The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Community

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is one of the UK's most popular toy breeds, consistently in the top ten most registered with the Kennel Club. It is an affectionate, gentle and adaptable companion with a temperament that suits a wide range of households. It is also a breed that carries some of the most significant inherited health conditions of any dog in the UK, and this fact should be the starting point for any research into the breed. The Cavalier's appeal is genuine and well-founded. They are warm, sociable dogs that bond closely with their family, get on well with children, other dogs and typically cats, and adapt to a range of living situations from small flats to larger homes. Their exercise needs are moderate rather than demanding. Their temperament is consistently gentle and they rarely show aggression. For the right owner who goes in fully informed and financially prepared, the Cavalier is an excellent companion. The health picture, however, must be confronted honestly. Mitral Valve Disease (MVD) affects the vast majority of the breed by middle to older age, progressively degrading the mitral heart valve and ultimately causing heart failure. Research published in veterinary journals consistently shows that most Cavaliers will have some degree of murmur by age ten and many earlier. Responsible breeding schemes, including the British Veterinary Cardiac Society's MVD scheme, require dogs to meet cardiac clearance standards before breeding. Buyers must ask for evidence that both parents have been screened. Syringomyelia (SM), caused by the skull being too small for the brain, causes pain and neurological symptoms. The MRI Scheme assesses breeding dogs. Again, both parents should be screened before any puppy is purchased. The consequence of these conditions is that insurance for a Cavalier is among the highest of any small breed. Comprehensive, non-time-limited lifetime cover is essential: this is not a breed where you can self-insure or rely on cheaper time-limited policies. Monthly premiums of £50 to £100 are typical. Budget also for regular cardiac auscultation and, when your vet recommends it, echocardiography. Purchase prices from KC-registered, health-tested breeders typically range from £1,000 to £2,000. Be very sceptical of cheaper puppies where cardiac and neurological screening cannot be evidenced. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club Rescue rehomes dogs nationally. This is a breed that rewards serious preparation with genuine, warm companionship. Go in with full knowledge of the health and financial picture, buy from a breeder who screens rigorously, insure comprehensively from day one, and you will have one of the most devoted companion dogs available.