Cavalier King Charles Spaniels

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, what a mouthful for such adorable little angels. The castles in England were often cold and drafty, so King Charles used to have a lot of these dogs around. Not only because of how sweet they are, but they would hold the little dogs in their laps, even on carriage rides to help keep them warm. It quickly became a fad for the wealthy and elite.

Some of these dogs have a spot on top of their heads. Legend has it that a Duchess would hold her favorite little dog and rub her thumb on the top of it's head, while she worried while her husband was away in war. It is said that the next litter of puppies all had a "thumb print" on their heads when they were born. It is supposed to be a lucky sign. Some call it the Blenheim spot because the Duchess resided in the Blenheim Palace. I think some call it a Lozenge spot.

Besides their perfect personalities, one great thing about them is that they are wash and wear dogs. They never need - or should get - a hair cut. Their hair is soft and silky, wonderful to touch and caress. They have eyes that just seem to look into your soul. If you ever have the pleasure of meeting one of these awesome creatures, don't be surprised if you fall in love instantly when you look into their eyes. And the feeling is usually mutual.

Cavaliers will love you with all their heart and soul. Nothing makes them happier than to just sit in you lap. They make perfect companion dogs and some people even use them as therapy dogs. They love children, teenagers, and adults of any age. 

They are not known as barkers, so they would be great for apartments - or the penthouse. They can be quite expensive. And they will bark if something scares or startles them. They are very easy to train at an early age.

Be sure to always buy one from a reputable breeder. I would advise a visit to their home and see their living conditions - they are "inside" dogs. It is also good if you can see the parents. Beware of Puppy Mills. While I would love to buy up any and all pets form a puppy mill just to save them, most of them are not healthy, maybe even cross-bred. 

As far as their health goes, breeding means a lot. Some lines carry a gene for mitral heart valve disease, which can lead to heart murmurs and a shorter life span. Although I have always had a heart murmur and I'm still here.

We have found that a lot of Veterinarians over worry their clients about this. That can lead to a lot of expensive tests. As a matter of fact, there is a theory that pets are being over medicated and vaccinated today. Just like we humans are. Some say that too many injections can form a cyst that can later turn to cancer, in All pets not just Cavaliers.

In this hub, I have tried to tell you the good and the bad, I don't think there is ever an ugly when it comes to Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.