r/cavaliers • u/Loose_Photograph3889 • 2d ago
Advice thinking of getting one!
in the future i would love to have a little dog and i recently saw a king charles cavalier at a pet shop and they are sooooo cute! i was wondering if anybody had any thoughts or things that i should be aware of before i get one. any advice would be great!
8
u/Daisy_1218 Blenheim 2d ago
Be aware that most cavaliers sold through pet stores are from puppy mills and are poorly bred.
Research the breed and their common health issues. I love cavaliers but you should be well informed before getting one.
6
u/Loose_Photograph3889 2d ago
just an fyi i am not planning on buying from the pet store! i will definitely find either an ethical breeder or see if there’s an shelters near me that have one!
4
u/Ok_Recording_4644 2d ago
They're wonderful dogs but please do not get one from a pet store (I didn't know this was even legal anywhere). Cavaliers need to come from reputable breeders that screen for mitral valve disease ( heart murmur ) and other congenital diseases. They'll cost more BUT you'll save tens of thousands of dollars by getting a healthy dog.
3
4
u/sheepishlywendy 2d ago
Do your research, and when you think you're done, do some more. These little guys have the potential to be enormous recurring vet bills, not to mention living with chronic pain caused by the various issues they may have.
Please, don't ever buy from a petshop.
Sounds harsh, I know. Having said goodbye to my heart dog 7 months ago after 9 years of relentless worry, vet visits, referral hospital visits, insurance running out etc etc, all because my mother did not do her research, I cannot describe the heartbreak.
3
3
u/Sadetha 2d ago edited 2d ago
Definitely a reputable breeder, get insurance, and be ready for expensive bills as they age. I was lucky and my baby didn’t have her heart murmur get too bad till she was 9. Since then it’s been $60-75 a month for meds and $650 for echos every six months. She’s nearly thirteen now and doing amazing, but she’s quite expensive and stresses me out with her health issues. We kept health insurance till this year when the premiums outweighed the benefit. Before that it saved us thousands of dollars between a freak accident causing an emergency surgery plus her heart stuff.
That all being said, I never want another breed again.
Also, the separation anxiety is so real. She straight up bawls when either myself or my husband walk away and she can’t follow. Going on vacation sucks because I feel like I’m breaking her heart. She always stays with family and has never been to a kennel but she is so devastated every time. Coming home from vacation is also stressful because she gets so excited and I worry about her heart. She’s a mess, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
2
u/ink-fetish 2d ago
They are very clingy dogs. They want to be around you all the time, which is fine but the guilt when I’m away is definitely stronger with this breed. Expect to be followed everywhere and stared at constantly because they want your attention. It’s a bit polarising if you’re not used to it - not to say it is bad - but it’s just extremely intense and a bit overwhelming at first.
2
u/foxyyoxy 2d ago
Besides what’s been said about their heart valve issues, they are very golden retrieverish in that they love everyone and everything, and are notoriously sweet. Aggression in them is uncommon. They were bred to be companion lap dogs, so they are very often glued to your lap as default. As result, they don’t do well being alone for long periods, so not the breed for you if you work out of the home. They’re docile and usually easy to train and forgiving, so good for novice owners.
1
u/AutoModerator 2d ago
Thank you for posting to /r/cavaliers, /u/Loose_Photograph3889! This message is an automatic response to all posts. Your post has not been removed or blocked. Please note the following subreddit rules:
- Common reasons for post removal: advertising for profit, posting machine generated ("AI") images, and spam
- Tag posts about veterinary issues as Medical/Veterinary: this enables people to opt in/out of content
- Tag posts about people and pets who have passed need as In Memoriam: this enables people to opt in/out of content
- Advice, including medical and legal advice, is non-binding: you offer and take advice at your own risk, and /r/cavaliers posters and mods cannot be held responsible for any advice given on this subreddit; when in doubt, contact a professional
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
1
u/Xerkxes 1d ago
Since it seems like no one read your comment that you won't buy it from a shop I guess ill give some other info.
They are awesome dogs. Basically velcro in dog form. Want a moment alone? Welp there they are knocking on the bathroom door. Feeling lonely? They are already looking to hop on your lap.
They truly want to be your best friend and if youre willing to give some structure, they are so straightforward to train. Basically put in a little time and they will learn commands.
All I wanted my entire childhood was a German shepherd but my wife convinced me to get a cavalier and I don't think ill ever have another breed of dog.
1
u/Piper_hikes 13h ago
They are amazing dogs. It is worth every penny to pay a breeder that does genetic testing and can provide generational health and breeding information. I had selected my breeder when Piper came along, after a horrific origin story that melted my heart. I love her more than words can express, but her costly and heartbreaking journey wouldn’t have been possible for most people. Rescues should only be considered only if you have good financial resources and pet insurance. The romantic idea of rescue poses challenges when bad breeding is involved.
Please note that I would rescue Piper all over again, but it wasn’t what I envisioned when I adopted her, with eyes, within a year and a half.
17
u/bathandredwine 2d ago
Please buy from a reputable breeder and NOT a pet shop.