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Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
Available Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Cavachon
Pictures of one year old Cavachons
Available Shichon Puppies known as Teddy Bears (Zuchon) Puppies
Available Toy Poodles by request only
Maltese puppies only by request
To Know
Veterinarian
Training Lessons
Mitral Valve Disease and Heart Failure In dogs
First aide For Your Dog or Puppy
Developmental stages of puppy for first time owners
Good Books For the FirstTime Buyer
Spangles Dogs 4u
What
to look for in a breeder:
•
Well being
A
good breeder will provide for both the emotional and physical well-being of the
parent dogs and pups in their kennel. Their kennel or home should appear clean.
Their dogs and pups will be regularly visited by a Vet, and up to date on
all immunizations.
•
Testing
A
good breeder cares about the future of their breeds, and tests their parent dogs
as required, for genetic diseases. There are several concerns that are
inherent to the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Bichon Frise that may be
genetic in nature. Luxating
Patella’s (slipping kneecaps) have been found in both purebreds.
The Cavaliers MUST be examined and found to be free of Mitral Valve
Defect (genetic fault), which can cause congestive heart failure and death. Also
recently rearing its ugly head is SM. This is a devastating condition. See note
on web page for info on this condition. Not much known about this condition so
far but testing is being carried out in
www.ackcsc.org/about.htm
(Cavaliers) and www.bichon.org/health.htm
(Bichon Frise)
•
Integrity
A
good breeder should be honest and up front. They should be able to answer
your questions knowledgeably and be candid about their kennel and the dogs they
breed. They will have a reputation for dealing with problems
professionally, and honoring their contracts. They will encourage you to
seek feedback from every source, not just the ones they provide.
•
Socialization of the Puppies
It
is commonly held that puppies should not be released before they
have reached
10 to 12 weeks of age. A good
breeder will be concerned about the puppy’s socialization, both with humans of
all ages and with dogs, other puppies and other animals.
It is likely that puppies released sooner than 10 to 12 weeks of age will
have problems later on in their life relating to other dogs and animals.
This period is thought to be critical in the puppy’s development.
A good breeder will expose the puppies carefully (so as to not risk
bringing in infectious diseases) to young children, older children and adults.
Some breeders expose the puppies to cats when they can, other dogs and
puppies from different litters. Families
want a happy, confident puppy that is well adjusted.
•
Health warranty
A
good warranty is a pre-existing agreement between
an owner and a breeder that should state clearly what is covered and how
restitution should be made. When things go wrong and emotions run high,
it's important for each party to know what to do, what to expect - and to have already
agreed upon it as fair.
A
good breeder will have a comprehensive health warranty that will cover, at the
very least, one year (which is long enough to know if a pup has problems).
These warranties should not be contingent upon returning your dog for a
refund - no one should have to return a pup. Most will cover expenses up
to the cost of the pup, once Vet records or radiologist's report have been
provided?
Ask
if your refund comes with stipulations. Some breeders will only refund if
you agree never to discuss it on an open forum. This 'mum clause' serves
to hides the problems this breeder has had, and is likely to have in the future.
When
buying, if you are not comfortable with everything about the breeder and the
puppy, then DON'T BUY IT.
•
Reading a Breeder's Website
"The
breeder's website says their breeding dogs are health tested and there is a one year health warranty. That's perfect, right?
Well... maybe not.
"Okay
- so what exactly is 'health tested'."
Good
question. There is actually a huge range of interpretation in this
statement. Tested can mean
anything from certification by a canine radiologist or canine heart specialist,
to an exam by a Vet. Genetic tests
are not required for every possible genetic disorder; in fact, special testing
does not exist for some of the genetic faults.
However, the adult breeding dogs should be examined first by a
veterinarian, to rule out the presence of these faults.
Genetic tests should be performed if deemed necessary by the
veterinarian. The Mitral Valve
disorder must be ruled out, for Cavaliers. A
vet may suggest testing the dog for cataracts and other eye disorders (CERF)
after his initial examination. A vet
may direct the breeder to have the patella’s tested.
The Cilia Syndrome sometimes found in Bichons does not have a special
test. The only way it is discovered
is when a dog becomes ill or puppies become ill and/or the litter dies. Ask
questions.
Life
Threatening Genetic defects often
doesn't cover Patellar Luxation, the problem shared by both the Bichon and the
Cavalier and all small breed dogs…. It's crippling, not
life threatening. Ask questions.
Replacement
pup - Do you have to return the first
pup? Some breeders offer a second puppy; others expect the
sick pup to be returned. As many people would not want to part with their
beloved pet, some owners of problem pups never get back to the breeder about the
problem. Valuable feedback is lost to the breeder, and the same breeding
dogs can be used again. Ask questions.
Contingencies
Read your warranty through
very carefully. Are there any food or exercise restrictions? Are
there contingencies that void or alter the warranty in certain situations?
Make sure you are comfortable with the warranty BEFORE signing or
sending in the deposit. A responsible breeder will provide a reasonable
warranty, one in which both the owner
and the breeder are protected.
•
Deposits are generally in the neighborhood of $300.
Those asking lots more often make their money by keeping
unreturned deposits (once the client realizes there is a problem and tries to
back out.)
Some contracts
state that: “You must pay for the puppy in full well before the delivery
date and all money received is non-refundable no matter what the
circumstances!!” BEWARE!
•
It is a good idea to ask to see
at least one of the parents of your pup. It is common for breeders
to own only one parent for a litter produced, but when no parents are available,
it is an indication that the litter was produced in a puppy mill situation. Walk
away and keep walking. Some breeders allow visitors only when picking up
reserved puppies, or when the person has reserved a puppy and they come to take
part in the selection process.
This is a protective measure for the puppies – but if you cannot visit
the kennel then the breeder should be happy to give you references from families
that have visited there, references where you can email the person privately and
ask questions.
If owners have been met at local gas stations and crossroads to
pick up their pup, could the breeder be hiding something? You bet they do some
times
Even I have
been caught out on that one many years ago.. Unless agreeing to meet half way if
the distance is just to long for one person. Then this is a different story.
AKC
Suspensions
Until the
AKC has a more reliable way of searching through their online database for
suspensions, there is a site that shows those breeders currently under
suspension. (It's too bad it doesn't show the history of prior suspensions
including breeders who haven't been reinstated).
http://www.barkbytes.com/suspend/suspindx.htm
Do your homework!
Study about the breeds and crossbreeds, and find a breeder that meets
your requirements for quality, honesty, and a strong warranty, that will
cheerfully provide professional references for you to check privately.
Buying a puppy can easily be driven by emotions and this can lead to
making a decision that is perhaps not a result of gathering good information
(rushing to buy because you want that puppy) that you may regret later on.
Remember that yes, you want a cute puppy, but you want a puppy that is
smart, of sound health, that has a great temperament that will be a loving
companion for many years to come.
Phone 423-234-2953
