Hello

I am the prospective owner of a cavalier - I have done lots of research and talked to a number of breeders - and am very happy with my choice, but I am struggling to decide whether I should look for a dog or a bitch - both have been recommended to me! I'd appreciate some advice about real life with either sex!

It would be the only dog in the household (at least for now!) but my friends all have dogs, of both sexes, neutered and entire. I do not have children, but it would be regualrly socialising with children aged 11/16 and their friends. I do not intend to breed or show the dog but I would like to do at least Good Citizan Obedience classes and hopefully agility when it is old enough.

I have been told that there are no significant differences between the sexes in this breed, that they are generallly of a similar size and shape, that both are equally prone to humping objects! (neutered or entire!) that both are lovable and biddable, and that the males are not prone to overt male type behaviour such as marking - but tend to be more affectionate and stable in temprement and the females are a bit more aloof and prone to mood swings. How does this fit with your experiences?

At present, having read many of the pros and cons posted here and elsewhere, I think I'd prefer not to neuter  - but II've love to know more about what that would mean for our daily lives together - I'm especailly concerned that a dog might be constantly driven to distraction by the neighbourhood females! - whereas I could supervise a bitch during her seasons - which I believe will be twice yearly about 3 weeks on adverage? Also, one of the reasons a bitch was suggested was that I have a light voice and am not naturally an authoritarian type and a dog would be more difficult to train? But I wasn't sure about that. Wouldn't it depend more on the temprement of the individual puppy?

Any advice much appreciated, I just want to make sure I make the right choice for me and my dog.

Hi Bev :D

I was having a quiet smile to myself reading your post Cavaliers are one of the few breeds that there is little difference the sexes in temperament & character. A light voice is great for dog training & don't worry about having to to be forceful etc with a cavalier, they respond to gentle training & consistancy is the main thing as with any puppy or young dog

Basically it is up to you & the breeder to choose the right puppy for you. I personally prefer dogs of any breed to bitches, but that is my personal choice. We have four male cavaliers ;)

You may want to join here as it is especially for cavalieraholics :D

Dear Moonmaiden

Thanks for the recommendation! I must admit - most things being equal - I have been leaning towards getting a dog myself, but its great to have a second opinion.

Thanks for the link - I've just registered and I'm waiting to be moderated! Maybe, if I have other Cavalier owners to chat to I can stop driving all my friends nuts with how excited I am about getting a dog. (or maybe not!)

Thanks

Bev

Hello Bev,
I to am getting a Cavalier i am getting a boy Blehn colour have you got a colour in mind yet, i get my boy on the 29th of may, and i am so excited, i asked the same question on here not so long ago, and i have read loads of books, and they all say the same really about not being really any differnce between them i have been told that boyes are more loving but i dont know. I have just been round to my freinds house and she has a cav girl, and she is so loving she is absolutly adorable, i walked into the room and sat down, well all my makeup ( Not that i wear a lot) was licked off when she did finaly stop, she just wanted her face in between my neck and face, and like i said so loving and sweet, at the moment i am just puppy proofing my house , and me and oh took a trip to the pet shop and spent £50 on a few toys a video and a book, we never got what we set out to get like the essentials, but never mind, another trip i think i can manage that lol.
hope to speak soon Jo

Dear Jo

Oh that's so exciting that you're getting your puppy so soon! I'm still at the looking hopefully stage and trying not to drool over all the MUST HAVE puppy things I've found on the net. I love the Blenheim's! Although, I love the tris and the ruby's too - so I haven't decided on a colour yet! Mostly, I just want a healthy, happy pup from a reputable breeder (Its shocking how many scary people there are out there selling Cavs - the downside of being such a loveable, popular, breed I suppose)

I'm using the puppy register of the breed society, but its a bit frustrating, because I was looking for a puppy ready end of June, but most of them said it was too early for those to be listed yet - but I know good pups can be "booked" before they are even born, I'm presently hoping on a litter from a breeder I really liked due start of June, but trying not to count my puppy before its even whelped!

Which book/video did you buy? There are so many out there, it would be good to get a personal recommendation!

will send you a personal message, so's not to be penalised for advertising
Jo

I don't know when you started looking but it took me 2 1/2 years to find my second Cavalier & he is the perfect dog(not show wise but as a companion)He is laid back yet can have mad sessions ;) & a real good example health character wise of all that is good in cavaliers. He has taught lots of kids how to train dogs ;) & will be taking another handler through YKC elementary at our show in June he came a close second to a BC who is worked regularaly in HTM, Agility & obedience

It is definitely worth waiting for as we now have 4 from the same breeder & they

Moonmaiden

Ah, I've been looking since March, I sincerley hope I don't have to wait 2 1/2 years!!! - I haven't had a dog for a long time because I wasn't at home enough - but from now on I'm working from home so I will have lots of time to spend with it - and whilst I'm keen to get the right dog I'm also getting really excited about having one again so I hope I don't have to wait too long.

I was just wondering if you would mind letting me know the name of the breeder you used? If you have four of their dogs they must be good and personal recommendations are always the best! I'm happy for you to send a personal message if you'd prefer.

Thanks so much

Bev

Hiya Bev

I don't think you will ahve to wait 2 1/2 years as I was looking for certain bloodlines & had to wait until the bitch & dog finally got their act together & produce puppies instead of just having a good time(mother is such a trollope she was spayed to prevent her constantly harrassing the boys ;))

Sadly the breeders have cut right down to four dogs two oldies(including my boys mum)& two young ones & they may not be breeding again :(  for me for my next dog I'll PM you the details as I would hate to be thought of as advertizing