Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
 

Any advice or experience with this breed?

For 6 year old

Re: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
 

I've got one and she's great - too cute by far - taking her for a walk where there are a lot of people can be time consuming as lots of folk like to pet her.

I'd recommend getting one from a breeder as they are prone to various ailments and by choosing your breeder carefully

6 yo is quite young but as long as supervised think the breed would be ideal.

Word of warning, don't let the dog on the bed ever if you don't want the dog on the bed...!

I'm not sure what state your in but NSW have an owners association and would be able to provide good advice and let you know where some registered puppies may be found.

Re: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
 

Yep, our beloved 8-year old Merlin was left with my parents when we moved here. Very loving dog raised from a pup around kids and babies. The only thing is I find CKCSs to be quite excitable so can be a bit much for really little kids who are wary of dogs but a 6 year old should be ok. Also, I don't think I know of a breed whose bark is so distinct - we can hear a king charles yap-yap from half a mile away! You'll want to nip that in the bud while they're very young or it will drive you nuts every time someone comes to the door or it's time for a walk. Also, they are VERY hairy dogs that shed a LOT. If you're happy to be sweeping the floors every day then great but it put us off getting another long-haired breed ever again. Otherwise, excellent temperament, very loyal, full of energy and fun and easy-peasy to train, even as an older dog.

Re: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
 

The best dog in the world :thumbsup :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

We had a Cavalier when we lived in UK called Barney, unfortunately we got him adopted by my cousin before we left, we couldnt put him through the ordeal of coming here.
He was the most loving and affectionate dog I have came accross, wonderful with kids, he followed our wee boy about day a night, they shared ice cream lol, a lick for Matthew and a lick for Barney. He used to sleep in our bed before the wee man came along, he lay accross the back of my husbands head lol.
He pinned terrible when we werent there or when we we locked him in the kitchen at night, that is mainly why we couldnt bring him, I truely believe it would have killed him as he would have pinned and fretted for us!
It broke my heart leaving him and I miss him terribly, but I know he is well loved by my cousin and his kids. We had a black and tan one, but the tricolour one is really nice too. I dont think you could pick a better dog for children. here is a wee pic of him

Re: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
 

We were the same. He didn't handle big changes very well - very stressed - when we moved house and changed his collar he'd get really nasty bouts of Colitis and we'd end up at the vets every time. We didn't think it was fair to put him through the flight and quarantine as much as we wanted him with us. My parents lost their dog a couple of years ago and Merlin lived with us all for the first few years so he was always comfortable there and they were more than happy to take him. Felt like the right thing to do.

Re: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
 

Very good tip, one we learnt the hard way with a Rhodesian Ridgeback that liked to spread out.

Re: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
 

CKCS are known for mitral valve (heart) problems and hip joint problems.

Re: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
 

Thank you all for the replies

We are in Victoria (inner Melbourne). The breed was recommended by a close friend of wifes (who is also a vet).

Daughter is very good with dogs in both asking owners before attempting to pat strange dogs and while has no nervous disposition around dogs she is aware some dogs are what she calls "moody".

She has been demanding a dog since age 3 and this has been every time she sees a picture of a dog, a tv program with a dog, we cannot pass a dog on the street (either side) without her approaching the owner for a pat.

Being quite tall for her age I do not see her being unable to physically cope (she is 5 now and 6 in Nov but currently mistaken as an 8 year old). Our neighbor in Geneva had a Newfoundland and the 2 were inseparable.

How much walking can they handle? As I currently do a 7km walk in the mornings would they enjoy/cope with this distance? Had a pug dog years ago which I ended up having too carry after 3kms.

While I would like my daughter too be completely responsible for the dog I am also a realist so need to be aware of what work/jobs I will ultimately be doing ;)

Definitely intend to go through a registered breeder and happy to pay top dollar for a quality dog. (What price range should we be considering?)

How are the dogs with water (ie on boats and alongside or in swimming pools?)

Another consideration we had to do was reducing overseas holidays so we could holiday with the dog ie camping and travelling interstate (via vehicle). Have you found them good travel partners? We have a large 4x4.

Re: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
 

I've had Cavs for over 30 years....they are happy, wonderful little dogs and they are great with children. Do make sure you have the dog checked out for heart valve, hip and knee problems.

Re: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
 

That is the most gorgeous little face. I wanted one when we got our Golden but my hub wanted a large dog. I might still get one as a second dog.

Re: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
 

I love them. You rarely see them come up for rehoming but I do get some sometimes. They are lap dogs and I would love to get one for my daughter.

I think they are not the smartest dog though :) I am sure people will disagree but while they are not an afghan (who are really stupid) they are not going to be winning any brain games either. Actually its not so much intelligence as they are docile.

Note: I have a boxer crossed kelpie who is the most dull dog you can ever meet - you show him a ball, slowly in front of him put it up your jumper and then ask him to find it and he will go around the room looking for it so I am not judging them. I like ALL dogs :)

I am not sure about the 7km walk, perhaps as a young dog but thats a long walk on little legs, terriers are made a bit differently, I wouldnt have thought a Cav was suited to long long walks - especially in heat (short snout, long hair means its hard for them to cool easily. Also their heart can be an issue as someone mentioned). I think Cavs are very much like pugs in quite a few ways.

Vivienne

Re: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
 

I think a 7KM walk would be pushing it. If the weather is warm, not hot, 2km seems a comfortable distance for mine.

For price, from a registered breeder, you would be looking around $1000-1600 I believe.

Our dog loves water, although I hear some don't like it at all. Now she has the nack of swimming in the local lagoon she litterally drags me their so she can have a swim when I walk near by, but I keep that as an occasional treat as she tends to need a bath afterwards. On a boat I would be a bit concerned for her jumping in the water - but ours travels really well and absolutely loves a ride in the car - just get them used to it from an early age is key I think.

When I go away and can't take the dog I have got a couple of excellent dog minders who take her into their own home and basically pamper her something silly. She ends up with a better holiday than me most times I think! They do love people around them and are certainly not a breed to lock out the house, or bed room, they will miss you something rotten.

As for not being intelligent, I have to disagree (but maybe I'm biased). Ours can bark on command, roll, act dead when shot with a toy gun and all sorts.

Re: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
 

I was going to say the dog will probably fit in well with us:D

Guess the thing is we are not looking for a pet so much as a new member of the family if that makes sense.

Re: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
 

awwwwwwwwe i think thats fantastic, i think all children should have a pet, but i think it should be a mini schnauzer, but then am biased:)

Re: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
 

I just checked dogsonline and there are a lot of pups for sale. The breeders who quote prices range from $650 - $1000.

There are also a few adult dogs available which may be worth considering as puppies can be such - especially around a 6 year old.