Top 5 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Breeders in Iowa

Searching for your dream Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy in Iowa and feeling a tad overwhelmed? Take a deep breath; you’ve just stumbled upon your guiding star! 

In this comprehensive article, I’ll highlight some of the most well-known Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breeders in Iowa. I’ll also provide step-by-step guidance and crucial insights to help you make the right decision and bring home a happy, healthy pup.

Let’s dive right in.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Breeders in Iowa

  • Fluit Family Kennel
  • Sunshine Cavaliers
  • Denning Farms
  • Saintly Cavaliers
  • Althof Cavaliers

Fluit Family Kennel

Fluit Family Kennel is a family-oriented business that began its breeding journey with German Shepherds. In 2018, they started nurturing and raising Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, along with a few other crossbreeds.

Key highlights about Fluit Family Kennel:

  1. Credentials: Fluit Family Kennel is a member of several associations such as Iowa Pet Breeders, Northwest Iowa Pet Breeders, and Dakota Pet Breeders.
  2. Sales Policy: The breeder sells solely to private parties, highlighting their commitment to individualized care. They currently abstain from shipping puppies.
  3. Registration: Their Cavaliers are purebred, with registrations split between AKC and APRI.
  4. Health Preparations: Fluit Family Kennel emphasizes that their puppies receive vaccinations, deworming, and vet checks, along with dewclaw removal, prior to rehoming.
  5. Socialization: The kennel highlights exposure of their puppies to diverse environments to enhance their adaptability.
  6. Reservation Requirement: A $200 nonrefundable deposit is mandated to reserve a puppy.

Sunshine Cavaliers

Sunshine Cavaliers embarked on their dog breeding voyage in 2010, inspired by what they describe as “God’s plan”.

Key highlights about Sunshine Cavaliers:

  1. Beyond a Kennel: Sunshine Cavaliers stresses that their environment isn’t a typical kennel. The puppies have ample room to roam, minimal crate use, and an expansive outdoor area for play. A cozy, temperature-regulated space further ensures their comfort.
  2. AKC Registration: Their dogs are registered with the American Kennel Club.
  3. Selling Criteria: While the primary focus is on raising dogs to be family pets, full registration is available to qualified homes at an added fee. The breeder insists on personal communication before the adoption of any puppy.
  4. Health Guarantee: Sunshine Cavaliers is confident in the health of their puppies and offers guarantees accordingly. They encourage feedback from clients, even if issues arise years later.
  5. Genetic Selection: All parent dogs are chosen with the utmost care, ensuring no inbreeding or genetic pool contamination.
  6. Reservation Policy: Prospective buyers can secure a puppy with a $300 deposit, settling the rest before the pup reaches 12 weeks.

Denning Farms

Nestled in Houghton, Iowa, Denning Farms is a family-centric breeder renowned for a diverse array of breeds, including Cavaliers, Maltipoos, Cavachons, Puggles, Cockapoos, Yorkiepoos, Teddybears, and Boston terriers.

Key highlights about Denning Farms:

  1. Genuine Farm Setting: Denning Farms prides itself on its expansive premises, providing puppies with ample open spaces and fresh air.
  2. Modern Facility: The indoor building for puppies is equipped with both heated flooring and air-conditioning, ensuring the animals’ comfort across seasons.
  3. Continuous Companionship: The breeder emphasizes that their puppies are not just pets; they are family members. Immersed in constant interaction, they benefit from regular bonding with both adults and children.
  4. Credentialed and Recognized: Denning Farms operates with a USDA License and maintains active memberships with the Iowa Pet Breeders Assn. and the Pet Professionals of Southeast Iowa.
  5. Payment Protocols:
    • For puppies younger than seven weeks, a non-refundable deposit of $400 is required.
    • Puppies exceeding eight weeks of age require the full purchase price.

Saintly Cavaliers

Saintly Cavaliers is a seasoned Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breeder in Iowa who began breeding dogs 18 years ago.

Key highlights about Saintly Cavaliers:

  1. Health Collaborations: The breeder underscores their frequent liaisons with Iowa State University to monitor the heart and joint health of their parent dogs.
  2. AKC Registration: Their dogs are registered with the American Kennel Club.
  3. Breeding Approach: Saintly Cavaliers highlights a selective breeding strategy, producing only a few litters annually to ensure quality.
  4. Veterinary Oversight: They emphasize routine vet checks, particularly targeting potential genetic heart conditions.
  5. Ethical Sales: The breeder’s policy is to exclusively sell to individuals, bypassing pet stores to prioritize the welfare of their puppies.
  6. Meeting Protocol: Notably, home visits are no longer facilitated. Engagements are limited to locations within a 90-minute drive from their base.

Althof Cavaliers

The last breeder on our list offering Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppies for sale in Iowa is Althof Cavaliers. Their primary goal is to breed dogs that excel in health, temperament, and quality.

Key highlights about Althof Cavaliers:

  1. Esteemed Memberships: The breeder is affiliated with the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club, USA (CKCSC) as well as the American Cavalier King Charles Club (ACKCS). They take pride in showcasing their dogs prominently in various exhibitions.
  2. Registration Credentials: Every dog at Althof Cavaliers boasts dual registration with both the AKC and CKCSC, USA, underscoring their commitment to quality and pedigree.
  3. Home-Bred Love: Cavaliers at Althof are cherished family members, integral to the daily rhythm of the household.
  4. Selective Breeding: While their primary focus is on breeding show-worthy Cavaliers, they occasionally make available puppies to deserving homes, ensuring the lineage is preserved and appreciated.
  5. Comprehensive Health Checks: Althof emphasizes the health of their dogs, mandating annual heart and eye clearances from board-certified veterinarians. Furthermore, all parent dogs undergo meticulous health assessments by cardiologists.

Cavalier Breeders From the Neighboring State: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Breeders in Minnesota

How to Find a Reputable Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Breeder in Iowa

Your next question might be, “How do I ensure I choose the best breeder?” That’s a valid question.

While I’ve listed some of the most reputable breeders offering Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppies for sale in Iowa, I haven’t purchased a dog from any of them.

Thus, you still need to conduct your own research. How can you do that? Keep reading!

Conducting Online Research

In this step, the internet is your best friend. Here’s how you can make the best use of it when trying to find a reputable breeder.

  • Review Breeders’ Websites Open breeders’ websites and investigate them one by one. Look for information about their breeding practices and philosophy, dog lineage history, diet, socialization, health checks, and the environment in which their dogs are raised. Most reputable breeders will have clear and transparent sections about each of these aspects.
  • Examine Social Media Accounts If available, social media accounts such as Facebook and Instagram can also be great sources for additional insights into breeders’ work. Are there photos and videos of their dogs and facilities? Observe how they interact with their community.
  • Check Forums Type the breeder’s name + “Reddit” or “Quora” into Google and see what results come up. Forums and online communities offer unbiased opinions from people who have direct experience with the breeder you’re investigating.
  • Contact Past Buyers Seeking references from past buyers is another excellent way to gain firsthand information. Were they satisfied with the breeder and the entire process? Are their Cavaliers happy, healthy, and well-mannered?
  • Red Flags Be alert to red flags. These could manifest as negative comments and reviews, a lack of transparency, or limited information available.

Key Characteristics of an Ethical Breeder

Breed Knowledge on Point: They are deeply familiar with everything about the breed, from its characteristics to health nuances.

Whole Health & Personality Approach: They ensure that each puppy is not only healthy but also well-adjusted and sociable.

Home is Where the Puppy Is: Instead of cold kennels, puppies are lovingly raised in a home environment.

Open Book Breeding: They are always willing to share and explain their breeding practices to anyone interested.

Recognized by Dog Clubs: Their affiliation with official breed clubs vouches for their professionalism and standards.

Visits Are Always Welcome: They believe in transparency, inviting potential owners to see where the puppies are raised.

Quality is Their Mantra: Rather than raising many litters, they focus on ensuring each litter is of the highest standard.

Know Your Puppy’s Family: They provide all the details about the puppy’s ancestry and lineage.

Frequent Health Screenings: Dogs undergo regular check-ups and genetic tests to ensure they are free from potential health issues.

Health is Assured: Every puppy comes with a written health guarantee, giving you peace of mind.

Schedule a Personal Visit with the Breeder

Having narrowed down your options, the next logical step is to plan an in-person visit to the breeder’s facility. This personal interaction is a crucial part of the adoption process. It not only provides an opportunity to meet those responsible for raising your potential pet but also lets you observe their practices firsthand.

While there, make sure to note:

  • The cleanliness and spaciousness of the facility.
  • The breeder’s interaction with the animals.
  • The behavior and temperament of your prospective puppy and its parent dogs.

Also, once you’re there, make sure to ask any questions that you may have. Here are some that you may consider asking:

  • How many years have they been breeding Cavalier King Charles Spaniels?
  • How many litters do they produce annually?
  • Are the dogs registered with AKC?
  • At what age do they initiate puppy training, and what techniques are employed?
  • How do they approach the socialization of their puppies?
  • What types of health screenings are conducted on their breeding dogs?
  • Are the parent dogs available on the premises for a meet-and-greet?
  • Do they offer a health guarantee?
  • Do they extend ongoing support and guidance following the adoption process?

Keep in mind that most ethical breeders will have just as many questions for you. This is because they want to ensure their puppies are going to safe and loving homes.

Expect some of the following:

  • Have you previously been a dog owner?
  • What drew you to the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breed specifically?
  • Could you describe your current living arrangements? Is it an apartment or a house?
  • Are there other animals or children in your household?
  • How frequently would the dog spend time alone?

How Much Do Cavalier Puppies in Iowa Cost?

If you’re considering adopting a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy in Iowa, it’s crucial to be aware that prices differ among breeders. A typical price range from a trustworthy breeder is around $1,800 to $3,500. If the puppy has champion parents, you might need to shell out more. 

Additionally, as a potential Cavalier owner, you should budget for monthly expenses such as toys, food, insurance, and vet visits, which could range anywhere between $80 and $200.

Closing Thoughts

To wrap things up, it’s essential to take your time when searching for the ideal Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breeder, especially for those new to dog ownership.

Start with online research, scanning for feedback and reviews from past buyers. It’s crucial to personally visit the breeder, be inquisitive, and always trust your feelings. Best of luck in your pursuit!

To cap it all off, here’s a list of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breeders in Iowa:

Breeder Name Contact Details Social Media
Fluit Family Kennel [email protected] Fluit Family Kennel Facebook
Sunshine Cavaliers [email protected] Sunshine Cavaliers Facebook
Denning Farms [email protected] Denning Farms Facebook
Saintly Cavaliers [email protected] Saintly Cavaliers Facebook
Althof Cavaliers [email protected] Althof Cavaliers Facebook

Are you selling Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppies in Iowa but not on the list? Feel free to get in touch with us at [email protected]

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