Cavalier Talk

Ever wonder how they determine Best In Show at all these dog shows that go on every weekend across the country?

First, the above tables show what is done within each breed class. The boys compete against the boys at first and the girls compete against the girls at first to determine the winner of the boys and the winner of the girls and a reserve winner in each gender.

Second, Best of Breed or Variety Competition consists of both male and female champions, plus Winners Dog and Winners Female. The Best of Breed Variety award qaulifies this dog to represent the Breed in its own group compitition next. Best of Winners is selected from the Winners Dog and Winners Female. Best of Opposite Gender is then selected from the remaining dogs of the Opposite Gender to the Best of Breed or Variety.

Third, once the overall winner (best of breed) is chosen that dog will move on to represent their breed in the group competition. 

BEST IN SHOW

The final judging is done with the group winners bidding for Best In Show to determine the overall winner for the entire show that day. Each show day is a new opportunity to make it all the way to the Best In Show winner.

For additonal information please visit our website at http://www.cruisincavaliers.com/best-in-show-chart.htm

Temperament is very important when choosing an agility prospect. However, if structure is not paramount your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy may not hold up as an adult with the wear and tear of injuries that can come from picking a Cavalier puppy with poor structure.

Agility is a high-impact sport and it puts a lot of stress on the body through jumping, sharp turns, and weaving. A sound Cavalier King Charles Spaniel must be the first task and then finding a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel with high drive, easy trainability, and most importantly the will to please is the best route to finding a good agility candidate.

An agility dog needs to be as structurally sound as a conformation dog. The only exception comes in the shape of the head itself. The head shape is one of the paramount body parts that conformation breeders pay attention to. “Type” is very important to conformation breeders and if a female puppy’s head looks like a dog or a dog’s head is too feminine then most of the time those puppies are placed into other homes and are not kept by the breeder for the conformation ring. The head shape is not a problem in the agility dog so getting on a top breeder’s waiting list for an agility prospect might be easier than you think. I know several good kennel names for Cavalier King Charles Spaniels that I can recommend to you that have experience with their offspring doing very well in agility.

The next thing I would insist on is health certifications on the ancestry before adopting a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy. Make sure both parents have either “Excellent” or “Good” hips and that the grandparents also have either “Excellent” or “Good” hips. Do NOT accept Fair in either the 1st of 2nd generation of the pedigree because your drive will come from the hips and in the sport of agility this must be as good as it can possibly be to minimize injuries down the road. Also make sure the patella certification is done and within the year the Cavalier puppy in question was born. The other certifications are very important as well, but the hips and patella are more critical for an agility prospect.

When considering an agility prospect it is also a very good idea to meet the sire and dam and get a feel for their temperament as well in your own evaluation and not by what the breeder tells you. Dogs behave differently with their owners so the owners opinion is correct in their observation of the dogs with them, but your opinion might be different of how the dogs behave around you as a stranger. An agility dog must be comfortable around strangers because during the event it will be off lead and running loose through the course.

If I have two Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppies that are structurally sound then I will need to determine their temperament traits in order to choose the best Cavalier puppy for performance events. The first Cavalier puppy is confident, very sociable, does not mind being restrained or held, comes happily when called, has a strong desire to retrieve toys, and will investigate loud noises without running away. The second Cavalier puppy is a bit more reserved, independent, dominant over littermates, will chase a ball and then run off with it, and struggles often when being held. It is obvious the first Cavalier puppy would be the better choice for a performance event, while the second Cavalier puppy would make a perfect pet for a family with children or even an elderly family that is seeking companionship.

Make sure you form a relationship with your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breeder and feel sure that your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breeder has experience in choosing a performance prospect for you. Performance Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppies are not found in every litter. The only thing that can be found in every litter are pet Cavalier puppies that snuggle their family members, follow them around from room to room, and are always eagerly waiting at home to greet you when you come home. The performance Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppies are extra special and Cavalier breeders that pay attention to structure and temperament, keep journals on their litters, are more capable of picking a good performance prospect from one of their litters. I would not take it upon myself to pick a puppy from a litter one Saturday afternoon after evaluating a litter for a few hours. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Puppies go through several development phases from birth to 10 weeks of age and only a Cavalier breeder that is intune with development, structure, and temperament will be capable of choosing a performance Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy from a litter.

If you want to learn more about Cavalier King Charles Spaniels please visit our website at www.cruisincavaliers.com
 

As a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breeder, I know first hand some of the pitfalls a family can run into when trying to locate a reputable Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breeder. I have listed a few questions below that I believe should be questions a family should ask any Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breeder before purchasing a puppy.

Is the Cavalier breeder a member of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breed club? There are two clubs in the United States and they are the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club, USA (CKCSC) and the American Kennel Club (ACKCS). I am a member of CKCSC and my dogs are all dual registered with AKC and CKCSC.

Where do you advertise your puppies available for adoption? I advertise with my website and ckcsc.org along with breeder/friend referrals. I do not place ads on all-breed websites or newspapers. I recommend that you check websites like puppyfind, pets4you, puppydogweb, terrificpets, nextdaypets, pupcity, qualitydogs, k9stud, and cyberpets to see if a breeder you are interviewing does advertise there and if so make sure you carefully screen them since 95% are backyard breeders or worst case…puppy mills.

How many different breeds of dogs is the breeder raising and breeding? It takes years to become knowledgeable in one breed. I would be very leary of any breeder breeding more than 2 different breeds, but prefer to stay with a breeder that concentrates on one specific breed only. I only raise and breed Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.

Are you AKC inspected? If you believe “yes” is the right answer I personally disagree and here is why: AKC only inspects breeders who breed seven or more litters per year. I do not see how any single breeder can breed seven litters and possibly find the time to handle each puppy and raise each litter underfoot giving them the proper socialization that is needed to raise a litter properly.

Are you involved in any sporting events with your Cavalier King Charles Spaniels? If your not involved in any sporting events what would give you the desire to breed structurally sound Cavaliers over just pairing two Cavaliers and placing the puppies in pet homes in an attempt to make a buck? I currently show my Cavaliers in the conformation show ring where they are evaluated by a judge. I have also started obedience training, which deals more with sound mind and temperament. I want to win when I compete with my dogs so I carefully examine each pairing and keep detailed journals on each litter so I can use the data I collect to improve each breeding in the future.

Do your Cavalier King Charles Spaniels live in your home or in a kennel? Cavaliers that are raised in a kennel may not have the exposure of everyday sounds and activities that go on in a home setting and may tend to be shy, startled at sudden noises, and not very comfortable around people. My Cavaliers live in my home and have their own bedroom with access to a doggy door to go outside into their backyard.

I have also added more questions and answers on my website dealing with health certifications so if you are interested in obtaining further information about this subject please visit our website at http://www.cruisincavaliers.com/questions-to-ask-a-cavalier-breeder.htm 

We always prefer for our Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppies to be picked up in person and welcome the opportunity to show you our home and let you meet all of our sweet Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.

If you live out of state and flying is the best option we recommend you fly round trip and let your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy fly home with you in a carry-on soft sided crate that will slide under the seat in front of you on the airline. Sometimes you can get a round trip flight that is around the same price as shipping the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy one-way on its own. I recommend purchasing a “Sturdi” bag to carry your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy on the airline with you. You can read more about these bags at sturdiproducts.com. Please check with your airline about details for this method of travel to see if it is an economical option for your location.

If the above option is not possible, let us provide information on shipping your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy to you. It is normal to have concerns about putting precious cargo on an airplane, but we do everything we can to help you feel comfortable with this arrangement. We prefer to use Continental Airlines since they are the leading Airlines for pet travel. You can read more information about shipping puppies at continental.com. Before a puppy is eligible for shipment on Continental Airlines the following checklist must be met with approval: Live Warm-Blooded Animal Acceptance Checklist. Continental Airlines is the only Airlines that flies all their live warm-blooded animals in a temperature controlled area during shipment so keeping track of outside temperatures is not required with Continental Airlines.

Cruisin Cavalier puppies are only allowed to fly once they have reached 10 weeks of age. Our Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppies travel in an airline-approved crate with adequate layers of material for absorbency. A small package of food is attached to the crate along with a food/water schedule for the airline. Our Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppies will be fully health certified by our vet before shipping with a cleared health certificate.

The cost for shipping a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy is $275 (not included in the cost of the puppy unless otherwise stated in the adoption price.) This includes the travel cost, the crate (yours to keep), and required health certificate. The airline flight can be booked 24-72 hours ahead of time. All funds must be cleared before the puppy can be shipped to you. Payment can be made by check (allow 14 working days for funds to clear), Cashier’s Check, or Wire Transfer. Seller prefers all funds be received within 2 weeks prior to travel arrangements being made to insure all funds are cleared. Seller prefers wire transfer if payment is being made within the 2 weeks prior to shipment. Wal-Mart also offers a service for wiring money anywhere in the United States and we do have a local Wal-Mart if you wish to make payment with this method.

PLEASE CALL YOUR AIRLINE AHEAD OF TIME to find out exactly where and when to pick up your puppy. We will try to provide you with that explicit information if possible but is still advisable to call the airline yourself, write down all pertinent information. Be assured, we will be in touch with you both before and after the flight–probably several times. We will provide you with the flight numbers, airway bill number, and any other vital information you may need to pick up your pup. Remember to bring a current photo ID to present to airport security.

When you pick up your puppy from the airport, please bring the following:
1. Bottled water and a non-tipping bowl
2. Soft collar and small leash if you have a good distance to travel (limit food given on the way home)
3. Paper towels, wet wipes, and zip lock bags to clean up after your puppy as needed
4. Warm blanket or soft towel to snuggle your puppy on the way home
5. A soft chew toy

If you would like more information about the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel please visit our website at www.cruisincavaliers.com

Co-ownership of purebred dogs has been is existence for decades. When a dog is “Specialled” usually by a professional handler the dog will travel and live with its handler for extended periods of time. The costs can mount up quickly so owners will find other people involved within their breed and co-own the dog to help offset the expenses. Co-ownership is also very popular amongst breeders placing a female puppy with a family on open registration for future showing and/or breeding. Many times the breeder will place a condition into the contract like receiving a puppy from the first litter before signing full ownership over to the adoptive family. This is a very common practice so if you run across it do not be alarmed, but educate yourself before you enter into any contract because AKC does not endorse or promote co-ownerships because situations change and many times a dog’s fate can lie in limbo if the owners are not in agreement about a situation.

For more information about Cavalier King Charles Spaniels please visit our website at www.cruisincavaliers.com

Many families unknowingly make the mistake of adopting siblings. When you adopt a Cavalier puppy you need to only adopt one Cavalier puppy at a time because during the 10-16 week period you will need to be the primary focus for your new Cavalier puppy. If your Cavalier puppy is left with a sibling during this period their canine instincts will kick in and they will attach to their sibling over you which will lead to authority problems later on. When you adopt a new Cavalier puppy your new Cavalier puppy needs to spend their 10-16 week period with you as their main focus and you need to be able to return that focus to your Cavalier puppy. If you have another dog already in the home you can put your Cavalier puppy in its crate where it can see the other dog, but not interact with the other dog until you can be present to interact as well. Do not miss out on this important bonding process by allowing your new Cavalier puppy to bond with another canine over you.

For more advice about adopting a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy please visit our website at www.cruisincavaliers.com

When a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breeder goes about deciding the placement of each Cavalier puppy there are some considerations that must be taken into account. The ideal companion (pet) Cavalier puppy needs to go to a home that matches well with the puppy’s temperament. A Cavalier breeder must consider the general health of an adoptive family, the family members ages, the type of home and yard or walking arrangements required for the Cavalier puppy, the location of the home whether it be in a big city or out in the country, and then the lifestyle of the family as far as activity level and how often traveling will come into play. Your Cavalier breeder is the only one that knows the real temperament of each puppy and you will need to place your confidence in the knowledge your Cavalier breeder has learned through previous placements of similar situations. Concentrate on the specific temperament of each Cavalier puppy in the litter and allow your Cavalier breeder to help you find your family’s perfect match.

The “show potential” Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy is hard to predict. A Cavalier breeder can only pick out what might be promising later on, but even the most seasoned Cavalier breeder cannot state positively that a puppy is destined to become a champion. Charisma is one quality that must be developed as the Cavalier puppy ages. Pat Hastings wrote a book titled “Tricks of the Trade” and has developed a wonderful DVD to help aid breeders in evaluating a litter properly for structural weaknesses. All puppies will have structural weaknesses and there is never going to be a pick of the litter. The overall balance of the puppy as a whole is how a puppy should be looked at and not each individual fault. Here at Cruisin Cavaliers we go through Pat Hastings approach to evaluating our litters at eight weeks of age. However, Cavaliers go through several stages of development during their first year. Topline’s can go array, muzzles can loose their fill, they can become too leggy, and even loose their bite. Owners can become overly worried during this rapid period of change and awkwardness. Once they begin to come back into their own and the owner sees a glimpse of hope on the horizon the battle of coat not being long or tail may be carried too high in a posturing position most of the time. Many other troubling situations can set in not to mention the training that must be done as well. Creating a show dog doesn’t really begin with purchasing a show prospect because the way a Cavalier puppy is raised can influence the outcome of your show ring results.

For more helpful information about Cavalier King Charles Spaniels please visit our website at www.cruisincavaliers.com

Are females sporty enough to go on regular outings? Will males mistake my dining room table leg for a fire hydrant? Truth is there are countless stereo-types given to each gender. My opinion is simple: all Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are smart and can be taught right from wrong. There is a saying amongst Cavalier breeders and it goes like this: “Females love you and males are in love with you.” Every Cavalier is different as to how it goes about showing its affection to its owner. I have some males and females that are born snugglers and I have others that are more sporty and would love for you to throw their toy so they can retrieve it for you. The main thing I can say from my experience is that both males and females can be very sporty in nature depending on each puppy’s individual personality and both genders can be fully potty trained if the owner stays consistent and is prepared for the task at hand.

If a male Cavalier is neutered around 6 months of age and fully housebroken then I can assure you he will remain housebroken. My husband has to keep the reins in check with me as each litter comes along because placing the males is always harder for me because they do show so much more affection than the females early on in a litter. Females are the alpha gender in the canine world, so females routinely strive for the top pecking order early on and continue to show their dominance until they are placed. Males know they are not top dog and come to me much quicker wanting to be held. I recommend to anyone looking to adopt a Cavalier to focus on temperament and not to let gender be your main priority because you might miss out on a remarkable relationship if the other gender puppy met your lifestyle better.

For more information about choosing the right Cavalier King Charles Spaniel for your family please visit our website at www.cruisincavaliers.com

A designer dog is a dog that comes from two purebred dogs, but both parents are not the same breed. An example might be a Cavapoo, which would be a purebred Cavalier King Charles Spaniel bred to a purebred Poodle. Many people think that designer dogs and/or dogs that come from several breeds will have fewer health issues. This myth is far from the truth. Each purebred dog has health related issues associated with its breed. There is not a single purebred dog breed in existence without its own list of genetic disorders that breeders knowingly health test for.

One must understand that when you breed two purebred dogs of different breeds together the offspring now has the genes for genetic disorders from two separate breeds. The more you mix the pot the more disorders the offspring are capable of having or being carriers for. Purebred dogs have genetic history that can be traced back through decades of generations. Purebred dogs from reputable breeders who health test their breeding stock will always be the healthiest route.

For additional information on Cavalier King Charles Spaniels please visit our website at www.cruisincavaliers.com.

Health testing is a wonderful tool to aid breeders in making sound decisions regarding pairing two Cavaliers for breeding. However, testing is only a snapshot in time and cannot predict what might happen to a Cavalier later in life. Health testing also gives no guarantees that all the offspring will be healthy and free of genetic disorders. Health testing does give a more reliable foundation at which to begin and move forward with.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have four areas of health testing that is recommended for the breed. Cavaliers should be tested for eye and heart disorders on a yearly basis. Cavaliers should be cleared of patella luxation after 12 months of age. Cavaliers should also be cleared of hip dysplasia after 24 months of age. Once a Cavalier has obtained all 4 health tests and if all 4 tests are submitted to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) then a CHIC number will be issued for that Cavalier showing it has successfully obtained all the required health certifications for the Cavalier breed.

For additional information pertaining to Cavalier Health please visit our website at www.cruisincavaliers.com