Cavalier Puppies
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels tend to stay in a puppy-like demeanor for almost their entire lives. Because of this they tend to be slow to mature. What does that mean for your cavalier puppy?
Vaccines
I vaccinate all my puppies with 2 parvo/distemper vaccines before they leave for new homes. This ensures that they have the upmost immunity before going out into the world. They will need one more booster for their set to be complete for 1 year. I give my dogs rabies vaccines between 16 weeks and 6 months of age. I do not vaccinate for Lepto as it is the most painful vaccine with the highest tendency for vaccine reaction. Bordatella is as need for situational scenarios. Please consult your vet about which vaccines are the best for your lifestyle and your puppy.
Home life
All my puppies are raised in my own home. They have experience with other dogs of various sizes, noises, and stimulus. None of my dogs are afraid of fireworks, storms, or loud noises. They meet a variety of other people and start going outside at 7 weeks old (weather dependent) with supervision. All puppies are crate trained before going to new homes. Crate training is important for puppies to avoid ingestion foreign objects, toxins, or medications. It also helps with potty training. Crate training is integral for emergency situations, safety, and transportation purposes.
Food
Food is such a hot topic amongst many people and you will likely get a variety of answers. The food a dog is on is very dependent on the dog itself. Not all dogs are made the same, and they do not all require the same things. My dogs are on Purina Pro plan Sport 30/20, raw, or both depending on their needs. I do advocate for all Cavaliers to be on a NON grain-free food, as grain free foods have been directly linked to DCM (Dilated Cardio Myopathy), or enlargement of the heart. Cavaliers are already known for their heart disease, so for me, it is not worth taking the chance. If you would like recommendations on food please ask myself, or consult your veterinarian about the needs of your puppy.
New Puppy Parent Information
Made with heart.
Potty training
Since Cavaliers are not only slow to mature, they are also a toy breed and sometimes that can make them more challenging to potty train. It could take 6-8 months to fully potty train a cavalier, or longer for very stubborn puppies. The best thing for potty training is positive reward and a set routine. Don't get discouraged if it takes longer than others!
Other medical
Cavaliers have a high instance of having what is called an innocent heart murmur. This is a murmur that usually goes away between 4-6 months of age and has no lasting health issues for the puppy. A cavalier with an innocent murmur is not unusual.
All my puppies come microchipped, dewormed, fecal tested, and vet checked before going to new homes. I am very transparent in regards to my puppies health.
Grooming
I start working on grooming at 6 weeks old. Cavaliers should be brushed 3-4 times a week and bathed every 4-6 weeks or sooner depending on the activities they do. It's important to keep their coats tangle and mat free. Brushing your dog will also help you feel for any changes in weight, lumps, or parasites that may be present. I start clipping their nails at 1 week old. Having short nails allows them to walk with comfort and to not alter their gait. Shaving the bottom of their paw pads keeps them from slipping and sliding on slick floors which can cause injury. I utilize snoods to keep their ears clean while eating. Cavaliers that get lots of food in their ears can eat the ends of their ear hair off which can make them sick and/or make their ears uneven, matted, or required to be shaved.
Other information:
Cavalier puppies cost between $4,500 and $5,500. A deposit is required to hold a puppy. Deposits are not taken until after a puppy is chosen and after 4 weeks of age. Homes are not selected on a first come first serve basis and not all of those that apply will be approved.