buying a cavalier king charles pup

moneylover

Hello, I can go on one of the specialist boards but thought I would post here as always such useful replies!

I posted a couple of weeks ago about cocker spaniels and their suitablility for me as am in my mid sixties and wondered if I had missed the post for such an active dog! After lots of reflection I have decided that I should have had a cocker when our children were at home and he/she could have been a family dog with more than just two older people to show an interest and go on long walks each day.

So have decided that I will almost definitely go for a Cavalier King Charles.

But, now i have to start all over with breeders particularly as I want a dog whose parents are fully health tested, which isnt cheap. For cockers I had a short list of breeders that I had built up over a few months but, as I say, must now start over for a little female Blenheim

I dont think Preloved is any good, I have seen only one puppy, which was a little dream, fully tested, utterly beautiful, but the breeder was selling as decided not suitable to show. However up in Glasgow! Whilst I dont mind how far I travel its not the sort of journey fair on a young dog (I live in Essex)

On Champdogs there are breeders but little information as generally no websites and although I am signed up for puppies there have been none. So probably will have to contact the club for lists - am not in a rush for puppy, will wait for right one.

I do know what I want, I love the Blenheims that have the good shaping of gold on their faces and quite a lot of gold on their backs, not just a few little blobs. Of course a lovelytemperament is number one but and I might fall in love with the ugliest pup in the litter, but that isnt my starting point. What I wanted to ask is , would I get a dog like that or not, or arethe looking dogs only sold on to people who want to show or breed? Didnt have this prob with a cocker as wanted solid black or golden!

Anyway, first thing is trustworthy breeders, if anyone can recommend i would be so pleased! Will also take myself to 'Discover Dogs in November and try to talk to a few people

Thank you everyone (jemb I did pm you again)

hayleyc_2

Have you checked the kennel club assured breeders list? Also I've found with champdogs if the kennel has an affix, you can often search it in google and find the breeders website even if it's not listed on Champdogs itself.

Fire_Fox

Have you tried the breed club or a breed specific rescue? Few reputable breeders use the small ads to advertise their puppies.

tiger_eyes

We have the most beautiful little tricolour Cavalier, very sweet and cuddly with a side of mischief. Wishing you the best with finding a puppy.

pinetree

Hi moneylover, you have made a good choice, im biased as we have one ours is 11 now and still rules the roost. Another site to browse is www.thecavalierclub.co.uk/ full of good info if you have the time to read all through it! Good luck with your search we got a list from the kennel club of breeders but ended up finding one through word of mouth, actually it was a friends GSD breeder that had cavalier aswell, anyway we chose a cavalier as our son was only 7 then so we wanted a dog with a good temperament.Ours has given us so much love and he's a pleasure to own best wishes and enjoy your new pup

Kinski

Cavvies are very popular with puppy farmers so please be very careful where you get your wee one from, I have an elderly friend who got one from a puppy farm and he has had so many health problems over the years. I would be careful of getting a kc registered one, I've said before but I will always say again the kc do register pups from these hell holes, there are good breeders on there but you really need to be careful. I agree with Fire Fox the first place I would look for a pup would be the breed club. I'm in my mid 50's and I decided that Arran who I got over 5 years ago will be my last pup, I just feel that even though I hope I'm still reasonably fit the thought of taking on a pup fills me with dread :rotfl:, I much prefer to go to a rescue and take on a slightly older dog which is how last year I ended up with a three year old Bichon.

moneylover

thanks everyone, I would only use champdogs breeder lists (currently not puppies) kennel club assured breeders (currently no puppies) or the regional breed clubs.

I was just hoping that there might be some recommendations of breeders but all your advice v useful especially how to get the breeders website as not often given

Can anyone comment on what I asked about the appearance of the dog - do all the best of breed go to people on waiting lists who want to show and breed or isnt it like that?
thanks

pinetree

Our experience was that it was first come first served ( after the initial phonecall when the breeder finds out a bit about you which is fair enough) we just wanted a pet although our's has about 3 champions in his pedigree. Our one and only fun show was a disaster he ran around barking and didnt sit still on the table too busy trying to lick the judge ( more training needed)

pinetree

Sorry forgot to add about the appearance, mine is quite tall compared to other cavaliers, some are small like the king charles. If you can get hold of a book about cavaliers or google etc you will find quite lengthy descriptions and ones with a " thumb print" on the tops of their heads are sought after

missmontana

I wish you'd posted this a bit sooner, my friend had a litter of 9 Cav King Charles pups, most gorgeous things ever! He had both parents as pets and it was going to be her only litter, he is in Bournemouth

moneylover

I realise that cavaliers do moult - but can anyone tell me how bad they are if you keep them well groomed?

Also I have heard they snore, is this a major problem, is it just some of the time, or does it stop you hearing the TV!