Here is a list of frequently asked questions. We are always happy to discuss anything you'd like to face-to-face, over the phone, or by email.

Is a Cavalier the right dog for me? Cavaliers are companion animals and thrive on attention. They are also very loving in return. If you are looking for a loving friend whose main job is just that, then a Cavalier would be a great choice.

Are Cavaliers good with children? Yes, Cavaliers are excellent with children. They love to interact and play with humans and well as other animals. Cavaliers do not tend to bite even when threatened. However, it is a good idea to supervise small children with any pet so that the child does not accidentally hurt the pet.

Are Cavaliers good with other animals? Cavaliers are good with other animals and often make other animal friends. Basically, they love everyone and everything.

How big do Cavaliers get? Most Cavaliers will range in size between 13-18 pounds and be 12-13 inches at the shoulder. Of course some will be a little smaller or larger. Like any dog, they can be overweight if fed too many treats.

How big are your Cavaliers? Our main emphasis is on health, temperament, and confirmation. However, our Cavaliers are on the small side of the size spectrum. We feel that the dog around 13 pounds fits better in your lap, than a dog at the other side of the size spectrum.

What colors do Cavaliers come in? There are only four accepted colors. Blenheim, Tri, Ruby and Black and Tans. We raise only the Blenheims and the Tris. Rubys and Black and Tans should never have any white on them.

Will my puppy be potty trained when I get it? A puppy does not have muscle control of its bladder until AT LEAST 3 ½ months of age. Bowel control is usually a little sooner. Any vet will attest to this. That being said, any breeder trying to sell you a potty trained puppy is most likely using a sales pitch. Potty training may have been started, but don't expect a puppy at this age to be fully potty trained.

Do Cavaliers make good guard dogs? No. They may bark when a stranger comes to the door, but usually they like everyone, even strangers.

Do Cavaliers bark much? No, they are not a noisy breed. Again, they may possibly bark when a stranger comes to the door, but they are not at all "yappy". They are very laid back and relaxed.

Why are Cavaliers sometimes called "comforter spaniels"? Their laid back personality and their affection for their owners, along with their very silky and "highly pettable" coats make them great stress relievers!

Do Cavaliers travel well? The Cavalier's strong desire to be with their owners, makes them a willing and pleasant traveler. Their size and personality makes them welcome as well at most places.

Are Cavaliers an AKC breed? Yes, the breed was recognized by the AKC as of January 1995. The AKC is the oldest and most respected registry. Some registries will register with just pictures of a dog and nothing else. Basically, if it looks sort of like a Cavalier, that's good enough for them. In this case, you don't really know that you have a pure line. This being said, you don't know that your puppy will be true to Cavalier traits. Our puppies all go home with their AKC registration paperwork. AKC is the only registry that verifies lineage through DNA testing. Protect yourself and insist on a puppy with AKC registration paperwork.

Can I find one is a pet store? Hopefully, never. Pet stores usually purchase from puppy mills. They may tell you that all of their puppies come from USDA inspected kennels. This is likely true. However, all that means is that the dogs/puppies from that kennel have adequate food, water, shelter, and health care. There could be literally hundreds of dogs at the kennel. It doesn't matter. Also, it is THE LAW that if a breeder has over a certain number of dogs, that their kennel be USDA inspected. Pet stores buy from those puppy mills to protect themselves legally.

Does is make a difference if my puppy was kennel or home raised? Yes. Early socialization is very important to the overall personality of the puppy. This will often carry over into adulthood.

Are Cavaliers shedders? Cavaliers are light shedders. A weekly brushing will keep shedding down even more. There are also supplements that are designed to reduce shedding. Petsmart sells one called ShedX. The only time a Cavalier will shed a lot is when a female comes into heat or has puppies. It is related to hormone shifts.

What kind of grooming does my Cavalier require? Cavaliers have a single and very silky coat. They are what some people call "wash and go". You will need a soft slicker and a steel comb as well as a shampoo and conditioner (if you want to make the haircoat even softer). To groom: brush and comb thoroughly - shampoo, rinse, condition, rinse, towel dry, dry with hair dryer. Brush again. Enjoy your silky friend!

Will a male lift his leg all over the house? This is the number one reason some people prefer females. The key to preventing this is to have your male neutered BEFORE his testosterone kicks in. If he is neutered by 5 months of age, you can prevent this. We do keep Aslan our unneutered male in the house. We are very blessed in that he does not lift his leg or pee in the house. He does lift his leg outside. Most often, a neutered male will just squat like a female.

What is the best way to housetrain? Please see our housetraining page.

Do your dogs have their health clearances? Yes, we feel that this is something every breeder should do.

Should I get a guarantee with my puppy? Yes! You should always be given a written guarantee with your new puppy. A short-term guarantee (a few days or weeks) is not a good guarantee. Please see our guarantee for more information.

I just want a pet. Do I need a dog with Champion bloodlines? A reputable breeder does not purposely breed for "pet quality" puppies from "pet quality" dogs. Most champion dogs have excellent health, conformation, temperament, and are true to all of the desired Cavalier traits. People buying pets still want to have a Cavalier that is true to all of the traits that have made them fall in love with the breed. Even pet buyers deserve this. The further away from well-bred Champions you get, the more likely you are to get a puppy that is not exactly what you want and may very well have health problems in the future. The final decision is up to you.

What about breeding rights? On occasion we do give out breeding rights. However, we are selective. There are a lot of things to consider when choosing to breed. Typically our puppies are sold with Limited AKC Registration. You can still show your dog in everything except conformation classes, and any offspring would not be able to be registered with the AKC.

At what age do you let puppies go to their new homes? Typically between 9 and 10 weeks of age. We want our puppies to be eating dry food (not soaked) for at least 1 week before going home.

Do you ship puppies and is it safe? The answer to both questions is yes. For more information please see our Shipping page.

How often and when do I feed my puppy? Please see the Puppy Care page.

How long do Cavaliers live? The average lifespan for a Cavalier is 12 -14 years.

How can I pay for my new puppy? We can take Visa and Master Card over the phone. You may also send a check. Please be advised that if sending a check for deposit on a puppy, that we will only hold the puppy for 3 business days. If you live in another state, please send your check 2-3 days express to avoid a delay. If you are coming to pick your puppy up, we only accept cash, Visa, or Master Card on the day of pick-up. If you'd like to send check for final payment, please make sure that we have it in time for it to clear our bank. This can take up to 14 days.