WELCOME to our Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Web Site.

We are so happy you came for a visit. Cavaliers, as you might imagine, are very special to us. We have tried to fill our pages here with interesting and helpful information. This site will continue to change and grow, so please visit often. We would like to start by telling you a little bit about Cavaliers in general and then about the Cavaliers with whom we share our lives.

About the Cavalier

 The Cavalier is friendly, spontaneous, fun-loving, and a joy to live with. He is gentle and biddable, often wanting only to please. For many people these beautiful little dogs are very nearly the perfect companion. However, because of some of the Cavalier’s unique qualities, he may seem perfect for you and your family, but it is important for you to determine whether or not you can provide the perfect home for him.

At 13-18 pounds, Cavaliers are small dogs and

 this makes them vulnerable to other pets and small children which may be too rough. Cavaliers are trusting, often fearless, and easily distracted. This means they need supervision and, ideally, a fenced yard. Invisible fencing is not a suitable choice for them as it leaves them vulnerable to predators in their own yards. Cavaliers do not learn about the dangers of traffic so must be kept on leash for their own safety. They will often run right up to another dog, no matter the size. They think everyone is a friendly as they are. This means that they need to be cared for by a thoughtful, responsible, and dedicated person.

Cavaliers depend on their owners to keep them safe at all times. Because Cavaliers have been bred to be companion animals, they require close contact with their human family members and will not be happy if left alone too long each day. Cavaliers want to be wherever their people are. For these reasons, Cavaliers sometimes develop separation anxiety. Because our modern lifestyles do require that our pets learn to be alone at times, it is important that some care be taken early in a pet Cavalier’s life to help him or her learn to be comfortably alone for brief periods. A qualified pet dog trainer will be of assistance with this as well as other needs that the new owner is likely to have early in the newly formed relationship. For a qualified pet dog trainer please visit www.apdt.com

All purebred dogs have breed specific health problems and Cavaliers are no exception. Prospective owners should take the time to learn more and discuss these issues with the breeder prior to any commitment to purchase. Responsible buyers will be able to demonstrate that they understand the possibility of a health problem affecting their Cavalier at some point in his life. Responsible breeders will be able to demonstrate the health of their dogs and also provide the appropriate documentation of the health testing they have had performed, i.e. annual heart and eye checks on their breeding stock. Many breeders also do other health testing.

The decision to buy or adopt a new pet dog should never be entered into spontaneously. Most pet dogs live at least 10 years and many live far longer. During that time there will be significant monetary costs associated with the daily care, feeding, training, and medical expenses that the new owner must be prepared to and financially able to cover. Prospective Cavalier owners will find that responsible Cavalier breeders will have many questions for them and will expect the potential owner to prove their worthiness as a trusted and loving caretaker for the dog’s entire lifetime. In fact, this significant concern about placing the vulnerable Cavalier puppy in his new home is the sign of a dedicated hobby breeder.

PLEASE refrain from impulsively buying your Cavalier puppy from the always available supply at pet stores and puppy mills. It may seem as if you are saving the poor puppy when in fact you are helping to maintain the demand that keeps this sad marketplace of poorly bred and cared for animals alive. If there were no demand the supply would soon disappear. We cannot lay all the blame at the feet of the puppy mill owners if we support them with a purchase. It will often require more patience to wait for the puppy from the dedicated hobby breeder, but the wait will be well worth it.

Here at Kilmaren, our Cavaliers live with us as members of our family. They share our home as well as our hearts. Our Cavaliers bring us great joy each day. We feel privileged to be able to share our lives with these special animals. We would be very happy to discuss Cavaliers with you and see if we might help you determine if a Cavalier might be the right pet dog for you or your family.