Are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels brachycephalic, and other spaniels?

Cavaliers are great dogs but they do have quite a few health issues but so do many other breeds. My experience with the breed is that a high percentage due succumb to heart disease (mitral valve disease, MVD). It can start as early as 3-4 years of age. Mitral valve disease is about twenty times more prevalent in the Cavalier King Charles spaniel than other breeds of dog. The number of Cavaliers with heart murmurs characteristic of mitral valve disease increases at a rate of about 10% each year so that by five years of age 50% have a murmur and by ten years nearly all do. That's a lot! So, they can be quite an expensive dog.......

Brachycephalic breeds have a very short nose- like pugs and bulldogs. It is common for brachycephalic breeds to have an underbite, however any breed of dog can have an underbite. So just because a dog has an underbite does not mean he is a brachycephalic breed.

20-40% of adult Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have heart murmurs, most commonly due to hereditary problems with the mitral valve. While many go on to develop congestive heart failure, other dogs may be asymptomatic for a long time, or may develop another disease before the heart is significantly affected. Not all Cavaliers die from heart disease.

A staffy is a brachycephalic breed, which means the snout is short, but the rest of the head did not get smaller. So the structures in his mouth stayed the same as if the head was longer. This results in an elongated soft palate, which covers the airway and cuts off the air reaching the lungs. This can be repaired with surgery, ie, the soft palate is cut to a smaller size. It is possible that from the inhalation anesthesia, there is a slight irritation of the soft palate, which should go away soon. Here is some information on the problem: https://www.acvs.org/small-animal/brachycephalic-syndrome

Well, I am partial to a Cocker Spaniel! Mine just turned 15; she was the first dog that was all mine. I got her from a good breeder that wasn't breeding a ton of dogs (which could mean they are just doing it as quickly as possible rather than with intention). She has had only a few ear infections in her lifetime, and I am not sure if it is due to good genetics or the fact that I keep the hair on her ears trimmed so they don't get heavy, which could reduce airflow around the ear canals. I do not pluck ear hair either. Cockers are a great breed for a house companion. They can be taught basic commands, and more if you want! We did some basic agility training. I would say bulldogs aren't great for first-time pet owners. We like to say bulldogs keep vets in business! In my experience, they tend to have more than average health issues, and frequently they can be tricky to manage. They can have respiratory difficulties due to their anatomy. They can have skin issues from the folds in their skin. They tend to have severe food and environmental allergies. I am not a fan, but my clients who own them are in love! Either way, we are always here to help!

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Brachycephalic syndrome refers to a combination of conditions including smaller than normal nostrils, a longer than normal soft palate, and some other malformations of the back of the throat. It is unlikely that a chihuahua will have this condition. Conditions that can cause chronic coughs in dogs include a collapsing trachea, heart enlargement, or issues with the lungs. These conditions can be identified with an x-ray or CT scan and may require life-long treatment. I hope this helps and am happy to answer any other questions you may have!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! As a breed, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels tend to be very prone to heart problems. Sadie was most likely to have passed because of a heart condition known as mitral valve endocarditis. There are other possibilities, but this is the most likely. It leads to congestion of the lungs and basically causes them to drown in their own serum. Without an exam before and after Sadie's death, it is hard to know for sure. I hope this brings you some peace. May you find comfort in your time of grief.