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About Cavaliers

Temperament

Cavaliers generally are eager to please, happy with a characteristic tail wag - "always in motion", active when engaged, lazy if allowed to be, and without training can be prone to separation anxiety.  With a sporting dog background, they have chasing and hunting instincts and should NOT be trusted off leash, as they can easily get distracted chasing a bird or leaf into a busy road. Generally, they get along great with other animals and dog-savvy children.  Sometimes they get along so great with other dogs, that these dogs can become alarmed or annoyed and attack your Cavalier.  For this reason, I NEVER recommend taking your Cavalier to an off leash dog park.  Some Cavaliers are softer in temperament than others, meaning they respond submissively even to gentle discipline (such as raising your voice) and/or when confronted with conflict.  I highly recommend all puppies go through group obedience sessions for positive socialization to help build confidence.  Confidence building is a very important subject for this sensitive breed.

Size

The desirable size is between 13 - 18lbs when full grown, although some finish maturing at 10lbs and others up to 25lbs.  In general, a Cavalier will finish growing tall by 1 year, and finish physically developing by 2 - 3 years.  Furthermore, Cavaliers can easily become overweight due to overfeeding.  It is important to keep your Cavalier in a fit and trim physique, especially for keeping their hearts healthy.  If you cannot see a wast-line from the top view of your dog and/or easily feel their ribs, consider reducing calories and increasing exercise. 

Colors

The Cavalier is officially recognized in four colors.  These colors are Tricolor, Blenheim, Ruby, and Black & Tan.  Tricolor is a base of white with black markings and ears, with tan points on the eyebrows, muzzle, legs, and under the ears and tail.  Blenheim is white with rich chestnut red markings and ears.  Black and tan is solid black with tan points like the tricolor.  Ruby is solid rich chestnut red. 

Grooming

Cavaliers will develop matts/tangles without a weekly brush out! They also shed (but not as much as some other breeds)!  They require a full-body bath every 4 - 6 weeks, and rinsing or spot washing of dirty areas in between.  I do not recommend frequent shampooing as this dries out their skin, which is not meant for frequent bathing.  Although hair cuts aren't necessary for this breed, many choose to trim their pet Cavaliers to reduce (not eliminate) the need of brushing.  Shaving the coat is NOT advised unless medically necessary, for once shaved, the undercoat often grows back faster than the topcoat, resulting in a curly, thick, tangled coat, which not only makes it difficult to brush, but also makes it difficult for the dog to regulate a proper temperature (in both cold and heat) and you also end up with a dog that no longer looks like a Cavalier. Spaying or neutering too young (under 18mo) often contributes to a thicker, curly and more cotton textured coat as well.

Exercise/Activity Level

Cavaliers need daily mental and physical exercise in order to keep a happy calm demeanor, and a physically fit body. Young puppies will have a lot more energy and will need to be kept busier compared to adults. Strenuous or forced exercise  (long hikes, carrying weights, etc) is not recommended until age 18 months, when the growth plates have finished closing.  Doing so too young can cause skeletal development issues.  Generally, this breed begins to mature and calm down around 10 months - 1 year old, and finishes maturing around age 3.  

Males vs Females

Generally females are slightly more independent than the males are.  Males tend to be a bit larger in size, and can be needier than females.  When allowed to mature physically (by not neutering too early), males will develop a broader more masculine head. Otherwise there is not much difference  between the genders.  A properly bred Cavalier will have an amazing, loving, sweet personality, and the rest will depend on a combination of their genetics, how they were raised with their dam and the breeder, and how they are socialized and raised in their new home.  Every dog is an individual!  I highly recommend early group obedience classes for all puppies, for socialization purposes.  
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