I am a dog lover and have had the opportunity to interact with several breeds from puppy → adulthood. I grew up with three Jack Russell terriers and now own a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel who is 1.5 years old.

My Cavalier (his name is Cookie) is the sweetest, most loving, and affectionate dog I have ever encountered. He has a gentle temperament and is generally well-behaved. Cavaliers can be great pets if you are willing to spend time with them. They are perfect for people who are looking for a companion dog and are wonderful with small children.

Cavaliers shed and require regular brushing, grooming (1x/month), teeth brushing, walks, ear drops (prone to ear infections due to floppy ears), and eye cleaning. Most of these tasks are simple and take only a few minutes every other day or so. Cavaliers LOVE to eat and can be prone to obesity, especially after being fixed.

Before I got my Cavalier, I spent a significant amount of time researching various breeds and how to care for and raise a healthy, happy dog. I read a number of books which were extremely helpful in the way that I prepared for my puppy and how I decided to set him up for success. I would recommend the following books:

• The Art of Raising a Puppy, Monks of New Skete
• Before & After Getting your Puppy: The Positive Approach to Raising a Happy, Healthy, and Well-Behaved Dog, Dr. Ian Dunbar
• How to Raise the Perfect Dog: Through Puppyhood and Beyond, Cesar Milan & Melissa Jo Peltier
• Short Guide to a Happy Dog, Cesar Milan
• Be the Pack Leader, Cesar Milan
• Cesar's Way, Cesar Milan
• Cesar's Rules, Cesar Milan

From the research I did and based on my lifestyle, it made sense for me to crate train my puppy — I am a young professional living in a high-rise condo in a big city and, at the time, commuted 1-3 hours a day (SF-Menlo Park) — and also enroll him in puppy training early to socialize him to other pets and people and also help with basic behavioral skills like potty training, sitting, laying down, and listening. Cavaliers, and most puppies/dogs, respond very well to structure and boundaries.

There are some breed-specific things to know about Cavaliers including their persistent health issues and defects. I did a lot of research before getting Cookie including obtaining health certificates and evaluations for his parents — eyes, heart, and knees/hips. It is really important to know going into Cavalier ownership all of the specific health issues that could arise, even if you've checked the health records of related animals. You should also plan on investing in pet insurance in the event of a sudden emergency (I decided to use Healthy Paws Insurance which has been excellent).

Overall, my Cavalier has been a dream. My friends and family love him and he is the sweetest, most loving and gentle dog in the world. Cavaliers are very special and have a puppy-like quality into adulthood which makes the perfect pet for someone looking for a small medium-sized dog that has a playful yet gentle personality.