It matches what was said to me by a former head of the ISPCA over here, who was an inspector with the RSPCA -- I interviewed him for my Irish Times story on Puppy Farms, a story inspired by what I began to find out abut how horrifically cavaliers are farmed, brokered, and exported. I would never advise getting a puppy from anyone who keeps their dogs in kennels, especially outdoor kennel blocks (and 'kennels' would be a glorified term for the conditions some keep their dogs in -- old horse stalls, wooden box kennels, old farm outbuildings, and garden sheds are often the sad choice of permanent home. I would guess hundreds upon hundreds of cavaliers that are sold via websites and free ads magazines and newspapers live in such hellish conditions -- yet again why I ask people to please, please, go to the breeder, expect to see where the dogs live, expect to be able to inspect certs for real health testing (not just something the local vet signed).
One of the greatest ironies I think is that many breeders, including the 'proper' show breeders, keep their own dogs in conditions that they would NEVER allow the puppies they are selling to go to. Some of those who insist on indoor homes, safely fenced back gardens, and so on for the puppies they sell keep their own dogs outside in kennels and the only interaction they get is being allowed out for exercise, then back they go. A few are shown and thus get some extra attention, or get to live in the house. Some breeders have really nice provisions for their dogs -- but still -- unless they have free run of the house and get to be family dogs too (and many do), it is a pretty grim life for a social animal to spend all its time going from kennels to a bit of exercise then back in kennels; producing puppies all along the way. The only chance these dogs get for a decent life i when they are generally homed at the end of their breeding life. Sadly I also know of breeders who would simply put the dogs down at this point. It's shame as breed rescues would have no problems homing 6-7 year old retired breeding girls. Even small children know instinctively that keeping dogs in kennels is not very humane. How sad that we lose this ability to see this as we get older and able to rationalise up reasons as to why this is OK.