Before you Buy – Search for a Breeder who Health Tests
Buying a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Puppy
What to expect from a Breeder who puts
Health, Welfare and Temperament First
and follows The Code of Practice for Dog Breeding
Essential Documents
Signed AWF Puppy Contract
KC Registration Certificate (if applicable)
Microchip Registration Certificate
Temporary Pet Health Insurance
Vaccination Certificates
Worming History
Copies of ALL Health Certificates
A good breeder will
provide a supply of food and a blanket smelling of Mum
Health Certificates
(Both Parents)
BVA/KC Health Scheme
MRI Scan Results
(CM/SM) Chiari Malformation/Syringomyelia
(Parents should not be bred under 2.5 years)
Hip Dysplasia
Eye Disease (Cataract and Retinal Dysplasia)
(both parents and puppy)
Other Tests
Heart Disease (MVD) both parents and Grandparents
The KC Heart Scheme is recommended (echocardiogram)
Luxating Patella (Before the age of 2yrs by an Orthopaedic Vet)
DNA Test Certificates
Curly Coat/Dry Eye
Episodic Falling Syndrome (neurological)
Degenerative Myelopathy (neurological)
Brief Explanation and Other Diseases
Diseases – Testing Available
(CM/SM) Chiari Malformation/Syringomyelia Mismatch in size of Brain (too big) to Skull (too Small). (Neurological)
Episodic Falling Syndrome (Unique to Cavaliers) Exercise-induced disorder – muscles are unable to relax (Neurological)
Mitral Valve Disease Early onset (Unique to Cavaliers) Heart Disease (biggest killer of Cavaliers worldwide)
Eye Disease (Cataract and Retinal Dysplasia) Cataract – Clouding of the eye leading to blindness
Retinal Dysplasia – Abnormal Development of the Retina
Curly Coat/ Dry Eye (unique to Cavaliers) Severe and painful condition affecting Skin, Nails, Eyes
Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) Hind leg weakness/paralysis
Hip Dysplasia Abnormal formation of the Hip – pain and lameness Luxating Patella Knee -cap slipping out of place causing pain.
Other Common Diseases – (no current test schemes)
Pancreatitis (Inflammation of the Pancreas) – can become acute and painful
Brachycephaly (Shortened muzzle and skull) – difficulty breathing and cooling
Epilepsy (neurological)
Myoclonus Seizure-like activity (neurological)
Vestibular (neurological)
Photophobia (neurological)
PSOM (Glue Ear) Blood Platelets –
Blood Clotting Disorder to few or too large (unique to Cavaliers)
