These dogs are regarded as perfect companion pets but can Cavalier King Charles Spaniels be good hunting partners?
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels can be excellent hunting companion dogs. Cavaliers are easy to train, and they love fetching and chasing. Most Cavaliers are also quite energetic and sporty. Keep in mind that Cavaliers have a poor tolerance of hot weather and many have reduced activity tolerance related to the brachycephalic syndrome.
TRAITS THAT MAKE CAVALIERS GOOD HUNTERS
1. Cavaliers Have Some Hunting Background
Cavaliers belong to the toy group of dogs and, without a doubt, they are companion pets first and foremost. This quality, however, does not clash with their potential to be great hunters.
Originally bred to be companions and lapdogs, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels often accompanied their owners on hunting trips. They chased small animals and retrieved waterfowl from bushes and lakes.
So, historically Cavaliers engaged in hunting activities regularly. They are predisposed to have the urge to chase, and one of the qualities that persist over generations is the Cavalier’s prey drive.
2. Cavalier Have A Fairly Strong Prey Drive
Since most families do not take their dogs on hunting trips these days, the Cavalier’s strong prey instinct is viewed as a drawback by many owners.
These dogs often like to chase smaller house pets and small animals outdoors, which is an undesirable behavior. Their affable personalities usually compensate and these pups get along beautifully with cats and other house pets, especially with some training.
When it comes to hunting, their prey drive is an asset. In addition, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels has a pretty good sense of smell, which is so helpful to the dog as a hunting companion.
3. Cavaliers Have A Good Working Intelligence
Cavaliers rank solid high average among other breeds when it comes to their working intelligence. They are bright enough to be trained to fetch and retrieve, and to understand a variety of essential commands to stay safe on a hunting trip.
It is important to observe if your Cavalier responds to your commands well at a distance. It is not uncommon for dogs of this breed to obey commands promptly when they are close to you but get distracted at a distance. For example, your pet may not come to you right away when you call outdoors, which can become a problem in crowded areas or the woods.
Every pet is individual, of course. However, it is good to practice in advance and to dedicate extra time, if needed, to the skill of responding to commands from a distance.
4. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Are Athletic
These dogs do not have very high energy or activity requirements but they do have good athletic potential. Cavaliers also love to spend time with the owner and the whole family, so they do equally fine with being idle or running around all day, depending on the owner’s or the family’s needs.
A healthy young Cavalier will likely do very well with staying active for a few hours. Of course, it is essential to have water and snacks and consider that Cavaliers have a rather poor tolerance for temperature extremes, as well as intense exercise due to their brachycephalic syndrome.
5. Companion Spirit
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are sometimes called velcro pets. They need to interact with their human parent, they need you all the time. Often it means that these dogs can acquire a taste for any activity, as long as it means spending time with you.
All other essential characteristics, such as agility, decent stamina with conditioning, prey drive, and intelligence, are typical for Cavaliers. Companion spirit is the perfect stroke to complete their solid profile of potentially great hunting dogs.
POTENTIAL CHALLENGES WITH CAVALIERS AS HUNTING PARTNERS
Many Cavaliers Have Breathing Problems And Limited Stamina
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are a brachycephalic, or flat-faced, breed. It is a characteristic that often comes with several complications.
Depending on how prominent the features are, the dog might just snore but do fine otherwise. Some Cavaliers are afflicted by breathing difficulties and reduced tolerance to physical activity. The flat nose and other brachycephalic features of the airway affect the ability to tolerate cold and hot weather, too.
Some dogs, including Cavaliers, are impacted by the brachycephalic syndrome so much that they need surgery just to be able to breathe well.
It is important to observe your dog’s tolerance of physical activity and breathing patterns. If your pup is out of breath often and snores and snorts a lot, you might need to modify his or her activity and pay a visit to a veterinarian.
Many Cavaliers Have Poor Tolerance To Heat And Cold
Sensitivity to temperature extremes is a common concern for Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.
Cavaliers do not tolerate hot weather. Unfortunately, they do poorly with chilly weather, too. Some of these pups are so sensitive that even a walk on a day with temperatures outside of the thermoneutral range could be a challenge.
If you are going on an overnight hunting trip, just be prepared and assess your furry companion’s comfort. It could be worthwhile to purchase dog booties to protect your dog’s paws and a cooling vest or a warm jacket, depending on the season you plan to go hunting.
Cavaliers Are Easily Distractible And Can Get Lost
Although these pups do very well in crowded areas and around strangers, Cavaliers often do not listen to the owner if something catches their attention. These dogs are also infamous for their susceptibility to getting lost.
Know your pet’s limits and avoid hiking or hunting in areas that you think could be precarious for your Cavalier.
PRIORITIZE SAFETY IN THE WILDERNESS
- As discussed in a previous section, some Cavaliers may not respond to your commands at a distance quite as well and can go astray.
Part of the solution to this problem is to rehearse a variety of commands and practice them in different situations. It is good to practice in wooded areas, when the dog is excited and, say, is playing or chasing something. Of course, avoid letting your Cavalier wander off farther than you believe is safe.
Other safety concerns are not specific to Cavaliers but require obedience on the dog’s part.
- Your pet should not eat anything he or she finds in the forest because a plant or a mushroom might be not safe to eat. If you are on a trail where you are likely to encounter other people and dogs, it is best to keep your Cavalier on a leash, just in case.
Dogs become more confident and more obedient with practice, and Cavaliers are a breed that benefits from the repetition of skills, in different environments in particular.
To Conclude
Cavaliers are great at chasing and retrieving. They are also quite sporty and very trainable, so they do make decent hunting companions.
It is just important to keep in mind some of the limitations of the breed, such as their sensitivity to high and low temperatures, as well as variable activity tolerance related to their brachycephalic syndrome. And then again, training is key to achieving improvement with any behavioral or skill issue, but that is true for most dogs.
