However, bringing a dog into the family is not always a smart thing to do. You need to make sure that both the children and the adult members of the family are ready for a furry friend, otherwise someone is likely to get disappointed over time. You also need to make sure that you are selecting the right breed and you are treating your dog in a way that guarantees your children’s safety.

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Cavalier Spaniels have medium or long hair that is silky and wavy, so regular brushing is needed for the dogs. Sadly, this breed is prone to serious health issues like heart diseases, hip dysplasia, diabetes or even allergies. Therefore a regular visit to the vet is a must.

Training of this breed is relatively easy since the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is an intelligent breed, so consistency and many rewards will do their best during lessons. They can easily be trained for agility, hunting and they are also excellent therapy dogs.

All in all, this breed is excellent for people who want to have a little friend that is very lively, devoted and active. All you have to provide them is a small, fenced yard for daily exercise and much of love.

I hope that this short introduction was able to help you decide whether Cavalier Spaniel is the best breed for you.

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Yes, it is. Just imagine the situation from the point of view of your Cavalier King Charles. He is part of the family, often treated as “the kid”, and then, suddenly, a new creature arrives and takes all the attention of his beloved family. It is quite similar to what older children feel, when a little brother/sister arrives. One of the differences is just that the dog can’t speak English

Actually, if we are aware of this ‘problem’ in advance, the situation can be handled, but it needs consciousness and to be started in time, long before the baby’s arrival. Let’s see how we can prepare our Cavalier King Charles Spaniel for the new family member.

If your dog’s daily routine has to be changed with the baby’s arrival (it probably will), you should start changing the rules much earlier, giving him plenty of time to get used to the new set up. This way it isn’t going to be so sudden and shocking. If your Cavalier hasn’t really been trained before, it’s high time to start. He should learn at least a few commands, like sit, stay, etc. This way, he’ll be easier to handle.

Many families worry about their dog endangering the health of the child, so the best thing to do is to take your pet to the vet, get him checked and get some advice. Get your Cavalier used to the new smells, sounds in advance (blankets, lotions, toys). It’s also a good idea, that just after your baby was born, send home a blanket that the baby had been in, so your dog can experience the child’s smell in advance. It is very important to know that your  Cavalier King Charles will get a lot less attention from the mother, so when taking the baby home for the first time, the mother should greet the dog, so it is better if someone else is carrying the baby.

It is also a good idea not to leave them alone together at the first times, until your Cavalier feels comfortable with the baby, because, for example, it is very possible that the dog won’t tolerate the child’s crying very well in the beginning. You have to teach him that this is a normal sound, and you should motivate him not to bark (with treats, for example).

And the most important rule for last, maybe it seems too obvious, but it’s still worth mentioning: try to give as much attention to your Cavalier as you can. The point is that he has to feel that you do care about him. If you keep this in mind, most probably there will be no problem. You could also try Preparing Fido, which is an amazing collection of Baby sounds designed especially to get your dog ready for the arrival of the new Baby!

If you want to have your own genuine, purebred Cavalier, it is best to start reading and doing your research on the breed. A good place to start is the breed standard itself. This is the basis of the breed and will give you what is to know about the dog; physical traits, even temperament and disposition. Here are a few of the traits you can look out for when you visit a pet store or breeder: Cavaliers are adorable lap dogs that have wavy and silky coats of black and tan, red, and even chestnut on white. They have big brown eyes on their rounded heads with a black nose and flared nostrils. They are usually 12 to 13 inches in height and weigh approximately 10 to 18 pounds. Be on the lookout for which breeders are good and those that are not. Here are a few guidelines:

Quality and standard breeders always:

• Keep the temperament of the breed being affectionate, lively and energetic, eager to please
• Provide a complete and thorough walkthrough of grooming and care regiments
• Make sure that the dog has had its vaccinations and medical clearances
• Give all the information needed about the dog

As you ready yourself to talk with breeders, always keep the following in mind:

Non-standard breeders often:

• Don’t keep to the standard and provide flaws in the breed
• They are not part of a governing body that can certify them as official standard breeders
• Will tell you anything as they are in a hurry to make money
• Don’t have the papers or documentation to back their claims of the Cavalier being a genuine one

Bottom line in getting a genuine Cavalier: Don’t take a chance with just any breeder. Take your time. Sort things out. You must remember that a canine companion stays with you for years so it deserves more than an impulse or an urge to get one. As it took years to develop a standard breed of Cavaliers, its quality has to be upheld and maintained by serious breeders. So your search should begin with an organization that does so. With Euro Puppy, you are assured that the dog you get is of a pure and champion bloodline. Only the best pups pass a stringent battery of test to ensure quality from the shop, to your door and in your life. With a lifetime guarantee and verifiable certificates and documents, you can’t go wrong with Euro Puppy and its team of dog lovers and experts. 80 countries can definitely attest to that!

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