Cavaliers - The Ultimate Lapdog (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel)

Member Name: chris212

Product:	Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Date:	21/05/09 (183 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: A love sponge

Disadvantages: Health problems

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are one of the most lovable dogs that a person can wish to own and they certainly live up to their nick name the "Love Sponge". The history of the Cavalier can be traced back to the time of King Charles I. There are three different colours of Cavaliers, Blenheim which we have (Which was named after the place, Blenheim Palace, where the Duke of Marlborough owned a cavalier), a Tan, a Tri colour and Ruby.

We bought our dog, Ty, from a Woman that was advertising in a local paper, but we made sure the woman reputable and we checked this out. Which I recommend due to some of the problem that a cavalier may have, which I will go onto later.

When we got Ty home, he was a little nervous in his new home, but after a few hours he came out of his box and a few days later wondering around the house, but was not active for more than an 15 minutes before he would fall asleep for a few hours; which the woman who we bought him from assured us was normal, as he was only 10 weeks old.

The first thing that we tough Ty was where to was to go toilet, which we picked up after the first time. As he grew older we started to train him in commands, as we read the earlier a person starts the easier it is for a dog to learn. But what we have found is that cavaliers in general are easy to train in different commands, Ty especially picks up command easy. Although the only command that Ty has some difficult in do is rolling over, as he goes on his back but not a full roll all the time. But has picked up how to shake hands, lay down and to fetch; but Ty only fetches when he wants to and sometimes fails to bring the ball back all the time, just following it and returning to the thrower.

One thing that all cavaliers, in particular that we have found with Ty, is the excitement that he shows when he knows that he is going for a walk. A person just has to say Walk and he will go to the front door and wait there call for someone to take him. What we have found is that Ty likes for either going for a number of shorter walks in a day, but also like going for long walk, as we like taking him to local beauty spots such as lakes. But be careful when releasing a Cavalier off the lead on walks as it is in their nature to chase an object or another animal such as a squirrel without hesitation and can easily head into the path of danger. But what he loves in particular is going to the beach and going into the water, just up to his belly and splashing about.

A piece of advice that I would offer to a person that are looking to buy and home a Cavalier is to get him or her used to have a wash and a bath. The reason for this is Cavaliers have short legs and are long haired and are therefore easily got dirty. While it may not matter once for twice, after a while he does develop a pong, when you want your "love Sponge" smelling fresh. But then again, it may be the case with all dog, as this is my first, I would not know.

What we have also found is Cavaliers are good with all ages of child. With Ty in particular, we are all older children so that is what Ty is used to, but is playful also with young children that we also know that visit, although when he first meets a new younger child he does run away, but quickly returns for kisses and cuddles. One of the problems we have is Ty is so soft that when my 3 years old cousin hugs him he doesn't do it to tight, as some time his eyes look like his eyes are about to pop out.

This leads one of the biggest problems of Ty, in that eyes are one of his best features and one of their worst. All Cavaliers have bulging eyes, that draw you in hook line and sink, that not even the sternest person can resist, when a cavalier wants something they usually get it, which can lead to a health problem that I will discuss later. Back to his eyes, the bulging nature of them can lead to problem, that unfortunately Ty does have. One of the most common among Cavaliers is to develop, to what I call, gung, in the corn of his eyes that can build up. The reason this develops is due to a narrowing of the tear ducts, that link his eyes to his nose and where excess tears are meant to drain from. This can be simply tested for by a vet, through a dye that is applied to the eyes that should start to appear in the nose, if does not the tear ducts are blocked. An additional problem that, I am not sure is common to Cavaliers but to Ty is when it is a windy day and we have taken him for a walk, the next day he develops eye problems whereby he finds it difficult to fully open his eyes. But my auntie's dog, of another breed also suffers from the same thing, so this may be common to all dogs.

There are a number of health problems a person should be aware of when homing a Cavalier, as some may be costly. One of the biggest problems are weight issues, Cavaliers are prone to putting on weight, due to the puppy dog eyes that a person cannot resist giving, gives them extract treats, which can lead to Cavaliers adding the pounds. This extra weight can lead to serious health problems, the most serious being heart problems. The heart problems that can occur is a heart murmur, which is very common in Cavaliers and should be regularly checked by a vet. The bulging eyes beautiful come at a price, as they have a range of problems that can occur, these range from dry eyes to similar to glaucoma in humans. Additional at the rear of a Cavalier is problem with Hip Displacier, whereby a Cavalier may find it difficult to walk, but is common to most dogs. Also Cavaliers have a hearing problem, which scientists believe is present from birth; whereby a Cavalier slowly loses a hearing. I have encounter this when meeting another owner of a 10 year old Cavalier. While it is difficult to deal with it is not impossible, as the Cavalier will learned to lip read and hand gestures the owner made.

For this reason I recommend having an insurance policy to cover any vet bills that a person owning a Cavalier may encounter.

There are one or two minor points to consider, the first of which is an explorative nature, by this I mean a Cavalier will dig in the garden. If he finds what he believes to be something of interest he will dig until he finds it, so be prepared. Secondly a all Cavaliers have in their nature, or at least I have found, to lay they front two pays on a person when they first greet them to gain affection or in some cases to scratch, which can cause injury to some elderly people. While Ty does not do this, if a Cavalier does it can be trained out of them due to their easy to learn capabilities.

While a Cavalier may suffer from problems I believe that these are vastly out weighted by the love and affection that a Cavalier may bring into your life. Cavaliers are one of the greatest companions, that will cuch you even when asleep as he will lay across you lap (which has earned them the name Ultimate Lapdog) and also keeps you warm when it is cold. But be warned that once you own a Cavalier you will be the centre of attention when you take him out as everyone will stop you to smooth him and say how beautiful he is.

Summary: Greatest dog you will ever buy