Arundell Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
SIRE AND DAM
Our pups are sired by Ruby Honour (Amancio Highest Honour) or Ruby Cambridge (Duke of Cambridge) and their dam will be one of our beautiful Ruby or Black & Tan girls. All our dogs are purebred Cavalier King Charles Spaniels registered with DogsVic (Victorian Canine Association). Pups are placed on Limited Register (family pet home, not for breeding or export).
VETERINARY EXAMINATION
Pups are examined by a qualified experienced Veterinarian at 6 - 8 weeks of age to obtain a Certificate of Puppy Health. It is very important to note that purchase of your pup is conditional on the outcome of this veterinary examination. If any health issues become evident at this examination, you will be contacted immediately. We will replace the pup with another similar one if we have one available that suits you, or we will refund your deposit and progress payments in full.
We have built up an excellent reputation over the years, and it is very important to us to maintain the highest standards. We do not send dogs to new homes unless they prove 100% healthy at this examination, and they are well socialised and psychologically sound. Families are encouraged to take their pup to their own vet during their first week in their new home, to be examined again so they feel assured of their excellent health.
VACCINATION
Our pups are vaccinated at 8-10 weeks of age. Families are given the Certificate of Vaccination on Collection Day. Pups need to be vaccinated again at 12-16 weeks of age. Until that time, families are strongly encouraged not take their pup anywhere where there may have been unvaccinated dogs at any time.
MICROCHIPPING
Pups are microchipped and their details recorded on the Central Animal Registry CAR database. You can notify CAR online once your pup moves to your home and give them the new address. If your pup is ever lost, the finder can take them to a veterinarian or pet shop where their microchip can be scanned, and notify the CAR who will in turn call you. We are registered as an alternate contact with CAR, so if you are not home, they will call us. Families are encouraged to take the further wise precaution of having their phone number engraved on a metal disc attached to their pup's collar, so the finder has the option to call you direct.
SLEEPING
Your pup will need somewhere warm and secure to sleep, perhaps in a bedroom near a family member. The bed need not be expensive or fancy. A plastic pet carrier or sturdy cardboard box is fine. A pure woollen blanket holds heat well and breathes so it does not become too hot. You can often get these at charity shops. Buy a couple, then wash and air them alternately. For the first few weeks, puppy wake time will be around 7am and sleep time will be around 6pm.
TOYS
Puppies love toys and playing! It is fun and stimulating for them. Toys do not need to be fancy or expensive, but a variety of different items will provide mental and physical stimulation for the pup, and provide a focus for playtime as you get to know each other. Make sure they do not have parts which can be chewed off and swallowed.
FEEDING
Our pups are raised on a premium quality dry food that provides all their nutrients XP3020. It is available from pet shops supplied by Pet Pacific. As pups grow, a complete good quality dry food around 22-25% protein is all that is needed for good health. They may be given doggy treats for training purposes, but please no biscuits, cake or chocolate. These are people treats, not doggy treats. Arundell Cavalier pups are 'demand fed' and you can continue this if it suits you. This means that you do not need to feed your pup at a particular time. You can leave out two bowls, one with dry food and one with water, and the pup will eat when hungry. Cavaliers fed this way from their early weeks do not overeat and are more likely to maintain a healthy weight which is important for heart health. Make sure you have a container of fresh water available at all times. A clean container of any material is fine, but try to find a relatively shallow one which is shaped wider at the bottom than the top, so your pup cannot step in it and spill it.
Please do not ever give these foods to your pup:
Milk (Except puppy milk)
Cooked bones of ANY kind
Chocolate
Spicy foods or onion
Grapes
WORMING
Our pups are wormed weekly from 4-12 weeks of age, then fortnightly from 12-20 weeks with Drontal Puppy Worming Liquid. After 20 weeks, they can be wormed monthly with an adult worming tablet.
GENERAL HEALTH OF CAVALIERS
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are robust little dogs and generally enjoy good health, but there can be issues, particularly with their hearts. We select our stock very carefully and none of our dogs take cardiac medication or have had surgery to correct a heart condition. Every possible care is taken in the breeding of our dogs, but there are no guarantees. Many Cavaliers eventually pass away with heart issues, and we consider a lifespan of around ten years to be average for this breed. Inexperienced Cavalier owners may have expectations different to this, but we believe that you and the dog will be happier and enjoy your time together more, if you have realistic expectations. If health issues arise, please be sure to contact your veterinarian at the earliest opportunity, seek a second opinion if you have any doubts, and remember to notify us so that we can adjust our breeding program accordingly.
DESEXING
Pups can be desexed around 20 weeks of age, before they start to move into adolesence and develop sexual characteristics or behaviours. This will make life easier for both of you.