THE PERFECT DOG FOR A HOUSEHOLD WITH SMALL CHILDREN.... (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel)

Member Name: skintbuthappy

Product:	Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Date:	10/07/09 (87 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Mild-mannered, gentle, affectionate, don't need much exercise

Disadvantages: Regular grooming needed because of long hair and does get everywhere when malting!

If you are looking for a dog that is great with kids, then this is the one for you. We had one at home when I was growing up, and I have since gone on to have 2 more of my own, mainly because I knew that they would be a fantastic addition to a household with small children, because of their gentle & affectionate nature.

However they are a very adaptable dog and equally at home with and suitable for an elderly owner or young professionals.

HISTORY/BACKGROUND:
They are a pedigree 'toy' breed. Toy breeds of dogs are those that were bred to be small, portable, good-natured companions, and many were traditionally pampered and treasured by aristocracy around the world. The King Charles Spaniel was the breed of a favorite pet dog of England's King Charles II while he was still a young boy.

NATURE:
They are well known for being a 'lap' dog and like nothing better than to curl up in a nice warm lap and doze.
They are very affectionate, gentle and good-natured.
As well as being lap dogs, the 'spaniel' in them means that they are also very free-spirited and active. They love any sort of exercise and will happily chase & retrieve, and enjoy walking and been out and about with their owners.

Unlike some spaniel's they tend NOT to be destructive if left alone or bored, and they will just often curl up and sleep until their owners return. Having said that, by their nature they are happiest when they are not alone, so for their well-being it is best if they are not regularly left alone for long periods of time.

APPEARANCE:
They are a little taller in stature than a West Highland Terrier but smaller than a cocker spaniel, and usually weigh between 13 to 18 pounds when fully grown. Because of their size and nature they do not need a lot of exercise.

Their size also means they are great for smaller houses or where there is not a huge garden, and perfect as a family dog because they are less likely to knock over small children.

They are a very attractive breed both in face and in their graceful and well balanced stature.

They have long silky hair (which is often curly in the chest area). The breed has four recognized colors: Blenheim (chestnut brown & white); Tricolor (black, chestnut brown & white); Black and Tan; and Ruby (all chestnut brown / red). Because of their long hair they do need regular grooming to keep their coats healthy and tangle free. When malting it gets EVERYWHERE!!

They have long ears which are set high on their head and drape down either side of their face. To avoid ear infections these have to be cleaned regularly as they can get quite warm and unpleasant inside if this is not done, due to the fact (because they are floppy!) that no air can get inside them on a day to day basis.

HEALTH:
They have a life expectancy of approx 10 - 12 years.

As with most breeds there are some common health problems with cavaliers these being:
* Heart Murmurs - your dog should be screened for this as a puppy and then annually.
* Eye Defects - Cavaliers can suffer from Hereditary Cataract or more likely Multifocal Retinal Dysplasia
* Luxating Patella - Affecting their back legs when the knee cap slips causing the dog discomfort. It can be corrected with surgery.

COST:
Prices vary greatly and you can expect to pay anything from £350 upto £600 depending on the sex, colouring and breeding of the puppy in question.

FIND OUT MORE:
If you are considering getting a cavalier then you may want to have a look at some of the websites below:

www.cavaliers.co.uk/
www.k9web.com/dog-faqs/breeds/cavaliers.html
www.dogbreedinfo.com/cavalierkingcharlesspaniel.ht m

Summary: A fantastic small dog that will be a valuable addition to any household.