Cavalier King Charles Spaniels?
Question:
Hi Jo, I am fairly new to this group, so have just seen your posting about getting a dog. I don’t know if you have actually got one yet, but I feel I’d like to say something in favour of the King Charles Spaniel. After our last dog passed away, we decided to go for a smaller dog and we were looking for similar attributes to what you are. We got a Cavalier King Charles (Blenheim) from a good breeder and have never looked back ! We loved him so much after a while, we got another one, but a tri-colour this time. They are absolutely gorgeous. They have non-aggressive natures and seem to get on with humans of all ages, they adore other dogs, quite like cats and I doubt very much if they would attack guinea pigs in any way. however, I don’t think anyone could guarantee this for you. They are true lap-dogs. As soon as you sit down, they’re there. Great in the winter. They adore being pampered.They do not yap like many small dogs do, and they love going for walks. They also play well and never get too boisterous, although they can take quite a rough and tumble. If they have to stay in because the weather’s so bad, they’re pretty good about it. The only drawback we have found is that, because of their ‘feathers’ they get pretty muddy in wet weather. Still, they’re only small, so when we get back from a walk, they go in the sink – just to clean up their legs and feet. I can heartily recommend the CKC… Good luck in your choice – if you haven’t got a new dog already.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I recently posted a message here about what kind of dog would be best suited > to our family and would just like to say a big thank you to everyone who > replied to me – you have helped a lot! I took the Purina breed selector test > and the 100% match was a Bichon Frise, which lots of people had suggested, > funnily enough. The test didn’t ask about other animals and therefore came > up with dogs that might love our guinea pigs to death – literally. One dog > I did like the look of was the King Charles Spaniel – number 16 on our list. > It seems just the right size, temperament and personality for us and is such > a beautiful dog! I have a relative who keeps them and they seem to be lovely > pets. I’ve looked up FAQ’s and websites on them, but I wondered if anyone > could give me more info and if they might go for the piggies 
> Thanks a bunch, > Jo > My previous message: > Well, an ideal dog for our family would enjoy fairly long walks (1 mile > plus) every day (yes, even in winter when it’s cold and miserable!) and in > the evening it would hopefully love to snuggle up on the sofa with us. > 3 or 4 times a year we sometimes go on week-holidays around England and we > frequently stay in the countryside and like long walks/hiking so it’d be > great if the dog enjoyed these too! We occasionally go abroad every couple > of years but arrangements could be made with friends/neighbours to look > after the dog whilst we are away. > During the day, since my dad will be part time the dog will probably go out > to work with him or stay at home when this is not possible (not for long > periods though – under 5 hours usually). Our household is fairly busy with > friends coming round, etc so the dog would probably be a ‘people dog’! > We have a fairly big garden (you could throw a ball quite hard and the dog > would be able to sprint for it if that’s any help!) and a suitable place for > a doggy toilet. We are always in the garden during summer and often in > winter. As I mentioned before, we have 4 guinea pigs who go out in secure > runs all day weekends and after school on weekdays so the dog would have to > be able to respect them, if that’s possible. They don’t mind being sniffed > at, just not barked and growled at! > We would prefer a dog that is polite (we have several training books and I > would be keen to teach basics if these aren’t already learnt), friendly, > kind of quiet (but not shy) and companionable. We are not a ‘loud’ family, > more happy and easy going so the dog would be compatible with us. > The dog would live inside with us, obviously, and would hopefully become a > much loved member of the family! We would prefer a short-medium length coat > on a dog, no longer than that of a Westie really, but we would groom it > every day. Size wise, the dog would be no bigger than a King Charles Spaniel > or JRT, but not as small as a Chihuahua or Yorkie. > We have discussed the issue of us leaving home, but the dog would belong to > the whole family and we all (including parents) want to look after it. It > would probably become a replacement child for my mum and dad when we’ve > left! > I totally agree that my parents should have the final decision, and I > wouldn’t think otherwise, but me and my sister are just there to help them > decide! > The reason I am the one who is doing most of the research is because I tend > to be more knowledgeable about the internet, etc than my folks > I am also the person in the family who makes things happen, really, so I’m > just doing all this work for my parents! > Hope this is more detailed than my previous post, > Thanks a lot for everyone’s help! > from Jo
Response:
Here in America the CKCS is also very expensive. The breeders feel if they stay expensive then only the "right" kind of people will have them. I think they may be confusing rich with good (and trying to keep a corner on a very lucrative market in reality because look what they themselves have done with the breeding! A little axe grinding here), but that’s another story. Don’t be discouraged, sweetie pie. If you really like the loving demeanor of the CKCS you might contact the rescue club for the English Cocker Spaniel. The right individual of this breed is a wonderful family dog. (Unlike the American Cocker, the English coat is quite manageable.) Also, thanks for considering a dog from a rescue club. Some added advantages beyond cheap are these: the dog is evaluated by breed people who really know the breed. The animal may have some rough spots, but breed rescue wants you to know what they are and wants to make sure there will be a good fit between your family and the dog. The animal will already be neutered annnnnnd the animal will be forever grateful for your family’s rescue of it. (Don’t ask me how they know, but they do.) I missed the bit in former postings about your rodent friends and have to agree the terriers will not approve of such living arrangements. Lynne
Response:
What about heart problems in CKCS? This has been a very bad problem in the American N.W. and in British Columbia. A problem in U.K.? Is it considered solved? Sincere questions…Lynne
Response:
>What about heart problems in CKCS? >This has been a very bad problem in the American N.W. and in British >Columbia. A problem in U.K.? Is it considered solved? >Sincere questions…Lynne
Yes, I have read a lot about MVD (Mitral valve disease) in Cavaliers. Apparently it affects over 50% of CKCS in the U.S and U.K at this moment. This has kind of dampened my hopes a bit, even more so as we hope to get a rescue dog, which probably has more chance of getting the disease due to unknown breeding precautions taken. Jo 
Response:
>Hi – Your header said Cavalier King Charles spaniel but twice in you >posting you have said King Charles spaniel. I just wanted to point out >that these are two different breeds, different in personality and >exercise tolerance. The Cavalier makes a better family pet – The king >Charles tend to be more of a one person dog
Sorry, I meant Cavaliers. I thought that the other was called the Prince Charles spaniel? I apologise Jo
Response:
Hi – Your header said Cavalier King Charles spaniel but twice in you posting you have said King Charles spaniel. I just wanted to point out that these are two different breeds, different in personality and exercise tolerance. The Cavalier makes a better family pet – The king Charles tend to be more of a one person dog writes – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->I recently posted a message here about what kind of dog would be best suited >to our family and would just like to say a big thank you to everyone who >replied to me – you have helped a lot! I took the Purina breed selector test >and the 100% match was a Bichon Frise, which lots of people had suggested, >funnily enough. The test didn’t ask about other animals and therefore came >up with dogs that might love our guinea pigs to death – literally. One dog >I did like the look of was the King Charles Spaniel – number 16 on our list. >It seems just the right size, temperament and personality for us and is such >a beautiful dog! I have a relative who keeps them and they seem to be lovely >pets. I’ve looked up FAQ’s and websites on them, but I wondered if anyone >could give me more info and if they might go for the piggies >Thanks a bunch, >Jo >My previous message: >Well, an ideal dog for our family would enjoy fairly long walks (1 mile >plus) every day (yes, even in winter when it’s cold and miserable!) and in >the evening it would hopefully love to snuggle up on the sofa with us. >3 or 4 times a year we sometimes go on week-holidays around England and we >frequently stay in the countryside and like long walks/hiking so it’d be >great if the dog enjoyed these too! We occasionally go abroad every couple >of years but arrangements could be made with friends/neighbours to look >after the dog whilst we are away. >During the day, since my dad will be part time the dog will probably go out >to work with him or stay at home when this is not possible (not for long >periods though – under 5 hours usually). Our household is fairly busy with >friends coming round, etc so the dog would probably be a ‘people dog’! >We have a fairly big garden (you could throw a ball quite hard and the dog >would be able to sprint for it if that’s any help!) and a suitable place for >a doggy toilet. We are always in the garden during summer and often in >winter. As I mentioned before, we have 4 guinea pigs who go out in secure >runs all day weekends and after school on weekdays so the dog would have to >be able to respect them, if that’s possible. They don’t mind being sniffed >at, just not barked and growled at! >We would prefer a dog that is polite (we have several training books and I >would be keen to teach basics if these aren’t already learnt), friendly, >kind of quiet (but not shy) and companionable. We are not a ‘loud’ family, >more happy and easy going so the dog would be compatible with us. >The dog would live inside with us, obviously, and would hopefully become a >much loved member of the family! We would prefer a short-medium length coat >on a dog, no longer than that of a Westie really, but we would groom it >every day. Size wise, the dog would be no bigger than a King Charles Spaniel >or JRT, but not as small as a Chihuahua or Yorkie. >We have discussed the issue of us leaving home, but the dog would belong to >the whole family and we all (including parents) want to look after it. It >would probably become a replacement child for my mum and dad when we’ve >left! >I totally agree that my parents should have the final decision, and I >wouldn’t think otherwise, but me and my sister are just there to help them >decide! >The reason I am the one who is doing most of the research is because I tend >to be more knowledgeable about the internet, etc than my folks >I am also the person in the family who makes things happen, really, so I’m >just doing all this work for my parents! >Hope this is more detailed than my previous post, >Thanks a lot for everyone’s help! >from Jo
– Annette
Response:
For some reason, alot of the shih tzu folks around here are adding CKCSs as their second breed. They are great little dogs, a great size (neither too big nor too small), and have great personalities. Also their grooming is much less than on a bichon or other similar breed. I have never seen one that chased/hunted small animals. Thats not saying that there arent those that do, but in general I would say that your guinea pigs are safe. Just be sure to tell the breeder/rescue person that you do have small animals and dont want a puppy/dog that would be prone to attack them. — Susan Shih Tzu Delites Http://www.angelfire.com/ga/shihtzudelites/index.html Topknots & Tails Pet Grooming http://www.angelfire.com/ga/shihtzudelites/topknotsandtails.html "Dogs aren’t our whole life, they make our lives whole"…Roger Caras
Response:
I recently posted a message here about what kind of dog would be best suited to our family and would just like to say a big thank you to everyone who replied to me – you have helped a lot! I took the Purina breed selector test and the 100% match was a Bichon Frise, which lots of people had suggested, funnily enough. The test didn’t ask about other animals and therefore came up with dogs that might love our guinea pigs to death – literally. One dog I did like the look of was the King Charles Spaniel – number 16 on our list. It seems just the right size, temperament and personality for us and is such a beautiful dog! I have a relative who keeps them and they seem to be lovely pets. I’ve looked up FAQ’s and websites on them, but I wondered if anyone could give me more info and if they might go for the piggies Thanks a bunch, Jo My previous message: Well, an ideal dog for our family would enjoy fairly long walks (1 mile plus) every day (yes, even in winter when it’s cold and miserable!) and in the evening it would hopefully love to snuggle up on the sofa with us. 3 or 4 times a year we sometimes go on week-holidays around England and we frequently stay in the countryside and like long walks/hiking so it’d be great if the dog enjoyed these too! We occasionally go abroad every couple of years but arrangements could be made with friends/neighbours to look after the dog whilst we are away. During the day, since my dad will be part time the dog will probably go out to work with him or stay at home when this is not possible (not for long periods though – under 5 hours usually). Our household is fairly busy with friends coming round, etc so the dog would probably be a ‘people dog’! We have a fairly big garden (you could throw a ball quite hard and the dog would be able to sprint for it if that’s any help!) and a suitable place for a doggy toilet. We are always in the garden during summer and often in winter. As I mentioned before, we have 4 guinea pigs who go out in secure runs all day weekends and after school on weekdays so the dog would have to be able to respect them, if that’s possible. They don’t mind being sniffed at, just not barked and growled at! We would prefer a dog that is polite (we have several training books and I would be keen to teach basics if these aren’t already learnt), friendly, kind of quiet (but not shy) and companionable. We are not a ‘loud’ family, more happy and easy going so the dog would be compatible with us. The dog would live inside with us, obviously, and would hopefully become a much loved member of the family! We would prefer a short-medium length coat on a dog, no longer than that of a Westie really, but we would groom it every day. Size wise, the dog would be no bigger than a King Charles Spaniel or JRT, but not as small as a Chihuahua or Yorkie. We have discussed the issue of us leaving home, but the dog would belong to the whole family and we all (including parents) want to look after it. It would probably become a replacement child for my mum and dad when we’ve left! I totally agree that my parents should have the final decision, and I wouldn’t think otherwise, but me and my sister are just there to help them decide! The reason I am the one who is doing most of the research is because I tend to be more knowledgeable about the internet, etc than my folks I am also the person in the family who makes things happen, really, so I’m just doing all this work for my parents! Hope this is more detailed than my previous post, Thanks a lot for everyone’s help! from Jo
Response:
Does anyone have an idea what the asking price range (a ballpark figure) is for Cavalier King Charles Spaniels? I am not interested in a show quality dog; basically I am looking for a companion dog.
Response:
$400. – $1500.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Does anyone have an idea what the asking price range > (a ballpark figure) is for Cavalier King Charles Spaniels? > I am not interested in a show quality dog; basically > I am looking for a companion dog.
Response:
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