Cavalier KC Spaniel -- Questions for Breeders

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prose

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My SIL wants a CKCS puppy and is about to start the process of looking for breeders. What kind of questions should I tell her to ask with regard to genetic tests? I know the breed is prone to heart problems, so is it wise to go with a breeder who tests the pups in addition to the parents?
 
I'd tell her to give the Kennel Club (I see your in the US so which ever organisation oversees everything doggy) a ring and ask them if they can provide a list of suitable questions to ask.
Offhand the only thing I can think of is their hearts, something to do with the mitral valve I believe, (but the beed is ssceptable to other ailments i.e Syringomyelia which is whree a cyst forms on the spinal cord, this is either congeital or aquired but I think it's often seen in line bred dogs.)

Edited to add: CKCS can get dry eye. I think it is believed to be a recessive gene so ask if the parents (grandparents etc) have it because if two carriers come together an affected puppy could possibly be seen.
 
there are significant health problems with this breed due to their popularity and the huge number of backyard breeders who do not health test. I would very strongly advise that your SIL only goes to a breeder who does all the health testing needed - you can find out what is requred by going to www.champdogs.co.uk and looking for the breed clubs - drop them a line to find out the specific tests needed - this site also has some excellent breeders on it too but this is a very popular breed and one that is regularly used by puppy farms to make a quick profit - you need to be very careful !


There are alternative breeds she might consider - look at a long haired Dachshund - a Tibetan Spaniel - a Polish Lowland sheepdog -a Shetland sheepdog - a German or Japanese Spitz - these are all breed who are in 'safe' hands with many specialist breeders so it's much easier to find one that helath tests - many folk never look beyond the well known and popular breeds but there are hundreds to choose from out there - just open your minds a bit LOL
 
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there are significant health problems with this breed due to their popularity

many folk never look beyond the well known and popular breeds but there are hundreds to choose from out there - just open your minds a bit LOL

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't think they're as popular in the States as they are in England. A Boston Terrier breeder I know warned me about chiari malformation in CKCS, which affects 80% of the breed and is there because of an effort to breed out heart conditions. So sad.

It's funny you mention dachshunds because every Tom, Dick and Harry has one in NYC
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They even have an annual get together with their very own dachshund song.
 
Oops - did'nt realise you were in the States - I really don't know how the breed is over there - a good starting point would be one of the official breed clubs who will hold a recommended breeders list - (i.e ONLY those that health test )
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