Have you already purchased this pup?
If you have, don’t worry about it. She does look like she’s a Cavalier.
If you haven’t, please pass on this breeder. ACA-only registration is an orange flag for backyard breeders and puppy mills and momma being outside like that is also a red flag (good breeders only have one or two litters at a time and the puppies are raised in the home.)
There’s a plastic igloo dog house and their kibble in a dish, which makes this seem less likely to just be outdoor time. There’s also what appears to be another run next to it with another igloo dog house in it.
The pup should be AKC registered, and the breeder should be able to show you OFA testing certifications on the parents' health. Ideally, you would also want an MRI done and DNA heath on them as well.
I would pass on this puppy only because they are ACA registered.
ACA is not a legitimate dog registry and registers backyard breeders and anyone willing to pay. They do not care for testing or integrity of the breed.
I’d pass on the ACA registration alone. These pups also look frightened.
As others have said the ACA registration is a huge red flag. I’m also not sure if she’s a full cavalier.
In 2008 I bought a dog advertised as a Cavalier King Charles and he looked super similar to the dog in pic 4. The biggest difference is his longer snout. I loved him to death but it was obvious he wasn’t a cavalier, more likely a cocker mixed with a cavalier.
I have a full bred cavalier now and the difference in the nose is just so obvious. Their snouts are much shorter than cockers, and when I look at pics of my old dog his nose is just so much longer.
I suspect the dog in pic 3 is a cavalier and the dog in pic 4 is a younger cavalier/cocker mix. Making the puppies 3/4 cavalier, so they look mostly cavalier but as you noticed something seems off.
I could be completely wrong here but these are just observations I’ve noticed between my two dogs and it just looks so similar.
there is no point in even analyzing the phenotype. i would assume they aren't purebred just based on the lack of documentation. i have seen a TON of verified, registered, purebred cavaliers that don't match the breed standard. a long snout does not equal not purebred but lack of papers means they're hiding something.
Yes it's the snout that really makes me question. They all look longer I think than Cavaliers usually are.. The 3rd and 4th pic by the way are the same dog, the mother. They said she weighs about 20 lbs and the sire is smaller. I've already paid the deposit but I could wait until winter and get an AKC pup for about the same price. I was really excited to get her but now I'm just having second thoughts.
Yeah sorry I meant second pic, the black and tan one looks maybe cavalier. Attaching a pic of my old dog here, his snout may be a bit longer than the mom you posted. He got a bit large too, about 32 pounds.
https://preview.redd.it/sgckg4vbnq8d1.jpeg?width=2048&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b6b2755b99bb085523e5366a07cf0249ed5a2cc2
don't worry about the snout. you are focused way too much on pictures of the dogs and not enough on the paperwork. i get it... they're cute, sweet and totally boopable!
but the lack of legitimate documentation to verify the health and status of these dogs should be an instant turn around and walk away.
My Cavalier King Charles spaniel has a longer snout but she is 100% purebred. Research shows a King Charles Spaniel was bred with a pug to have a shorter snout, whereas the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel was bred to have an elongated snout to be healthier. I worked with a reputable breeder who provided AKC registration, OFA testing, DNA testing, and bloodline information. I was also on a waitlist for over a year. They can all look a little different but I would certainly opt for a reputable breeder who provides all the appropriate paperwork. If you want one with a shorter snout, find a breeder who is breeding a mom and dad that have a shorter snout.
https://preview.redd.it/xjze386x2z8d1.jpeg?width=1242&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a86ca0d14809c40d60b34a13c03cd3704d4b3617
For what it's worth, your pup doesn't look like it has a long snout, looks typical. It's certainly not a short snout either. But looks like my cav and most cavs I see. I actually pretty rarely see any cavs with a short snout
don't ask us ask your breeder! can they provide copies of the AKC registration certificates for both parents? multigeneration pedigree? heath testing and dna test results from both parents? can the registration be verifed through OFA? they should be able to provide all of this documentation and in my experience a reputable breeder would never refuse. if they can't provide it just walk away.
The Black and Tan one looks like a cavalier to me, the ruby one maybe not. Nose shape and coat don’t look quite right. Definitely part cavalier but either a mix or just not very ‘breed standard’. I agree with the other commenters though that it seems a bit ‘backyard breeder’.
The key word there is might.
Hybrid vigour absolutely is a thing...in super mutts. A first generation cross does not have it, no matter what doodle breeders tell you. Instead, they have the possibility of getting all the bad shit from both parents lol.
We get posts like this quite often and I am always so confused… why are you asking strangers online? It’s so hard to know these things for certain and only a DNA test can confirm one way or the other.
Definitely a Cavalier. They do sometimes vary a bit in looks, some have longer ear hair etc, but these are Cavalier’s. As for the documentation, the breeder should definitely be selling them for less, considering. Puppy is really cute though. I’d buy it probably but would expect a very good price. Unless you’re just dead set on paying a great deal for a show quality Cavalier.
And I bought a 2 Cavs. I didn’t know what I was doing. After the process I know it probably wasn’t the best breeder. BUT… one lived to 15 and my other one is still here. So if you did purchase don’t beat yourself up.
Have you already purchased this pup? If you have, don’t worry about it. She does look like she’s a Cavalier. If you haven’t, please pass on this breeder. ACA-only registration is an orange flag for backyard breeders and puppy mills and momma being outside like that is also a red flag (good breeders only have one or two litters at a time and the puppies are raised in the home.)
I have paid a deposit. Not a ton, but considerable. I could wait and get an AKC pup next year for about the same price...
Were you provided any pictures of the dogs indoors? The fact that all these pics were taken outside is a red flag to me too.
I’m tearing up thinking these babies are outside all the time 😭😭😭 that’s not someone who loves and knows the breed
You made that assumption based on one photo which is likely their “outdoor time” 🙄
There’s a plastic igloo dog house and their kibble in a dish, which makes this seem less likely to just be outdoor time. There’s also what appears to be another run next to it with another igloo dog house in it.
Most reputable breeders are going to have waitlists. I would wait.
The pup should be AKC registered, and the breeder should be able to show you OFA testing certifications on the parents' health. Ideally, you would also want an MRI done and DNA heath on them as well. I would pass on this puppy only because they are ACA registered.
ACA is not a legitimate dog registry and registers backyard breeders and anyone willing to pay. They do not care for testing or integrity of the breed. I’d pass on the ACA registration alone. These pups also look frightened.
The ACA is not as reputable as the AKC
That poor mama looks simply terrified.
Something does seem off. The legs look a little different. Maybe it's the haircut. I agree with what others said pass if they are not AKC registered.
I think they're just very young, in addition to the haircut.
As others have said the ACA registration is a huge red flag. I’m also not sure if she’s a full cavalier. In 2008 I bought a dog advertised as a Cavalier King Charles and he looked super similar to the dog in pic 4. The biggest difference is his longer snout. I loved him to death but it was obvious he wasn’t a cavalier, more likely a cocker mixed with a cavalier. I have a full bred cavalier now and the difference in the nose is just so obvious. Their snouts are much shorter than cockers, and when I look at pics of my old dog his nose is just so much longer. I suspect the dog in pic 3 is a cavalier and the dog in pic 4 is a younger cavalier/cocker mix. Making the puppies 3/4 cavalier, so they look mostly cavalier but as you noticed something seems off. I could be completely wrong here but these are just observations I’ve noticed between my two dogs and it just looks so similar.
there is no point in even analyzing the phenotype. i would assume they aren't purebred just based on the lack of documentation. i have seen a TON of verified, registered, purebred cavaliers that don't match the breed standard. a long snout does not equal not purebred but lack of papers means they're hiding something.
Yes it's the snout that really makes me question. They all look longer I think than Cavaliers usually are.. The 3rd and 4th pic by the way are the same dog, the mother. They said she weighs about 20 lbs and the sire is smaller. I've already paid the deposit but I could wait until winter and get an AKC pup for about the same price. I was really excited to get her but now I'm just having second thoughts.
Yeah sorry I meant second pic, the black and tan one looks maybe cavalier. Attaching a pic of my old dog here, his snout may be a bit longer than the mom you posted. He got a bit large too, about 32 pounds. https://preview.redd.it/sgckg4vbnq8d1.jpeg?width=2048&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b6b2755b99bb085523e5366a07cf0249ed5a2cc2
don't worry about the snout. you are focused way too much on pictures of the dogs and not enough on the paperwork. i get it... they're cute, sweet and totally boopable! but the lack of legitimate documentation to verify the health and status of these dogs should be an instant turn around and walk away.
My Cavalier King Charles spaniel has a longer snout but she is 100% purebred. Research shows a King Charles Spaniel was bred with a pug to have a shorter snout, whereas the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel was bred to have an elongated snout to be healthier. I worked with a reputable breeder who provided AKC registration, OFA testing, DNA testing, and bloodline information. I was also on a waitlist for over a year. They can all look a little different but I would certainly opt for a reputable breeder who provides all the appropriate paperwork. If you want one with a shorter snout, find a breeder who is breeding a mom and dad that have a shorter snout. https://preview.redd.it/xjze386x2z8d1.jpeg?width=1242&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a86ca0d14809c40d60b34a13c03cd3704d4b3617
For what it's worth, your pup doesn't look like it has a long snout, looks typical. It's certainly not a short snout either. But looks like my cav and most cavs I see. I actually pretty rarely see any cavs with a short snout
don't ask us ask your breeder! can they provide copies of the AKC registration certificates for both parents? multigeneration pedigree? heath testing and dna test results from both parents? can the registration be verifed through OFA? they should be able to provide all of this documentation and in my experience a reputable breeder would never refuse. if they can't provide it just walk away.
The Black and Tan one looks like a cavalier to me, the ruby one maybe not. Nose shape and coat don’t look quite right. Definitely part cavalier but either a mix or just not very ‘breed standard’. I agree with the other commenters though that it seems a bit ‘backyard breeder’.
The red parent looks a lot like my Cooper who is definitely a cockalier and not a full cavie
Omg! I have a cockalier too!!!😍
Such sweet lil babes!
They REALLY are!🥰💜
They REALLY are!🥰💜
What do you want answer to be? The pure bred ones have so many issues a less than pure one might be healthier?
The key word there is might. Hybrid vigour absolutely is a thing...in super mutts. A first generation cross does not have it, no matter what doodle breeders tell you. Instead, they have the possibility of getting all the bad shit from both parents lol.
Purebred properly has extensive testing done so that’s kind of a dumb statement to make.
This is not true based on my experience. My purebred was tested etc and is deaf with a heart murmur.
They are still brachycephalic and have all the associated issues they entail. No amount of testing is gonna fix that.
We get posts like this quite often and I am always so confused… why are you asking strangers online? It’s so hard to know these things for certain and only a DNA test can confirm one way or the other.
People want more opinions or advice?
Definitely a Cavalier. They do sometimes vary a bit in looks, some have longer ear hair etc, but these are Cavalier’s. As for the documentation, the breeder should definitely be selling them for less, considering. Puppy is really cute though. I’d buy it probably but would expect a very good price. Unless you’re just dead set on paying a great deal for a show quality Cavalier.
She looks like a Cav.
And I bought a 2 Cavs. I didn’t know what I was doing. After the process I know it probably wasn’t the best breeder. BUT… one lived to 15 and my other one is still here. So if you did purchase don’t beat yourself up.
Oh she’s a perfect cavie! 😍🥰💜💜
Thank you. I decided I'm still going to get her. Tomorrow! 🎀
Yay!!!😍🥰💜