Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

I am the proud parent of a lovely 5 year old, Blenheim, male named Oliver. Cavaliers are wonderful companions. They are one of the largest of the toy breeds weighing about 18 pounds at adulthood. The CKCS were bred to be the "comforter spaniel". While they are interested in their surroundings, they are most content to do whatever it is their humans are doing. A Cavalier should ideally be placed in a home where someone is around all day. They live to love their humans and pine terribly if separated. Cavaliers are, what I call, smart enough. They are easily trained, but can also be a little stubborn or appear to not understand.

Cavaliers also suffer with some serious health issues and prior to acquiring a CKCS, one should be extremely aware of all of these issues. Should someone request, I will gladly answer questions regarding health. Please, please only acquire a Cavalier from a reputable breeder. Because their popularity is increasing, unscrupulous types are attempting to cash in.

Thanks DP Admin for directing me to this new thread and inviting my input on Cavaliers. This is a wonderful idea and I am looking forward to reading all about different breeds and being able to ask questions of those "in the know".

[kian]

Thanks Deb, that was wonderful to learn more about Olivers Breed.

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

Kian, you are always so supportive. Thank you!

[LindsiB]

I have a question! Charlie is almost 2 1/2 years old and has a very sensitive tummy. In our old aparment he would be sick (vomiting) almost once a month. Just one time, then he's fine. Being an apartment, he was never outside without a leash on (thus we determined he coulnd't have eaten anything strange). We don't have house plants within reach either.

The other weekend is was in the 90's and we do not have air conditioning in our new house. Whlie there are multiple fans, linoleum, and hard wood flooring, he does not do well in the heat. I constantly give him ice cubes and re-fill his water bowl, and yet again he ends up sick (the first time in our new house that we have lived in for almost 3 months). He eats some grass, becomes sick (just once), then he's fine.

I'm worried it's going to be a LONG summer if I have to be concerned that he'll be sick every time it's hot. It could be totally unrelated to the weather, but I'm not sure. Any suggestions???

Lindsi

[rexandbaby]

Someone else may know better with this breed, but I found that when it is hot with my dogs, that if I feed them a treat more often there is something in the belly, and it helps.

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

Hi LindsiB... Cavaliers can have very sensitive tummies. Since your fellow is still young, and you've just moved, I would consult your vet. It's really quite normal for dogs to vomit every so often, and they will eat grass to help settle their tummies which is a good thing. I think that Cavaliers end up with hair balls, to some extent. They are fastidious in their personal grooming. I've never read anything to support my opinion...I have formed said opinion after having Oliver for 5 years compared with other dogs I've had. I always err on the side of caution and would absolutely consult my vet. It's worth the peace of mind. Rexandbaby also had a really good suggestion. Good luck, I hope I helped a little and please keep us posted.

[Mini Anderson Cooper]

Hi,
I have never owned a Cavalier but I love them. I know the advice given by Deborah and RexandBaby's is excellent. I agree with the biscuit in the tummy to calm it being a great idea. I also believe that Oliver's Mum knows how well-groomed he is and that her hairball theory makes perfect sense to me. I have a Himalayan Cat and the same theory applies to her, only I have read it and firmly believe it and I treat her for hairballs.

My Pug Puppy 4.5 Mo old now, loves to eat grass and dandelions. I try to get them out of his mouth but am not sure if I get them all, but he is very healthy and is still teething. I haven't seen any of his baby teeth, but I believe he would just swallow them. I never have seen them and I've had many puppies.

BTW, I have two new books by Dr.Ian Dunbar, and I really love his books. He is smart and gets right to the issue with no nonsense. I have one Puppy Training Book, and the other is Pug Breed specific. Great books.

Hugs to all, Enjo this thread.

Elizabeth~

[Phyrie]

Hi Elizabeth,

Dunbar has indeed written some good books. Very readable, and great for beginners as well as more experienced owners/handlers.

I have one problem with his philosophy though. He is a HUGE proponent of early socialization. He has gone so far as to say that a pup should meet 100 people in its first 100 days. He seems convinced that if a puppy doesn't get tons of socialization at an early age, the puppy is doomed to behavioural problems it's whole life.
This, in theory, sounds alright, but practically, not so much. My breeder won't allow a pup to leave her care until it's at least 12 weeks old. No puppy should leave it's mother and siblings until then. And most vets will say you shouldn't take an unimmunized puppy out in public until at least his second series of shots. This seriously curtails your socializing opportunities. Dunbar is great, but in this one topic he falls a little short, IMHO.

Phyrie

[dukeheller]

I have a question about about puppy food..... We are feeding Duke our 3 month old Science Diet Healthy Developement. I was wondering if that was good. Or if there is a better Brand. and so on. And treats. GOod or bad idea? OR just love in place of treats. He is very active when he in not napping. Duke has also been having loose poop, He is going 4 to 5 times a day. It starts out formed then gets reallly loose. Is it because he is active so much?? Thanks for any help..

[Mini Anderson Cooper]

Hi,

I will not comment about the food, since I am feeding my Pug what his breeder thought was best. The Vet also thought so and so it goes. Good luck to your sweet little Cavalier, Duke. He is a cutie. Pumpkin is good for loose stools. Just a Tablespoon would be enough for a Cav I believe. It works well and is actually good for them.

Oh, and, Phyrie, I knew not to take Cooper out until he was done with his second round of shots, and besides he isn't terribly well socialized even now at 5 months. We sort of hang out here on our own property and nearby. Is it too late, in your opinion? I am going to take him to Obedience Classes as soon as I can. And I am going to have him neutered. When is a good time for that with these little ones? I read that the Pug is the largest of the Toy Breeds, topping out at 18-20 lbs. 12" tall, 12"-14" length. I can't wait to get him neutered. He was born on January 10, 2009.

Elizabeth~

[Phyrie]

Well, there's quite a few questions there!

My Kiba was not fed a high quality food by his breeder, IMO, and I changed it as soon as he came home. I was prepared to deal with the runs, as a rapid food change often (almost always) causes diarrhoea. Unfortunately, it masked a much larger problem. Kiba came home with a coccidia infection, and by the time I realized his diarhhea wasn't food caused, he was quite sick. He lost weight, and we had a bit of a battle to get him healthy again.

That said, I had researched dog foods before I bought Kiba. I finally decided on a non-grain, Canadian based kibble made in Alberta. All named ingredients, and nutritionally complete. There are many "premium" dog foods out there. You must decide on your criteria, and make your choices from there. Even price may be an influence. Kiba's kibble costs around $50 a bag, and since he only eats a cup or less a day, it's not too bad. But if he was a large breed dog, and I was spending that amount each week, instead of every couple of months, I may have to choose another brand. The same brand of cat food (which we feed our cat) is even more expensive.

Science Diet, AFAIK, is a good brand. Read the label! If the first few ingredients are not named meats (not chicken meal or some such) chances are you have a good brand in your hand. Puppies need different fat content than adult dogs, so look at that too.

Elizabeth, may I ask why you are so anxious to neuter Cooper? If I'd had my druthers, I would have waited until Kiba was at least two years (maybe pushing to three, depending on how it went). Things conspired against us, but I wish he could have had his full growth on him before we neutered him. There have been studies lately showing that early castration leads to long, weaker bones, and other structural problems. If you're not having social issues with Cooper, why the rush? Curious minds want to know! LOL!
I would have no second thoughts about spaying a bitch (uterine and breast cancer is a big killer in dogs, and increases exponentially after the first heat) but I might consider leaving a compliant dog intact, at least for a while.

Phyrie

[Mini Anderson Cooper]

HI All,
About the Neutering:
Well, Phyrie, I just thought it might be well do get it done, but I realized that I have always had female dogs by choice. Cooper is my first little boy (dog, that is) so I am really not in a hurry but I have heard that it is a calmer. He is a fiesty little one and I love him to pieces. It was more of just a question? Why, did I sound hurried? I tend to have those type of days.
Well, actually, I guess there is a reason, but this most likely will not help. He sits around sometimes and his penis is fully extended and erect. Is this quite normal for a 5 month old puppy (namely Pug), or is this unusual? Do you think neutering would help??? Come on, all little male Puppy Mommies, did Your little one ever do this??? Well, mine does, and he doesn't even know it and has no reaction to it. It just happens and then goes away. ?????

Also, about the Breeder's food. Cooper loved it and he has not been sick one day since we got him and the Vet said he is very healthy so I kept him on it. It doesn't cost as much as yours does but is $40 for a 30# bag. My cat's food is that same, and Miss Katie's is more, but she eats only 4 cups per day and she weighs 147# or more. That was the last time at the Vet.

My hubby calleth. Gotta go.

Hugs, Elizabeth

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

Elizabeth, Master Cooper is perfectly normal. It is rather shocking though, isn't it? Oliver had a love affair with his ducky that was unfortunate, but highly amusing to then 7 year old Elliot. We were going to wait until just after his first birthday to have him neutered (a decision made with his breeder) but he started marking and would not stop, although he was perfectly housetrained. He had a hernia as well, so we took care of everything at once. He stopped marking right away and forgot he ever had those extra parts.

Regarding Duke's food, I will tell you what we did with Oliver and it worked perfectly. He has never had any stomach issues. He has other issues He came home with a year-long diet plan from his breeder. She also included all the food for the first week, including cooking a little meat for him. He came home at 8 weeks and was on pablum and goat's milk every morning until he was four months, along with live wheat germ and several other things I have now forgotten. In the afternoons, he had holistic puppy food with a little cooked meat or fish, all measured of course. After we eliminated the pablum, he had healthy puppy biscuits as treats, and said biscuits were counted as part of his daily nutrition intake. Once he was a year old, we switched him to the adult blend of the same brand of food. The vet approves of this food as well.

Consistency, especially as pups is really key. Their wee tummies are very sensitive. It sounds like Duke needs a different diet, but try to hit the nail on the head because constant changes will make it harder. Good luck and keep us posted. I think Duke is positively adorable.

[cyndita0414]

I have a question about about puppy food..... We are feeding Duke our 3 month old Science Diet Healthy Developement. I was wondering if that was good. Or if there is a better Brand. and so on. And treats. GOod or bad idea? OR just love in place of treats. He is very active when he in not napping. Duke has also been having loose poop, He is going 4 to 5 times a day. It starts out formed then gets reallly loose. Is it because he is active so much?? Thanks for any help..

Hi! I've spent waaaaaaay too much time researching dog food, but I don't want to bias you with my opinions, before you've had a chance to look around for yourself... There's a good, pretty objective, website called dogfoodanalysis.com, that rates a lot of the name brand dog foods - the big thing they emphasis is the amount of meat in the food, and what fillers are in the food. Unfortunately, the top foods are pretty pricey, so it depends on your budget / how many dogs you have to feed... (Also, the really high protein "no grain" foods aren't generally recommended for puppies, or any dog that is still growing, due to concerns it might cause overgrowth - on the website, these are mostly the top "6 star" foods.)

As for treats, as long as you count them towards Duke's total daily calories, healthy treats are okay - a lot of dogs like baby carrots, in addition to the obvious meat & cheese & dog biscuits.

Re the loose stools - has it started getting hot out where you are? I know sometimes running around in the heat can upset a dog's digestion... (as can swimming, since they tend to swallow the water). If it keeps up, I might try changing food and/or consulting the vet, especially if Duke loses any weight.

Sorry if some of this was obvious, I was just thinking what a cute puppy Duke was, & wanted to help!

[Phyrie]

Oliver had a love affair with his ducky that was unfortunate, but highly amusing to then 7 year old Elliot.

Heh heh, yeah, well I remember those days! Kiba's "buddy" was a monkey. There's a series of monkey pictures in his Flickr album that are pretty funny. They start here, if anyone's interested: http://www.flickr.com/photos/phyrie/169 ... 686758930/

Phyrie