cute ruby colored dog on a chair with his toy bunny.

Why A Cavalier?

Are you a good fit for a Cavalier? And/or is this the right season of your life to adopt one? Learn a little more about them and let's see!

Cavaliers are happy, loving little dogs who really make the perfect family pets. However, there are a few things you should consider before choosing to adopt one of these dogs. We hope you find this helpful in your journey!

About Cavaliers

  • Cavaliers love to be with you and generally do not do well when left alone for longer periods of time. They truly are companion dogs. We are able to leave ours for the occasional 2-3 hours max but wouldn't recommend longer than that. (We have found that having more than one helps significantly with this!)

 

  • As a "soft" breed, they love to please and thus respond well to training with positive reinforcement. They are smart little dogs and at times can be stubborn. (We tell our friends that Rowan's theme song is Sinatra's "(I Did It) My Way"-Ha!

 

  • They love to be walked and played with; however, they are not super high energy and are able to just "chill" with you (nap time anyone?) This was important to us when deciding to get a shop dog. I couldn't have a dog who had super-high energy going crazy in the store.

 

  • When purchasing a Cavalier, be very cautious of breeders selling them for low $$$. These are not cheap dogs and can be prone to specific health issues. Wherever you get your puppy from, be sure to do your due diligence in being sure that the parents are healthy. I have learned a lot, through much research, since first looking for a puppy years ago and friends, it doesn't pay to go cheap. Nor is it worth the heartbreak of losing a pet early in life because you didn't know better. The money you may save upfront could cost you thousands down the road in vet bills, ongoing heart medication, etc. Beware of backyard breeders! Learn more about Cavaliers as well as their potential health issues here.

 

  • Cavaliers do well with children! Which is wonderful for families with kids. Just make sure the kids are old enough to respect and not hurt them. All of our Cavaliers have loved children, but occasionally we've had to protect them from well-meaning toddlers who wanted to "ride" them!