Covid. Time at home to train, loneliness, a desire to do something for the kids and general depression have lots of people looking for the same thing - a new puppy, man's best friend and companionship! The frantic search began the first week of March and has shown NO SIGNS of slowing down with tons of new posts on Facebook forums every day with a family looking for a new puppy. Sadly, many of them have just come up with this idea and don't realize they are weeks behind the masses in their search. Unfortunately, most reputable breeders (if not all) are wiped out of puppies. Several I know have even sold younger dogs they were intending to keep in their breeding program simply because they felt so bad for the families searching. Breeders I talk to and work with are getting bombarded by tons of inquiries every day, getting labeled as unresponsive because they can't keep up and yet have nothing left to offer except a position on a waitlist. High demand, low supply and desperation results in a several things:
As I've said many times on this page, I don't expect you to take my word on any topic - do your homework. If you don't think puppy scams are happening all around you here are a few links from one coast to the other: Better Business Bureau Report on Covid Puppy Scams North Carolina Department of Justice Puppy Scam Alert Three Oaks Farm Christmas Puppy Scam in Charleston Concord News Article on Current Puppy Scams Please protect yourself. Please check your local shelters as dogs will be surrendered every day due to job loss and related issues. Please find one to two breeders you trust and get on their waiting list - before you know it you WILL have that perfect puppy!
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We've mentioned in prior posts that we are a fan of the Kong for training and occupying puppies; however, we've also found that people can be confused about what to do with the Kong and exactly how to get a puppy interested in playing with it. We also know there are a lot of products available at pet stores to stuff Kongs but they aren't necessarily healthy options or good for young puppies. Here are a few basic ideas and recipes to get you started on Kong stuffing and to give you the confidence to start creating your own recipes and strategies. BASIC TIPS:
SHOPPING LIST: You don't need all of these items but will want a combination of dry goods and "mashable" healthy foods to layer your Kong:
RECIPES:
These are just a few ideas to help you understand the progression of Kong stuffing and how it can occupy your puppy. Don't be afraid to experiment with different recipes to find a few favorites that your dog will love. Just be aware of the added calories and sugar and consider stuffed Kong when making sure your dog gets a balanced diet. Does your dog have a favorite Kong recipe? We'd love for you to share it here! Occupying your puppy is a key element to training success. It makes crate training easier, it helps to reduce destructive behaviors like chewing shoes and furniture, it reduces teething pain and it allows for distraction when nipping or barking. In order to effectively train a puppy, it's best to have a full arsenal of tools on hand and to rotate them to prevent boredom. While this may seem like a long list, it will take trial and error to really figure out what will work for your puppy. And remember, any items your puppy doesn't use or enjoy can be dropped off at your local animal shelter for less fortunate dogs who would LOVE something new! Below is our list of items we have on hand and what we use them for: CRATE TRAINING - One key to crate training is to make the crate or pen somewhere your puppy wants to go, Not only should it be a safe place, but it should also have some stimulation to reduce boredom, barking and whining. One easy way to make that happen is to feed your puppy in the crate and to also provide stimulating rewards. For crate training, look for items that last a while and don't require supervision. Items that could cause choking should be avoided - and never use rawhide. Here are our top picks (click on each to go directly to Amazon):
GENERAL CHEWING - Dogs chew for multiple reasons including boredom and teething. Getting to the bottom of why your dog is chewing might help you choose the correct toy or product. Also, if your dog is simply bored, the best solution is always increasing exercise and mental stimulation through training. Below are some of our favorite solutions for teething and mental stimulation:
TRAINING TREATS - Training your puppy is great because it's not only mental stimulation that reduces bad behaviors but it also helps the puppy bond with you. The key to training is high value treats that the dog really wants to earn. That being said you also want to make sure it's okay for their tummies. A lot of dog treats are loaded with bad ingredients and things that can be harmful for your puppy. Try a few of these treats to find one that your puppy really enjoys and when shopping always look for single ingredients, natural ingredients and treats that can be broken in to small pieces for training sessions. Here are a few of our favorites but don't be afraid to also try home cooked treats or pieces of deli meat, ground beef, etc.
While this blog has focused on puppies, we use every item here for our grown dogs, we simply size up on some of the Kong type toys and don't break the treats in half! Best wishes in occupying your pup . . . It's that time of year again when we get a lot of questions regarding what flea, tick and heart-worm medications we recommend. Please note that we are not veterinarians and we do not allow our dogs to spend much time in the grass or woods. They go on long daily walks, but do not regularly lie around in the grass. For that reason, we are lucky that we can go most of the year without any flea or tick preventative at all. That being said, we do have mosquitos and we do use a heart-worm preventative as recommended by our veterinarian.
We also do our best to only treat our dogs with natural products when possible because Cavalier have known sensitivities to strong chemical products. For those that have heard of recent issues with some commonly recommended medications, I would suggest you review the recently published information on the FDA website. We never recommend topical solutions or any Bravecto products for these dogs. Below are the products we use, but again please discuss these with your vet and consider where your pet will spend their time, your local climate, etc. Always ask your vet for the most holistic approach to use as little chemicals on or in your dog as possible.
No matter which product you use, please make sure to give the lowest dose possible. You can watch Dr. Morgan's video on this topic here. Please do everything possible to avoid the stronger chemicals in these dogs as they have known sensitivities. If you Google "MegaChon" you won't find much, in fact it will auto correct to MegaCon (comic book and sci-fi conventions) but we promise this is a real thing. For proof, we've asked a few owners to share photos of their beloved MegaChons. So what exactly is a MegaChon? It's simply a Cavachon who is significantly larger than expected and larger than both parents. They aren't fat, they're just big. Some are long. Some are tall, Some are both. When I had my first MegaChon (Oattie, who is currently 12 years old and 25 pounds), I thought he was rare! How did a dog bred from an 11 pound Bichon and a 14 pound Cavalier hit 25 pounds in 18 months? Over the years, thanks to the many Cavachon and related dog forums, Oattie and I have learned we are not alone and in fact there are many MegaChons roaming the earth and even those who were originally hoping for a smaller dog end up loving this overgrown couch potatoes (although many of us wear of explaining that they aren't a small labradoodle). When Oattie was born, he was not the largest puppy in the litter. The others ended up around 14-15 pounds. At that time, we didn't have doggy genetics but today we do and so this phenomenon can actually be explained. Before getting in to the genetics, there is one obvious (and somewhat dubious) explanation for some MegaChons. If you did not see the parents, it's simply possible that the breeder is breeding a Bichon and Cavalier that don't meet their breed standards (i.e. they are larger than what's considered normal per the AKC). Breeders may specifically do this in hopes of larger litters as larger females are often able to successfully carry more pups. If you truly want a smaller dog (perhaps for travel purposes), make sure you ask to see both parents and get their adult weight and size as well of photos with them compared to objects in the home (it's sometimes hard to determine size without seeing it relative to another object). Now, assuming you know your dog's parents were standard (or even small) for their size then you can rest easy knowing that your MegaChon is simply a gentic phenomenon much like the 6'2" son I have (I'm 5'3"). Dog size is a complex trait and despite the best guess of even the most experienced breeder, variations do occur. Approximately 85% of dog size is genetic but the remainder is environmental (nutrition, etc.) or unexplained according to Embark DNA panels. In the case of the MegaChon, I've provided a couple of screenshots to demonstrate how this can occur. Screenshot #1 - Layla. Layla is one of our female Bichons weighing in at just under 10 pounds (exactly what Embark predicted her adult weight would be). This puts her well within breed standards BUT you can see from the screenshot below that she carries some alleles for larger size traits. Screenshot #2 - Bentley. Bentley is one of our male Cavaliers who weighs just over 15 pounds despite an Embark prediction that he will weigh 21 pounds. Standard weight for Cavaliers is 13-18 pounds so he's within range but smaller for a male. We chose Bentley for this comparison b/c his genetics differ from Layla although both are average or small. As a breeder, logic might have us assume that a Bichon weighing in at 10 pounds being bred to a Cavalier weighing in at 15 pounds will produce puppies somewhere between 10-15 pounds. The breeder might also make educated guesses within the litter about future size based on birth weight, sex and whether they carry more Cavalier or Bichon genes in appearance. Prior litters are also helpful in these educated guesses. Many times, the breeder will be right. However, looking at these screenshots we can now understand that our lovable MegaChons are nothing more than a combination of genetics where a puppy ends up with all the "larger" or "intermediate" genes from both parents and suddenly outgrows them both. In our hypothetical one puppy could carry for Larger, Larger, Intermediate, Intermediate and Larger from two relatively small parents. Combine this with environmental factors and you can have an unexpected Magachon.
Those of us with MegaChons would not change them for the world; however, if you specifically want to avoid a MegaChon (perhaps for purposes of in-cabin air travel) or you specifically want to find a MegaChon (they are a great alternative to larger Doodle breeds), Embark's DNA panel can help eliminate or increase your chances by having your prospective puppy screened before purchase. While their size predictor isn't 100% accurate, it's truly the best guess at how much your adult dog will weigh! TThe OFA - or Orthopedic Foundation for Animals is a fantastic organization that can really help you in your puppy search. Whether you are searching for a healthy Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or a related hybrid, don't neglect to check the OFA for information on your puppies parents. Here's what you need to know: OFA VERSUS AKC - WHO DOES WHAT? - There is a huge difference between the AKC and the OFA. The AKC is the American Kennel Club. This organization is responsible for keeping the registry of purebred dogs in the United States. The fact that a dog is registered with the AKC means nothing more than the fact that it was born of two purebred dogs who are also registered. While purebred parents is important (even in hybrids as the point is an intentional cross of two purebred dogs), it is not an indicator of health, solid DNA or anything else. In fact, there are many AKC registered dogs that are the result of overbreeding, are unhealthy and who don't meet the breed standard as recognized by the organization. On the other hand, the OFA is now the repository for both DNA and medical testing of dogs. Although initially this only applied to orthopedic type testing (hips, patellas), they have expanded their mission “to improve the health and well-being of companion animals through a reduction in the incidence of genetic disease.” HOW CAN I USE THE OFA IN MY PUPPY SEARCH? - In order to use the OFA to search your potential puppies genetic and medical history, you first need the full name or registry number for both parents. Anyone selling purebred Cavaliers will have this readily available. Those breeding F1 Cavachons and Cavapoos may also be able to provide you with this information. Registry numbers can also be pulled from AKC pedigrees, as can full names. If your Cavalier breeder refuses to provide you this information, this is a potential red flag. If a hybrid breeder doesn't have the information, it's worth a conversation to make sure they are DNA testing their breeding stock as well as having them screened for health issues such as hearts, hips, eyes and patellas. Once you have the information, proceed to www.ofa.org and follow the instructions below:
We hope this post was helpful in explaining how the OFA can be a great resource for anyone looking to invest in a properly bred puppy. In future posts, we will break down both DNA and OFA testing results by Cavalier, Cavachon and Cavapoo as well. Please feel free to email us if you have any questions on the search for your perfect pet. I want my answer on this to be clear - NO DOG IS COMPLETELY HYPO-ALLERGENIC and therefore the Cavachon and Cavapoo are not hypoallergenic. This is not up for debate, it's a fact. There are dogs who are often better tolerated by those with allergies, but no such thing as a dog that's guaranteed not to cause an allergic reaction. If you are one of the many consumers who refuse to believe this (or a breeder who promises their dogs are hypoallergenic) please do your research with reputable medical and scientific organizations that will all tell you the same thing - NO DOG IS HYPOALLERGENIC. I will link to several reliable and factual resources at the bottom to confirm this for you. In fact, one of them discusses a 2011 study that compared dust samples from homes with dog breeds reported to be hypoallergenic and those of homes with other dogs. The levels of dog allergen in homes with “hypoallergenic” dogs did not differ from the levels in homes with other breeds. Here are some other facts related to dog allergies that you should consider when searching for a pet that is less likely to cause allergies:
Now that we are straight on fact versus fiction, please know that both the Cavachon and the Cavapoo are great choices for low-shedding dogs who may be less likely to trigger allergies than other dogs. If allergies are a major concern, you should consider the following:
In closing we want to make it clear that we LOVE our dogs and allergies don't stop us from owning them. But, we are also honest with prospective owners and have no desire to sell a dog that's ultimately going to be returned or even worse, re-homed without our permission. Many members of our family have severe allergies to pet dander but they still own dogs - even allowing them on the furniture and bed. That being said, they went in to this knowing that constant cleaning, allergy shots and regular medicines were part of the agreement and they did not assume they would simply give the dog away. Talk to your doctor. Do your research. Test your allergies with various breeds and make an informed, not an impulsive decision. Reliable Resources for Research on Animal Allergies: American Lung Association Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America WebMD - Pet Allergies American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunotherapy Products our Family Loves for Cleaner Indoor Air: Germ Guardian Air Filter Dyson Animal Ball 2 Vacuum Dyson Animal Cordless Stick Vacuum Filtrete Elite Allergen Home Air Filters Many Facebook and related forums have restrictions on posting prices and therefore puppy shoppers often wonder what typical puppy pricing might be. Similarly, shoppers often post questions like “Why are these puppies so expensive” and receive responses from other shoppers either blaming breeders for price gouging or claiming to have gotten a perfectly healthy puppy for $500. While this post is not meant to establish a set price, it is intended to explain what you should look for in pricing and the dangers of a discounted dog. Let’s start with an example of a purebred Cavalier puppy and what a quality breeder (please see the post on locating a respectable breeder) paid make that puppy available to you:
While I’m sure some people will be inclined to debate these expenses, I want to assure you that these are on the low end because they don’t include a lot of expenses that buyers don’t consider such as raising a dog for 2.5 years and then learning they are not capable of breeding, have a genetic condition which makes them ineligible to breed, raising a bitch who then refuses to nurture her first litter and therefore can’t be bred again, etc. It also places no value at all on the time, energy and love respectable breeders give their dogs. Now, using our hypothetical and again assuming this is a respectable breeder, the female will not be overbred, bred too early or bred later in life. And, again remember our $14,550 number is only for the first 2.5 years of ownership so many of these costs will repeat. Let’s assume the female will be bred 3-4 times. Litter #1 – 4 puppies. For this breeder to get close to “breaking even” she would have to get $3600+ per puppy and in doing so this does not account for the medical expenses of the puppies themselves. Instead, she sells these puppies for $2000 to pet only homes. She spends $80+ per puppy on initial vet visits, additional funds on food and countless hours monitoring puppies, screening prospective buyers and getting puppies to their new homes. Breeder will now incur an additional round of expenses for post pregnancy care for the bitch, annual testing and annual ownership. As she owns the dogs another year and returns them for certifications, she invests another $3,140 in annual cost of ownership and increased medical testing. Litter #2 – 5 puppies. The breeder gets lucky with additional puppies but one fails to thrive. She is forced to invest funds in this puppies health but despite all efforts the puppy does not make it. She again sells the remaining 4 puppies for $2000. She’s still in the whole $1690 plus the additional costs of the puppy that doesn’t make it. This again does not include the $80+ per puppy on initial vet visits, additional funds on food and countless hours monitoring puppies, screening prospective buyers and getting puppies to their new homes. Repeat another year of ownership and another round of testing. Litter #3 – 3 puppies. All are healthy. One is “show quality” (please see our post on what this means) and can bring a higher price. She’s able to sell one puppy for show at $3000 and decides to sell another puppy for full rights to recoup some of her expenses. She almost breaks even but she’s unsure if she should breed this dog again. The bitch has shown less interest in this set of puppies and has struggled nursing them. She decides to retire this bitch and keep the other female puppy as a future breeder. Lots of puppies in loving homes but no actual earnings. She offers her male out as a stud to another breeder to try and get some of her money back. That stud cannot be used for this new female as they are related, and quality breeders don’t inbreed their dogs! Again, this is a hypothetical but one I’ve seen repeated many times. Sometimes a dog never breeds, sometimes you only get 1-2 good litters, sometimes you’re lucky and have a dog that loves being a mom and successfully has multiple litters which helps recoup lost money from the others. That being said, that point of this example is NOT that a puppy should cost $2000. The point of this example is the following:
Again, knowing what to pay for your puppy is inevitably entangled with the quality of breeder you are talking to. Every day, I see people looking for discount dogs, recommending breeders who regularly appear on the SPCA alert lists and ignoring red flags because they’ve fallen in love with a puppy. We hope this example helps you understand why we recommend you ask the right questions, be willing to sit on a waitlist and understand the dangers of a discount dog! Online forums are full of misinformation on tear stains and owners are often too consumed with how to reduce the appearance without focusing on the cause of the tear stains. Before reading this post, please make sure you've read our post on the Causes of Tear Stains as the cause is much more important than the cosmetics. Once you've determined what's causing your dog's stains, you now want to turn your attention to treating them and then minimizing their appearance. Some of these suggestions may not apply depending, again, on what's causing your dog's stains; however, none of them are harmful and may help reduce the appearance of the stains.
As a reminder, we aren't vets but we own lots of dogs and these are the solutions our vets have offered that we feel have worked. We do not recommend any tear stain supplement until you carefully research as many of them contain low dose antibiotics and are not good for long term use. We also don't recommend many other internet options such as tums or human eye drops! Many breeds suffer from dark brown or reddish staining beneath the eyes ("tear stains") but they are often more noticeable in lighter coats of the Blenheim and Tri-color Cavalier and the lighter colored Cavachon and Cavalier hybrids. Tear stains are formed when porphyrin, a pigment found in tears, accumulates under the eyes causing the discoloration. For the most part, tear stains are not the result of a serious medical issue but are simply the result of excess tears accumulating in the fur under the eye. Basically, either your dog produces too many tears or can't drain them properly (or both). That being said, there are some exceptions dog owners or puppy shoppers should be aware of so they can consult with their vet. COMMON CAUSES OF TEAR STAINS:
This list is not exhaustive but are the most common causes. Unless you can quickly determine and remedy the cause on your own (example: tear stains appear immediately after a diet change and disappear when you revert to the prior diet) then you should see your vet as soon as possible to rule out anything more serious. If you are searching for a puppy and notice that a breeder's dogs have heavy tear stains, you are correct to be concerned. Tear stains in young puppies can sometimes be the result of excess tearing while teething but is more commonly a sign of poor diet, unhealthy living conditions or genetic predispositions (or all of the above). Unhealthy coat and excessive tear stains in photos is often the way that puppy mills are first detected by the cautious consumer. Before purchasing a puppy that already has tear stains, you should ask the breeder to take the puppy to the vet to rule out any birth defect, physical deformity, closed tear ducts or other problems. Candidly, we can't even recommend purchasing a puppy with severe stains that are already in place by 7-8 weeks old - it's a red flag. MEDICAL TREATMENTS - You can help you vet better determine the cause of the stains by recording when they first occurred, if they appear evenly in both eyes, if your dog has had any change in diet or lifestyle or any other changes in your dogs behavior or symptoms that might help narrow the cause. Once your vet determines the underlying cause of the tear stains, they can offer an appropriate treatment. Treatments can include saline washes, antibiotics, minor surgery, medicated drops or antihistamines (or other methods to reduce allergies if that's the cause). While getting to the bottom of the cause of tear stains, many owners also want to improve the appearance of their pups. For more information on what you can do to help prevent or remove tear stains after treatment, see our second post Reducing the Appearance of Tear Stains. While the internet is an amazing tool, it's actually made the process of finding the perfect puppy incredibly challenging. A decade ago, most of us would open the local classifieds and search in the animal section for a puppy that interested us. Today, and virtually overnight, anyone can put up a website and look like a reputable breeder. The introduction of DNA tests, shipping with flight nannies and designer dogs makes picking a puppy often feel overwhelming. There are simply too many options. So, how do you make the right choice? Here are our suggestions:
Another common question we hear is, "Help, I'm picking up my new puppy tomorrow. What do I need?" Here are our top picks, all of which can be accessed on Amazon.com by clicking on the item. Please see the end of this post on affiliate links and using Amazon Smile to donate to our SPCA! THE BASICS:
A FEW EXTRAS:
As we've mentioned, we are huge supporters of our local SPCA. If you have benefited from this list, please consider using the Amazon Smile program and adding "Dorchester Paws" to your list of organizations to receive donations from your shopping. Please also note that we may receive credit from Amazon for affiliate links provided in this list. All affiliate earnings are donated to the SPCA. Have something to add to the list, please share your ideas with future puppy owners by commenting on this post with your suggestions! Thank you! At least once a week (maybe more often) a new member of an online forum will ask owners, breeders and shoppers which of these two hybrids they should choose. Unfortunately, the person posting the request rarely provides enough personal details (how many kids, size of home, time for the dog, how often they exercise the dog, etc.) for people to give educated opinions so instead everyone just starts the normal back and forth about how great their dog is leaving the prospective shopper with less of an answer than they'd hoped for. Additionally, those who actually have experience in both breeds get worn out of answering the same question over and over and therefore often don't chime in at all. In an effort to post our reply in one place for reference, we thought we'd write this post and invite you to share it whenever you see this question presented. When someone is asking for a recommendation between a Cavapoo and a Cavachon, what they are really asking for is a recommendation between a Bichon Frise and a Poodle as the other 1/2 of the dog is consistently the same (for purposes of this post, we are discussing only F1 hybrids and not F1b or F2 although in those instances this comparison is even more important). Here is that comparison: APPEARANCE
TEMPERAMENT - Just as personality is an important element in any friendship so is a breed’s temperament. Understanding a breed’s temperament will help you choose your canine friend. Please see our other posts on the temperament of the purebred Cavalier King Charles Spaniel as it's truly what makes these hybrids so special but for this comparison it's back to Poodle versus Bichon to understand the difference. Both the Poodle and the Bichon Frise thrive on attention. As a consequence, both breeds can suffer from separation anxiety when left alone for long periods of time. This means they can become very anxious over being separated from their owners and their behavior may turn aggressive and destructive. Though both breeds may seem similar in temperament (affectionate, sensitive, and intelligent), there are several differences between the two, mainly a result of their being bred for very different purposes..
HEALTH - All breeds of dogs have the potential to suffer from genetic health problems, just as all humans have the potential to inherit certain diseases. A reputable breeder will be honest and knowledgeable about common health problems and will have screened to avoid them where possible. Health issues of the Cavalier are one of the main motivations for these hybrid breeds so it's important to be aware of the health issues the Poodle or Bichon may also bring to the table. Both Bichon Frises and Poodles are generally healthy breeds with a life span of 12-15 years. Still, each has its own list of medical predispositions and since the health of the dog’s parents greatly contributes to its own health, it is important to find a responsible breeder who will disclose health clearances for both of the dog’s parents, as their health may be the best predictor of your puppy’s health. With the recent introduction of DNA screening in breeding stock it's hopeful many of these issues won't soon be so common. Here's what to look for in each breed:
EXERCISE - Some people love to exercise their animals, others don't. If you are particularly active and looking for a running companion, I would suggest that neither of these breeds is for you. Neither breed needs tons of exercise but there are some differences to consider here:
GROOMING - Keep in mind this is a grooming comparison of Poodle versus Bichon so you can understand their coat differences. Once intentionally bred with a Cavalier, the coat changes substantially but this should help you understand why Cavachons and Cavapoos can take on very different appearances.
AND THE WINNER IS . . . really up to you. We have to confess that Cavachons are perhaps our favorite breed to walk the earth but it's simply because we're lazy. While you will always hear from someone who has an "overly energetic Cavachon" or a "lazy Cavapoo" the opposite is generally true. If you want a higher energy dog that loves to learn but also demands more exercise to avoid destructive behaviors then the Cavapoo is more likely for you. If you like to spend your Saturdays watching football and want a friend and foot-warmer, then you might prefer the Cavachon. The truth is that either dog, when well bred and properly trained, can fit almost any family, any space and adapt to any situation. And luckily, there is no wrong choice.
Originating in the 1600's and Named after King Charles II, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel ("CKCS" for short) is sometimes referred to as the spaniel to the Kings. These lovable dogs were a favorite of royalty and were often used a lap warmers and foot warmers in many royal homes. Owners will tell you they still believe themselves to be royalty in every way!
Despite the spaniel name Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are definitely house dogs and fall in to the toy group. According to the AKC (American Kennel Club) these dogs should weigh between 13-18 pounds and stand between 12-13 inches high. They are considered affectionate, gentle and graceful but they can also be quite fearless and easily tempted by a squirrel chase (at one time they were bred to flush small birds and prey from hiding and they still have that hunt and chase drive)! True to their heritage, Cavaliers love both a lap and a nap. They are typically very trusting and easygoing dogs who never meet a stranger. That being said for an owner who prefers a more independent breed, the Cavalier may come across as a little on the "needy" side. Since they are eager to please their owners, Cavaliers are generally easy to train but due to their small size may take a little longer to house train than larger dogs (crate training is a must). According to AKC show regulations, the CKCS only come in four coat colors; however, there are a few additional. Traditional coats accepted in the show arena are Blenheim, Black and Tan, Tri-Color and Ruby. In reality, there are a few other coats that occasionally appear and may be appealing to those who enjoy breaking the mold. Those include the rare solid black and chocolates (which look similar to a black and tan but are a rich brown color instead). If you're interested in showing or breeding your CKCS you need to be very careful about understanding color and coats; however, if your just looking for a great pet you should search out what most tugs at your heart and comes from the healthiest bloodline. As there are many health concerns in this breed I think proper screening and DNA testing is much more important than coat color. If you want to continue your research of these adorable breeds, we suggest the following trustworthy sites for accurate information: AKC ANIMALS.NET SPRUCE PETS We also welcome you to learn about this breed's health issues, how to find a responsible breeder and why we support the breeding of the Cavachon and Cavapoo hybrids by reading our other blogs posts! Most of the people we interact with are just searching for the perfect pet but on occasion they are searching for a show dog. Or, we find that people who are searching for a pet are being told they're buying a show dog when in fact they are paying show dog prices without show dog quality. For that reason, we thought it might be useful to explain what to look for in a true show quality Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Before doing so, please know that a "fault" as used in this post does not mean there is any health problem with your puppy (or prospective puppy). A fault is simply the show term for anything that deviates from the breed standard and will be counted against a show dog. Some faults (called minor faults) will just reduce how they score (such as heavy ticking, a little too much wave in the coat, etc.) while other faults are considered major faults and can stop the dog from entering the show at all (visible structural problems, aggressive temperament). Now, here's what to look for if you want to consider showing your CKCS:
As a quick disclaimer, we rarely show dogs and focus much more on health and temperament then show quality. That being said, if you are searching for a showing mentor or looking for a puppy that might qualify to show, please reach out and we can point you in the right direction! Many people never think to ask a breeder why they breed dogs. The answer can be enlightening and help identify those breeding with purpose versus those breeding solely for profit. If you would like to know why we breed dogs, here is what we want you to know. First and foremost please know that dog breeding is a hot topic - especially in our family where so many of us have served on our local SPCA Board giving both our time and money to help animals in our local shelters. We understand that many of our fellow board members and friends have views that range from "adopt don't shop" to "breeding is unethical." I was even recently told that I am single handedly killing shelter dogs by breeding other dogs. As much as we agree with the fact that shelter dogs deserve a happy home and another chance, we can't accept the blame for our shelters being overcrowded with unwanted animals, nor will we allow those who feel that way to deter us from our "why." Puppy mills, irresponsible owners and unethical breeders who do not require the return of their dog are to blame for the existence of animals in our local shelters. Reputable breeders did not create that problem - it's what sets us apart. We fully support our shelters and we know that for the most part, shelter dogs can make incredible companions. Our family has had several shelter dogs throughout our lives and each one was well loved. However, not every home is suitable for a shelter dog. Some may need a smaller dog, some may need a dog less prone to cause allergies and some may simply not have the knowledge or energy to cope with a dog that has been surrendered for behavioral problems. Some people simply want to know their puppies parents, meet the breeder, know that everything has been done to reduce future behavioral issues with early socialization and so on. We are not here to compete with shelters. We believe all dogs deserve love. The people who adopt our dogs have told us time and time again that they've been looking for years in shelters and rescue but have always come up empty handed. When we find a Cavalier or Cavalier hybrid in a shelter, we make sure it gets adopted (or we rescue it). Our clients are generally empty nesters who can't physically handle a larger shelter dog or unknown behavior issues, families who have known the love of a Cavalier and can't live without them in their lives, those with the need for a less allergenic breed or those who are first time dog owners and simply need the support and resources of a reputable breeder. These families represent our "why." Our decision to breed as a family did not come easily and we were very specific in the gap we wanted to fill. After falling in love with a Cavachon we started searching endlessly for others in rescue, shelters and re-homing sites. Years and years went by (literally), and we could not get our hands on another Cavachon. In fact, at one point my sister tried to steal my Cavachon - she was that desperate for what she deemed "the best dog ever." However, we were lucky enough to eventually welcome an awesome Cavalier in to our household. We quickly realized that the Cavalier was in large part what made the Cavachon such an incredible breed. This is how it all began. We decided to place breeding dogs within our own family (I'm the oldest of five and also have five children) and to breed both Cavaliers and Cavachons. Even within the breeding community, we took heat for this decision (if you ever want to see something more heated than a 2020 Presidential election, bring up "hybrid breeding" at a dog show and watch the fireworks begin). We worked to identify DNA clear dogs with great bloodlines and we've committed to never overbreeding a dog. As a result, we can guarantee your dog from known defects or we will return your money - it's that easy. Since that decision, we've grown to include loving Guardian Families within our program because again, we believe every dog deserves love. Our dogs are not kenneled, they are not used, they are not forced to breed if they are unhealthy, unwilling or simply don't like being a mom (we've yet to have a male refuse - just in case you were wondering). In conclusion, we breed because we have a sincere desire to improve the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel - to do comprehensive DNA and health screenings to reduce the health problems that plague this breed from years of inbreeding. We are not out to create the perfect show dog, we strive to create the perfect pet. We breed because we know we are offering a dog that can't be found in our shelters. We breed because we know we can offer our families a puppy they deserve - one that is socialized, healthy and ready to become the perfect pet. We breed because we can afford to - we all have separate income sources unrelated to breeding so we don't need to cut corners, skip health screens or breed dogs who candidly should be retired. We breed because we love these dogs and are willing to take the heat of those who always have something negative to say in order to share our puppies with those who we know will love them as much as we do. This is our why. |
FTC DISCLOSURE
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