"Tara Green" wrote in message:

The one I was keeping an eye on most (puppy mill Cavvy, from a warehouse
style pet shop) has, at age 7, some slight arthritis in his back leg.
That's about it.

That's certainly unusual. And lucky. I believe that almost all Cavs that
make it to age 10 develop MVD by that time (50% by age 5).

http://www.cavalierhealth.org/mitral_valve_disease.htm

Suja

Tara Green said in
rec.pets.dogs.breeds:

There are dozens of Cavs in my area.

I only know a few - one well, though. No health issues of any
sort for Timmie, and I've been looking after him every weekday
of his life and have seen his medical records.

Those I know in agility are 3 with one owner and two others (one
each with other owners). They've been going strong for 2 to 5
years and, according to their owners, no mitral valve problems
or other little dog issues.

--
--Matt. Rocky's a Dog.

Suja wrote:
"Tara Green" wrote in message:
The one I was keeping an eye on most (puppy mill Cavvy, from a warehouse
style pet shop) has, at age 7, some slight arthritis in his back leg.
That's about it.

That's certainly unusual. And lucky. I believe that almost all Cavs that
make it to age 10 develop MVD by that time (50% by age 5).

http://www.cavalierhealth.org/mitral_valve_disease.htm

That's the main thing I suggest people test for.

So far, I'd say maybe 3 out of over 20 have
been diagnosed with it.

And 2 of those were from breeders screening
for it.

I dunno.

On 20 Feb, 21:22, Rocky wrote:
Tara Green said in
rec.pets.dogs.breeds:

There are dozens of Cavs in my area.

I only know a few - one well, though. *No health issues of any
sort for Timmie, and I've been looking after him every weekday
of his life and have seen his medical records.

Those I know in agility are 3 with one owner and two others (one
each with other owners). *They've been going strong for 2 to 5
years and, according to their owners, no mitral valve problems
or other little dog issues.

--
--Matt. *Rocky's a Dog.

Got a good recommendation for people who love dogs www.adybusiness.com/index

Rocky wrote:
Tara Green said in
rec.pets.dogs.breeds:

There are dozens of Cavs in my area.

I only know a few - one well, though. No health issues of any
sort for Timmie, and I've been looking after him every weekday
of his life and have seen his medical records.

Those I know in agility are 3 with one owner and two others (one
each with other owners). They've been going strong for 2 to 5
years and, according to their owners, no mitral valve problems
or other little dog issues.


Exactly.

Four of the ones I know are doing agility.
Not well, mind you....but playing with it :-)

One of them had to "retire" because of heart
problems. That was sad because he's owned by
a *really* knowledgeable owner/trainer that
spent a year selecting his breeder.

ady wrote:

On 20 Feb, 21:22, Rocky wrote:
Tara Green said in
rec.pets.dogs.breeds:

There are dozens of Cavs in my area.

I only know a few - one well, though. *No health issues of any
sort for Timmie, and I've been looking after him every weekday
of his life and have seen his medical records.

Those I know in agility are 3 with one owner and two others (one
each with other owners). *They've been going strong for 2 to 5
years and, according to their owners, no mitral valve problems
or other little dog issues.

--
--Matt. *Rocky's a Dog.

Got a good recommendation for people who love dogs www.adybusiness.com/index

It's multiplying...

Nick

Nick wrote:
ady wrote:

On 20 Feb, 21:22, Rocky wrote:
Tara Green said in
rec.pets.dogs.breeds:

There are dozens of Cavs in my area.
I only know a few - one well, though. No health issues of any
sort for Timmie, and I've been looking after him every weekday
of his life and have seen his medical records.

Those I know in agility are 3 with one owner and two others (one
each with other owners). They've been going strong for 2 to 5
years and, according to their owners, no mitral valve problems
or other little dog issues.

--
--Matt. Rocky's a Dog.
Got a good recommendation for people who love dogs www.adybusiness.com/index

It's multiplying...


But thankfully its still stupid.

In article ,
ady wrote:
Got a good recommendation for people who love dogs

Me, too: avoid like the plague people who advertise on
Usenet.
--
Melinda Shore - Software longa, hardware brevis -

Prouder than ever to be a member of the reality-based community

"Suja" wrote in message
...

"Phyrie" wrote in message:

Although I have no idea how available they would be in shelter/rescue,

That'll definitely be an issue.

There are health issues, though. Be aware of that, although I'm sure
that statement rings true for most breeds.

IMO, most breeds don't have the same type of serious issues that Cavs
have, which is unfortunate, since they're terrific dogs. I don't think I
can in good conscience recommend a breed that will develop MVD. Plus, my
vet says that every Cav she's seen has serious back problems, and that is
a really bad combination with kids.

Suja

I thoroughly understand that. I researched as much as I could before
deciding on Cavaliers. The wonderfulness of the breed outweighed the health
concerns, for me, at that time. It remains to be seen if that continues.
Kiba's only two years old and healthy.
Kiba has one luxating patella (that the vet is fairly certain is a traumatic
injury, not congenital) and that's it. So far. I know that it's likely
he'll develop MVD, but the dogs in his breeder's lines are long lived, even
if they develop it. His grandfather is 15. Very old for a Cav.
My vet loves Cav's too. It's pleasant when your vet is almost as
enthusiastic as you are about your dog.

"Phyrie" wrote in message
...

"Suja" wrote in message
...
My BIL and kids (almost 3 and 7) are thinking about getting a dog. My SIL
is not a dog person, but BIL seems to think he can talk her into it, and
he LOVES dogs. She's been around my dogs for ages and is fine with them,
pets then, gives them treats, has offered to watch when we're on vacation
(more out of politeness than anything else, IMO) etc. but just not that
into dogs.

He is thinking something along the lines of a Beagle. I suggested adult,
already known good with kids and mellow, because while BIL is a nice guy
and loves dogs, he's also lazy. I also said that unless SIL is on board
100%, no dog for them, because she is going to be spending a good amount
of time with the dog, and will have to be at least somewhat responsible
for care. I think part of SIL's problem is the cleanliness issue, and I
was thinking that a low-shed dog might be better, but can't think of a
low-shed breed that fits all the other criteria (likely to be kid
friendly, mellow, easily house trained, sturdy, easy to find in
shelter/rescue).

The kids are generally good with dogs. The 7 year old, especially so. The
3 year old has his moments (he is not hurtful, just has moments where he
runs around like a wild beast and might not watch where he's going), but
is generally a good kid. BIL and SIL work opposite schedules, so time
alone for the dog will be minimal. Assuming that all dogs get along, I've
volunteered to watch the dog for them when they go away on vacation.

I think that a larger dog would work better in their situation, but SIL
is more likely to agree if the dog is smaller (20 - 30 pound range). I'm
not sure at all about Beagles as a choice for them, because while they
are generally good natured dogs that are likely to get along with humans
and dogs, they also tend to be less tractable, more likely to be
unreliable off-leash, and can be loud. What sort of dog would you
recommend (if any)?

Suja

Although I have no idea how available they would be in shelter/rescue, I
can't recommend Cavalier King Charles Spaniels highly enough. They top
out at 20 pounds though (I keep Kiba at 17-18 pounds), so may not be as
large as your BIL would like. But for sheer love in a fur coat, you can't
beat a Cav. They are content to lie at your feet, or run in the bush,
whatever you want. They're intelligent, and easily trained. They do not
like to be alone, but that won't be a problem in your BIL's situation. If
any animal can convince your SIL that dogs are swell, it's one of these
guys! Just MHO, of course. :-D

There are health issues, though. Be aware of that, although I'm sure that
statement rings true for most breeds.
--
Phyrie
Kiba the Cav's Pics:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/phyrie/...758930/detail/

I agree whole heartedly! My first dog ever was my best freind and companion,
Benji a
King Charles Spaniel and he lived till 14 human years old (RIP).
They do shed a bit if I remember corretly?
They can be pretty expensive if they get hit by a car going 100 Km's an
hour.
Other then that allergys like any other dog.