rarer close cousins, Norwich terriers) are lovely little dogs. At the more amiable/co-operative end of the terrier temperament, they're actually quite tough little dogs and can go all day, but are also happy on 30-45 mins twice a day.

They're quite hard to find, as they have only small litters, so commercial breeders don't produce them. Which means that the people who are producing them are breed enthusiasts, small scale and very much concerned about a healthy future for the breed (and the KC breed standard isn't one of the horribly exaggerated ones)

Slightly larger, Cairns and Border terriers are also lovely dogs

I think if you want a CKCS temperament a lot of the breeds mentioned would be a lot more full on and demanding.

Champ dogs and the breed club are a good place to start.
Health testing, hearts, eyes, MRI scans for SM/CM . Parents at least 2.5 years old and grandparents at least 5.

A relative has had a lot of cavs. Most have heart problems but her current two came from breeders who are very carefully testing. There is good info online, you will need to be patient and a puppy will be very expensive. Do not be tempted to shortcut this. You want the healthiest puppy you can and they are cracking little dogs. They will go all day out and about but just as happy to chill on the sofa.

Norfolk terrier would be a great idea.

We had Cavaliers as a family when I was a child. The first was hale and healthy, he outlived two pups that came along when he was already in middle age. I've seen one healthy Cavalier in recent years, and there's only a couple walked locally whereas at one point they very common. I'm not sure health-scoring would help, the problems have been baked into the breed and are now inherent in the breed standard. Heart problems, kidney problems and skeletal deformities are all far often seen.

I did see a very nice Cavalier-Clumber cross a few years ago, and that looked a very sound dog and had a lovely temperament.

I have two cairns and love them. Toto in Wizard of Oz was a cairn! They are on the endangered list now sadly but gorgeous loving little dogs.

Cavapoo?(King Charles spaniel and poodle mix) I've always loved King Charles spaniels but was put off by the health problems, so chose a cavapoo and honestly he is great. Such a happy, well behaved and friendly dog, great off the lead, happy to have really long walks but also shorter walks when needed, honestly cannot fault him. The only thing I'd say is he doesn't like being alone, so max we leave him is 3/4 hours but that's not often x

If you decide to go down the beagle route, I can recommend good breeders in your area. Message me if that's helpful.

(I have three and think them the best dogs ever. It's not low motivation that's the issue - they're incredibly highly food driven - it's that reliable listening isn't a strength)