How a Meadowlake puppy is cared for — and placed
From the health testing behind every litter to the day your puppy comes home, here's exactly what to expect.
The health screenings behind every litter
Responsible Cavalier breeding starts with testing. When a Cavalier completes heart, eye, patella and hip screenings, it earns a Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) number through the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals — results you can look up yourself at ofa.org. Within 12 months prior to breeding, each parent is screened by a veterinary cardiologist and a veterinary ophthalmologist, with OFA-certified patella, hip and elbow evaluations. Through DNA testing we've eliminated episodic falling and dry-eye/curly-coat from our dogs. As more valid DNA tests become available, we breed to eliminate inheritable problems without diminishing the diversity of our genetics.
Heart
Examined by a veterinary cardiologist within 12 months prior to breeding for mitral valve disease — one of the most important health screenings for the breed.
Eyes
Examined by a veterinary ophthalmologist within 12 months prior to breeding to screen for inherited eye conditions.
Patellae
Knees evaluated for luxating patellae, a common toy-breed concern, with OFA certification.
Elbows
Elbows X-rayed and evaluated, with OFA certification.
Hips
Hips evaluated for dysplasia and sound structure, with OFA certification.
Everything you need for a healthy start
Every Meadowlake puppy goes home with:
- A written health record and our puppy care handbook
- A copy of both parents' health testing
- A veterinary wellness exam
- Age-appropriate vaccinations and deworming
- An AKC Reunite microchip — enrolled and paid for by us
- AKC & CKCSC, USA registration (limited) — completed and paid for by us
- A spay/neuter agreement
- A breeder who's only a phone call away, for life
From first hello to homecoming
- 01
Say hello
Send an inquiry and tell us about your home, your experience with dogs, and the puppy you're picturing.
- 02
We talk it through
We'll chat by phone or email, answer every question, and make sure a Cavalier is the right match for your life.
- 03
Reserve your spot
Approved families join the waitlist. Once a litter is about four weeks old and the puppies are doing well, Dorothy will email to ask if you're still looking. If you are, she'll send details on the litter — photos of the puppies and the parents, along with the parents' health testing.
- 04
Matching
As puppies grow, we pair them to families based on what each home needs.
- 05
Homecoming
At around 12 weeks, once your puppy is healthy, vetted and ready, it's time to bring them home.
Deposits, pricing & bringing your puppy home
The details of reservations, deposits and pricing depend on the litter — and we'd rather walk you through them personally than post a number that doesn't fit your situation. When we talk, we'll be completely transparent about cost, paperwork and the safest way to get your puppy home.
Frequently asked
Where are your puppies raised?
Right in our home in far west Houston. Puppies are born, raised and live underfoot with us — never in a kennel — so they're well socialised and family-ready from the start.
What health testing do the parents have?
Within 12 months prior to breeding, each parent is screened by a veterinary cardiologist for mitral valve disease and by a veterinary ophthalmologist. We also complete orthopedic screening of the patellas (knees), hips and elbows, including elbow X-rays, with OFA certification for all three. DNA testing has let us eliminate episodic falling and dry-eye/curly-coat from our dogs. As more valid DNA tests become available, we breed to eliminate inheritable problems without diminishing the diversity of our genetics. Cavaliers that complete heart, eye, patella and hip screenings earn a CHIC number you can look up on the OFA database (ofa.org).
What comes home with my puppy?
Each puppy goes home with a written health record, a copy of the parents' health testing, a veterinary exam, age-appropriate vaccinations and deworming, an AKC Reunite microchip, AKC and CKCSC, USA registration, and our puppy care handbook. We complete and pay for the registration and microchip ourselves. Puppies are placed on a limited registration with a spay/neuter agreement.
Are your puppies registered?
Yes — our Cavaliers are dual-registered with the AKC and the CKCSC, USA.
How do I reserve a puppy?
It starts with a conversation — reach out through the contact page to introduce yourself and tell us what you're hoping for. Approved families join our waitlist. Once a litter is about four weeks old and the puppies are doing well, Dorothy emails to ask if you're still looking, and if you are, sends details on the litter: photos of the puppies and the parents, along with the parents' health testing. At that point a refundable deposit reserves a puppy from that litter.
Do you ship puppies, or is pickup required?
We'll happily talk through the safest way to bring your puppy home, including in-person pickup here in the Houston area.
What does a Meadowlake puppy cost?
Pricing depends on the litter and placement. Please reach out and we'll be glad to discuss it with you.
Let's find your family's puppy
Most of our puppies are reserved before they're born. Tell us a little about your home and what you're hoping for — we'd love to start the conversation.