Hello everyone,
I have never posted on this forum, but have been a member for some time. I generally use forums to research and this particular forum has been a gem (thank you!). I have been interested in the breed for years and have truly loved all but one of the Cavaliers I have met. Their personality/temperament is exactly what I’m looking for and I feel would fit into our lives perfectly. I am lucky enough to have a job that doesn’t require much time from home and when I do go in to work, I can bring my dog with me. I’d also love to get back into dog sports (our current boy is too old for “those silly games” and love the working attitude of the Cavaliers I have seen.
Unfortunately, I have to say that I’m terrified to get a Cavalier though. With all the health problems, I just don’t know if I can in good conscious support/buy a breed that suffers from such painful issues. I have two friends that have dogs with SM and it breaks my heart to see them suffer. Previously I had believed, with careful research and screening of breeders, I could find a breeder/line that would be healthy. Thus far I have found that when I ask about health testing that follows the current protocols, I either do not receive a reply or am told in a variety of tones (from rude and condescending to fairly collegial) that all these tests are not necessary (for a variety of reasons), or that they do some tests, but not others. I’ve also been told all purebreds have problems (which I recognize) and that the breed has been unjustly represented. I truly feel, however, after reading all the health studies and reports, these breeders are not being realistic about their breed.
In my searches for my previous dogs, I would ask about health clearances, training methods (I’m a “clicker trainer”), food choices, vaccines, etc. With the Cavalier, I can’t seem to find a breeder that adheres to the suggested protocols, never mind getting into questions of training, etc.
It is upsetting to admit that I will probably have to go with a different breed that is less suited to our lifestyle because I cannot seem to find someone that lives up to my expectations. Am I expecting too much of a breeder? I don’t think so as I have found other breeders in other breeds that exceeded my expectations.
I don’t mean to sound rude or aggressive, but I just find it terribly frustrating to find a breed that I thought would be perfect for our lives and be disappointed. I thought I would post here hoping there are breeders out there that do follow health screening protocols that I just haven’t found. I appreciate the honesty and candid information that I’ve found on this board. Even if we don’t get a Cavalier, I will always try to support the health research in the breed (with the hope that some day these issues can be reduced, if not solved).
Again, I don’t mean to offend or upset anyone. I do really love the breed and am just exasperated.
Humbly,
Lissa
I have never posted on this forum, but have been a member for some time. I generally use forums to research and this particular forum has been a gem (thank you!). I have been interested in the breed for years and have truly loved all but one of the Cavaliers I have met. Their personality/temperament is exactly what I’m looking for and I feel would fit into our lives perfectly. I am lucky enough to have a job that doesn’t require much time from home and when I do go in to work, I can bring my dog with me. I’d also love to get back into dog sports (our current boy is too old for “those silly games” and love the working attitude of the Cavaliers I have seen.
Unfortunately, I have to say that I’m terrified to get a Cavalier though. With all the health problems, I just don’t know if I can in good conscious support/buy a breed that suffers from such painful issues. I have two friends that have dogs with SM and it breaks my heart to see them suffer. Previously I had believed, with careful research and screening of breeders, I could find a breeder/line that would be healthy. Thus far I have found that when I ask about health testing that follows the current protocols, I either do not receive a reply or am told in a variety of tones (from rude and condescending to fairly collegial) that all these tests are not necessary (for a variety of reasons), or that they do some tests, but not others. I’ve also been told all purebreds have problems (which I recognize) and that the breed has been unjustly represented. I truly feel, however, after reading all the health studies and reports, these breeders are not being realistic about their breed.
In my searches for my previous dogs, I would ask about health clearances, training methods (I’m a “clicker trainer”), food choices, vaccines, etc. With the Cavalier, I can’t seem to find a breeder that adheres to the suggested protocols, never mind getting into questions of training, etc.
It is upsetting to admit that I will probably have to go with a different breed that is less suited to our lifestyle because I cannot seem to find someone that lives up to my expectations. Am I expecting too much of a breeder? I don’t think so as I have found other breeders in other breeds that exceeded my expectations.
I don’t mean to sound rude or aggressive, but I just find it terribly frustrating to find a breed that I thought would be perfect for our lives and be disappointed. I thought I would post here hoping there are breeders out there that do follow health screening protocols that I just haven’t found. I appreciate the honesty and candid information that I’ve found on this board. Even if we don’t get a Cavalier, I will always try to support the health research in the breed (with the hope that some day these issues can be reduced, if not solved).
Again, I don’t mean to offend or upset anyone. I do really love the breed and am just exasperated.
Humbly,
Lissa