A
heartfelt Thank You to Mick and Lil Shinnick of “Leeyln Cavaliers” and David and Wendy Taylor of
“Rosscrea Cavaliers”. These English breeders have
allowed me to share my home and my life with their
puppies. I would also like to thank Heidi and Greg
Mohn of
Covington
Cavaliers for all their support and knowledge over the past
years. They are truly good friends and great mentors.
Cavalier facts...
Cavaliers
come in four colors, Tri, Blenheim, Black and Tan, and Ruby.
The Tricolors have jet black markings on a pearly white
background, with tan markings over the eyes, on the cheeks,
inside the ears, and on the underside of the tail.
Their ears are black, and should have a white
blaze between their eyes. Blenheim's have rich
chestnut markings on a pearly white background. Their
ears should be chestnut and a white blaze between their
eyes. Black and tans are jet black with rich tan
markings above their eyes, on their cheeks and muzzle,
inside of ears, across their chest and down their legs, and
on the underside of the tail. Ruby's are a solid rich
red.
Cavaliers
stand about 12-13 inches tall and are between 13-18 pounds.
Cavaliers are a slow maturing breed and can
sometimes surprise people that it can take up to
2-3 years for a Cavalier to be fully matured, males
sometimes up to 4 years. They don't continue to grow
in height, but rather fill out to acquire a more mature
look. A Cavaliers coat should be moderately long
and silky, free from curl, although a slight wave is
permissible. Cavaliers have long feathering on their
ears, chest, legs, feet, and tails. They are meant
to be a natural breed, which does not require trimming.
Cavaliers do not require a lot of grooming, a nice brushing
weekly and regular bathing will keep your cavaliers coat
looking at its best. Trimming the toenails monthly is
usually enough. It is important to remember their
teeth as well; brushing daily can prevent serious
health issues. Start when they are young to get
them used to grooming and being pampered, before you know it
they will be begging for it.
This
is a puppy named "Joy"
Cavalier Health...
It is very important to
remember that every breed has health issues.
That is why it is necessary for you to research all
health related concerns of the breed you are considering
adding to your family. Cavaliers are relatively
healthy and sturdy little dogs. As with any breed,
there are a few health concerns that you should educate
yourself on. Please be advised that not all breeders are
breeding for the same purposes. A reliable
breeder will do the necessary health testing prior to
breeding.
Heart
Murmurs - Mitral Malve disease, known as MVD, is a
common heart disease in dogs, affecting smaller dogs as they
get older. In the Cavalier, MVD can affect young and old
dogs. This is believed to be genetic, affects the
Mitral valve which is responsible for the correct blood flow
from the atria to the ventricles. This is something
that should be checked regularly at your annual visits
by your veterinarian. As a breeder it is a must to
have regular veterinary exams, and to have the Cavalier
Heart Certified annually.
Mitral Valve Disease (MVD)
and Syringomyelia (SM) prove much more challenging problems
to the breed and breeders. Although early onset and severe
cases are minimal in responsible breeding programs, both
conditions can show up later in life and there is no test or
gene isolation available today to predict if or when a dog
will encounter onset. Both these conditions have been the
main focus of resource allocation of funds to genetic
research, by breed clubs Health Foundations and Charitable
Trusts funds, donated to by dedicated breeders. The actual
mode of inheritance, genetic and environmental factors that
influence these conditions are still unknown. All cavaliers
are carriers of both conditions, regardless of the blood
lines. Responsible breeders do a good job minimizing the
number of cases of effected dogs.
Syringomyelia (SM)
- A condition that has always
been in the breed, as well as other breeds- both large and
small, is syringomyelia. Its symptoms vary drastically, thus
a diagnosis was not made until recently. It is thought the
condition is similar to Arnold-Chiari malformation, in
humans. Based on current theory, of which many holes exist,
the bottom half of the skull develops in a way that crowds
the cerebellum of the brain, impeding the path of
cerebrospinal fluid movement around the brain and spinal
cord. The increased pressure and pooling of cerebrospinal
fluid may cause irritation and damage to the spinal cord,
resulting in symptoms of neck scratching, headache, and in
extreme cases, paralysis. Dogs suffering life effecting
symptoms of SM are rare.
Eye Defects - Occasionally
Cavaliers can suffer from Hereditary Cataract (HD) and
Multifocal Retinal Dysplasia (MRD). It is important as
a breeder to have the adult dogs certified by a
ophthalmologist prior to breeding.
Luxating Patella - This
occurs in the back leg, the groove that holds the kneecap in
place is too shallow, allowing the knee to slip out of
place. It can cause the dog discomfort and if severe may
require surgery for correction. Your veterinarian can
examine the kneecaps, upon physical exam, and can tell if
your dog has this condition. Luxating Patella's is common in
small breeds, but should be cleared by a veterinarian prior
to breeding.
Hip Dysplasia - Being a
small breed this is not a common problem but can occur as
the dog progresses to a senior. No indication of this
disease is evident in young dogs and can only be diagnosed
by x-rays of the hip joints.
It
is important to understand that even if the sire and dam
have been screened and found clear of any health problems,
no breeder can guarantee that your puppy will never develop
a problem during its lifetime. Screenings are done on adult dogs to lessen the chance of health related concerns.
Not all breeders believe in all testing, or having tests
certified, but they should not object to providing copies of
any testing that has been done. Reliable breeders
care and are pleased that you care about the
health of your new family member. Cavaliers are generally
healthy little dogs that enrich the lives of those who have
the pleasure of owning one.
