I am going to purchase a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel that was diagnosed with an open fontanelle. I have done quite a bit of research on this but it seems like it is more prevalent with smaller breeds. Could it be that it will close up on its own or am I setting myself and kids up for disaster? The breeder says she is playing and running around just like her littermates-no problems what so ever. Help!

The words barge & pole come to mind

Sorry but this breeder should be running on the puppy until she/he knows that the puppy will be ok & the fontanelle is closed. I certainly would never consider a puppy that had an open fontanelle.

agree with moonmaiden

I agree to with Moonmaiden, dont buy a dog knowing it's got something wrong with it, and an open fontelle is not likely to close on it's own, it's the breeders responsibility to keep hold of that puppy, buy a dog whats healthy.  You dont wont your kids to come attached to a dog what could run into something and it could end up fatal for the dog.

Warm regards Susan

Hi Guest
My first dog was a yorkshire terrier, when i took her to the vet for a check up he said she had an open fontanelle. I kept her as i couldn't hand her back. She began to suffer from fits, never grew much bigger than what she was when i first bought her, and suffered a heart attack and died at 4. I don't know if any of this were related to the open fontanelle but thought i'd mention it. :-)

If this were my pup it would be kept until it was about 6 months old at least. If a willing and knowledable and trustworthy home came up I would give the puppy to them. No way should this puppy be sold as a healthy pup even though it could go on to have a great life. I should not be bred from and will allways need that bit extra observation for potential problems like fits.
To give the breeder credit she did point it out but you would be wise to wait for a different puppy.