Advice on spaniels

tankgirl1

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are probably one of the sweetest breeds of dog you will ever meet! They are just adorable!

BUT - they are ridiculously prone to health problems, so if you do decide to go for one, make sure that it comes from an excellent breeder who has done heart and eye testing before breeding, ask to see the results, and get insurance.

My vote goes for a crossbreed though - would you not be interested in a rescue dog?

slummymummyof3

angelaloveschocolate wrote: »

If you check out the mother you'll have an idea how a mongrel pup may turn out. And notice I said 'they' because I'd also reccomend that you take two pups from the same litter. Not twice the work, simply twice the pleasure and they'd be company for each other if you have to leave them for long periods.
Best of luck

We were advised not to get two pups from the same litter as otherwise they bond with each other rather than you the owner. We wanted 2, so got 1 and then waited a year before getting the second. First one has really helped in the training of second pup.

Hintza

slummymummyof3 wrote: »

Have you thought of a border terrier?

:eek::eek::eek:

We have one that if she likes another dog then that is fine, woe betide a dog she desn't like.

And they have the propensity to leg it to go hunting.

Great dogs though but you need to be on the ball with them with plenty of early training.

moneylover

tankgirl1 wrote: »

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are probably one of the sweetest breeds of dog you will ever meet! They are just adorable!

BUT - they are ridiculously prone to health problems, so if you do decide to go for one, make sure that it comes from an excellent breeder who has done heart and eye testing before breeding, ask to see the results, and get insurance.

?

Yes, I know about the health problems of Cavs and it does worry me. On the Kennel Club website for puppies there are a few breeders who mention the testing but they dont all regardless of price. I know the testing for mum and dad has to be at certain ages... does it mean that if both parents test free of heart probs that the puppies will be okay (or at least not develop heart murmurs before the age most dogs get them)? I cannot find anything very specific on Kennel Club website.

teachergirl

Both my cavaliers are rescue dogs so I can't answer your questions about heart things but many cavs develop them as they get older anyway. Mine have both got them. One of them has had hers since we got her and it is developing really really slowly. My other girl didn't have one when we got her but has one now and it is developing quite quickly. However as I said before you really really would not notice as the meds they have are very good. They still chase squirrels and rabbits on an almost daily basis. They are old girls now so I know this could cause a heart attack but I'd rather that than a long slow illness taking them. Most people think they are still puppies as they are so lively. The only think you would notice is that they can't jump into the car or onto the sofa so easily any more!!!!;)
I too would say what about a mongrel or a rescue dog? In fact there is a cavalier rescue place very near to me. If you took a slightly older Cav then at least you would probably know if they have heart conditions. Pet insurance is definitely a must...we now save a fortune because of it:D

Indie_Kid

My parents have a cocker spaniel cross retriever. He's very cuddly.

Be prepared (if you've had dogs before, I apologise for the unnecesary info ) for vets bills for vaccinations, spaying/neutering,

Depending on where you get your dog from, the dogs home might've already spayed them. Our current 2 (spaniel and Jack Russell) were neutered before we got them.

Caroline_a

moneylover wrote: »

Yes, I know about the health problems of Cavs and it does worry me. On the Kennel Club website for puppies there are a few breeders who mention the testing but they dont all regardless of price. I know the testing for mum and dad has to be at certain ages... does it mean that if both parents test free of heart probs that the puppies will be okay (or at least not develop heart murmurs before the age most dogs get them)? I cannot find anything very specific on Kennel Club website.

There are no guarantees with any tests. Genetic issues can go many generations back. I have a German Shepherd, and they are well known for having particularly hip issues. When I researched to find my boy, I wanted a kennels that had been testing for many generations, so that i could look back at the scores for at least 4 generations. I also wanted a kennels that bred for obedience dogs rather than show dogs, so that they would be breeding for temperament too, so it took me a long time to get all the boxes ticked. I had to travel over 200 miles to get my boy, and so far all is well...

Personally I would beware of Cavs, there have been so many issues over the years, although I suppose you could say that about Shepherds! However, sometimes forewarned is forearmed!

littleun

I have had two cavvies,they are adorable and my fav breed, but i am sad to say i will never have another. I had to have one pts at eight yrs old due to cancer.the one i have now is eight she also has a rare form of cancer(mycosis fungoides) and we are very close to the time of having to make that very sad decison.I will say they are very brave little dogs.
Have you considered a pappillon?

slummymummyof3

Hintza wrote: »

:eek::eek::eek:

We have one that if she likes another dog then that is fine, woe betide a dog she desn't like.

And they have the propensity to leg it to go hunting.

Great dogs though but you need to be on the ball with them with plenty of early training.

My borders are amazing - no going off hunting, in fact they will go in our rabbit run and not even glance at them.

moneylover

I am so enjoying this thread everyone so helpful and I feel as though almost every moneylover in the world has a spaniel there are so many enthusiatic replies!
I am going to Discover Dogs the London dog show, in mid November.. so will have a good look and ask lots of questions.
I love the idea of a cocker but worried a bit tooo mad for me from all the postings - just as interested in the CAVS but does ANYONE have a healthy one or is it absolutely a given that they will have problems. It does seem a bit amazing that the Kennel club supports the breed. If its as bad as it seems to be made out surely the breed should be allowed to die out Hilary.