Cavaliers shed a lot. When you go to pick out a Cavalier for yourself, pay close attention to their coat. If you see a lot of loose hair on the dog or in its area, ask the seller how frequently they brush the dog or clean the area. Most of the time, shedding is the result of the dog’s environment or its diet — both of which can be changed by you.
Make sure its eyes, nose, and ears are clean and free of discharge. Its coat should be clean and free of parasites such as fleas. A puppy with prominent ribs and a potbelly is likely to have worms. Worms can be treated, but could indicate that his care or that of the mother, was less than ideal.
Health-wise, always have puppies checked out prior to purchase. A heart murmur in a puppy is likely to be bad news in the long run, with a high risk of progression into premature heart failure. If you get an adult dog, then it is wise to have a veterinarian check the dog prior to purchase also. The veterinarian can check for common ailments that affect Cavaliers and other issues. [3] X Research source Richard W. Nelson and C. Guillermo Couto, Small Animal Internal Medicine. Nelson & Couto. Publisher: Mosby.
Cavaliers can be great for families with young children. Because of their small stature, there is less chance that your children will be hurt accidentally - as is often the case with large lumbering Labradors. Cavaliers can still bite and scratch, but in general they are easy breeds to handle. Some dogs are conditioned to fear people. Perhaps, they had a traumatic experience early on in life, which has taught them to fear and even strike out at humans. While this behavior can be corrected, it might be a challenge that you’re not keen to take on. When you first visit the dog, present your hand and let it take in your scent. Act friendly and don’t invade its space too quickly. Attempt to pet and play with the dog. See how the dog responds. If the dog welcomes your attention, then you probably have found a sociable animal.
If you plan on entering your Cavalier into shows, it will need to be good around other dogs as well. The last thing you want in this situation is to have a beautiful dog, whose behavior distracts judges from its appearance. [5] X Research source
Inactive, even lethargic Cavaliers are unusual. Normally, a downtrodden Cavalier is a sign of a poor upbringing and could signal later behavioral problems. Do not interpret fatigue for ill-temperament. Young puppies often sleep a lot and so do older dogs. This should not be interpreted negatively; instead, see if you can gently coax the dog awake. Try to play with it. See if you can encourage it to interact with the other dogs. This will give you a better sense of its personality.
Heart disease: In the UK, 59% of Cavaliers over the age of 4 years old have a heart murmur. At nearly two-thirds of the UK’s population of Cavaliers, this is an extraordinary statistic. [10] X Research source Alex Gough, Breed Predispositions to Disease in Dogs and Cats. Gough. Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell. Chiari malformation and Syringomyelia: Basically, this condition means the dog’s skull is too small for its brain. This causes dreadful nerve pain. The veterinary textbook “Breed Predispositions to Disease in the Dogs and Cats” lists this condition as “very common” with signs developing between 5 months to 3 years of age. [11] X Research source Alex Gough, Breed Predispositions to Disease in Dogs and Cats. Gough. Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell. Epilepsy: Dogs may develop seizures at any time, but between 6 months to 6 years is the most common time [12] X Research source Alex Gough, Breed Predispositions to Disease in Dogs and Cats. Gough. Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell. Disc disease: This is another “common” condition, especially as Cavaliers age. [13] X Research source Alex Gough, Breed Predispositions to Disease in Dogs and Cats. Gough. Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell. Most of the time, you won’t know that your Cavalier is prone to slip discs, until you see it walking stiffly or reluctantly lowering its head to its food or water bowl.
