Before applying, please review the information below. Our puppies are not available on a whim—building a trusting relationship is essential before placing one of our puppies in a new home.
Identifying Ethical vs. Unethical Breeding Practices
Choosing the right breeder has a lifelong impact on the health and well-being of your future puppy. Please read carefully to ensure you are supporting ethical, responsible breeding.
A breeder is considered unethical or “backyard” when:
Lack of Proper Health Testing
Parent dogs are not specialty health tested for:
Heart (cardiologist)
Eyes (ophthalmologist)
Hips (radiologists)
Patellas
They claim a "full bill of health" from a regular vet but have no certified specialty testing.
Misleading Presentation
Rely on charm, polished websites, or confidence to appear credible.
Frequently advertise puppies for sale — a hallmark of puppy mills.
Sales-Driven Practices
Quick sales with non-refundable deposits before personalities develop.
Sell puppies through pet stores, Craigslist, or similar platforms.
Unethical Breeding Choices
Breed non-health-tested or off-standard dogs.
Produce fad colors (chocolate, merle, full black, full white).
Breed mixed breeds (e.g., doodles, Cavapoos).
Important: Ethical breeders often take months to years to have the right puppy available. Quality takes time.
Many well-meaning owners believe their dogs are “within standard,” only to learn otherwise when compared to true breed examples. Research is essential.
Contacting a Breeder: Right & Wrong Ways
How Not to Introduce Yourself
Avoid inquiries such as:
“Do you have puppies for sale?”
“How much for a puppy?”
“I want a puppy as a Christmas surprise.”
How to Contact a Breeder Properly
Introduce yourself and mention how you found the breeder.
Ask about the application/interview process.
Check if breeder has time to speak with you.
Information about puppies will naturally follow once a relationship is established.
Why Ethical Breeding Matters
By supporting ethical breeders, you help:
Improve breeding standards
Reduce unethical breeding
Lower shelter intake
Promote a healthier future for the breed
With patience, research, and proper guidance, you can bring home a healthy, well-socialized puppy and begin a lifelong journey together.
There is a high demand for Cavaliers, but not every home is suitable. Ethical breeders:
Have significant emotional and financial investment in their dogs
Health test their breeding dogs properly
Protect their carefully developed bloodlines from misuse
While caution may feel like suspicion—often due to past experiences with misrepresented buyers—it exists to protect the dogs. The goal is to build a relationship that ideally lasts throughout your dog’s entire life.
Recognizing Correct Breed Type
Understanding proper Cavalier breed type helps you make informed decisions. See Illustrations:
Figure 1: Non Standard CavalierFigure 2: Breed Standard Cavalier
Important Notes
This is not intended to criticize beloved pets who lack breed type.
It is meant to highlight when breeders prioritize profit over health and standards.
Puppies can go through awkward stages—illustrations are based on mature breeding dogs.
Some diagrams may be slightly exaggerated to clearly show differences.
Not all red flags are obvious; research and thoughtful questions are essential.
Helpful Tip
Use a collage or side-by-side comparison of:
The official breed standard (found on the Resources page)
The breeding parents from any breeder you are considering
This makes differences easier to identify.
Why Correct Structure (Conformation) Is Crucial
Proper structure ensures:
Long-term health and mobility
Reduced risk of injury
Comfort and soundness throughout life
The ability to perform the breed’s intended functions
Poor structure can lead to pain, decreased quality of life, and a shortened lifespan.
The Ethical Breeder's Responsibility
Responsible breeders:
Teach prospective owners about correct structure and breed type
Show how to recognize potential health or structural concerns
Empower families to make informed decisions and support ethical breeding practices
In Conclusion
Recognize the red flags of puppy mills and backyard breeders.
Reputable breeders prioritize:
Health
Temperament
Adherence to the breed standard
Be cautious of breeders who:
Offer non-standard or fad colors
Produce mixed breeds like doodles
Breed dogs lacking correct type
Appear overly focused on sales
Fail to follow a code of ethics
Choose breeders who:
Take time to build meaningful relationships with prospective owners
Carefully match each puppy to the right home
Selecting an ethical breeder ensures:
A healthy, well-socialized puppy
A lifelong partnership built on trust and responsibility
Responsible, informed pet owners help:
Raise breeding standards
Reduce shelter overpopulation by adopting from an ethical shelter or buying from an ethical breeder
Promote the long-term health and well-being of the breed
Through careful research and thoughtful selection, owners and breeders together can create a healthier future for their dogs and the breed as a whole.
