Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
Size
Weight: 15-20 lbs
Height: 12-14 inches at shoulder.
Can easily be held and carried.
Coat
Long, soft, fine hair.
Light to moderate shedding
Brush 2-3 times a week.
Occasional grooming needed.
Personality
Sweet, loving and kind.
Does well with kids.
Enjoy being held.
Cavaliers love their families.
About the Breed
Several varieties of toy size spaniels have been around for centuries. Current day Cavalier King Charles Spaniel originated in the 1920’s. Cavaliers are graceful, loyal and affectionate. They adapt well to their living situation and can be athletic or a lazy couch potato.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels do well with kids and make for good family dogs. They get along with other pets train easily and love to cuddle.
Health
Cavaliers are generally healthy dogs. According to the OFA greater than 97% of cavaliers have normal eyes, hearts, hearing, shoulders, hips and elbows on exam.
Syrongpmyelia (SM) is a condition affecting the brain and spine, causing symptoms ranging from mild discomfort to severe pain and partial paralysis. It is caused by a Chiari Malformation. Syringomyelia is rare in most breeds but has become widespread in the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, with international research samples in the past few years consistently showing over 90% of Cavaliers have the malformation, and that between 30–70% have syrinxes. However, most dogs with syrinxes are not symptomatic.
Genetic Testing
All of our genetic testing is completed through Gensol Diagnostic.
Degenerative Myelopathy (DM)
Degenerative Myelopathy is a recessive genetic disorder that causes a progressive decrease in use and function of the hind legs leading to paralysis. DM is typically diagnosed from ages 10- 12. Approximately 30 % of cavaliers are clear of the is disorder, 37% of cavailers carry the genetic mutation and approximately 33% being "at risk" for development of this disease. Actual clinical diagnosis is low.
Episodic Falling (EF)
Episodic Falling is a recessive genetic disorder that is generally characterized by random " locking" of muscles. Puppies have to receive two copies of the mutated gene (one from each parent) to develop the disease. It can occur after strenuous play or exercise or occur if the dog is stressed. This is similar to exercise induced collapse associated in other breeds, It is a non-fatal disorder.