Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: An Owner’s Guide. Nick Mays

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      1. Eyes Large, dark, round but not prominent; spaced well apart.

      2. Mouth Jaws strong, with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite.

      3. Ears Long, set high, with plenty of feather.

      4. Neck Moderate length, slightly arched.

      5. Forequarters Chest moderate, shoulders well laid back, straight legs moderately boned.

      6. Feet Compact, cushioned and well feathered.

      7. Coat Long, silky, free from curl. Slight wave permissible. Plenty of feathering. Totally free from trimming.

      8. Hindquarters Legs with moderate bone; well turned stifle - no tendency to cow hock or sickle hocks.

      9. Gait/movement Free-moving and elegant in action, plenty of drive from behind. Forelegs and hindlegs move parallel when viewed from in front and behind.

      10. Tail Length of tail in balance with body, well set on, carried happily but never much above the level of the back.

      11. Size Weight: 5.4-8kg (12-18lb). A small, well balanced dog well within these weights desirable.

      12. Body Short-coupled with good spring of rib. Level back.

      13. Head and skull Skull almost flat between ears. Stop shallow. Length from base of stop to tip of nose about 3.8cm (1.5in).

Chapter 2

       Your Cavalier puppy

      When you decide that the Cavalier is the right dog for you, the next step is to acquire a puppy. It sounds simple, but before you contemplate bringing a puppy into your home, you have to ask yourself some serious questions and be prepared to answer them honestly. You are going to be responsible for the life of a living creature, and you must be mindful of its welfare.

       Questions to ask yourself

      Before taking the plunge and buying a Cavalier puppy, you need to examine both your lifestyle and priorities and ask yourself the following questions.

       How long will it take?

      Are you prepared to look after a dog for all of his life, which, in the Cavalier’s case, is, on average, eight to eleven years? A dog is a lifelong commitment, not a temporary acquisition which can be returned if things don’t work out in the way you imagined.

       Do you have time?

      Have you got enough time to spend with a dog? Your Cavalier will need lots of attention as well as regular meals, exercise, obedience training, games and grooming, etc.

       Do you work?

      Is there somebody at home during the day, or for most of it, who can look after a dog? It is never a good idea to leave a dog alone for more than a few hours each day, especially a puppy. Dogs are sociable pack animals and they need companionship. Some people believe that having two dogs will offset this problem, as they will be company for each other. Although this may be true to a certain extent later in life, two puppies will be just as anxious and needful as one. In any event, dogs need human companionship so that they can learn and adapt to family life. If you leave your dog alone for long periods, it may lead to separation anxiety and a dog that destroys furnishings or soils the house. A puppy needs constant attention, so he cannot be left alone for more than a few minutes at a time.

       The Cavalier puppy is a small bundle of energy and fun.

       Is it a family decision?

      Does everyone in your family want a dog? This may seem a strange question, but a СКАЧАТЬ