The Best Books
For The Care and Training of
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
(and a few others, too)


The Best 

We recommend these books about cavalier King Charles spaniels and how to care for them. There are very few books about CKCSs which are totally open and honest about the serious genetic diseases which afflict the breed. Most books on this subject are written by cavalier breeders who want to promote their dogs and their kennels.


Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (Complete Pet Owner's Manual) by CoileCavalier King Charles Spaniels (Complete Pet Owner's Manual), by D. Caroline Coile, Ph.D. is the exception to this rule. It is well written, balanced, and objective, and the author has no ulterior motive in writing it. It also is reasonably priced and usually is easy to find in major bookstores, or you may order it on-line by clicking the book cover at the left or click here.

Dr. Coile has a blog about dogs: www.carolinecoile.com



The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Handbook The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Handbook: The Essential Guide to Cavaliers (Canine Handbooks), by Linda Whitwam.  This is a 266-page book published in 2018 by a UK canine author, who has teamed up with cavalier experts to answer dozens of questions about the breed. It covers such topics as: how to spot a poorly-bred puppy; how to find a good breeder and what questions to ask; how to pick a healthy puppy or adult; choosing the right temperament; male or female?; puppy-proofing your home; finding and caring for rescue cavaliers; and, of course, cavalier health in depth. It is very reasonably priced and usually is easy to find in major bookstores, or you may order it on-line by clicking the book cover at the left or click here.



Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: Comprehensive Care from Puppy to Senior Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: REVISED & EXPANDED: Comprehensive Care from Puppy to Senior, by Charlotte Spencer. This is another well-balanced book, with information relating to care, health, training, understanding, grooming, showing, costs, rescue, breeders, breeding, and behavior problems. It is reasonably priced and usually is easy to find in major bookstores, or you may order it on-line by clicking the book cover at the left or click here.



Laura Lang CKCS Book Cavalier King Charles Spaniel- Animal Planet Dogs 101, by Laura Lang.  This is written by a breeder who has dedicated her cavalier breeding program to ridding future generations of CKCSs of early-onset MVD and other genetic disorders.  You may order it on-line by clicking the book cover at the left or click here.

 


Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (DogLife) by Loren Spiotta-DiMareCavalier King Charles Spaniel (DogLife), by Loren Spiotta-DiMare, is a spiral-bound reference book by an experienced pet book author, which discusses each aspect of a cavalier's life chronologically in three different parts puppy, adult, senior.  It has an excellent section on the genetic disorders of the CKCS. The book also includes a 60-minute training DVD and coupons worth $20. You may order it on-line by clicking the book cover at the left or click here.


For the Love of Ollie For the Love of Ollie, by Sandy Ross Smith, tells the very touching story about one cavalier's struggle with the painful, debilitating disease of syringomyelia, along with helpful information about the disorder. All proceeds from the sale of this book will be directed towards the syringomyelia genome research fund established at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Canada.  You may order it on-line by clicking the book cover at the left or click here.



Rusbridge Thesis BookFREE!Chiari-like Malformation and Syringomyelia in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, by Clare Rusbridge, is her 2007 doctoral thesis.  We are so fortunate that veterinary specialists such as Dr. Rusbridge have devoted so much of their professional careers to studying CM and SM in our breed.  This book is a thorough compendium of several areas of her research.  And best of all for us, it is FREE!  An on-line, searchable edition of this book is available to all of us simply by clicking on the book cover at the left or click here.


My Life With George by Judith SummersMy Life with George: What I Learned About Joy from One Neurotic (and Very Expensive) Dog, by Judith Summers, is the hilarious and moving account of the impossible but adorable George, and of the wonderful way in which he helped to fill a huge void in the lives of both Judith and her son while driving them absolutely barking mad along the way.  You may order it on-line by clicking the book cover at the left or click here.



FIELD BOOKThe Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, by Bruce Field, was last published in 1996 and so is out of print.  But, if you can find a copy, it is well worth searching for. This was the definitive book about the breed at the time Mr. Field, a top breeder and judge, wrote it.  It belongs as a reference for every breeder and dedicated owner.  You may order it on-line by clicking the book cover at the left or click here.



GRACIE BOOKSaving Gracie: How One Dog Escaped the Shadowy World of American Puppy Mills, by Carol Bradley, is about a sickly cavalier King Charles spaniel, worn out from producing litter after litter of puppies, is rescued and transformed into a loving, healthy member of her new family.  You may order it on-line by clicking the book cover at the left or click here.



Chiari-Like Malformation & Syringomyelia. Marino editor.FREE! Chiari-Like Malformation and Syringomyelia: A Handbook for Veterinary Professionals, by Dominick J. Marino, Curtis W. Dewey, Catherine A. Loughin, and Clare Rusbridge. The title says it all. These authors all are veterinary neurological specialists who are among the primary researchers into Chiari-like malformation and syringomyelia in the cavalier King Charles spaniel. And best of all for us, this book is FREE! An on-line edition is available simply by clicking on the book cover at the left or click here.


Canine Nutrigenomics: The New Science of Feeding Your Dog for Optimum HealthCanine Nutrigenomics: The New Science of Feeding Your Dog for Optimum Health, by W. Jean Dodds and Diana R. Laverdure. Using functional foods to achieve ideal weight, conquer disease, and create radiant health from inside out.

You cannot change your dog’s genes, but you can change how those genes behave when you read this book. You may order it on-line by clicking the book cover at the left or click here.


Not Fit For A DogNot Fit for a Dog!: The Truth About Manufactured Dog and Cat Food, by Michael W. Fox, Elizabeth Hodgkins, and Marion E. Smart. The massive recall of more than 1,000 different varieties of dog and cat foods is the tip of the iceberg. Beneath the radar of inadequate government oversight, there are serious problems about pet food manufacturers’ claims and assurances of product safety and quality. This book’s disturbing findings conclude that too many veterinarians are uninformed of the dangers of mixing some pet food with prescribed medication and antibiotics which may exacerbate the pet’s condition. You may order it on-line by clicking the book cover at the left or cllck here.


Good Owners, Great Dogs by KilcommonsGood Owners, Great Dogs, by Brian Kilcommons, is the absolute best book for basic training of both the cavalier and its owner. You may order it on-line by clicking the book cover at the left or click here.



Merck/Merial Manual for Pet HealthThe Merck/Merial Manual for Pet Health: The complete pet health resource for your dog, cat, horse or other pets - in everyday language, by Merck Publishing and Merial.  The title says it all! This in-depth new resource, authored by over 200 veterinary experts, covers the full spectrum of today's pets, from dogs, cats and horses to birds, reptiles, fish and other exotic pets. No other book provides as much health information on as many types of animals. The one resource for a lifetime of pets. You may order it on-line by clicking the book cover at the left or click here.


Control of Canine Genetic Diseases by PadgettControl of Canine Genetic Diseases, by George A. Padgett, is the most important single volume ever written about dogs' genetic diseases. We include this book as a reference in the Veterinary Resources sections of several of the pages of this website. You may order it on-line by clicking the book cover at the left or click here.



Breed Predispositions to Disease in Dogs and Cats (Second Edition) by Gough and ThomasBreed Predispositions to Disease in Dogs and Cats (Second Edition), by Alex Gough and Alison Thomas, is a comprehensive reference to all the diseases and disorders of dogs and cats that are either inherited or more prevalent in certain breeds. This Second Edition was released in 2010, and on its cover are a photo of a cavalier King Charles spaniel and an MRI scan of a cavalier, showing Chiari-like malformation and syringomyelia. This book follows on the heels of Dr. Padgett's book, above. We also include this book as a reference in the Veterinary Resources sections of several of the pages of this website. You may order it on-line by clicking the book cover at the left or click here.


The Canine Thyroid Epidemic by Dr. Jean DoddThe Canine Thyroid Epidemic: Answers You Need for Your Dog, by W. Jean Dodds, Diana Laverdure. You may order it on-line by clicking the book cover at the left or click here.

If your dog is lethargic, losing his hair, gaining weight or suddenly becomes aggressive, perhaps the last thing you would think about is his thyroid. Unfortunately, however, thyroid disorders can cause literally dozens of health and behavioral problems in dogs and frequently go undiagnosed or are misdiagnosed. And the real tragedy is that most thyroid problems are treatable with the right medical care and a well-informed owner can often minimize the chance of a thyroid disorder occurring in the first place. Noted veterinarian Jean Dodds and co-author Diana Laverdure have done the dog owning public and their vets a great service by writing The Canine Thyroid Epidemic. The book is written in such a way to inform both the average dog owner and animal health care professionals about the ways in which thyroid disorders occur, can be prevented and treated.


Deafness in Dogs and CatsDeafness in Dogs and Cats, by Dr. G. M. Strain. You may order it on-line by clicking the book cover at the left or click here.

Cavalier King Charles spaniels are predisposed to a form of congenital deafness and to a progressive hereditary hearing loss, which usually begins during puppyhood and worsens, or progresses, until the dog is completely deaf, usually between the ages of three and five years. See Deafness and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. This book provides complete coverage of the subject describing the anatomy and physiology of the auditory system, types of deafness, testing for deafness, methods of amelioration and management, behaviour of deaf animals, and other issues associated with living and dealing with deaf pets.


Ocular Disorders -- 10th Ed. 2017FREE! Ocular Disorders Presumed to be inherited in purebred dog , by the Genetics Committee of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists. This the tenth edition of the "Blue Book" of the ACVO. Cavalier King Charles spaniels are predisposed to a variety of eye disorders. We discuss all of them separately, but a good place to start is on our Eyes webpage. This book provides the most significant veterinary resources upon which we rely. And, it's FREE! An on-line edition is available simply by clicking on the book cover at the left or click here.

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New Releases

A Matter of BreedingNew!A Matter of Breeding: A Biting History of Pedigree Dogs and How the Quest for Status Has Harmed Man's Best Friend. By Michael Brandow. A provocative look at the “cult of pedigree” and an entertaining social history of purebred dogs. In this illuminating and entertaining social history, social critic Michael Brandow probes the “cult of pedigree” and traces the commercial rise of the purebred dog. Combining consumer studies with sharp commentary, A Matter of Breeding reveals the sordid history of the dog industry and shows how our brand-name pets—from Labs to French bulldogs and everything in between—pay the price with devastatingly poor health.

You may order it on-line by clicking the book cover at the right or click here.


The Genetic Connection by Lowell AckermanNew!The Genetic Connection: A Guide to Health Problems in Purebred Dogs, Second Edition, by Lowell Ackerman. This is the most comprehensive collection of breed-specific diagnosis and treatment options available. The resource includes practical guidelines on diagnosing and treating canine health disorders; a comprehensive, fully referenced compilation of breed specific data; and helpful tables of dog breeds and the conditions to which they are susceptible. It has been fully reviewed by board-certified veterinarians, the information is easy to read and logically organized alphabetically by body system.

You may order it on-line by clicking the book cover at the left or click here.

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The Oldies

These books, most written by cavalier breeders of days bygone, have been out of print for several years. Occasionally, they show up online at Amazon, in used book stores, at estate auctions, and on eBay and other Internet auctions. Many CKCS fanciers consider some of these books to be "classics".

Booth Cavalier BookAll About the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, by Evelyn M. Booth. Published in 1983. Try to find a copy on-line by clicking the book cover at the left or click here.



Burgess Cavalier Book Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (The Dog Owner's Library), by Susan Burgess. Published in 1975. Try to find a copy on-line by clicking the book cover at the right or click here.


EVANS BOOK

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels: An Owner's Companion, by John Evans.  It was first published in 1990 and was updated and re-released in 2003 as a paperback. You may order it on-line by clicking the book cover at the left or click here.


Forward CKCS Book

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, by Mary Forwood. Published in 1967. Try to find a copy on-line by clicking the book cover at the right or click here.


Garnett-Smith Cavalier BookThe Cavalier King Charles Spaniel in North America, by Barbara Garnett-Smith. Published in 1998. Try to find a copy on-line by clicking the book cover at the left or click here.


McKenzie CKCS Book

Your First Cavalier, by Barbara McKenzie. Published in 1984. Try to find a copy on-line by clicking the book cover at the right or click here.


Smith Cavalier Book

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Today (Book of the Breed), by Sheila Smith. Published in 1995. Try to find a copy on-line by clicking the book cover at the left or click here.


Spalding Cavalier Book

How to Raise and Train a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, by Elizabeth C. Spalding. Published in 1965. Try to find a copy on-line by clicking the book cover at the right or click here.


Stenning CKCS Book

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, by Eilidh M. Stenning. Published in 1964. Try to find a copy on-line by clicking the book cover at the left or click here.


TOWN BOOKCavalier King Charles Spaniels (Pet Owner's Guide Series), by Ken Town.  Published in 1997. Try to find a copy on-line by clicking the book cover at the right or click here.


Workman Cavalier Book

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (World of Dogs), by Margaret Workman. Published in 1999. Try to find a copy on-line by clicking the book cover at the left or click here.

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Home-Prepared Meals

See our Diets for Cavalier King Charles Spaniels webpage for a list of books we recommend to cavalier owners who are interested in feeding their dogs home-prepared meals.

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The Rest

Here are some other books about the breed, some written by breeders of cavalier King Charles spaniels and others by professional writers. We make no recommendations regarding any of these books, mainly due to their lack of candidness and thoroughness about the main genetic disorders affecting the breed. 


MOFFAT BOOKCavalier King Charles Spaniel: Your Happy Healthy Pet, by Norma Moffat.  You may order it on-line by clicking the book cover at the left or click here.


WILSON BOOKThe Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, in Fact and Fancy, by Barbara Garnett-Wilson, Roy A. Wilson, and Kenneth Ottinger.  You may order it on-line by clicking the book cover at the right or click here.


MEREDITH BOOKA New Owners Guide to Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, by Meredith Johnson-Snyder.  You may order it on-line by clicking the book cover at the left or click here.


MYRA BOOKThe Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (Terra Nova Series), by Myra Savant-Harris.  You may order it on-line by clicking the book cover at the right or click here.


CUNLIFFE BOOKCavalier King Charles Spaniel (Kennel Club Dog Breed Series), by Juliette Cunliffe.  You may order it on-line by clicking the book cover at the left or click here.


EWING BOOKCavalier King Charles Spaniels (Animal Planet Pet Care Library), by Susan M. Ewing.  You may order it on-line by clicking the book cover at the right or click here.


HOGAN BOOKCavalier King Charles Spaniel (Best of Breed), by Maryann Hogan.  You may order it on-line by clicking the book cover at the left or click here.



CKCS Smart Owner's GuideCavalier King Charles Spaniel (Smart Owner's Guide), by Dog Fancy Editors. You may order it on-line by clicking the book cover at the right or click here.


Cavalier King Charles Spaniel by Lucy Koster

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (Dog Expert), by Lucy Koster. You may order it on-line by clicking the book cover at the left or click here.



Cavalier King Charles Spaniel by Nick Mays

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (An Owner’s Guide), by Nick Mays. You may order it on-line by clicking the book cover at the right or click here.




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...And Just For the Beauty of the Breed

WILSON ART BOOKThe Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: A Tribute in Art, edited by Barbara Garnett-Wilson. This book is about the breed in art. The cavalier King Charles spaniel, and its predecessors, have a long history in the world of fine art, and this book is a masterpiece of its own.  You may order it on-line by clicking the book cover at the left or click here.


Best in Show: The Dog in Art from the Renaissance to Today 

 Best in Show: The Dog in Art from the Renaissance to Today, by Peter Bowron, Carolyn Rose Rebbert, Robert Rosenblum, and William Secord.  You may order it on-line by clicking the book cover at the right or click here.


Dog Painting: A History of the Dog in Art 

Dog Painting: A History of the Dog in Art, by William Secord.  You may order it on-line by clicking the book cover at the left or click here.


Dog Painting: The European Breeds 

Dog Painting: The European Breeds, by William Secord. There is a cavalier on the cover! You may order it on-line by clicking the book cover at the right or click here.



A Breed Apart

A Breed Apart: The Art Collections of The American Kennel Club and The American Kennel Club Museum of The Dog, by William Secord. You may order it on-line by clicking the book cover at the left or click here.



The American Dog At HomeThe American Dog at Home: The Dog Portraits of Christine Merrill, by William Secord. This book features artist Christine Merrill, whose fondness for painting cavaliers is noteworthy. William Secord's essays include a biography of Ms. Merrill and his interviews and photos of 33 of her clients.

The Dog Writers' Association of America has awarded this book the "Book of the Year" award for 2010. You may order it on-line by clicking the book cover at the right or click here.


Charles Faudree DetailsCharles Faudree Details, by Charles Faudree, Francesanne Tucker, and Jenifer Jordan. The late Charles Faudree was a very popular interior designer in Tulsa, Oklahoma who was famous also for featuring his cavalier King Charles spaniels in his books about his design successes.  He even  designed a toile fabric aptly called Cavalier Toile. In this book, he showed how to design your house around your cavaliers. You may order it on-line by clicking the book cover at the left or click here.

For a list of Charles Faudree's other interior design books, all featuring his cavaliers, click here.


Charles Faudree HomeCharles Faudree Home, by Charles Faudree and Jenifer Jordan. The late Faudree did it again. He was a very popular interior designer in Tulsa, Oklahoma who was famous also for featuring his cavalier King Charles spaniels in his books about his design successes.  He even designed a toile fabric aptly called Cavalier Toile. He showed how to design your house around your cavaliers. In this book, he even put one of his cavaliers on the cover.

You may order it on-line by clicking the book cover at the right or click here.


Mario Buatta: Fifty Years of American Interior DecorationMario Buatta: Fifty Years of American Interior Decoration, by Mario Buatta, Emily Evans Eerdmans and Paige Rense. Mario Buatta is the interior designer who made cavalier King Charles spaniel artwork a decorating icon. He has been adding paintings of cavaliers and King Charles spaniels to the walls and tabletops of nearly every one of his clients' homes since the 1960s. He finally has published his own 400+ page tome, richly illustrated with color photos of the interiors of dozens of homes. Cavalier lovers will not be disappointed.

You may order it on-line by clicking the book cover at the left or click here.

 

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INSIDE TOPICS