Michigan has devoted Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breeders — and, like every state, sellers who cut corners on the health testing this breed desperately needs. Cavaliers are prone to heart disease (myxomatous mitral valve disease), syringomyelia, hip dysplasia, luxating patellas and inherited eye conditions, so the breeder you choose matters more than the colour of the puppy.

This guide shows Michigan buyers exactly how to find a reputable breeder: the health tests to demand, how to verify them yourself for free in minutes, how Michigan sales are regulated, and the red flags that should end a conversation.

What a Reputable Michigan Cavalier Breeder Looks Like

• Breeds for health and temperament, usually one breed or a small number, with a limited number of litters a year — not a constant supply of puppies.
• Raises puppies in the home (or a home-like setting) with early socialisation: household sounds, gentle handling, visitors and age-appropriate experiences.
• Welcomes questions and visits — in person, or by live video tour if distance or biosecurity makes a visit impractical — and asks you as many questions as you ask them.
• Keeps puppies until at least 9–12 weeks. Cavalier puppies learn bite inhibition and dog manners from their mother and littermates in those weeks.
• Takes any dog back, at any age, in a written contract — a lifetime safety net that puppy sellers never offer.

The Health Tests to Demand (Non-Negotiable)

Ask to see results for both parents, and verify them (next section). For Cavaliers, a reputable breeder will have:

• Heart: Annual examination by a board-certified veterinary cardiologist, with a clear/normal result — the key defence against early mitral valve disease. Under widely used breeding guidance, parents should be heart-clear and meet minimum-age and family-history criteria.
• Eyes: Annual examination by a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist (OFA eye certification).
• Hips: OFA or PennHIP evaluation for hip dysplasia.
• Patellas: OFA patella (kneecap) evaluation.
• DNA tests: Episodic Falling Syndrome (EFS) and Curly Coat Dry Eye Syndrome — one DNA panel covers both; at least one parent clear of each protects puppies from being affected.
• MRI screening where available: Some breeders MRI-screen for Chiari-like malformation/syringomyelia. It is not universal, but a breeder who screens — or who can discuss the condition knowledgeably — is a strong sign.

"Vet checked" or "parents are healthy" is not health testing. Neither is a health certificate for travel. Ask for the actual cardiologist, eye, hip, patella and DNA documents.

Verify Everything Yourself on OFA — Free, in Five Minutes

Most US health results are registered with the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. Ask the breeder for each parent's registered name or registration number, then search the free public database at ofa.org. You should be able to see the heart, eye, hip and patella records and their dates. A reputable breeder will be pleased you checked. Refusal to give registered names, results that do not match what you were told, or "the papers are at my other house" are all reasons to walk away.

Where to Find Reputable Breeders in Michigan

• The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club of Michigan and regional Cavalier clubs — breeder referral contacts and club member lists are a strong starting point.
• National breed clubs: the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club, USA (CKCSC) and the American Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club (ACKCSC) both publish breeder information and codes of ethics.
• AKC Marketplace — use it as a directory, not a guarantee: still verify OFA records and visit (in person or by live video) before paying anything.
• Shows and referrals: Michigan dog shows, your veterinarian, and owners of healthy adult Cavaliers can all point you toward breeders with a track record.
• Rescue: Cavalier-specific rescues regularly place adult dogs and occasionally puppies — a genuine option worth checking.

Michigan Rules Buyers Should Know

Michigan does not run a state breeder-licensing programme for small hobby breeders in the way some states do, which makes your own verification even more important. Large-scale commercial kennels may fall under local kennel licensing and zoning, and commercial breeders selling across state lines may need a USDA licence. Michigan's consumer protection laws still apply to puppy sales, so keep every document: contract, health records, receipts and messages. Whatever the seller, insist on a written contract covering the health guarantee, the return clause, spay/neuter expectations and what happens if a hereditary problem appears.

Questions to Ask Before You Pay a Deposit

• Can I see both parents' cardiologist heart, eye, hip, patella and DNA results — and verify them on OFA?
• How old are the parents, and how many litters has the mother had?
• Where are puppies raised, and what socialisation do they get before 9–12 weeks?
• Can I visit, or take a live video tour and meet the mother?
• What does the contract say about hereditary health problems and returns?
• What support do you give after the sale — and will you take the dog back at any age?

Red Flags: Walk Away If You See These

• No verifiable health testing, or hostility when you ask for OFA records.
• "Teacup" or rare-colour Cavaliers at premium prices — marketing terms, not responsible breeding.
• Puppies available immediately at any time, many litters or many breeds on one property.
• Meeting in a car park or shipping a puppy sight-unseen with no video call or visit.
• Puppies sent home before 8–9 weeks, no contract, or pressure to pay in full quickly.
• Cash-only, no paperwork, and no interest in your home or experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Cavalier puppy from a reputable Michigan breeder cost?

Prices vary by breeder and year, but well-bred puppies from fully health-tested parents are a premium purchase in every state — the cost reflects cardiologist and eye examinations, hip and DNA testing, careful rearing and lifetime support. A suspiciously cheap Cavalier almost always means the testing was skipped, and the vet bills arrive later.

How long will I wait for a puppy?

Reputable breeders often have waiting lists of several months or longer. That wait is normal and a good sign — plan ahead, join a list, and use the time to prepare your home.

Is AKC registration enough to trust a breeder?

No. Registration records parentage; it says nothing about health testing, rearing or temperament. Verify OFA results and the rearing conditions yourself, whatever paperwork a puppy carries.

Should I buy from out of state instead?

Plenty of Michigan buyers do find good breeders in neighbouring states — the same rules apply: verify health testing on OFA, visit or video-tour, meet the mother, and get a written contract. Never have a young puppy shipped cargo sight-unseen.

The Bottom Line

In Michigan, your protection is verification: cardiologist heart and eye examinations, hip and patella evaluations and DNA results for both parents, checked by you on OFA, puppies raised in a home and going home at 9–12 weeks, and a contract with a lifetime return clause. A breeder who does all of that will be proud to show you. For more Cavalier guides, visit the US Bulletin Post homepage.

Further reading: Orthopedic Foundation for Animals — ofa.org health database; American Kennel Club — Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breed profile

Disclaimer: This article is general buyer information, not legal advice. Regulations change — check current Michigan and local requirements, and have any contract reviewed if you are unsure.