Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 4: Finding the right look
• Method 2 of 4: Choosing a Cavalier with the right temperament
• Method 3 of 4: Consider a purebred dog
• Method 4 of 4: Buy a Cavalier

If you're looking for one of the most charming companions in the canine community, consider the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Cavaliers are the largest breed in the pet category, standing 30.5 to 33.0 cm to the shoulder, and weighing between 5.4 to 8 pounds. Due to their small stature, they are easy dogs to keep for most owners. They have a happy, energetic and easygoing disposition which makes them a great choice for most families, singles and the elderly. You can buy cross-breed Cavaliers for quite cheap, but purebred Cavaliers can be much more expensive - between $ 475 and $ 550.

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Method 1 of 4: Finding the right look

1. Choose a Cavalier with the right color. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have luxurious coats and come in four different color combinations known as Blenheim (maroon and white), Black and Tan, Tricolor (maroon, white and black) and Ruby (all maroon). Most breeders appreciate Cavaliers with a long, slightly wavy coat. They prefer dogs with clearly definable colors. They don't like dogs with a lot of "ticking". This means that if a Cavalier has a predominantly black back, it has no "ticks" or small flecks of other colors mixed in.
2. Choose a Cavalier with a quality coat. Purebred Cavalier Show Dogs are usually admired for their smooth coat. If the dog you may want to adopt has a slight wave in its coat, then that's perfectly acceptable. Cavaliers require some coat care. You need to brush them regularly - a few times a week. A Cavalier Spaniel's coat is rarely trimmed, and they generally don't need a bath more than once every few weeks.
   • Cavaliers shed a lot. When you go out and pick a Cavalier for yourself, pay close attention to their coat. If you see a lot of loose hair on the dog, or in its environment, ask the seller how often they brush the dog or clean the area. Usually, shedding is a result of the dog's environment or its diet - both can be adjusted.
3. Choose a dog that looks healthy. Purebred Cavaliers in general have many health problems as a result of generations of inbreeding to keep their lineage pure. The most obvious signs of a healthy Cavalier can be found in the coat, eyes and ears. These are usually the main problem areas at Cavaliers and should therefore be considered first when purchasing a new Cavalier.
   • Make sure his eyes, nose and ears are clean and free from discharge. His coat should be clean and free from parasites such as fleas. A puppy with clearly visible ribs and a big belly is likely to have worms. Worms can be treated, but it can indicate that the care for the puppy or the mother has not been maximum.
4. Have the Cavalier examined by a vet. Whatever the seller says, have the vet examine your new friend. Make sure he focuses on issues that are breed specific to Cavaliers (such as those listed above) and on environmental concerns such as mites, fleas, ticks, and heartworms.
   • Always have puppies health checked before purchase. A puppy heart murmur may be long-term bad news, with a high risk of progressing into early heart failure. If you are getting an adult dog, it is also wise to have an examination with the vet before purchasing it. The vet can check for common conditions in Cavaliers and other points.

Method 2 of 4: Choosing a Cavalier with the right temperament

1. Determine if he's friendly. Cavaliers are inviting to people. They are primarily lap dogs providing entertainment and comfort.
   • Cavaliers are a great fit for families with young children. Because they are so small, there is less chance that your children will be accidentally injured - as is often the case with large, rough-cut Labradors. Cavaliers can still bite and scratch, but overall this breed is easy to get along with.
   • Some dogs have been conditioned to fear people. Perhaps they had a traumatic experience earlier in life that taught them to fear and even attack people. While this behavior can be corrected, it can be a challenge that you are reluctant to take on. When you first visit the dog, offer him your hand and let him smell your scent. Be friendly and don't rush into his space. Try to pet and play with your dog. See how the dog reacts. If the dog welcomes your attention, you have probably found a social animal.
2. Focus on how the dog interacts with other animals. Many families have more than one dog or more than one animal. If this is the case for you too, watch the dog of your choice play with its littermates or other dogs in its vicinity. Does he show aggressive behavior? Is he pouting alone in a corner of the cage? Or does he join in the fun and take charge? You can learn a lot about the character of an animal very quickly by seeing how it interacts with other animals.
   • If you plan on going to shows with your Cavalier, he should be good with other dogs as well. The last thing you want in this situation is to have a beautiful dog whose behavior distracts the judge from his appearance.
3. Choose an active Cavalier. Cavaliers are energetic Spaniels who love to play and explore the outside world. People considering this breed should prepare for regular exercise with the dog to keep their Cavalier healthy. For sporty owners; Cavaliers can be gradually trained to keep you company on long walks or hikes.
   • Inactive, even lethargic Cavaliers are almost non-existent. Normally, a downcast Cavalier is a sign of poor upbringing and can signal later behavioral problems.
   • Don't confuse fatigue with moodiness. Young puppies sleep a lot and older dogs do too. This should not be interpreted negatively; you can instead see if you can gently persuade the dog to wake up. Try to play with him. See if you can encourage him to interact with the other dogs. This will give you a better idea of ​​his personality.

Method 3 of 4: Consider a purebred dog

1. Consider the benefits of choosing a purebred Cavalier. In general, purebred Cavaliers have predictable traits. If you buy a purebred Cavalier you can expect them to be energetic, cuddly pets with a fairly manageable coat. Genetically, Cavaliers have a tendency to be carefree. If you buy a purebred dog, you can expect such a character.
2. Identify the downside of buying a purebred dog. Non-purebred Cavaliers can inherit some of the biological traits of any other breed they have been crossed with. If crossed with a hunting dog they may have a stronger hunting instinct, in the same way if crossed with a breed with less energy, such as the Shih Tzu, they can lose that energetic enthusiasm that you fell for in the first place are.
3. Keep the Cavalier's common health issues in mind. People have set their sights on purebred Cavaliers. This means that they were bred from a limited gene pool. To be referred to as purebred, their dogs are inbred in many places, and others have unwittingly bred with a gene pool that is too small. This has very realistic and very undesirable consequences. Purebred Cavaliers have an increased risk of heart complaints, hernias and / or serious neurological disorders.
   • Heart disease: In England, 59% of Cavaliers over the age of 4 have a heart murmur. Being nearly two-thirds of the population of Cavaliers in England, this is an exceptional statistic.
   • Chiari Malformation and Syringomyelia: Basically, this condition means that the dog's skull is too small for its brain. This causes awful nerve pain. The veterinary textbook "Breed Predispositions to Disease in the Dogs and Cats" labels this condition as "common" with signs developing between the ages of 5 months and 3 years.
   • Epilepsy: Dogs can develop seizures at any time, but between 6 months and 6 years is the most common period.
   • Hernia: This is another "common" abnormality, especially as Cavaliers get older. In most cases, you won't know that your Cavalier is prone to a hernia until you see him walking stiffly or reluctantly lowering his head to his food bowl or water bowl.

Method 4 of 4: Buy a Cavalier

1. Find an address to buy or adopt a Cavalier. There are several websites where you can find purebred Cavaliers as well as crossbreeds. you can also check your regional weekly magazines or the supermarket for advertisements. Depending on your location, you will have more or less options.
2. Consider purchasing from a breeder. Find one that can show you the pedigree of the puppy's parents and grandparents, as well as written health survey results. You want to avoid choosing a dog that is the result of inbreeding, so ask to see pedigrees and inquire with breeders about its history. If you are buying from a private seller, ask for the same parentage certificates.
3. Consider an asylum. A shelter gives a very good chance of finding a Cavalier cross. Before falling in love with a particular shelter dog, make sure you have a good overview of this dog's medical needs. Many shelter dogs end up in the shelter because they have medical needs that the original owners could not take care of.
4. Avoid bread breeders. If you are unsure if you are with a breeder, ask to see the mother. A breeder in good standing will be happy to introduce you to the mother and littermates. They will also be able to give you a complete overview of family history. A bread breeder, on the other hand, will do everything (and often appear credible) to avoid seeing the mother.