Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have near-universal mitral valve disease, and a breeding protocol aims to reduce the prevalence and delay age of onset.
MVD is the defining welfare challenge of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breed - the near-universal development of heart disease condemns most Cavaliers to heart failure within their expected lifespan. The breeding protocol does not eliminate the disease but aims to delay onset and reduce severity. Purchasing from breeders who follow the heart scheme reduces the probability of early-onset disease. Regular cardiac monitoring from middle age enables early detection and staged medical management that extends quality life for individual dogs.