Fellow DL Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Owners

If I ever get a dog, I'll get a Cavalier. They're so sweet.

Their hearts are swelling with pride. Nope, sorry that just the genetic enlarged heart syndrome.

They are the sweetest dogs. If you do get one R1 please do get pet health insurance that covers breed specific conditions. R2 is bitchy, but correct. We proactively get an echocardiogram done on ours yearly to make sure his ticker is fine.

I don’t think I’ve ever met one that wasn’t exceptionally nice-natured - of the small breeds, I think only Bichon Frisées and Havanese approach them in terms of good eggishness and being people-oriented. And even then, I would say CKC’s are softer and more docile. It’s really heartbreaking that they are so plagued by health issues brought on by bad breeding practices over the years.

Now that their namesake is on the throne, can you potty-train them?

These are the worst behaved dogs in the world with the most annoying yippy/yappy high-pitched bark of any breed.

I think you may be confusing them with a different breed R6.

R1, CKCs are sweet, but they also tend to be clingy and are prone to serious separation anxiety. If you work from home, this shouldn't be a problem, but if you're gone for 8 hours a day or more, you might need a dog sitter or someone to check in on them from time to time.

I thought they carry a congenital defect that makes their brains too big for their skulls.

Has that been corrected in the years since I heard about it?

We don’t leave our cavalier alone for more than 4 hours at a time R8 for that very reason.

R9 a lot of them do, but not all. It’s very important to get them from responsible breeders who will not allow dogs with condition to repro. The brain condition is terrifying because it can be very painful for the dog.

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My Cavalier, Sammy, has been with us for six years, now. Every morning we jog around the neighborhood for exercise and people always stop to give him attention, which he loves. They are one of those breeds that just makes you feel good just looking at them. Sam is more clingy to me than my partner, probably because I tend to his needs more often. We have taken vacations and have used a wonderful, friendly kennel that lets him roam around with other dogs his size. We have had no health problems with Sam, perhaps because I am so meticulous with his diet, exercise and general health. The vet always gives him rave reviews. Kudos to you ElderLez for starting a wonderful thread about the best dog I have ever had.

They are little love sponges. We walk ours 2-3 miles every morning and he loves to meet people and other dogs. Sometimes people will even stop their cars.

Do you feed raw Tallulah? Ours has allergies, which got better when we removed chicken from his diet, but he still scratches more than I’d like. I am trying to talk my wife into switching from regular kibble, but she is skeptical.

I feed Sam about a cup of Grand Cru Grain-Free Dehydrated Dog Food. He loves it and keeps him regular. We used to feed him kibble and even fresh made food, but grain doesn't suit him well. Sam used to scratch more, but then I discovered flea shampoo and conditioner. It may seem he is pampered, but once we got a working system it's no problem at all. And, never any problems with the vet who says he is "Healthy as a hound dog!"

Did anybody get a Cavalier for Christmas?

I have a Cavapoo - half CKC and half miniature poodle. The best qualities of both breeds. Exceptionally friendly (to people and other dogs), doesn't bark, no destructive habits, very easy to train, and since 4 months old has slept through the night.

I’d love to get a second cavalier, but no luck talking my wife into having two dogs.

Hi Elderlez! Do you think you dog would get jealous of another dog. We had cats for the first three years of Sam's life and he chased them around mercilessly. Now, Sam is clingy to me and, besides, I am not sure I have the strength for two clingy dogs.

[quote]Did anybody get a Cavalier for Christmas?

Yes!

^ OMG they are reviving the Chevy Cavalier! I loved them during my college days, so easy to drive. All of us had them on campus; cheap and reliable!

[quote]I have a Cavapoo - half CKC and half miniature poodle.

Pic - PLZ.

R18 I am pretty sure he would be jealous at first and a puppy would also probably annoy him, but my understanding from other Cavalier owners is that they generally bond strongly after a period of adjustment.

R21, not my dog of course but the one on the left is near identical.

Bump for coronation.

I commend you for being aware of the health issues but why would you choose to get one? Every time I see someone with a pedigree dog or cat I judge them.

Actually just yesterday I saw a poor German Shepherd who could barely walk on his/her hind legs. It was painful and disgusting to see. The dog was wearing boots on his/her back legs. Sniffing about a tree with his/her owner when I saw them but as I walked by, his/her back feet actually visibly collapsed. It has stuck in my mind ever since. I do not like people who get pure breeds.

R20 - “everyone”on your campus had a Chevrolet Cavalier? Bless your hearts! Was this a community college in the Midwest?

Do not get a cavapoo or cavachon or cavacock or cavapug or whatever trashy mutt some greeder puppy mill thought up. No reputable breeder would just let 2 dogs fuck like that. Get a purebred.

I had a Cavalier called Henry - he lived until he was 13. Such a great dog, always happy and loyal. Walked without a leash right at my leg. Definitely had separation anxiety as someone who’s mentioned, there was a point where I would have to leave him at home for the day and he started obsessive licking. You definitely need to be with them all the time.

We get a judgey look if Puccini feels like he is not getting his proper respect and attention.

R18 Tallulah ask away.

I wanted to ask you if Sammy has had teeth removed and how it went. Puccini has a cracked pre-molar that is going to be removed under anesthesia this week and we are wreck.

Hi ElderLez. No Sammy has not had any health/teeth problems, until perhaps recently and I am sort of concerned. He is now 7-1/2 and about two weeks ago had a problem with his right front paw. Since we had gone for a run down a trail, I thought he might have sprained his ankle. However this didn't keep him from going outside and looking for lizards. Gradually, his paw got better and he seems to be walking fine. But now, he doesn't seem to want to go for a long walk at this time. I have to coax him to go around the block. He is also more clingy than usual and sits on our lap much longer than before, like for hours at a time. I am okay with all this, but I wonder if, at almost eight, he is starting to slow down.

Tell us more about Puccini. How old is he and is he having any issues other than dental? BTY, we did ask the vet about Sam's teeth and he said cleaning would cost $400, as they need to put him to sleep. Well, we have shelved that idea for now as teeth don't seem to be an issue at this time.

[quote]We get a judgey look if Puccini feels like he is not getting his proper respect and attention.

Have you bought him a crown? If not, no wonder!

Oh! And yes, we are in Leesburg. I believe you are near Ocala? In the forest, somewhere? Is that right?

We are on Long Island in New York actually.

Puccini is four and a half. I brush his teeth every night and according to his GP vet his teeth are too clean to be professionally cleaned. That said we’ve taken him to doggy dental day a couple of times at the local cavalier spa. There’s this magical dental hygienist who can get cavaliers on their backs for non-anesthesia cleanings for $200. She found the cracked pre-molar (actually two, but one is superficial) and said we needed to go to a doggie dentist to have it removed before he develops an abscess. She also said it was probably from biting down on something like a rock.

Do they have cavalier meet-ups where you are?

Sorry to hear about Sammy. Have you had it x-rayed? Maybe something is broken inside? A friend is having a similar problem with her Black and Tan.

Well, he seems to be walking fine now. He even gallops in the back yard after the squirrels without limping at all. Another thing, he seems to be air scratching at his head while whimpering, a bit. His ears are clean and he had a flea dip, recently. I was wondering if these are symptoms of the brain problem, or something else. Somewhere, I read that at eight, some of these problems might set in. We haven't been to a vet about it, yet, as it just started. You seem to know about these things, so I wanted to ask you first.

Oh, and no we have not seen any Cavalier meet-ups. In fact, we have the only Cavy around. However, he does have several friends in the neighborhood that he sniffs everyday.

Air scratching is potentially a sign of syringomyelia. You’ll want you vet to determine. Any eye bulging?

We found our local cavie group on Facebook.

Yes, that is what I was thinking. Although, no bulging eyes, as yet. I understand another symptom is their back legs stop working. That hasn't happened, either. We will keep a watchful eye on him and plan a vet checkup soon. Best wishes ElderLez to you and Puccini. We will keep you informed. Kisses all !!

Thanks Tallulah. Best wishes for you and Sammy as well. Hoping for a positive update.

A young'un on the DL taught me to do this, so here goes.

Thank you, ElderLez. Puccini could be Sammy's twin! Kisses to you both.

The cavaliers are infinitely cuter than either the cavapoo or the golden doodle.

Beautiful R43!

R43 Tallulah, how is Sammy doing? How was the check-up?

I have to admit they are acting a bit confused. They are not used to having to butch it up all the time. Even the most dominant males call each other “Mum” and there’s still an insane amount of needless curtsying.

Lez, I always pictured you roaming the neighbourhood with three Great Danes.

LOL, that’d be something Dutchie.

When I was mushing, I couldn’t get my Siberian Huskies (the little ones in Europe, not the big American ones crossed with Malamutes) to stop even standing completely on the break. The Danes would need to be very well trained or we’d all be road kill.

Jimmy Buffett and his cavaliers.

Watching The Apprentice movie and shocked to learn that Roy Cohn had a black and tan.

My new favorite commercial