Breeder’s Story

My first Cavalier King Charles Spaniel was purchased at the pet store. I know - big, huge no-no. But, at the time it was the only way I could afford one of these beauties. All I knew was I have loved their look and temperament as far back as I can remember. I did not think about researching Cavalier King Charles Spaniels...we've had dogs forever and did not do that for any dog. Well, I've learned a lot in the last almost 13 years living with the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel from the pet store - Suki. She will be 13 January 12, 2024. She was diagnosed with MVD at around 6 years old and has been on medicine since then. Recently, she was put on the third medicine of the "triple cocktail" for MVD. Knowing all that I know now, I am very blessed to have Suki still around.

Unfortunately, I have had to learn about some of the diseases common to Cavalier King Charles Spaniels through some of my dogs. My Freya (4) was diagnosed with SM (syringomyelia). It is a terrible disease. Freya participated in an SM study at North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine in Raleigh, North Carolina. Here is a link to the study.

I have also had to learn about MVD (mitral valve disease) to help Suki out. Some of my Cavalier King Charles Spaniels qualified to participate in a 7-year long study focusing on the shape of a heart valve at Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine in Blacksburg, Virginia. Here is a link to that study.

I have made it my passion to research, learn and do whatever possible that I can to help this beautiful, loving breed be healthy long-term. We never have enough time with them no matter how old they are, but I would love to have the average age of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel be much older than it is now due to disease.