Hi there. I have a query regarding my Cavalier and hope somebody out there might know the answer.

He is 14 months old. He is my first dog so I don't know much about their growth etc, but I have been told by so many people that he only looks about 5 months old because he is so small and short fur, although he has a very hairy chest. I asked the Vet and he told me that he is just a small build for his breed, but I just wondered if anybody could tell me whether at this age he has stopped growing, and if his hair will stay short. It doesn't bother me that he's retained his youthful looks as he is so cute and lovely, but I just wondered if he will grow any further.

I would have thought that he would have done most of his growing by now, and should certainly have reached full size (as appropriate for his build) when he is two.

I have a cavalier who is bigger than he should be (in height as well as girth!) and I have noticed that the size of other cavaliers we meet does vary wildly - a few are larger than him, and I have also seen some who are really tiny. In fact I know one who really was little, yet she was healthy all her life and lived to a ripe old age.

I don't know why your dog's fur is still quite short, but I think it can sometimes take a long time for the coat to develop fully, and people say that neutering them can affect their coat; has yours been castrated?

So, it sounds like your dog may not be as big as some cavaliers, but as long as he is healthy and happy I wouldnt worry about it. He's probably a perfect size to pick up and cuddle!

I just thought I'd give a little update on this old message of mine.

My Cavalier is now 19 months old and has even shorter hair than before. At one point it seemed his chest was quite hairy but now it's practically bald with a thin coat of hair over it!

My 6 month old Cavalier is now extremely fluffy all over but my older dog is so funny being so short haired.

I have never seen a Cavalier with hair as short as my dog.

I have six Cavaliers and most them have 'normal' long well feathered coats but my 9 year old bitch never really coats up. She had a fab coat as a puppy and then at 18 months had her first litter, after that she never regained her length of coat, although she has a beautiful shine and still is my wonderful girl. In addition she has a rather wispy tail.

Her coat does improve when I give her 'Fit n Fertile' - see other postings about this product.

hi have 4 cavs and my 3rd one has short hair my second has really long hair especially his chest and ears and the other 2 are normal (i think). But my mums cav is 1 year old and she also looks like a 5 month old.So they all do just vary.
Jill