Almost all spaniels are born with blue eyes that stay with them during puppy stages and gradually change into more typical spaniel eye colours of light brown, dark brown, black and even dark pink to red looking. There is a slim possibility of a spaniel having blue eyes in adulthood if they have inherited the ‘merle’ gene – however this is extremely rare in spaniels.
Spaniels come in a variety of breeds, colours and sizes with different coats and abilities. Many people are drawn to spaniels as pets for their looks and loveable and friendly nature.
There is one question that many people ask about spaniels that is not always obvious and that is can spaniels have blue eyes?
The level of ‘blueness’ can vary among puppies with puppies from the same litter having differing levels and shades of colour.
As the puppy grows older his body produces more and more melanin and it is this that produces the colour of the dog’s eyes.
The absence of melanin results in a blue colour – which is why all puppies have blue eyes when they are youngsters.
All spaniels have blue eyes as puppies
Can you tell if a spaniel’s eyes will stay blue?
No. All spaniel puppies are born with their eyes closed and they do not open until they are around 2 weeks old.
The blueness in a spaniel puppy’s eyes is caused by the lack of melanin ( which is the scientific term for pigment – aka skin colour) getting to the eyes.
As soon as a spaniel puppy’s eyes open, melanin production increase which leads to the change in eye colour and the colour change can take anywhere from 1 to 3 months to occur.
It is almost impossible to tell if a spaniel’s eyes will stay blue.
These ‘types’ of Cockers are very rare and breeding from them is frowned upon by many people as the gene can hide a range of potentially damaging defects that could result in blind puppies or other profound disabilities.
Final Words
All spaniel breeds have blue eyes when they are puppies.
This is normal across all breeds of spaniels and, in fact, across all dog breeds and is part of the natural growth process.
A spaniel’s eyes change colour as he grow older into adulthood.
An adult spaniel that has blue eyes is very rare and there are many that consider that the blue eyed adult spaniel could pass on a variety of defects to offspring and should not be bred from.
Mice might freak humans out but in the animal world, they are just the little guys who are often attacked by predators.
In general, mice do not like to be in danger so they avoid animals that present a risk to them.
When mice see predators, they avoid them, but do mice consider dogs to be predators?
Dogs will scare mice away. As natural scavangers dogs will catch and eat mice if they get the opportunity. A fast moving mouse, running across the floor will attract the attentions of even the most docile dog and many dogs will sniff around hunting mice when they pick up the scent.
Do mice consider dogs to be predators?
There are many different predators of mice who are found in nature, which include owls, cats, lizards, foxes, weasels, and snakes.
A recent study that was conducted by the University of Florida showed that pest activity within the home where dogs were present saw slowed mouse activity.
If there were cats in the house then mice were unlikely to return but, in the absence of a cat, the mouse was more likely to come back and take his chances.
So, while mice are not fans of dogs, it could be said that they do not see them as predators in the same way that they see cats.
What dogs keep mice away?
Some dog breeds are better at keeping mice away than others.
Terriers are known for being able to eliminate rodents and in Great Britain they are often worked in packs to deal with rodent infestations, often on farms.
Years of breeding for this purpose and their fearless outlook makes a terrier an ideal breed for vermin control.
Most terriers are well suited for the act of mice and rat deterrence, but the two most common and widely used breeds are Jack Russells and Cairn terriers.
Other breeds such as spaniels and members of the gun dog family are also good at detecting and catching mice, but, the most natural mousers are the terriers.
Do you have more mice after getting a dog?
If you have noticed more mice in your home after getting a dog then there could be a few simple reasons for this.
Mice will be attracted to food and this includes your dog’s meals. If you leave food down for your dog and he doesn’t eat it all, then mice can be attracted to the smell and will often eat or take the food away to store.
Dog hair is also useful for mice who will take it away and use it to create nests and bedding.
As disgusting as it may sound, mice will also eat dog faeces. Dog poo contains some nutrients that mice will make use of.
REDUCE THE RISK OF MICE
Make sure that you clear up any excess food that your dog leaves and always keep your dog’s food stored away in sealed plastic containers.
Clear up dog hairs and other doggy by products, such as poo, to minimise the attraction of mice.
Do mice hate the smell of dogs?
Mice have a good sense of smell and if they smell a dog then it is safe to say that they will do their best to avoid him.
It is impossible to say whether or not mice hate the smell of dogs but there is a certainty that mice don’t want to be eaten so, if they smell a dog they are going to stay out of his way.
FAQs
Will mice leave if they smell a dog?
Research has found that while mice leave homes after first coming into contact with a dog, they will return to the home. With cats, on the other hand, the mice will leave and will not return home.
Can mice make my dogs sick?
While a mouse in your home will not make your dog sick, there are times when mice can transfer leptospirosis to your dog. Leptospirosis is caused by the bacteria leptospira. Dogs can become infected if they are bit by a rodent, eat a rodent, or if they drink water that has been contaminated by mouse urine.
Before you go
A dog will scare mice away but for the best results you should also get a cat.
Dogs are not the mousers that cats are but a combination of the two species will make a great team that will provide the best results.
For the best dog deterrent for mice you should choose one of the terrier breeds that have been traditionally bred for rodent hunting and removal.
There is no doubt that dogs enjoy human meals and food. The smell and tastes of many human foods appeal to dogs and you can be certain that at mealtimes your furry friend will be there to help.
However, not all human foods are good for dogs, but what about pork? Is pork good for dogs?
Pork is perfectly safe for dogs to eat as long as it is cooked and has not had anything added to it, such as barbecue sauces or similar. As long as you only feed the plain, white meat and avoid too much of the fat, your dog will enjoy pork as an occasional treat.
Is pork a good meat for dogs to eat?
Pork is a highly nutritious and great tasting meat that dogs love and, when fed as part of a balanced diet, is a great choice for dogs.
As a meat that contains high levels of fat it should be fed sparingly to prevent weight gain.
Can dogs eat cooked pork?
Cooked pork is probably the best and safest way to feed pork to a dog. However you do need to think carefully about the type of pork that you feed.
Pork from a cooked joint or chop is fine for your dog as long as he only has the meat and minimal amounts of fat. You should aim to only feed the plain meat.
There are other pork products such as gammon and bacon that contain high levels of salt which has been used in the ‘curing process’, and these salt levels can be dangerous for dogs. At best your dog will have increased levels of thirst, at worst eating highly salted foods can result in dog fatalities.
The cooked fat of pork always tastes great, particularly if it has crisped up and many people and dogs enjoy it. However, the increased fat levels combined with salt mean that you should avoid giving cooked pork fat or skin to your dog.
Yes, dogs can eat raw pork but should they really?
As they are carnivores dogs have little if any problems digesting raw meat and, if raw pork has been sourced from a healthy pig then it is unlikely that a dog would experience any ill effects from eating it.
The main concern with raw pork feeding to dogs is the quality of the meat and the animal that it came from. Pork can carry a form of roundworm known as Trichinella, which, if it is present in the raw pork, can infect your dog.
This worm can also infect humans which is why people are warned about the risks of eating undercooked or raw pork products.
If your dog does eat raw pork that contains this parasite, then he could end up becoming unwell and may need veterinary treatment.
So, although dogs can eat raw pork it is not really a good idea and pork should only really be fed if it has been cooked correctly.
Are pork bones good for dogs?
No, not really. Pork bones and those from poultry, such as chicken, are dangerous and should not be fed to dogs.
The biggest risk with these types of bones is that they very easily splinter into very sharp and jagged pieces which can cause choking and serious internal injuries.
The only bones that you should really think about feeding to your dog are raw bones that are not pork or poultry or cooked ‘knuckle style’ bones that do not splinter.
Spaniels are sociable dogs that enjoy company and, in the main, meeting new people.
They can also be excitable and often will jump up when you return home or when you have visitors.
The trick to getting a spaniel to stop jumping up is to behave calmly when you return home and to tell your guests to do the same. Ignoring the dog’s efforts to get attention can be one of the quickest and easiest ways to stop him from jumping. Only give him attention when he has calmed down.
How to stop a dog from jumping up
Ignore the Jumping:
Do not acknowledge your dog when it jumps up. No eye contact, talking, or touching.
Turn away or walk away if necessary, until the dog calms down.
All of these ‘suggestions’ are very very wrong and are excessive ways of dealing with spaniel that is just being friendly and trying to say ‘hello, welcome home‘.
Look at it from the dog’s perspective.
You come home, he is so happy to see you that he jumps up in joy and then…whack! – a thump on the nose or a knee in the chest.
No wonder so many spaniels and other dogs end up confused and nervous wrecks.
Ignore the spaniel training experts that have never trained or owned a spaniel and become more dog like in your thinking.
What are the risks of a spaniel jumping up?
Most spaniels are medium sized dogs, weighing anywhere between 12 to 22 kgs.
The force of a spaniel jumping is enough to knock over a healthy adult is he/she is off balance or unprepared.
The risks increase with the young and elderly and infirm, with injuries easily possible from falls, scratches or bumping into objects as a result of being pushed by the dog.
If a fall does occur then the dog can confuse this as an act of play and this can result in the person being jumped on, nipped, licked or otherwise.
Some people are also simply afraid of dogs and a jumping spaniel, whether friendly or not, can be upsetting.
A simple way to stop a spaniel from jumping up
Often, when you come home and are greeted by an excited spaniel, you also become excited.
Your excitement encourages the dog to become more excited and he jumps, happy to see and welcome you.
This often becomes more exaggerated if you have children who find a welcoming spaniel a delight.
If you behave in an excited fashion, then your spaniel will become excited, making the problem of jumping up worse and more likely to occur.
If your spaniel jumps at you when you come home then the easy solution is to take a calm and quiet approach.
Pay little attention to your dog, when he jumps up at you, step backwards and try to avoid any contact with him.
Turn your back on him and behave as though he is not there.
You need to be in charge and avoid all his efforts for attention.
Then, as soon as he calms down, acknowledge him and tell him he is a ‘good dog’.
If you keep some doggy treats in your pocket then, as soon as he is calm, you can reward him with a tasty treat.
This will take time and will need consistency from all of the family and visitors too.
Don’t use punishment – kneeing the dog in the chest, hitting him etc will only confuse him and make him more determined to win your favour by more jumping
Stay calm when returning home, even if your spaniel is going ballistic to get attention
Keep children calm and advise visitors to ignore the dog when they visit
Instead of using force, simply step backwards when your spaniel jumps, try to avoid any contact
Ignore him and avoid eye contact until he calms down.
When he finally settles, reward him with strokes or an edible treat.
Keep things on your terms, you only reward and acknowledge him when he is calm.
If you have a working spaniel or intend to work your spaniel then you will need to introduce your dog to cold game.
Even if you only intend to use your spaniel for hunting as opposed to retrieving, you should encourage game retrieving so that you have a rounded off dog.
Introducing a spaniel to cold game is not a difficult task, but, as is the case with all other aspects of spaniel training, it is something that you should do carefully. Using cold game is another stage in your spaniel training and, with our simple steps you can introduce your spaniel to cold game without any problems.
When to introduce a spaniel to cold game
You should not be in any rush to introduce your spaniel to cold game.
Before you even consider this stage of training your spaniel should be retrieving dummies nicely to hand and you should, ideally have been using fur or feather dummies as part of your training.
Your spaniel should be a young adult which would place him anywhere between 8 and 18 months old.
By now he should be progressing well with his basic spaniel training and be ready to move onto more advanced exercises.
What type of cold game to use
This really depends on the type of cold game that you can get, but, ideally you should try to use both fur and feather, and the two best options are rabbit and pheasant or partridge.
Regardless of the game, it should be fresh and not smell strange or have maggots or other infestations.
The game should not be damaged and should have minimal, if any, visible signs of blood.
It is also important that the game has not been used before for training, particularly for training with other dogs – it needs to smell of game and not of other dogs.
Introduce your spaniel to cold game
The back garden is the best place to do this. Somewhere safe and secure with no distractions.
Let your dog scamper around and play, maybe throw a dummy or two for him to fetch.
Taking the cold game, rabbit or whatever it is, drop it onto the floor and encourage your spaniel to investigate.
The chances are that he will come up and sniff at the game and perhaps mouth it. Encourage him to investigate and, if he picks it up, brilliant, encourage him to bring it to you.
There is also the possibility that he may back away, tail between legs, maybe stalking the game as he builds up courage. He is simply uncertain and you should encourage him to sniff it, maybe hold it yourself and show it to him.
You want him to investigate and not be afraid.
Getting your spaniel to retrieve cold game
If your spaniel is a good and keen retriever then you shouldn’t have too much trouble with this.
This exercise can also be a good tonic for spaniels that don’t like retrieving dummies ( and I’ve come across a few of these dogs) as soon as they get onto the real thing their retrieving comes to life.
For most dogs the best way is to take him out , throw a dummy and send him out for it. As soon as he brings it back, throw out the dead game – not too far, make it easy, and send him for it.
The majority of spaniels will run out to the game and pick it up. It may take a short while as he figures out how to hold it, and, as he picks it up he may hesitate.
As soon as he picks the game up, whistle him in to avoid any temptation that he may have to take the treasure away.
Don’t be too concerned with how he carries it.
With birds he may hold it by the neck or wings, even a leg – we simply want him to bring the bird back to use just like a dummy.
Make your cold game retrieves more challenging for your spaniel
Just as you have done for dummies you should progressively make retrieving work with cold game more challenging.
Look for opportunities to give your spaniel a new challenge, something that he needs to think about and use his experience, senses and ability to solve.
Consider:
More blind retrieves, in rushes, long grass, heather and other cover.
Use walls and throw a retrieve, that he sees, over the wall so that he has to work out how to get to it and then has to hunt on the other side.
Increase the distance of the retrieve, get someone else to throw the game that your spaniel can see.
Use water, streams and other small, shallow waterways. Throw the game into the water or onto the opposite bank.
In all of these exercises we are developing the spaniel’s confidence, experience and ability and, most importantly we are encouraging him to trust in his sense of smell when he hunts for the cold game.
Mouthing cold game
Many spaniel trainers get concerned if their spaniel mouths cold game and worry about hard mouth.
Don’t get worried. It is normal for a young spaniel to sometimes mouth cold game. It is a new experience for him when he gets this strange thing in his mouth.
Dogs learn from mouthing and, for a dog, this is an important activity, it helps him to learn how to carry an item, how much pressure he needs to hold it and how to balance it in his mouth.
It is highly unlikely that your spaniel will have any form of hardmouth and far too many spaniel trainers get hung up on this subject unnecessarily.
If your dog returns game to you that is damaged it is more likely due to anxiety and uncertainty on the part of the dog.
Simply stop the cold game training for a while, go back to fur and feather dummies and return to cold game after a week or two.
Final Words
Training with cold game is a great step up in the life of your spaniel training.
To move from dummies to the real thing is a necessary progression for a working spaniel and, provided you see things from the dog’s point of view and keep things simple, you should have little if any problems.
Like all things with spaniel training, if your dog seems unhappy or unsure, then simply stop, rethink, do something that your spaniel enjoys and can do well, then revisit the cold game training a few days later.
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Are you a first-time dog owner considering bringing home a Springer Spaniel?
These loyal and energetic pups can make wonderful companions, but it’s important to understand their needs and personality before making a commitment.
In this article, we’ll cover everything you should know about Springer Spaniels as first-time dogs, from their history and breed characteristics to their temperament, grooming needs, and more.
By the end, you’ll have a better idea of whether a Springer Spaniel is the right choice for you and your family.
English Springer Spaniels are friendly, affectionate, and highly intelligent, but also require plenty of attention, exercise, and grooming to stay happy and healthy. Early socialization and training are crucial, and potential owners should be prepared for their high energy level and exercise needs.
History and Breed Characteristics
Springer Spaniels are a breed of gun dog that originated in England in the 19th century.
They were originally used for flushing out game birds, and their name comes from their ability to “spring” on their prey.
These dogs are medium-sized, with a sturdy and athletic build. They typically weigh between 40 and 50 pounds and stand around 20 inches tall at the shoulder.
Their coat is thick and silky, and comes in a variety of colours, including black and white, liver and white, and tricolour.
Temperament
Springer Spaniels are known for their friendly and affectionate nature. They love nothing more than spending time with their humans and are highly social animals.
They also tend to get along well with children and other pets, although early socialisation is important.
However, Springer Spaniels are also highly energetic and require plenty of exercise and mental stimulation to stay happy and healthy.
They can become destructive if they don’t get enough exercise or if they are left alone for long periods of time.
If you’re considering a Springer Spaniel as a first-time dog, be prepared to give them plenty of attention and exercise.
Grooming Needs
Springer Spaniels have a thick and silky coat that requires regular grooming to keep it healthy and shiny.
They need to be brushed at least once a week to prevent matting and tangles, and their ears should be checked regularly for signs of infection.
Health Issues
Like all breeds, Springer Spaniels are prone to certain health issues.
Some of the most common health issues seen in this breed include hip dysplasia, ear infections, and allergies.
Regular veterinary check-ups and preventative care can help keep your Springer Spaniel healthy and happy.
FAQs
Are Springer Spaniels good with children? Springer Spaniels are known for their friendly and affectionate nature, and they generally get along well with children.
However, early socialisation and training are important to ensure that your dog knows how to behave around kids.
How much exercise do Springer Spaniels need? Springer Spaniels are highly energetic dogs and require plenty of exercise to stay healthy and happy.
They should be given at least an hour of exercise each day, including daily walks and plenty of playtime.
Are Springer Spaniels good apartment dogs? Springer Spaniels are not well-suited to apartment living. They require plenty of exercise and mental stimulation, and need plenty of space to run and play.
To sum up
Springer Spaniels can make wonderful first-time dogs for the right owner. They are friendly, affectionate, and highly intelligent, but also require plenty of attention, exercise, and grooming to stay happy.
If you’re considering a Springer Spaniel as your first dog, it’s important to be prepared for their high energy level and exercise needs.
These dogs require daily exercise and mental stimulation to prevent boredom and destructive behaviour.
In summary, Springer Spaniels can make great first-time dogs for the right owner.
They are friendly, affectionate, and highly intelligent, but also require plenty of attention, exercise, and grooming to stay happy and healthy.
If you’re willing to put in the time and effort to meet their needs, a Springer Spaniel can be a wonderful addition to your family.
Your pet deserves the best things in life, but that doesn’t mean they can get up on the furniture, or go rooting through the rubbish, or chew on your shoes.
Yes, sometimes that dog just needs to go outside. But that doesn’t mean it has to be a kind of punishment.
Dog houses, wooden and plastic models included, can be comfortable homes away from home for your furry friend. Wooden doghouses are a traditional and classic choice, but plastic dog houses have grown immensely in popularity over the last few decades as an alternate building material. So whether you’re in need of an upgrade or are buying a dog house for the very first time, here are a few things you should know about the most popular materials.
What Do Wood and Plastic Dog Houses Have to Offer?
Wood is a natural building material that offers unique features not seen in other materials like plastic, stone or metal.
For instance, some woods like cedar and cypress, give off naturally fragrant aromas.
More importantly for doghouses, some woods, like cedar and teak, produce natural resins that act to repel all nature of insects, including a dog’s worst enemy, fleas.
Plastics are a unique material in how workable and moldable they are.
Plastic can be manipulated into any number of shapes, designs, sizes, colours and textures.
Consider plastic the chameleon of the building world, which in turn makes for some of the most creative dog houses.
Wooden houses simply aren’t afforded this ability to transform so dramatically.
For a good plastic dog kennel take a look at the double walled FeelGood Dog Kennel which offers excellent wind and weather protection.
Which will keep your dog warmer? And cooler?
The insulating properties of both wood and plastic will keep dogs warmer in the winter and cooler in the warmer months.
However, plastic might have a slight edge in this category.
While wood possesses some amount of natural insulation, in extreme temperatures some extra padding may be needed as a supplement.
Plastic dog houses are created so that small air bubbles are placed throughout the plastic walls. The air bubbles trap warm and cold air as necessary and create an airtight seal of protection throughout the dog house.
The argument can be made conversely that this means that plastic dog houses don’t breathe as well as wooden dog houses.
One of our favourite plastic dog kennels is the sturdy and easy to assemble DogVilla from Ferplast.
Which one shows better craftsmanship?
To compare the actual work and attention to detail that goes into building these dog houses, wooden ones win every time.
That’s because of the nature of the materials.
Wood is natural, grown, harvested and often worked by hand.
Plastic is synthetic, made from chemical compounds and impersonally constructed in factories.
Where can you put them?
Both wood and plastic are fine to use as outdoor dog houses; wooden structures are made from those same strong hardwoods found in other types of patio furniture, while plastics are by nature waterproof.
The specific poly blends used in things like outdoor furniture and dog houses is also more durable than other kinds of plastic.
Which is easier to put together?
For ease of assembly, this one goes to plastic dog houses.
Wooden dog houses often come unassembled (which is consequently cheaper to ship since it can packaged into smaller units).
Plastic dog houses typically come pre-fabricated because they are not put together in the same way.
That being said, it’s typically pretty easy to put together wooden dog homes, and companies make their instructions user-friendly so that anyone can do it.
There’s also the benefit when working with the materials yourself that you get a better idea of how things put together, so if something needs fixed or replacing you have a better idea how to go about it.
At the same time, you know exactly how strong a structure really is, because you are seeing and working with those materials that keep it together.
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Okay, but which one costs less?
This question is often the most pressing, and especially now in our tight economy.
When it comes down to the actual price tag, the winner is plastic dog houses.
Wooden houses use a slightly more expensive material, which also needs to shipped from the forests in which it’s harvested.
All of this requires manpower hours, plus the manpower required of handcrafted pieces.
Plastics in general provide a cheaper alternative to other materials, especially natural materials.
Just remember that plastics are not a long-lasting as wood, so chances are you will need to buy a new dog house every few years, so the costs somewhat balance out over time.
Final words – my preference
Although there is a good case for plastic dog kennels in terms of their resilience and lightweight, my preference has to be wood.
A wooden kennel or doghouse is hard to beat in terms of workmanship, quality and simple appeal and, having had a number of wooden kennels I find them to be ideal.
Dogs will chew their kennels and, although not great, I would rather they chewed wood as opposed to plastic.
Plastic does not require the maintenance of wood and will last longer – but, for me, it’s a wooden kennel everytime, the natural aspect is tough to beat.
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If you’ve got a dog, you’d know that they absolutely love munching on anything they can find.
While some dogs are picky, a huge majority of them just absolutely love eating anything they can see. And why wouldn’t they? Humans eat a lot of tasty meals.
Tomatoes and cucumbers are safe for dogs to eat providing that you observe some basic rules and cautions before you feed them to your dog. Like many human foods there are some risks associated with both tomatoes and cucumbers and to avoid any problems you should make yourself aware of them.
Can I Give My Dog Tomatoes And Cucumbers
Many human foods are potentially dangerous for dogs to eat.
Some of these toxic foods include onions, milk, blue cheese, figs and chocolate, and anything with alcohol or caffeine.
Since we know that there are foods that can be toxic to our pets, it’s important that we try, as much as possible, to make sure that what we do feed them isn’t toxic.
So, we arrive at the all-important question; do cucumbers and tomatoes make this list? Well, the answer is complicated.
Can dogs eat cucumbers?
First, let’s talk about cucumbers. When in their raw form, they are completely safe for dogs to eat. In fact, they are a healthy choice for your dog because they are low in sodium and calories.
But they shouldn’t be given to your dogs in their natural form. Instead, they should be cut into small manageable chunks to help your dog avoid choking on them.
You should also be very wary of feeding your dog too much cucumber at a time, as this could increase their risk of gastrointestinal upset.
If you want to give your dog cucumbers, keep it to a few chunks.
Don’t be tempted to feed pickled or processed cucumbers to your dog, the additives and preservatives used in the processing may be bad for your dog and could result in diarrohea or worse.
So, the answer for cucumbers is yes. You can feed them to your pet— as long as they haven’t been picked, are cut into chunks, and are in their raw form.
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What about tomatoes are they safe for dogs to eat?
However, tomatoes are a different ball game entirely. Unlike cucumbers, tomatoes aren’t so great for pets because they contain something called solanine.
This chemical is harmful to dogs because, well, it’s a poison. Now, don’t be scared. Solanine is only really high in green tomatoes.
Once the tomato ripens, the level of solanine decreases rapidly. That means you can give your dog ripe tomatoes as an occasional treat.
Dog owners with tomato gardens should be especially careful because solanine can be found in green parts of tomato plants like the stem or leaves.
Dogs should therefore be actively discouraged from going close to tomato plants, or the greenhouse entirely simply to minimise any risk.
Some of the symptoms of tomato poisoning (or solanine poisoning, as that seems to be the more accurate name), includes a change of heartbeat, muscle weakness, seizures, tremors, and gastrointestinal upset.
If your dog has been munching on green tomatoes— or any part of the tomato plant, and you find them displaying these symptoms, you should get them to the vet right away.
They just may be suffering from solanine poisoning. It is rare for dogs to suffer from this, but as a dog owner, you should always be on the lookout.
Conclusion – Can dogs eat tomato and cucumber?
So, to answer your question, you can give your dog cucumbers and tomatoes.
However, you have to make sure the cucumbers are chopped up and are raw (not pickled) and you have to make sure the tomatoes are ripe and are just an occasional treat, not a regular item on the menu.
Cavalier King Charles spaniels have a double coat which consists of a downy undercoat next to the dog’s skin for warmth and a longer, outer coat which provides some weather and physical protection.
The Cavalier King Charles spaniel does moult and, at times, this can be quite significant, particularly during spring as the weather improves and the dog sheds hair. In this respect his level of moulting is no different to any other spaniel breed. However with regular grooming, brushing and care the amount of moulting can be controlled and kept to a minimum.
What is moulting?
Moulting is a natural process which occurs in many animals, humans included. Many people use the term ‘shedding’ and the two are exactly the same process.
Dogs, including the Cavalier King Charles spaniel, undergo a process which results in a thicker coat growing in the winter and cold months, this provides effective cold and bad weather protection, keeping the dog warm and is a basic dog survival process.
When the weather improves, this coat is too heavy and warm, so the dog moults or sheds the excess hair so that he is not too warm or uncomfortable.
You would not want to wear a thick winter coat during the summer and the same if true of your Cavalier King Charles.
Moulting or shedding is just like the dog taking his coat off. It is normal.
A Look at the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel’s Coat
The coat is long and shaggy everywhere but their face.
The dog’s coat is unique in that there are no layers of longer fur as there are with many other breeds. Instead, these dogs simply have a top layer of hair that protects an inner, downy undercoat.
The breed is prone to knots, tangles, and hair matting. This is all due to the length of their hair. The most common place for problems is around their ears.
Brushing
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels should be brushed two or three times per week to keep them knot-free.
Brushing is the main grooming that needs to be done. This will help with shedding too and you will notice that your new dog sheds less when they are groomed regularly.
Brushing helps to reduce the excess fur while also increasing the natural oil content on the skin for healthier skin and coat.
Bathing
Bathing should not happen too often for several reasons. One of these is that the breed is a clean dog.
Another is that washing too often in a bath will strip the natural oils from the skin and can cause skin damage or dry skin. Always use a good quality dog shampoo.
Clipping is a good option, but only with regular and frequent brushing.
Always use the best dog grooming tools that you can afford as these can help to reduce the levels of moulting that your Cavalier King Charles spaniel experiences.
Get covers for your furniture and car
When your dog moults you’ll often find that your furniture and car interior become covered in dog hairs that can be really difficult to remove.
A good solution is to purchase washable covers that you can use to protect your furniture and car seats.
These covers are often machine washable and are easy to fit and remove enabling you to easily minimise the impact of dog hair.
Pet Vacuums
Having the right tools to reduce dog hair is important but often you’ll find that your Cavalier just moults and you have to clean it up and you’ll need to get a good pet vacuum.
Pet vacuum cleaners vary in quality and price with many offering filtration systems, high powered suction, additional tools and extra features.
Vacuums are available in a wide range of shapes, sizes, colours and designs as well as mains powered and rechargeable options.
Final thoughts
Do Cavalier King Charles spaniels moult?
There are many reasons that people love the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. They are cheerful and fun to play with while also being highly intelligent.
These dogs are known for their characteristic long silky coat and having a face that many have fallen in love with.
The Cavalier King Charles does moult but, as a breed that loves people and loves to be fussed over, you will have no problems with regular grooming which will keep moulting to a minimum.
