Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some frequently asked questions that we are asked. If you have another question that is not on this list then please e-mail us at info@trainedcavs.com or call 980-223-2779.

Questions in dark green are our most common questions!

Questions About Recherche Cavs

Yes! Social Media is a great way for us to keep everyone posted quickly as welfacebook-144l as post many extra pictures. Also, being friends will also give you the opportunity to post pictures, comments and questions. The links to our social media pages can be found at the bottom of every page on the website.

We are located in Statesville, NC. At the bottom of every page is our email and phone number. Prior to visiting our property we do ask that you read through our entire FAQ page/Available Pups page and if everything looks good fill out our online Puppy Application. We will be happy to meet with you and give you directions to our home once we approve your application.

General Puppy Questions

Puppies go through a critical period of socialization between five and twelve weeks of age. During this period of time they mature very rapidly. If isolated from external stimuli and not exposed to the outside world, they can grow up to be fearful adult dogs. Litters of puppies raised in an isolated location such as a barn, a garage or a dog kennel often have little exposure to humans except those feeding them.

If puppies never leave their confined, isolated quarters where they have been raised, they may never experience any external stimuli such as automobiles, strangers, loud noises or children running and playing. If puppies are not socialized at an early enough age, it makes little difference if they have been raised by a breeder, a private family or in a vacant building; the outcome will usually be the same.

Puppies that receive little or no human handling between the ages of five and twelve weeks of age often remain fearful when exposed to new situations. Meeting their new family for the first time, the car ride to their new home, their first trip to the vet, and meeting children, strangers or other dogs for the first time can be extremely frightening for these puppies. How does Recherche Cavs get our puppies socialized so they grow up to be well-adjusted, adult dogs that are comfortable meeting strangers, children and other dogs? The key is to make sure our puppies get exposed to everything they may ever be exposed to during their lifetime, while they are very young.

Once again, the critical age of socialization is between five and twelve weeks of age. If not exposed to new situations during this critical period, your puppy may always be fearful when exposed to new things in the future. Recherche Cavs consistently have the puppies interact with strangers and our other adult dogs. They are not confined in a cage for 24 hours a day. They are raised in our home and handled consistently by us and by several people. Every puppy is accustomed to hair dryers, vacuum cleaners, automobiles, pianos and other loud noised by the time they leave Recherche Cavs.

No. There are 2 main reasons why this is not a worry. First, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel & Cavapoos are one of the most socially strong and easily bonding breeds in the world. Many people say they are loyal but the truth is that they are loyal to the human race! Cavaliers and Cavapoos should never be thought of as a true watchdog because they will bond with strangers naturally.

Secondly, is because one of our main pillars of the Puppy Training Institute is socialization. Each puppy is taken on field trips weekly. They are taken to be handled by children, men and women. They are put in many stressful situations and worked with professionally so they can adjust. We also have a large staff of people that work with the pups daily so they aren’t comfortable with only one person.

Information on the history of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, their health info and more can be found on the Cavalier Page HERE. You can learn abut Cavapoos HERE. You can learn about Cavachons HERE.

Puppy Health and Registration

AKC-logoOur Cavaliers yes but our Cavapoos no (there is no registry for them). Our adults dogs are dual registered with the American Kennel Club and the Kennel Club of their country of origin. Information about the AKC can be found on their website.

Buyers receive a copy of their limited registration AKC paperwork when they pick up their puppy. The final copy will be mailed to the buyer after we receive proof of spay/neuter. Each of our Cavaliers have had their DNA Profile completed with the AKC. This may be seen on each individual dogs webpage.

Limited Registration means that the dog is registered but no litters produced by that dog are eligible for registration. A dog registered with an AKC Limited Registration shall be ineligible to be entered in a breed competition in a licensed or member dog show. It is eligible, however, to be entered in any other licensed or member event. These events include: Obedience, Tracking, Field Trials, Hunting Tests, Herding, Lure Coursing, Agility and Earthdog.

Breeding is a very complicated and serious decision. So many people have decided to breed dogs because of the financial benefits. An ethical breeder does not breed to make income- they breed to advance only the healthiest pups to the happiest homes.

Hip Dysplasia and many other eye and heart diseases have been spread by irresponsible breeders. Because of the intense dedication it takes to breed appropriately, 99% of our pups will only be sold as pets. BEWARE of any breeder that is willing to advertise selling FULL registration to ANYBODY that pays extra. Once again, that breeder is not breeding for the betterment of the breed but simply for profit.

As a rule of thumb, if a breeder is breeding for profit then they will cut-corners in every way possible to save money.

What we put into our dogs is as important as what we put in ourselves. For this reason, Recherche Cavs have taken seriously what puppy food is the best for our puppies. We do not feed our pups food that can be bought from Wal-mart. We feed our puppies the highest rated dog food according to DogFoodAnalysis.com which is TLC Whole Life Puppy Food. In fact, we like it so much, we extend you warranty to lifetime if you use TLC along with NuVet & NuJoint.

Please take the time to read why we chose TLC over all the other dog foods by clicking HERE.

Each puppy is then dewormed at every other week starting at 2 weeks old. As a precaution, each puppy is treated with prescription Marquis for coccidiosis and panacur for giardia. Each pup is also given a bordetella (kennel cough) vaccine which is good for 1 year of age. They are also all microchipped.

Puppy Academy pups are given 2 sets of parvovirus shots (Neo Par) as well as 2 shots  of vaccine for coronavirus, distemper, parainfluenza, adenovirus type 2 (and hepatitis). Canine College pups will be given final sets of puppy shots and rabies vaccine. Each pup past Canine College pups will be given a monthly dosage of k9 Advantix II for flea and tick and also a monthly dosage of Ivermectin (Heartguard) for heartworm preventative.

Each of our puppies come with a warranty that requires you to have your puppy checked by a vet within 72 hours after picking up your puppy. Your vet will need to check for any communicable diseases during that period. Your vet will also recommend a time to get follow-up “puppy shots” if you picked up your puppy at 12 weeks of age. Most vets recommend puppies to be revaccinated every 2-4 weeks until 16 weeks old.

NuVetNuVet is a powerful antioxidant that gives a tremendous boost to the immune system to prevent skin and coat problems, and creates a defense against over fifty major diseases, including hip and elbow dysplasia, and extending the life span of your dog. Please take time and CLICK HERE to read about NuVet.

Puppy Training Questions

We have an extensive training program each and every pup is enrolled in called Puppy Training Institute. To read about all of our various programs starting with Puppy Academy (training till 12 weeks of age) to our Doggy Double Doctorate program (training till 8 months of age) please click HERE. We focus on 4 pillars in our training program….Outside Training (leash, car, etc…), House Training (potty training, chew training, etc…), Obedience Training (sit, stay, lay, come, place, etc…) and Socialization Training (strangers, noises, etc…). As your pups mature and grows emotionally and intellectually we build on all 4 pillars. The longer you can afford to keep your pup in training, not just financially but emotionally, the better and better behaved and trained your pup will be.

Recherche Cavs pride themselves by giving our clients the tools necessary to continue training your pup. We give you an individual “Report Card” that scores your pup based on their strengths & weaknesses. We provide you with detailed emails and blogs so you can continue effectively training your pup at home. We also provide you with several videos of your pup in training. We give you a final “go home” training video where our professional trainers go through everything your pup has learned and gives you advice on how to keep training your pup. Lastly, we provide you with a lifetime of support. We will do everything we can to answer any questions you have and help you with any issues that come up. We don’t stop answering our phones and emails once you get your puppy home. Our professional trainers are also available for support as well.

We are not just breeders but trainers of Cavaliers & Cavapoos. Because of this every one of our pups go through bare minimum Puppy Academy which is training till 12 weeks of age. We can allow a pup to go home earlier but their is no discount. We have a staff of professional trainers and if you look to purchase from Recherche Cavs you want pups to have at least a basic amount of training. Any earlier than 12 weeks is unreliable for producing pups that will keep their training.

Questions About Our Process

YES! This is a very commonly asked question that is asked of breeders. The answers that are given by other breeders quite frankly are shocking. Many breeders refuse for you to visit their kennel until the pups are 6 weeks old. By that time the buyer has already committed emotionally and financially to that breeder. Recherche Cavs understands that parvo and other diseases are a very serious threat.

On the other hand, simple precautions can be made to eliminate the threat. We ask that if you choose to visit Recherche Cavs please do not visit another kennel before hand. Also, please try to stay away from any unfamiliar dog just in case they have any diseases. Many breeders hide behind trying to protect their dogs from hiding their facilities. American Kennel Club recommends that you find a breeder who has nothing to hide and is actually desirous of meeting with you.

Recherche Cavs simply ask that first read through our entire FAQ page and if you agree with everything fill out our online Puppy Application. If everything looks good then we will make an appointment to meet with you.

Most of our pups are able to hold the restroom during the ride home. Sometimes though the stress of traveling in a car can lead to an accident. For this reason we do recommend you come prepared. I hate for you have your puppy make a mess and not be prepared the entire way home. It’s not pleasant for you or the pup. Some things to bring “just in case” are garbage bags, bath towels, paper towels, febreeze, and enough water for a “mini-bath.” You don’t need to have a travel crate as they can travel on the back seat just fine with some towels or bedding. Again, this is just precautionary but if you need them you will be glad you have it.

Ready to find the perfect puppy to your home?