Genetic Testing & Health Screening for Our Puppies
At Blessed Little Pups, our Cavaliers are cherished members of our family.
Because we care so deeply about the future of every puppy we raise, we invest in extensive health testing
before a breeding decision is ever made.
All of our parent dogs undergo comprehensive genetic screening through Embark, which tests for the most common
inherited conditions found in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, including
Congenital Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca and Ichthyosiform Dermatosis
Dry Eye Curly Coat Syndrome, CKCSID (FAM83H Exon 5)
Degenerative Myelopathy, DM (SOD1A)
Episodic Falling Syndrome (BCAN)
Medium-Chain Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase Deficiency, MCADD (ACADM, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Variant) Muscular Dystrophy (DMD, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Variant)
Intervertebral Disc Disease (Type 1) (FGF4 retrogene – CFA12)
In addition, our adult Cavaliers receive annual cardiac evaluations and OFA heart testing to help monitor for Mitral Valve
Disease (MVD), one of the breed’s most important health considerations.
While no breeder can promise a puppy will never experience a health issue, we believe that responsible health testing,
thoughtful breeding decisions, and a commitment to continual learning give our puppies the best possible foundation for
a long, healthy, and joy-filled life.
Our hope is that every Blessed Little Pups puppy brings years of companionship, comfort, and treasured memories
to the families who welcome them home.