ppotterfield
Well-known member
I joined this forum several months ago but have never posted until today. I am a member of another forum and do post there from time to time. On Friday and over the week-end there was a thread on that forum about breeding responsibilty which got me thinking about the responsibilities of those of us who are "just" pet owners. Buddy, our Cavalier is just 21 months old. He came from a reputable breeder with patella, eye and heart clearances as recommended. I had heard of SM but did not realize its prevalence until later but have kept in touch with his breeder, have discussed SM openly with her and so far there have been no reports of SM in his lines. I know with all of this that all I have really done is minimize, not eliminate the risk of serious disease. I also have come to recognize that we all, not just breeders or brokers, have some responsibility for protecting the health of this wonderful breed. Like many of you, we are in public with our dogs a lot, on walks in an urban neighborhood, on the State Capitol grounds and in the city parks; we take the dogs to the Dog Park three to five times a week and do lots of "charity fund raiser" walks in which we include the dogs; our dogs are with us at PetsMart at least once a week and they also travel with us back and forth from our house in town to our house in the country. In all of these places, people ask me all the time about getting a Cavalier. I could just tell them they are versatile, lovable, little sporting dogs and leave it at that. I find, however, that I frequently do more. I tell folks who asked how wonderful Cavaliers are and then I "lecture" that they can have very serious health issues. I have gotten so that I almost automatically tell people who express even the remotest interest that if they want a Cavalier it is imperative they NOT buy from backyard breeders, petstores and certainly not at auctions, that they need to do their homework before they proceed and insist on health clearances, and that it will be expensive to get a good quality Cavalier which meets these standards. I also tell them that if they cannot afford to get a puppy with good health clearances, for both the puppy and its parents (and if need be grandparents) they should either get another breed or get a dog from rescue, and not perpetuate the problem by buying from those who are not following recommended breeding and health protocols. I know there are some who are taken aback by my forthrightness and many who think I am being "snobbish" or who think I exaggerate, but I firmly believe it is the obligation of everyone who has and loves Cavaliers to give folks who admire our little dogs and want one "just like" them a truthful overview of the risks and obligations of being owned by a Cavalier.
For those of you who made it to the end, thanks for "listening" to my rainy Sunday afternoon ramblings.
Phyllis in West Virginia with Buddy (Mr. Sweetness and a Blenheim
CKCS) and Hadley (Ms. Tomboy and a Clumber Spaniel)
For those of you who made it to the end, thanks for "listening" to my rainy Sunday afternoon ramblings.
Phyllis in West Virginia with Buddy (Mr. Sweetness and a Blenheim
CKCS) and Hadley (Ms. Tomboy and a Clumber Spaniel)