Questions to Ask a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Breeder
Pictured: Grace
Photo credit: Carol Yates
Bringing a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy into your life is an exciting and emotional decision. However, choosing a puppy should never be an impulse purchase. The breeder you choose can have a significant impact on your puppy's health, temperament and lifelong wellbeing.
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is one of the world's most loving and affectionate companion breeds, but it is also predisposed to several inherited health conditions. Ethical and responsible breeders work tirelessly to protect the future of the breed through comprehensive health testing, careful breeding decisions and lifelong support for their puppies.
As a prospective owner, asking the right questions can help you distinguish an ethical breeder from someone simply producing puppies.
Below are the questions we encourage every puppy buyer to ask.
Have both parents undergone annual heart examinations by a veterinary cardiologist?
Why this matters
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are particularly predisposed to Myxomatous Mitral Valve Disease (MMVD), a degenerative heart condition that is unfortunately common within the breed.
Responsible breeders understand the importance of reducing the incidence of early-onset heart disease and therefore have their breeding dogs examined regularly by veterinary cardiologists.
Good answers
✔ "Yes. Both parents are examined annually by a veterinary cardiologist."
✔ "Yes. I can show you the cardiologist's certificates."
✔ "I also know the heart status of the grandparents and other close relatives."
Red flags
❌ "My regular vet listened to their hearts."
❌ "Neither dog has a murmur, so they don't need testing."
❌ "They've never had any heart problems."
❌ "I've been breeding for years and never had issues."
No breeder can guarantee that heart disease will never occur in Cavaliers.
Follow-up questions
When was the last cardiologist examination performed?
May I see the cardiologist's certificates?
At what age were the parents first bred?
What is the heart history of their parents and grandparents?
Ethical breeders should happily answer these questions and provide documentation.
Have the parents been MRI screened for Chiari-like Malformation and Syringomyelia?
Why this matters
Chiari-like Malformation (CM) and Syringomyelia (SM) are complex neurological conditions that occur within the breed.
Some affected dogs may experience pain, scratching behaviours, sensitivity around the head and neck, reluctance to exercise and other neurological signs. Some dogs may show no obvious signs at all.
MRI screening is currently the most reliable way of assessing breeding dogs.
Good answers
✔ "Yes. Both parents have undergone MRI screening."
✔ "I can provide copies of the MRI grading results."
✔ "I use MRI results and breeding guidelines when selecting breeding pairs."
Red flags
❌ "Neither parent scratches."
❌ "They're perfectly healthy."
❌ "None of my dogs have ever shown symptoms."
❌ "MRI testing isn't necessary."
Many affected dogs may show few or no symptoms. Appearance alone cannot determine MRI status.
Follow-up questions
At what age were the MRI scans performed?
Who interpreted the MRI scans?
May I see the grading certificates?
Do you consider MRI results when selecting breeding combinations?
A breeder who undertakes MRI screening should be transparent about the results.
Have eye examinations been performed?
Why this matters
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels may be predisposed to certain inherited eye conditions.
Regular eye examinations can help identify potential concerns and contribute to responsible breeding decisions.
Good answers
✔ "Yes. Our breeding dogs undergo regular eye examinations."
✔ "I can provide copies of the eye certificates."
Red flags
❌ "Their eyes look fine."
❌ "I've never had eye problems."
❌ "I've never had them checked."
Follow-up questions
When was the most recent eye examination?
Who performed the examination?
Have any close relatives experienced eye conditions?
May I see copies of health certificates and testing results?
Why this matters
Ethical breeders are proud of the work they invest in their breeding programme and understand why puppy buyers ask these questions.
Good answers
✔ "Absolutely."
✔ "I have all the certificates here."
✔ "I'm happy to explain what each result means."
Red flags
❌ "I don't have the paperwork."
❌ "I can't find the certificates."
❌ "You'll just have to trust me."
❌ "I don't share my documents."
Responsible breeders expect questions and are generally delighted to discuss their health testing programme.
What are the temperaments of the parents like?
Why this matters
Temperament has a genetic component and also influences the early experiences puppies receive.
Cavaliers should be:
Affectionate
Friendly
Gentle
Adaptable
Eager to interact with people
Social and loving companions
Good answers
✔ "Both parents are affectionate and confident."
✔ "They enjoy meeting people and being involved in family life."
✔ "You're welcome to meet the mother."
Red flags
❌ "She's nervous around strangers."
❌ "The father is aggressive."
❌ "They don't really like people."
Follow-up questions
May I meet the mother?
How do the dogs behave around visitors?
How do they cope with new experiences?
How are the puppies raised and socialised?
Why this matters
Early experiences play an enormous role in helping puppies become resilient, confident adults.
Good answers
✔ Raised inside the home.
✔ Exposed to everyday household sights and sounds.
✔ Handled gently and regularly.
✔ Introduced to different surfaces, toys and enrichment activities.
✔ Given age-appropriate socialisation opportunities.
Red flags
❌ Puppies are raised entirely outdoors.
❌ Minimal handling.
❌ Little exposure to household life.
❌ Puppies spend most of their time in kennels.
Follow-up questions
Where do the puppies sleep?
What experiences have they had?
What enrichment activities are provided?
How are they introduced to new people and environments?
What support do you provide after I take my puppy home?
Why this matters
Ethical breeders care deeply about the lifelong wellbeing of every puppy they produce.
Good answers
✔ "I'm available for advice throughout your dog's life."
✔ "I stay in touch with my puppy owners."
✔ "I'm happy to answer questions about training, health and care."
Red flags
❌ "Once you collect the puppy, it's your responsibility."
❌ "I don't usually keep in contact."
Responsible breeders view their puppies as a lifelong commitment.
Will you always take the dog back if circumstances change?
The answer should always be: YES.
Life can be unpredictable. Illness, financial hardship, family changes and other unforeseen events sometimes mean people can no longer keep their dogs.
Ethical breeders never want one of their dogs to enter rescue, be abandoned or be passed from home to home.
Good answers
✔ "Yes, absolutely."
✔ "I will always take one of my dogs back."
✔ "Please contact me if your circumstances ever change."
Red flags
❌ "No."
❌ "You'll need to rehome the dog yourself."
❌ "That's your problem."
A breeder who genuinely cares about the dogs they bring into the world accepts lifelong responsibility for them.
Trust Your Instincts
A well-bred Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy is worth waiting for.
Never feel pressured to make a quick decision or hand over a deposit before you are comfortable.
An ethical breeder welcomes questions, provides evidence of health testing, openly discusses the strengths and challenges of the breed and remains committed to every puppy for its entire lifetime.
If something doesn't feel right, keep looking.
Need Advice?
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club of Queensland encourages prospective owners to begin their search with our Breeder Directory and to contact our Puppy Co-ordinator if they need assistance or have questions about finding an ethical and responsible Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breeder.
Choosing your breeder carefully is one of the most important decisions you will ever make—and one that can profoundly influence the health, happiness and future of your beloved Cavalier.
What If You Suspect an Unethical, Irresponsible or Illegal Breeder?
If something doesn't feel right, trust your instincts and walk away. No matter how adorable the puppies may be or how long you have been searching for a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy, never feel pressured into purchasing from a breeder who cannot answer your questions, refuses to provide health testing documentation or raises concerns about the welfare of their dogs.
Warning signs may include poor living conditions, puppies appearing unwell or fearful, an unwillingness to let you meet the mother or see where the puppies are raised, multiple litters always being available, pressure to pay a deposit quickly, puppies being sold at unusually young ages, or claims that health testing is unnecessary. Purchasing a puppy from an irresponsible breeder can unintentionally support poor breeding practices and may expose both you and your puppy to significant emotional and financial heartache in the future.
If you suspect a breeder may be operating unethically, irresponsibly or in breach of animal welfare laws, do not proceed with the purchase. Instead, document your concerns and consider reporting them to RSPCA Queensland or the Animal Welfare League Queensland for advice and guidance. By speaking up, you may help protect not only the dogs involved but also future puppy buyers and contribute to improving animal welfare standards.
A responsible breeder will always welcome questions, willingly provide evidence of health testing and place the health, welfare and lifelong wellbeing of their dogs above making a sale.
Learn more about what to look out for and what to do if you think you are dealing with a ‘backyard breeder’.