Читать книгу Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: An Owner’s Guide - Nick Mays - Страница 16

Before taking the plunge and buying a Cavalier puppy, you need to examine both your lifestyle and priorities and ask yourself the following questions.

How long will it take?

Are you prepared to look after a dog for all of his life, which, in the Cavalier’s case, is, on average, eight to eleven years? A dog is a lifelong commitment, not a temporary acquisition which can be returned if things don’t work out in the way you imagined.

Do you have time?

Have you got enough time to spend with a dog? Your Cavalier will need lots of attention as well as regular meals, exercise, obedience training, games and grooming, etc.

Do you work?

Is there somebody at home during the day, or for most of it, who can look after a dog? It is never a good idea to leave a dog alone for more than a few hours each day, especially a puppy. Dogs are sociable pack animals and they need companionship. Some people believe that having two dogs will offset this problem, as they will be company for each other. Although this may be true to a certain extent later in life, two puppies will be just as anxious and needful as one. In any event, dogs need human companionship so that they can learn and adapt to family life. If you leave your dog alone for long periods, it may lead to separation anxiety and a dog that destroys furnishings or soils the house. A puppy needs constant attention, so he cannot be left alone for more than a few minutes at a time.

The Cavalier puppy is a small bundle of energy and fun.

Is it a family decision?

Does everyone in your family want a dog? This may seem a strange question, but a dog will be not just an item in the house like a TV or an armchair – he will become a member of your family and, as such, needs to be wanted by everyone. Even if one family member says they will be responsible for the dog’s care, there will be times when that person cannot do so, in which case somebody else must take over. An adult must have ultimate responsibility for the dog’s welfare, because children cannot take on full responsibility for it – no matter how much they might beg, plead and cajole that they will. Never fall into the trap of buying a puppy just ‘for the children’. A dog is for the whole family and he will be part of the family.

What will it cost?

Can you afford to care for a dog?

The actual purchase price of a puppy, however expensive, is actually a minor consideration when you total up the additional and day-to-day costs of caring for a dog, such as food, vaccinations and general veterinary care. There will also be the initial outlay for equipment, including a bed, bedding, collar and lead, toys, feeding bowls, etc. It is also part of being a responsible dog owner to consider pet insurance, which will obviously help offset the cost of unexpected veterinary bills, as well as microchipping and/or tattooing for the purposes of identification.

Can you keep a dog?

Is your home suitable for a dog, and, if it is rented property, are you allowed to keep a dog there? Ideally, if you are considering owning a dog – even a small breed like a Cavalier – you should have a securely fenced back garden, or at least a shared garden or back yard. This will make it easier for your dog to go outside to toilet and get some basic exercise.

Many breeders and, especially, rescue societies will not consider homing a dog to a person living in a high-rise flat or who does not have a properly secured garden. Even if you don’t have a garden, this should not completely rule you out from dog ownership, but you have to be prepared to take your dog outside for walks four or five times a day, every day, regardless of the weather.

Will your family life change?

Will your present circumstances always remain the same? It’s a sad fact, but divorce can happen, causing couples or family units to break up, and you should consider what would happen to your dog, i.e. whether one party could still care for him, or whether he could remain with the reduced family group. Maybe you are planning to start a family – the arrival of a new baby can cause disruption to even the most placid household, so be sure that you can still give your dog plenty of attention.

How old are you?

Are you retired or planning to retire in the near future? If you are senior in years, you have to consider whether you will be fit enough to look after a young dog. It may not be a problem initially, but a lot can happen in the 10 years of a dog’s life and you might not be as sprightly then as you are now.

Cavalier puppies look so cute and appealing, but you should only buy one for the right reasons after giving due consideration to your lifestyle, work and family commitments.

Cavalier puppies need a well-balanced diet if they are to grow and thrive, as well as plenty of interesting toys to play with.

Of course, taking a dog for a walk is great exercise and there are proven health benefits to pet ownership, including lower stress levels and better mental agility. However, you should consider whether an older Cavalier – maybe a rehomed dog from a rescue centre – might suit you better than a boisterous puppy.

Do you travel?

Do you go away for long weekends, short breaks, holidays or business trips? You also have to be mindful of what to do with your dog when you go away.

Nowadays, there are many ‘dog friendly’ hotels, B & Bs and rented holiday accommodation which welcome families with dogs, but these are very popular and get booked up quickly. if you are planning to take your dog abroad, you will have to sign up to the PETS Travel Scheme whereby dogs can accompany their owners, as long as they have all the necessary vaccinations and blood tests beforehand, and the correct paperwork (the so-called ‘pet passport’). Again, this needs to be planned well in advance – you cannot simply take your dog to the ferry terminal or airport and say ‘He’s with us’. If he is not going on holiday with you, he needs to be boarded at suitable commercial boarding kennels, or you will need the services of a dog-sitter, who is CRB checked, whether this is a friend or someone offering a professional dog sitting service.