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Where to get your new puppy

Contact your local Cavalier Club – there are Clubs that cover most areas in the UK, they should be able to give you the names of good breeders.

Go to a dog show, look at the Cavaliers and talk to Cavalier people – who show and breed.

Even if you don’t want to show your Cavalier – you want a healthy pup from a good line of Cavaliers.

You must go to see any possible pups WITH their Mum, and litter mates in the home where they have been bred. You may not be able to see the Father – as breeders often use another breeder’s stud dog.

If possible see other members of the pup’s family – Aunties, Grandma etc.

Be prepared to be grilled by the breeder as to you, your family, your home, your family circumstances – in short your suitability for this very ‘people’ orientated breed.

A Cavalier for instance would NOT be happy if left alone for long periods.

Ask if the Mother has been tested annually for clear heart and eyes, and ask politely if these certificates are available.

You should ask if both parents have been MRI scanned for the condition Syringomyelia (see health section) and if the breeder is following the advised breeding protocol. Both parents should be older than 2.5 years.

Ask to SEE heart and eye certificates and make sure the breeder is aware you know about the desirability of scanning the parents.

Ask about the Father of the pups – is there perhaps a photo of him.

Ask if the puppies have been brought up with children/other pets if that is important to you.

Look at the pup’s Mother – if she is well and happy and friendly, then there is a very good chance that her offspring will be too.

Do NOT look for spotless conditions – (puppies of any age – can be messy) – look for sensible clean surroundings, and clean bright pups.

Tell the breeder if you want a pup as a family pet, or one with ‘show potential’ bearing in mind that this cannot be fully determined at eight weeks old.

Please be completely honest with the breeder if you have any doubts as to your capabilities for looking after a pup – or if you want to think about it further.

Good breeders will understand and explain anything you want to know.

Please don’t be impatient – you may have to wait some time to find the ‘pup for you’ but remember that hopefully you are going to have him/her for 10 plus years or more, so wait for the right one.