What are the health issues associated with a Cavalier?
The Cavaliers as a breed have one major health issue. Mitral valve disease (a heart condition involving a heart murmur) is common in this breed. The severity is graded in a range of 1 (the mildest) to 5 (the most severe). The disease tends to be progressive, so a dog that is diagnosed with a grade 1 murmur at age 2 might well reach a higher grade in future years. The earlier the onset of the disease, the more likely the dog will develop a serious condition. It is for this reason that the annual heart check by a canine cardiologist is so important for our breeding stock. The reputable Cavalier breeders have banded together in an attempt to eliminate this disease. To do this we have formed breeding rules that require annual heart checks and close monitoring of our breeding stock. We have made great strides and now there are many Cavaliers who do not develop the disease at all and many that develop only mild grades and at older ages and with little or no affect on the dogs’ overall health
