What Cavaliers need the most is LOVE
and that is what they give back ten-fold. Originally they were the lap dogs of royalty, which is why they are called "comfort spaniels". They want to be with their family and they are lonely without them. This is not a breed you can leave outside all day or leave indoors in a crate all day while you are at work.
If you do not want a dog who follows you all around the house and wants to sit in your lap when you watch TV or read, than this breed is not for you.

Food/Shelter

Cavaliers only eat a half cup of food a day so it makes feeding them a high quality food affordable. Any dog food off the Top 10 Natural Dog Food List is generally a safe choice. I feed "Taste of the Wild" and Fromm. Here are some other recommendations:  Orijen and Acana. Cavaliers are not cold weather dogs, they must be kept from cold drafty environments. They prefer the warmth of your lap or a soft cuddly dog bed when you aren't there. When we have to leave our dogs they are in the house with  a dog door into a safe fenced enclosure so they can relieve themselves and get fresh air.

Grooming/Bathing

Grooming a Cavalier is so much easier than our previous breed, the Samoyed, who took 2-3 hours to dry with a high powered professional dog dryer. Ears are the trickiest part of the Cavalier as they tend to get in their food and water and in each others' mouths when they play. So a good weekly ear combing is important before they get matted. I find the cavalier easy to bathe. I start bathing them when they are 8 weeks old and continue to bath them every month and I have no trouble with shedding. I use our laundry room sink which is at a nice height and perfect size with a removable shower head on a hose to wet them down in a matter of minutes. Then I use a gentle tear-free childrens' shampoo and message it in followed by a thorough rinse. I let them shake before removing them from the tub. Then I wrap them up in towel and towel dry them. Last, I use a commercial dog dryer and dry them in 10 minutes or less.

Exercise/Fencing

This breed does not need a lot of exercise, unlike many breeds who turn destructive without it. However, they love to go on walks with their humans and since it's good for us, it's a good way to bond with your dog and get your exercise too! Mine also love to play with toys in the house, where they enjoy having a toy thrown across the house and bringing
it back to you.



Our dogs exploring in the backyard garden

Our backyard is all fenced in


Having a section of your yard fenced is ideal, especially when you are house-breaking a puppy, where it is crucial to get your puppy out often to avoid accidents. Timing is critical. When you see a puppy starting to sniff the floor, it is time to jump into action. When you can just open your door into a fenced yard and call them out instead of looking for a leash and trying to get them hooked up fast, your chances of success are greatly enhanced.  I do NOT recommend Invisible type fencing systems. Other animals can come into your yard and injure or kill your dog. People can easily steal them. Plus Cavaliers love to chase squirrels and, in the excitement of the chase, can easily cross the barrier into the road and get hit.

Socializing/Training

Socializing your puppy is easy, fun and vital to your puppy becoming a confident, outgoing well-rounded canine citizen. It is important, however, to stay away from public parks until your puppy has received its complete set of puppy vaccines. I recommend a puppy kindergarten class which is a way of socializing puppies with other puppies and people in a very safe, friendly environment where all puppies have to show proof of vaccines to be there. After puppy kindergarten, a beginner's obedience class is also beneficial. This is where your dog will learn the basics like walking on lead, sitting, standing, lying down, and coming to you when called. There are many good affordable classes though your local community centers.



Veterinary Care

After your puppy receives the full set of puppy vaccines at 8, 12, and 16 week with rabies, then your he/she will be set for the next year.