The Cavalier health petition was set up to ask the Kennel Club to only register Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppies whose parents have been screened for Mitral Valve Disease (heart disease usually abbreviated to MVD) and a painful neurological condition called Syringomyelia (SM). 
The Kennel Club is reluctant to make any health testing mandatory. However, we feel Cavaliers are a “special” case for two main reasons: the severity and horrific nature of MVD and SM and also because for decades the vast majority of Cavalier breeders have proved themselves unwilling to health test thoroughly and follow breeding guidelines voluntarily. Too many Cavaliers are suffering and dying from these conditions – some at a very young age – and in the last decade life expectancy of this most lovable of breeds has fallen to just 10 years.
In 2008 the documentary Pedigree Dogs Exposed was aired by the BBC. It revealed the extent and seriousness of health problems facing Cavaliers. As a result of this programme a great many promises were made by the Kennel Club and Cavalier breed clubs to tackle this crisis. This included a pledge to introduce official testing schemes for MVD and SM.
It is now 2016 and there is still no official heart scheme for Cavaliers, despite mountains of evidence illustrating how badly affected the breed is by MVD but also the efficacy of compulsory heart testing. Denmark, for example, has seen levels of MVD fall by 73 per cent since the introduction of mandatory testing.
An official SM scheme was introduced but has been boycotted by most breeders and only a few hundred scans have been submitted despite various incentives and discounts that makes the cost of breeding scans a fraction of what pet owners have to pay for an MRI to diagnose SM.
By signing the petition and leaving a comment explaining why this is important to you, and how MVD and SM might have affected your family, you can send a powerful message to both the Kennel Club and Cavaliers breeders. This is a huge problem and urgent action is required to stop the suffering of Cavaliers and the distraught families left to deal with heartbreak and very often crippling insurance premiums or veterinary bills.
Over 27,000 have already signed. Please add your voice by signing here
Just some examples of comments left on the Change.org site from Cavalier owners.
“Cavaliers are such loving, loyal companions. We owe it to them to do all we can to lessen the incidence of these two distressing diseases.” Diane, Cambridge, United Kingdom
“My boy has SM it’s heartbreaking some days he won’t even let me stroke him because of the pain this needs to change give these beautiful dogs a chance.” Nicola, Aylesbury, United Kingdom
“I lost my boy at 7 to MVD gone to soon and broke my heart.” Wendy, Thornton, United Kingdom
“I have had the heartache and expense of cavaliers with SM, MVD and cataracts and they were bought from KC recommended breeders!” Judith, Burton upon Trent, United Kingdom
The Kennel Club’s only response to the petition is to say that both these conditions are “complex” and that mandatory testing is not the solution. Certainly, screening for MVD and SM is not a guarantee but breeding from healthy parents following guidelines improves the chances of producing healthy puppies. One doesn’t need to be a genetic expert to know that makes sense.
The other big argument for mandatory screening is all the “data” this would produce. From the submitted health test results researchers could learn a great deal more about these conditions.
We and thousands and thousands of other Cavalier lovers are baffled why the Kennel Club and those who claim to love this breed won’t do absolutely everything in their power to further understanding and help prevent future suffering. If you agree, please follow our campaign and sign the petition.