Deciding on what kind of dog would fit in with your family is no easy feat, given the fact that there are hundreds of different breeds to choose from.
Prospective pet owners have to do a host of research to work out whether they can handle all of the behavioural, health, exercise and nutritional needs of certain pooches.
As we all know, a dog isn't just for Christmas - and you need to be 110 percent certain that you are ready to take on a four-legged friend before you start shopping for chew toys.
That's why a veterinary nurse is warning animal lovers about the dangers of owning a popular dog breed in the UK, as the adorable balls of fur can also be quite a challenge to care for.
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Sussex-based Tara Evans, who has been giving care to canines at Vita Health since 2018, wants to ensure that people are fully aware of all the potential problems which may come with owning this particular breed.
Stars including the likes of Frank Sinatra, Mickey Rooney, Emma Bunton, Teri Hatcher and Gloria Hunniford have owned this silky-coated breed before and they certainly make super cute sidekicks.
The dogs are known for being the perfect addition to families as they are affectionate, loving and gentle, however, they are also prone to some complicated health issues.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are known to suffer from a variety of problems, including breathing conditions, hearing and vision impairments as well as hip dysplasia and arthritis.
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But Tara said the most sinister ailment they tend to suffer from is heart disease, or more specifically mitral valve disease (MVD).
MVD, which occurs due to a problem with one of the valves inside the heart, usually begins as a heart murmur which later progresses to heart failure.
The condition, which is particularly common in small breeds, reportedly effects Cavalier King Charles Spaniels 20 times more often than other dog breeds, according to PETA UK.
More than half of these animals develop MVD by the time they turn five, while most of them start having visible symptoms by the age of ten.
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Common signs of this incurable disease include coughing, low energy, a slow pace during walks, rapid breathing, weight loss and suddenly fainting - so make sure you keep a close eye on your pet.
Veterinary cardiology specialist, Dr Rachel James, explained: "The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has long been a very popular breed of dog in high demand, due to their loving and placid nature making them perfect family pet.
"We know that sadly at least 50% of CKCS have evidence of MVD disease by the time they are five, with 98% of dogs affected in their lifetimes.
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"However, we can help our clients when selecting this breed to choose a puppy that is less likely to develop MVD at an early age, by utilising the heart testing scheme (Doppler heart testing)."
Calling on prospective owners to do their bit, Dr James said they should be 'asking to see test results for the parents, grandparents, and even better great grandparents too, on both maternal and paternal sides' of your pup.
"In addition breeders need more support and education to encourage the use of the heart testing scheme and how this can enable them to choose the best dogs to breed from," she continued.
"Furthermore we should be encouraging breeders to breed from dogs only when they are at least 3 years of age."
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The Kennel Club also have a heart scheme for Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, too.
Featured Image Credit: Getty stock imagesTopics: Dogs, Animals, Health, UK News, News