Cavalier King Charles Spaniels may be royalty, but beneath those soulful eyes and silky ears lies a breed with serious health vulnerabilities. For pet parents and breeders alike, health testing isn’t just a checkbox; it’s a commitment to compassion, longevity, and ethical stewardship.

🧬 Health testing protects:

 

• The breed’s future: Cavaliers are prone to inherited conditions like Mitral Valve Disease (MVD) and Syringomyelia (SM). Without rigorous testing, these issues silently pass from one generation to the next.

• Your pet’s comfort: Early detection and responsible breeding reduce the risk of painful, progressive conditions that can shorten a Cavalier’s life or diminish their quality of it.

• Your peace of mind: Knowing your companion was bred with care means fewer surprises, fewer vet emergencies, and more joyful years together.

🩺 What Testing Should Be Done Before Breeding

According to the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club and veterinary cardiology protocols, responsible breeders should ensure:

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• Heart Clearance: Auscultation by a board-certified veterinary cardiologist, ideally at 2.5 years or older, to screen for MVD.

• ​Eye Screening: Evaluation by a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist to rule out inherited eye conditions.

• ​Patella Evaluation: No signs of luxation, confirmed by a licensed veterinarian.

• ​Hip Dysplasia Screening: X-rays submitted to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) for grading.

• ​Syringomyelia (SM) Screening (recommended but not always required): MRI scans to detect malformations at the base of the skull and spinal cord.

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Breeders should also follow the MVD Breeding Protocol, which discourages breeding any Cavalier diagnosed with a heart murmur before age five.

🐶 What pet parents should look for when choosing their royal companion:

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• Transparency: Ask to see health certificates from board-certified specialists—not just general vet checkups.

• Age of Parents: Breeding dogs should be at least 2.5 years old with clear health histories.

• Pedigree with Purpose: Look for breeders who follow the MVD protocol and prioritize long-term health over quick litters.

• Ethical Affiliations: Breeders involved in AKC’s Bred with H.E.A.R.T. or Breeder of Merit programs often uphold higher standards. But be wary, membership in any group does not guarantee appropriate care is taken and the reverse is also true.

• Open Dialogue: A good breeder welcomes questions, shares test results, and genuinely cares where their puppies go.

 

Health testing isn’t just science—it’s love in action. It’s the difference between a life of comfort and one of silent suffering. For Cavaliers, whose charm is matched only by their vulnerability, it’s the most noble gift we can give.