king charles cavalier?

Question

I want to get a king charles cavalier but wanted to know a bit about them before I make the decision. I dont know anyone who has one so dont really know alot about them. I have heard they are quite friendly dogs which is what im after but are they a relaxed sort of dog as I dont want one that is really hiper as I had a jack russle before and he was so active and naughty. Are they quick at learning and my main question is are they good with children. Basicly anything you couls tell me good and bad about this sort of dog will be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

Well first of all the dog can get kinda active but these dogs like to cuddle and play a way lot calmer then a jack russle though. It kinda depends if you lay down wit it a lot i wold get use 2 laying down and relaxing.If you play alot it wil definetly ply wit you.

Answer 2

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is the official name.

AKA Cavaliers.

http://www.ckcsc.org/

http://akc.org

They can be really nice dogs, but any dog should be trained.
They do tend to be less active than a Terrier. Most are good with gentle kids. They are very sweet.

Some do become dominant and aggressive, due to owners that spoil them into bad behavior. But an owner can ruin any dog.

If you don't have a lot of time to raise a puppy consider adopting an adult. But even an adult will need exercise and training and attention. Don't buy a dog "for the kids" and expect it to raise itself. You are taking on another kid in a way...one with 4 legs :)

Find a trainer or a class before getting a new dog. I love CKCSs, I've worked with a few over the years and someday I'll probably own one.

They can be prone to heart issues, so be careful if you buy one. They are also a popular Mill breed, so buyer beware.
I'd contact the national or local CKCS club and find a local breeder or 3 to talk to.

A "good" breeder will usually not have puppies available immediately, you will probably go on a waiting list if you pass their tests. A good breeder is protective of their puppies and will insist on a spay/neuter contract and a limited registration, since you are not looking for a show dog. A good breeder will explain all the testing that goes into breeding healthy puppies that will be healthy adults. So a bargain Cav is not a bargain in the long run.

Never buy from a petstore or a website with multiple breeds or one that will sell you a puppy with very few questions asked...all are usually a Mill or sell Mill puppies.

Answer 3

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is an eager, affectionate tail-wagger. Lively, outgoing and sportive. These fearless lively little dogs want to please. They are intelligent enough to understand what you want and therefore are usually easy to train and respond well to gentle obedience training. They are said to be naturally well behaved and get along well with other dogs and non-canine pets. Cavalier's love people and need lots of companionship to be happy. They should not be left alone all day. They are descended from hunting dogs and love to romp in the great outdoors. This breed sometimes displays a chasing instinct and should be kept well enclosed or leashed so he does not get lost or run over by a car! They do best with older considerate children and some can be reserved with strangers. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a pleasant companion dog. It has a noteworthy sense of smell and vision and can be used in short hunts in open country. They do well in competitive obedience.Don't over feed. This breed tends to gain weight easily.Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are good for apartment life. They are moderately active indoors and a small yard will be sufficient. The Cavalier does not do well in very warm conditions.

Comb or brush with a firm bristle brush, and bathe or dry shampoo as necessary. The feathered hair on the ears is prone to tangling and matting, so this dog should be thoroughly groomed often. The hair between the pads on the feet should be kept trimmed and the ears should be cleaned regularly. Always make sure the dog is thoroughly dry and warm after a bath. Check the eyes carefully for any signs of infection. This breed is an average shedder.

That's kinda long...but I'm just gonna give you some sites to look at since it explains more!

http://www.wikihow.com/Select-a-Cavalier-King-Charles-Spaniel
http://www.akc.org/breeds/cavalier_king_charles_spaniel/index.cfm

Answer 4

Cavaliers probably have the nicest nature of any dog breed. I've never met an even slightly nasty one!

Most are fairly relaxed, they have a lot of energy but nothing like what jack russells or staffies can be like!! Mostly they're just really eager and affectionate, their love can be a little hyper!!

They're great with kids - well, any dog potentially can be. I expect you know never to leave any dog alone with kids at any time though!

The main thing to know about owning a cavvy is that they are THE number one breed for getting fat, which is unfortunate because they're also prone to congestive heart failure, which being overweight will not help. You have to be REALLY careful with what you feed - seriously, in 4 years of nursing I've only seen 2 adult cavvies that weren't overweight! Two!! You need to feed them a high quality food like Iams - stay away from Pedigree Chum, Butchers, Bakers and Winalot! Also, never give table scraps - never, ever, ever. Not even once. Once they've had it, you'll never be able to resist their gorgeous brown eyes asking for more!! Stick to dog food and dog food only.

Good luck getting your doggy - make sure it's from a reputable breeder and has all its papers, and that you get to view the rest of the litter and the mother. Or, if you're getting from a shelter - nice one! Just make sure you get a vet check its heart!!

Chalice

Answer 5

An UNBELIEVABLY lovely dog. We just got a Blenheim puppy a year ago and its changed our family's life! We have had 10 dogs in all - mainly poodles (smart but not as friendly), and a springer spaniel who was sweet, but a lot tougher than our KCC, and who eventually succumbed to Springer Rage, which was scary. Sadly we had to have her put down when she became a biter.
Our KCC is so pretty and lively and friendly and loving and sporty and wonderful. We went to a very reputable breeder in Wisconsin and waited a year to get her- WORTH EVERY SECOND of that wait, she is.
I love this dog so much I can hardly believe it - and I didn't even want to get another dog!!
The key is the breeder -take all the breeder advice you've seen in these answers - all good advice. I would add one thing though - its VITAL, if your KCC is going to be outside, to have a very securely enclosed yard or lawn or to keep them on a tethered lead at all times. This because they have a pointing instinct which makes them give chase to anything from birds to squirrels to insects, and they are also the breed with the least wolf in them, so they never really develop street smarts (ie not running into the road) or the ability to detect a threat from other animals. So if you Cav gets out, there's a real likelihood that if he's not stolen by one of his new "friends" (read: everybody they meet), he will be run over - so you've GOT to really look after them this way. The best breeders won't sell to you without making you sign something that says you will keep them tethered or enclosed at all times. Also the best ones will make you sign a "no breeding" clause. Look for this - you don't want to breed them because the no breeding clause helps keep the breed as lovely and friendly as it is. All I can say is this dog is one of the most delightful surprises 'o my young life!!!
Also have a look at this - a woman who feels like me about her Cav was so thrilled that she actually wrote a book about life with him! : http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/femail/article.html?in_article_id=472508&in_page_id=1879

Hope this helps and have a ball enjoying your Cav if you decide to get one!

Answer 6

My sister has two of them and they are great little dogs. They are defintely much less hyper than Jack Russells. My sister has two - one is laid back and the other is more active - but not Jack Russell active. They are very people-friendly and easy to train and quick learners. I can't think of anything bad about them. They do have longer hair which needs to be groomed. Personality-wise, think golden retriever in a small package. They are called Cavalier King Charles Spaniels by the way.

Answer 7

I have 3 of them and they are great dogs. They are the best dogs that I have ever owned. However, you need to be very aware of their possible health problems as the list is long and full of major illnesses. They can be testy around children, so if you decide the breed is right for you, I would get a puppy from a REPUTABLE breeder so that it is around children from a young age.

Here are links to a couple of cav forums. There are people on here that will answer any questions you have about the breed and there is a even a library on them that has infinite information on them

Good luck with your new addition!

http://board.cavaliertalk.com/

http://www.ckcsboard.com/messageboard/

Answer 8

Being good with children depends on the dog's temperament. The site below recommends that the dog does best with older children. I would look into getting a dog from a rescue who fosters their dogs so that they can tell you if the dog does well with children. Or go to a REPUTABLE breeder and find out the temperament of the parents before buying one of their pups.

Check out: http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/cavalierkingcharlesspaniel.htm

Answer 9

Lovely little dogs! My aunt had one, a boy, and he was the nicest dog around. He loved everyone who came into the house so much, he wouldn't let you leave ha ha. I'm serious! When you went in my aunts house her dog would lick you to death, want to sit on your lap, he'd share your tea and biscuits, beg for a rub and a massage then fall asleep on your lap. When it was time to go home and you walked to the door, he'd run like a thief to get in front of you and sit in front of the door growling and baring his teeth! My aunt was the only one that could get him out of the way ha ha. He didn't ever mean it in a nasty way because if you went to touch him he'd go all silly but he wouldn't let anyone but aunt pick him up to move him ha ha. Shouldn't laugh really coz thats naughty but it was funny. They are very loyal dogs and love to be pampered and spoilt but then what dog doesn't? Go ahead and get one and you'll find yourself a real friend who loves you for you and not for what you can give it! Good luck and let us know how you get on please. Oh by the way, they're great with kids but don't like being pulled about.

Answer 10

why not visit our website

http://labcav.forumotion.com/portal.htm

take a look around even join up...

i have 2 cavs and there adorable great with my 4 kids can be yappy but what dogs dont bark..lol..they have there hyper moments but again so do most dogs it depends on your time and training on how well they behave..
they will need grooming and bathing regualry as there fur tends to get matted and very dirty..lol..
i have 4 dogs in total 2 cavs and 2 labs also 3 cats so you can see how well the cavs adapt the ages are 9 and 10