October 2002
Edited by Judy Wright
WINTER DRAWS
ON!
I'm sure many of you will be turning on the heating and putting on extra layers of clothes as the season progresses. Many people feel that the colder weather means their dogs need more food…NO!
Cavaliers so easily run to fat that is very bad for them, so don't feel that he needs more in his bowl to keep him warm; he will think he's onto a winner and eat it with relish. The old adage, 'A moment on the lips, a lifetime on the hips', applies to our dogs too!
The colder, wetter weather often means that owners are less willing to turn out for walks; this too is bad news for the Cavalier. They still need good exercise to stimulate the circulation and keep in trim…it will do the same for you!
Generally speaking, Cavaliers don't need to wear a dog-coat, but there are exceptions. Older or infirm dogs will certainly benefit from wearing an extra layer whilst outside. Make sure it fits well and covers the loins right to the base of the tail. You will need to wash the garment quite frequently as they get very dirty and greasy very quickly.
I'm sure many of you will be turning on the heating and putting on extra layers of clothes as the season progresses. Many people feel that the colder weather means their dogs need more food…NO!
Cavaliers so easily run to fat that is very bad for them, so don't feel that he needs more in his bowl to keep him warm; he will think he's onto a winner and eat it with relish. The old adage, 'A moment on the lips, a lifetime on the hips', applies to our dogs too!
The colder, wetter weather often means that owners are less willing to turn out for walks; this too is bad news for the Cavalier. They still need good exercise to stimulate the circulation and keep in trim…it will do the same for you!
Generally speaking, Cavaliers don't need to wear a dog-coat, but there are exceptions. Older or infirm dogs will certainly benefit from wearing an extra layer whilst outside. Make sure it fits well and covers the loins right to the base of the tail. You will need to wash the garment quite frequently as they get very dirty and greasy very quickly.
SOAP
SUDS
There are as many products available for washing clothes, as there are varieties of dog foods these days. Just as some washing powders can bring us up in rashes, they can affect the dog's skin in the same way.
Generally speaking the 'Non-Biological' type is safe, but it really is a case of try them out and find which one best does the job and doesn't affect the dog.
Should your dog show any reaction to newly washed coats or blankets, get him to the vet as he will very soon scratch himself raw.
NEVER bath your dog in washing powder or washing up liquids as both products contain harsh detergents.
There are as many products available for washing clothes, as there are varieties of dog foods these days. Just as some washing powders can bring us up in rashes, they can affect the dog's skin in the same way.
Generally speaking the 'Non-Biological' type is safe, but it really is a case of try them out and find which one best does the job and doesn't affect the dog.
Should your dog show any reaction to newly washed coats or blankets, get him to the vet as he will very soon scratch himself raw.
NEVER bath your dog in washing powder or washing up liquids as both products contain harsh detergents.
I WANT A KING
CHARLES!'
I wonder how many of you reading this, tell people that your dog is a 'King Charles Spaniel'?
Each month, I receive e-mails asking me for help with problems with the caller's King Charles Spaniel, when, in fact, the dog is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel!
They are two separate breeds, but just to confuse the issue further, they come in the same four colour combinations of Blenheim, Ruby, Tri-colour and Black and Tan.
I wonder how many of you reading this, tell people that your dog is a 'King Charles Spaniel'?
Each month, I receive e-mails asking me for help with problems with the caller's King Charles Spaniel, when, in fact, the dog is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel!
They are two separate breeds, but just to confuse the issue further, they come in the same four colour combinations of Blenheim, Ruby, Tri-colour and Black and Tan.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
King Charles Spaniel
EAT UP YOUR
GREENS!
Mother really did know best!
Your dog will benefit from a little freshly chopped greenery added to the food. Any green leafed vegetable will do, but the cabbage family does the job really well. Fresh Parsley will also prove popular and Carrots also are very acceptable. Just a couple of large spoonfuls added to the food will make a lot of difference and the dog will find the food much more interesting.
Mother really did know best!
Your dog will benefit from a little freshly chopped greenery added to the food. Any green leafed vegetable will do, but the cabbage family does the job really well. Fresh Parsley will also prove popular and Carrots also are very acceptable. Just a couple of large spoonfuls added to the food will make a lot of difference and the dog will find the food much more interesting.
THE STUBBORN
STREAK!
In the very first article I wrote for the 'Pet Pages', I mentioned that many Cavaliers suffer from 'selective deafness'; this rang true judging by the number of e-mails I received on the subject.
If anyone missed that article, it is still there to read. It dwelt briefly on the fact that a lot of Cavaliers hear only what they want to hear and 'switch off' their little 'earing aids when they don't wish to listen…. rather like my husband!
Well, the Cavalier, as a breed has another little foible that sometimes surfaces when least expected. They can be extremely stubborn. This fad is usually triggered by You, trying to inflict your will upon your beloved dog.
'Beloved dog' takes umbrage big time and gives you a look that we have all heard as having been uttered by Queen Victoria, "We are NOT amused". This look could wither the stoutest of constitutions!
I used to own a lovely little bitch called 'Louisa', she was the sweetest thing on four legs until I wanted her to move, or go outside if it was wet. She could give me a withering look that would amuse me so much, she usually ended up being left alone until she was ready to move of her own account! I am sure that many of you have had that experience!
In the very first article I wrote for the 'Pet Pages', I mentioned that many Cavaliers suffer from 'selective deafness'; this rang true judging by the number of e-mails I received on the subject.
If anyone missed that article, it is still there to read. It dwelt briefly on the fact that a lot of Cavaliers hear only what they want to hear and 'switch off' their little 'earing aids when they don't wish to listen…. rather like my husband!
Well, the Cavalier, as a breed has another little foible that sometimes surfaces when least expected. They can be extremely stubborn. This fad is usually triggered by You, trying to inflict your will upon your beloved dog.
'Beloved dog' takes umbrage big time and gives you a look that we have all heard as having been uttered by Queen Victoria, "We are NOT amused". This look could wither the stoutest of constitutions!
I used to own a lovely little bitch called 'Louisa', she was the sweetest thing on four legs until I wanted her to move, or go outside if it was wet. She could give me a withering look that would amuse me so much, she usually ended up being left alone until she was ready to move of her own account! I am sure that many of you have had that experience!
TAILPIECE.
I am an avid gardener
and am usually helped with the jobs in the garden by the bantams and the dogs;
the bantams are wonderful weeders and fertilisers, the dogs just great at
digging up newly planted bulbs! They all cluck and snuffle about in the borders
with me.
One particular day I decided I would have another attempted to dig up the wretched Bind Weed that is the bane of part of the garden. My efforts over the months have paid dividends, so it was important to keep on top of the job.
My 'little helpers' were all there as I crawled on hands and knees with my trowel amongst the herbaceous plants.
I was quite enjoying gently pulling the bindweed and then digging to the end of the long, white sinuous root. Sam was 'helping' when he suddenly grabbed hold of a piece of the root that I was grappling with. He was clearly very interested in this particular root and, as he pulled excitedly, it became very apparent why… on the end of the 'root' as it came out of the ground were three very ancient but unmistakable sausages!
The 'Queen Victoria look' was directed at me for the rest of the day! The funny part is that I have no idea how the sausages got there in the first place…who did they belong too? I shall never know!
One particular day I decided I would have another attempted to dig up the wretched Bind Weed that is the bane of part of the garden. My efforts over the months have paid dividends, so it was important to keep on top of the job.
My 'little helpers' were all there as I crawled on hands and knees with my trowel amongst the herbaceous plants.
I was quite enjoying gently pulling the bindweed and then digging to the end of the long, white sinuous root. Sam was 'helping' when he suddenly grabbed hold of a piece of the root that I was grappling with. He was clearly very interested in this particular root and, as he pulled excitedly, it became very apparent why… on the end of the 'root' as it came out of the ground were three very ancient but unmistakable sausages!
The 'Queen Victoria look' was directed at me for the rest of the day! The funny part is that I have no idea how the sausages got there in the first place…who did they belong too? I shall never know!
*************
If you have any questions about owning a Cavalier then click on
the envelope to email Judy who will only be too pleased to try and help
you.
However please remember that we are not Vets or Lawyers so questions on these topics should be addressed to the professionals for advice.
Questions and answers that are of interest to other owners may be published on this page.
However please remember that we are not Vets or Lawyers so questions on these topics should be addressed to the professionals for advice.
Questions and answers that are of interest to other owners may be published on this page.
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Material Copyright © 2002 The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Club