Relative wants a Cavalier King Charles - a ticking time bomb?

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Patchworkpony

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One of my relatives wants a Cavalier King Charles spaniel (probably seen the sweet little one on Victoria) but I told her they are a ticking time bomb health wise. She was a bit put out so I thought I'd ask you guys if I did right or wrong. There do seem to be SO many health issues and I don't want her to get hurt if she loses it but equally she couldn't cope with a big dog.
 
If they do all their research they should be fine. There are many cavaliers who live to a ripe old age , you need to speak to Levrier on here, her mum is one of the top cav breeders in the uk.
 
I agree, you need to be very careful where you find one. Some do have health issues and a lot are puppy farmed. A reputable breeder - KC accredited and with enough experience length of time in the breed should be OK. Check out if they have a website with their dogs info on and look at ages/relatives etc. May take a bit of work but best to try and find a good one.
 
And there is a very good Cavalier Rescue, rehoming dogs for whatever reason. Usually they are registered with good pedigrees and from good breeders, it's just that owners have died, circumstances have changed etc. My B&T came via them, home bred and fighting with her dam, so had to go. One of mine has a heart murmur but is 11 1/2 and not on any medication, and behaving like a puppy. Just treat and feed them like dogs and not cuddly toys. http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/services/public/findarescue/Default.aspx?breed=6149 - under the umbrella of the Kennel Club, check out the one in their area
 
My auntie has had three, all from reputable breeders and recommended breeders, they have all had major health issues and have died at a relatively young age. She has two border terriers now and cannot get over how much healthier and full of life they are.
 
MurphysMinder said:
If they do all their research they should be fine. There are many cavaliers who live to a ripe old age , you need to speak to Levrier on here, her mum is one of the top cav breeders in the uk.
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TBH I was not even going to comment PP because with all due respect you have asked this question over and over again.....no, you are WRONG, they are NOT ticking time bombs, they can be healthy, active, happy little dogs IF you go to the right breeder...

I visited my mum today who has just lost her oldest at 14 1/2....her last one went on to that age too...and guess what, the one before that too! I could go on in the same vein.

Find a decent responsible breeder who does the right health checks on the parents, breeds responsibly and be prepared to WAIT for your dream puppy....
 
Crugeran Celt said:
My auntie has had three, all from reputable breeders and recommended breeders, they have all had major health issues and have died at a relatively young age. She has two border terriers now and cannot get over how much healthier and full of life they are.
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They clearly weren't from reputable breeders then....
 
gallopingby said:
I agree, you need to be very careful where you find one. Some do have health issues and a lot are puppy farmed. A reputable breeder - KC accredited and with enough experience length of time in the breed should be OK. Check out if they have a website with their dogs info on and look at ages/relatives etc. May take a bit of work but best to try and find a good one.
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KC accredited breeders unfortunately mean nothing - people who churn out cavaliers like nobody's business frequently register as 'accredited breeders' because they know it makes people trust them more.
 
Lévrier;13379281 said:
TBH I was not even going to comment PP because with all due respect you have asked this question over and over again.....no, you are WRONG, they are NOT ticking time bombs, they can be healthy, active, happy little dogs IF you go to the right breeder...

I visited my mum today who has just lost her oldest at 14 1/2....her last one went on to that age too...and guess what, the one before that too! I could go on in the same vein.

Find a decent responsible breeder who does the right health checks on the parents, breeds responsibly and be prepared to WAIT for your dream puppy....
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If you had read the post properly you would have seen that I am not looking for one myself. I have a cousin who is thinking of going down that road and I don't want her heart broken. I personally wouldn't buy one as I know too many people including a VERY rich titled friend of mine who went for the best and it still had heart problems. I had a long conversation with a top breeder a few months ago, who wins at Crufts, and she told me she has literally lost sleep often worrying that her beloved dogs will develop a health problem. She told me that even if both parents are given every health check under the sun there are NO guarantees. Frankly I wouldn't touch a breed that offers such heartache.
 
I'm intrigued OP as to why someone who is rich and titled should think they are entitled to a "better" dog than normal people (or why you seem to think they should be).
 
spacefaer said:
I'm intrigued OP as to why someone who is rich and titled should think they are entitled to a "better" dog than normal people (or why you seem to think they should be).
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I had the same thought spacefaer :D :D

Unfortunately OP your reply illustrates how little research you have really done into the breed. For example, winning at Crufts is actually quite easy in cavaliers if you know the right people - try talking to someone who has JUDGED at Crufts....who has been invited to judge internationally (USA, New Zealand, Scandanavia, other European countries) on numerous occasions....who has been in the breed 35 years plus....who has made up numerous champions......who has also (dare I say it!) sold puppies to carefully approved homes some of whom have been VERY VERY rich people with titles or who are famous household names!!

I actually can read so I had noted that your cousin wants a cavalier not you, what I pointed out is that you have asked the same question about health issues in the breed repeatedly yet you ignore what you are told and stick to your own incorrect ideas. I personally would never want to have a cavalier, having been brought up with them I know they are not my sort of dog, but I also know that they are tough, fun, happy and gentle little dogs who have fabulous temperaments and live active and healthy lives for many years
 
spacefaer said:
I'm intrigued OP as to why someone who is rich and titled should think they are entitled to a "better" dog than normal people (or why you seem to think they should be).
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That did puzzle me too. Of course any breeder will tell you there are no guarantees, if there were people wouldn't develop heart problems with no family history. However if all tests have been done the breeder has reduced the chances of health problems occurring significantly, in any breed. There is also no correlation between winning at Crufts and being a good breeder, sometimes it can be the opposite.
 
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