Finding reputable breeders in the Irish Republic.

[Celticharmony]

I would very much appreciate anyone who can guide me towards finding reputable breeders of B&T Cavaliers in Ireland as I am having no luck up to now. The Irish Kennel Club has not responded as yet to my query, so am left pretty much in limbo.
Why you may well ask must it be B&T? Well, at the risk of being labelled too sensitive by far, my reasons are, firstly I have never owned a B&T and secondly it is still early days since our beloved Toby a Blenheim and Loui a TRI went to the Bridge and I am not ashamed to say that I would not find it easy just now to have either of those colours in the house...later down the line yes.
My little Ruby, Max has always been used to having two or more dogs around him and so I truly feel that he would benefit from canine company right now.
I have had concerns about posting this query, being unsure as to whether it was permitted, so if I have broken any rules, I apologise.
You would also be forgiven for asking that if I am so keen to have a B&T then why not give a rescue dog a loving home.? There is nothing I would love more, except that I am no longer in a financially viable position to cater for a little dog with possible on-going health issues, so a healthy puppy or very young dog is the only option. Also to be fair,I do not feel emotionally strong enough right now to cope with a little dog that may have been ill treated and suffering psychological damage. Basically then, I am searching for breeders who can comply with the questionaire as outlined in Karlin's advise post on buying a puppy. If posts in reply to this query are not permitted publicly, then please be so kind and either PM me or indeed just advise as to who may be able to supply me with a list of reputable breeders. Thanking all readers of this post in anticipation of a response.

[Karlin]

You really do need to go through the IKC -- contact the breed club secretary directly. However be aware that very few Irish breeders do proper cardiac testing and most do not follow the MVD breeding protocol. Thus it may also be worth contacting the UK club. Personally I would also advise looking for breeders who MRI scan if you can. I don't know any Irish breeders I could recommend breeding black and tan litters. It isn't a very common colour.

I give a list of ways to find a breeder in Ireland on my rescue site, www.ckcsrescue.com, in the puppies' section. The advice is really the same everywhere -- you need to get a club affiliated breeder as a basic but from then on, it takes a lot of research and time. At the very minimum you need a breeder who can produce the actual cardiac and other certificates so that you know they actually do the testing they say they do. Vet heart testing is NOT adequate; it needs to be certs from the (one) cardic specialist in Ireland.

In three years of doing rescue I have only ever had one B&T. You would probably do better looking for a UK breeder and travelling over.

NB: If anyone has recommendations on a breeder, remember to please keep names off the board please, and instead send a PM.

[Celticharmony]

Karlin, thank you so much for your prompt response and I am relieved that I haven't broken any forum rules.
Your advise is much appreciated and to be honest I had a feeling that I would probably end up having to go to UK. It's such a pity to have to put a little puppy through so much travel and am concerned that it may be distressing for him. In the event that I do find a good breeder, do you advise that the puppy should be given a mild tranquiliser for the journey home by car and ferry to Rosslare? Nomatter how much I want this little dog, I would not wish to cause him any discomfort or distress, especially after just leaving his mother and siblings.
Again thank you Karlin for your kind and speedy advise and may I take this opportunity in wishing you well in the wonderful rescue work you do. I used to help out with this kind of work when we lived abroad, but unfortunately I am no longer fit enough. God Bless.
Renee

[WoodHaven]

Karlin, thank you so much for your prompt response and I am relieved that I haven't broken any forum rules.
Your advise is much appreciated and to be honest I had a feeling that I would probably end up having to go to UK. It's such a pity to have to put a little puppy through so much travel and am concerned that it may be distressing for him. In the event that I do find a good breeder, do you advise that the puppy should be given a mild tranquiliser for the journey home by car and ferry to Rosslare? Nomatter how much I want this little dog, I would not wish to cause him any discomfort or distress, especially after just leaving his mother and siblings.
Again thank you Karlin for your kind and speedy advise and may I take this opportunity in wishing you well in the wonderful rescue work you do. I used to help out with this kind of work when we lived abroad, but unfortunately I am no longer fit enough. God Bless.
Renee

I got a cavalier from the UK-- 9 hour plane ride and she did great. She didn't even have an accident, nor did she make a sound.

I just drove 7 hours in a car with a cavalier(monday and tuesday 7 hours each day)-- she slept most of the way and was fine. fwiw

[Celticharmony]

Gosh that is just incredible! Makes my journey to Uk seem like a mild jaunt in comparison. What a wonderful little puppy you must have had. Had she had a sedative prior to the journey?

[Karlin]

Happy to help and thanks for the good wishes. A sedative is dangerous to give any animal that is flying and they are never recommended except in very rare cases. You don't need one for driving a puppy by ferry -- its just going to sleep most of the way.

[WoodHaven]

Gosh that is just incredible! Makes my journey to Uk seem like a mild jaunt in comparison. What a wonderful little puppy you must have had. Had she had a sedative prior to the journey?

No, no seditives-- just don't feed them a large meal before a car trip or they might throw up. Feed a tiny meal 1st thing and then you can feed them a couple of ginger snaps -- ginger can settle a tummy. Cavaliers are actually great little travelers.

[Celticharmony]

Thanks a mil Karlin. Just incredible how a vet in Germany gave my friend's dog a mild sedative before flying him back to UK!! Doesn't bear thinking about does it? How can a professional be so irresponsible one has to ask? Speaking of asking, however simple the question or however obvious the answer is to some, it is reassuring to know that on this forum our queries are treated with respect and understanding, knowing that at the least the adressee cares enough to ask. We travelled through Germany Belgium and France to get here with a Lab and three Cavis, and yes I must agree they were all great travellers and the journey was uneventful. It was just a puppy that concerned me this time, but I know now there is no need.

[Celticharmony]

Thank you too Woodhaven. Yes, I always practise the no feeding before journeys. So unfair to a little dog to have him being sick due to lack of forethought.

[WoodHaven]

In the USA, you sometimes have to drive a bit to pick up your little one.

Our first was a 368 mile drive one way

Our third was 550 miles one way

Our fifth was the 9 hour plane trip (and a two hour car trip on the wrong side of the road)

all of these were pups between 10-14 weeks old and they all did well