There is a lot of research and planning that goes into breeding dogs. And with Cavaliers, you have to be careful. You need to make sure that you lessen their risk of inheriting medical conditions.
Other than that, there is also a lot that you should not do. Breeding them too often, for example. This puts your Cavalier in poor health and may affect their puppies too.
So as a breeder, how often should you breed Cavaliers? Also, when should you start? These are all important questions.
If you are seeking the answers to these, you are one step toward becoming a conscientious breeder. In this article, you will find the answers to your breeding-related questions.
How Long Does a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Stay in Heat?
A female Cavalier’s heat cycle lasts anywhere from 14 to 28 days. During this period, they will experience physiological changes. They may become aggressive, less active, and more.
How Do I Know if My Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Is in Heat?
At the start of their heat, Cavaliers will have a swollen vulva and a pinkish discharge. These are the most obvious signs that they are in heat. But they will also go through other changes such as:
- Licking Their Genital Area Excessively
- Aggressive Behavior
- Agitation or Nervousness
- Frequent Urination
- Openness to Male Dogs
- Changes in Tail Position
How Long Are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Pregnant for?
The normal pregnancy period for dogs is around 63 days. But Cavaliers are a smaller breed, so they may go into labor earlier. With this, you should prepare their whelping box on the 55th day of their pregnancy.
How Many Puppies Does a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Usually Have?
The litter size of Cavaliers ranges from two to six puppies. This can be more or less, depending on the mother’s age, health, and experience.
For first-time mothers, they may only produce about two to three puppies. While an experienced one can produce up to seven puppies.
How Many Litters Can a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Have in a Year?
Since Cavaliers go into heat every 6 months, they can have two litters in a year. But just because they can does not mean that they should.
The process of pregnancy and giving birth is stressful for Cavaliers. They are a small breed, so the puppies will put a lot of pressure on their bodies.
Giving birth too many times can lead to several medical complications. This will not only hurt the mother, but it can also affect the puppies they produce.
With this, you should be responsible for spacing your Cavalier’s pregnancy. They should have enough time to recover, which can take many months. But this is best for their health and well-being.
This is why the Cavalier Spaniel Club USA has recommendations for litter frequency. They say that Cavaliers should not have more than two litters within a year and a half. Also, Cavaliers should not have more than six litters during their lifespans.
How Many Times Can You Breed a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel?
You can breed your Cavalier about 14 times within their lifespan, based on their heat cycle. But again, you should not follow this. Breeding them too many times is detrimental to their health.
Cavaliers go into their first heat at around 5 months old. But they should not get pregnant this young. Instead, you should start breeding them at two years of age.
They should retire at around 8 years of age, as recommended by experts. Responsible breeders have stricter rules on this. They retire their Cavaliers at 5 years of age.
So this leaves you with 7 years to breed your Cavalier, which is a long time. They go into heat twice a year, so with calculations, you can breed them 14 times.
This is dangerous though, so space this out. Reputable breeders only let their Cavaliers have about 4 to 6 litters. This ensures that the mother is healthy and can be spayed at a young age.
What Is the Best Age to Breed a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel?
It is best to start breeding your Cavalier when they are fully grown, at around 2 years of age. They will have gone through their first few heat cycles at this age. This will help you limit the chances of complications with their pregnancy.
What Age to Spay Cavalier King Charles Spaniel?
This depends on you, but you can spay or neuter your Cavalier as young as four to nine months old. Spaying or neutering your Cavalier young has long-term health benefits. This will help your Cavalier live a longer and happier life.
But there are things to consider when fixing your Cavalier at a young age.
For female Cavaliers, you should not spay them before their first heat cycle as it may increase their risk of developing mammary tumors.
For male Cavaliers, you should not neuter them after they reach puberty. This decreases their risk for several health issues, including prostate and bone cancer.
Since this is a big step for your Cavalier’s health, you should ask your vet. They know best about your Cavalier’s health, so they will be able to decide on what is the best for your furry friend.
