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Cavestie |
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He is not recognized by the F.C.I. |
Origin |
Great Britain -> U.S.A. | |
Translation |
Francis Vandersteen |
A brief presentation of the Cavestie |
| The Cavestie is the result of crossing a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel with a West Highland White Terrier. They are affectionate and adorable dogs, intelligent and friendly. The Cavestie gets along incredibly well with everyone, from small children and teenagers to adults and the elderly. They even relate well to other pets, including cats, and simply believe that everyone loves them. This dog seems to have no destructive habits, being gentle and patient in temperament. The Cavestie may bark for attention if you ignore them, so don't let this become a hard habit to break. They love to play and play hard, but they snuggle even harder. Intelligent and bright, the Cavestie can learn tricks, but you may have to be patient with them and reward with attention and treats as they can be easily distracted. All in all, they're gentle, playful and affectionate, loyal and will alert you with 2 or 3 barks if strangers are about to arrive. |
History of the Cavestie |
| Often, when we research the history of new hybrid dog breeds, it's hard to find anything of substance to help us understand our Cavestie. At times like these, the best thing to do is to consider the history of the parent dogs. With such a vibrant mixed history, it's no wonder the Cavestie carries itself royally and with an air of importance. |
A little of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel |
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| The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel was a favorite of the royal family and King Charles II. The Cavalier is a descendant of the King Charles Spaniel, which has a flatter nose and prominent eyes due to having been crossed with the Pug in the late 1600s. It was in the 1920s that an American name, Roswell Eldridge, became interested in reinventing the original Spaniel that appeared with King Charles II in Van Dyck's famous paintings of the king with his dogs. Eldridge sought out anyone who had one of the long-nosed King Charles Spaniels and even offered cash prizes at the Crufts Dog Show in London for anyone who had one. A lady by the name of Miss Mostyn Walker won the prize, but Eldridge had sadly passed away a month earlier. However, other breeders saw his vision and thanks to them, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel we know today was born in the late 1920s. The Cavalier is the true heir to the Royal Spaniels of King Charles II. In the 1940s, these dogs were recognized and classified as a breed in their own right, and given the prefix Cavalier to differentiate them from the King Charles Spaniel. | ||
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| Standard of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | ||
A little of the West Highland White Terrier |
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| The West Highland White Terrier was originally bred to control the population of rats, foxes, badgers, otters and other vermin. These dogs originated in Poltalloch, Scotland, and were known as Poltalloch Terriers. This was later changed to Roseneath Terrier, named after the Duke of Argyll's estate. The breed began in the mid-19th century when a Scottish Cairn Terrier breeder had white puppies in his litters. These puppies were used to breed the West Highland White Terrier, which is actually a white Cairn. In 1906, the Westie, as it is affectionately known, was shown in the United States. In 1908, it was recognized as a breed by the American Kennel Club and in 1909, the name was officially changed to West Highland White Terrier. | ||
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| Standard of the West Highland White Terrier |
Appearance of the Cavestie |
| The Cavestie is a sturdy little dog with a head proportionate to the body. The head is slightly rounded and has a blunt, slightly short muzzle that tapers a little and has a medium stop. The nose is black and has wide nostrils. Cavesties have large, round, attractive eyes that are very expressive. Their eyebrows are often shaggy like Westies. Their teeth meet in a scissor bite. The legs are short but sturdy, and their tail is relatively long and can be fluffy. The coat is straight or slightly wavy and often silky to the touch. Colors vary according to the influence of Cavalier genes and range from black and white, to browns to pure white, with or without colored patches. |
Temperament of the Cavestie |
| The Cavestie is an incredibly friendly and highly intelligent dog who loves people and other dogs and will play for hours if you have the stamina. They can be trained to learn new tricks in a matter of days, as they are so eager to please. Although they're very active at home, they're just as eager to snuggle up to you and grab all the attention you can give them. Loyalty and devotion are part of their temperament. Cavestie dogs make excellent pets because they have no destructive habits. They are ideal in apartments, although they like the sound of their own voice and may bark for attention if you ignore them. Training can reduce this behavior if you start when they're young to let them know that a bark, or two, is enough. They love to play with children, although they need supervision with very young children as the dog is so small it can be hurt unintentionally during play. But these sturdy, resourceful little dogs with their seductive eyes and loving souls make the Cavastie an excellent pet and a lifelong friend. |
Needs and activities of the Cavestie |
| The Cavestie is an active little dog, but can get most of its exercise needs simply by playing with family or other pets. But they need a daily walk just to keep them fit, but more importantly, it will help socialize them with other people and dogs. They'll enjoy an outing and have you running to the door as soon as they know its walking time. Cavesties can do without a yard to play in, but they need walking and playtime to compensate. If you have a yard, make sure it's well fenced to ensure your Cavestie isn't injured or stolen by others who will love him on sight. These dogs do well in town or country, they're very adaptable. Hot weather can slow your Cavestie down, so make sure there's a cool, shady part of the house in summer for him to escape to. |
Maintenance of the Cavestie |
| The Cavestie inherits coat characteristics from parent breeds, so the coat can vary according to dominant genes. It is often dense in the wild, so the hair requires regular brushing with a stiff bristle brush. If your dog has a lot of white, it may need to be bathed more frequently to keep it that way. Be sure to use a mild dog shampoo to avoid skin allergies. If your Cavestie has long hair or feathers, be sure to brush these areas to prevent matting. A dry shampoo can be a great way to freshen up your dog quickly. Regularly clean the inside of the ears, which often only need a gentle wipe with a damp cloth. Check the eyes for any signs of infection or irritation, and make sure you keep your dog's teeth clean by brushing regularly. If you start these practices when your dog is just a puppy, he'll come to regard grooming as a special moment when he'll get your full attention and love. Finish with a nail trim if necessary. |
English (United Kingdom) 
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