Cavalier King Charles
Health & Nutrition

Start Out with a Healthy Puppy

The best way to increase your chances of having a healthy Cavalier King Charles companion is to start out with a healthy Cavalier Spaniel puppy from a strong bloodline. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breeders attempt to match appropriate breeding pairs to produce healthy Cavalier King Charles puppies and reduce hereditary weaknesses in the Cavalier Spaniel breed.

1. Begin by asking Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breeders about the health of their dogs, particularly the Cavaliers King Charles Spaniels that parented the litter of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppies for sale. Keep in mind that if the sire and bitch are still themselves quite young, some hereditary weaknesses found in the Cavalier Spaniel breed may not have shown up yet.

2. In choosing your pet from among the Cavalier King Charles puppies in the litter, look for a Cavalier Spaniel puppy with:

• bright eyes free of any discharge or cloudiness

• ears that have a sweet smell and no evidence of redness or “dirty” look to them

• fresh breath and gums that don’t appear swollen, red or bleeding

• a shiny coat with no bald patches, sores or rough spots

• a natural “gait”, no signs of lameness, stumbling or obvious injury to the legs and paws

3. Next, ask the breeder with Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppies for sale how many veterinarian examinations the Cavalier Spaniel puppy will have had before you take him home, what shots will have been given and any comments the vet may have had. Most Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breeders will provide you with a copy of the veterinarian’s initial exams.

4. Before bringing your new Cavalier Spaniel puppy home, arrange for an initial examination by your veterinarian as soon as possible – preferably within 24 to 48 hours. Find out what guarantees the Cavalier King Charles breeder offers in the events that your veterinarian indicates there may be a problem with your Cavalier Spaniel puppy.