Cavaliers of the 9 scared woods

Holly C.

Breeder of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels

  • South Haven, MI
  • Responds within a day

Available puppies

Bagheera

Ready Sept. 21

8 weeks old · Male

King Louie

Ready Sept. 21

8 weeks old · Male

Baloo

Ready Sept. 21

8 weeks old · Male

Meet the breeder

I'm Holly C., the breeder behind Cavaliers of the 9 scared woods located in South Haven, MI. Welcome to Cavaliers of the 9 Sacred Woods. We are a small, preservation-focused breeding program dedicated to honoring and protecting the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Our ultimate mission is to produce healthy, joyful, and structurally sound companions that exemplify the gentle, affectionate nature of this beloved breed. Health and longevity are the absolute pillars of our program. Every sire and dam in our family undergoes rigorous, comprehensive health screening before breeding. We strictly follow established breed protocols, including annual heart clearances by board-certified veterinary cardiologists, eye examinations by canine ophthalmologists, and certifications for hips and patellas. Additionally, our dogs are DNA tested clear for breed-specific genetic conditions, including Episodic Falling Syndrome and Curly Coat/Dry Eye Syndrome. Beyond physical health, we place an immense focus on early development and temperament. Our puppies are born and raised directly in the heart of our home, ensuring they are thoroughly accustomed to the sights, sounds, and rhythms of daily family life. From their first weeks, we utilize structured socialization and enrichment protocols to build confident, resilient, and well-adjusted companions ready to transition seamlessly into their forever homes. We believe that bringing a puppy into your life is a lifelong commitment, and we extend that same commitment to our puppy families. Every puppy leaves our care with a comprehensive health guarantee, a formal contract, and our unwavering lifetime support. We are always here to guide you, and we maintain a strict lifetime take-back policy to ensure that no dog of our breeding ever enters a shelter system. Thank you for visiting us and sharing in our love for the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

Q. & A. with Holly

  • What makes your program special?

    At Cavalier of the 9 Sacred Woods, our Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are family members first and the future of the breed second. Because Cavaliers are prone to specific genetic health challenges and sensitive temperaments, we do not believe in casual breeding. Our mission is preservation through science, transparency, and intentional early development. Every puppy we bring into the world is backed by rigorous medical screening, an advanced socialization curriculum, and foundational behavior training.Before any sire or dam enters our breeding program, they must pass comprehensive health clearances from board-certified veterinary specialists. We strictly follow the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommendations to earn Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) numbers for our dogs. Our medical screening protocol targets the most critical areas of Cavalier health:Heart Health (MVD): Annual echocardiograms performed by a board-certified veterinary cardiologist to screen for Mitral Valve Disease.Neurological Screening (CM/SM): Utilizing advanced diagnostics and tracing bloodlines to screen for Chiari-like Malformation and Syringomyelia.DNA Clearance: Complete genetic panels ensuring all breeding dogs are clear of Episodic Falling Syndrome (EFS) and Curly Coat/Dry Eye Syndrome (CC/DE).Joint & Eye Exams: Official OFA evaluations for hip dysplasia and patellar luxation, alongside annual CAER (Companion Animal Eye Registry) exams by a veterinary ophthalmologist.A healthy body requires a resilient mind. Because Cavaliers can naturally lean toward timidity or separation anxiety, we dedicate the first eight weeks of our puppies' lives to empirical socialization programs like Puppy Culture and Avidog. From days 3 to 16, we perform Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS) and Early Scent Introduction (ESI) to boost immune systems and cardiovascular health. As they grow, puppies progress through structured sound desensitization, variable surface walking, safe novelty exposure, and emotional regulation exercises.To ensure a seamless transition into your home, we also begin basic manners and life skills long before pickup day. Our puppies are introduced to a structured potty training routine using designated substrate areas, teaching them to naturally seek out appropriate surfaces to eliminate. We also implement a gentle, positive-association crate introduction protocol. By building confidence through short, rewarding intervals in the crate, we dramatically reduce nighttime crying and separation distress when your puppy arrives home.We believe that transparency and preparation are the ultimate expressions of love for this breed. We gladly share all official health certificates, DNA reports, and puppy development logs with our future puppy families. When you open your home to a Cavalier from our program, you are choosing a companion who is physically protected by science, emotionally prepared for the world, and set up for household success.

  • What are the different breed coat colors in your program?

    Our puppies include blenheim, ruby, tri-color, black and tan, and chocolate. Colors will vary depending on the parent dogs.

  • Where do your breeding dogs live?

    They live in my home.

Matched dogs

These dogs are already reserved or have gone home.

Getting a puppy from Holly

Holly has been certified by Good Dog’s screening team for responsible and trusted breeding practices. When you’re ready, reach out to ask about the puppies or anything else on your mind. You’ll get to know each other through messaging, phone, or video and pay securely, all on Good Dog.

After buyers complete the application and screening process, Holly partners with them to find the best puppy match.

“We take great care in placing each puppy with the right family. Puppies are matched once they're old enough for us to evaluate their temperaments and personalities which is usually around 7- to 8 weeks. Earlier matching may be discussed.”

Price

Puppy prices include between $3,200 - $3,500 final payment, before taxes & fees.

“The price includes the guarantee stated in the contract, AKC registration, first round of vaccinations, deworming, and puppy socialization.”

Contract & health guarantee

Holly may provide a written contract or health guarantee when you purchase a puppy. This helps protect both you and your breeder, ensuring that you both have a clear understanding of the terms of your puppy purchase. If Holly offers a contract or guarantee, the details will be personalized by them. If you have any questions or want to know more, don't hesitate to reach out to Holly directly.

All contracts are handled securely through Good Dog.

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What's included

    • From Good Dog
      • Lifetime support from Good Dog’s Care Team
      • 10% lifetime discount on Figo pet insurance
      • Puppy Training Program & private community
    • Enrichment & socialization
      • Various sounds
      • Car rides
      • Surface & tactile stimulation
      • Socialized with children
      • Socialized in new places
      • Scent introduction
      • Daily handling
      • Socialized with other dogs
      • Introduced to people of different ages and appearances
      • Socialized with other animals
    • Puppy health practices
      • Vet check
      • First round of shots and deworming
      • Vet records
      • Microchip
    • Extras
      • Initial potty training
      • Puppy starter kit
      • Toys
      • Food & treats
      • Basic obedience & manners
      • Blanket with mom & littermates’ scent
      • AKC registration

Location & pick-up

You can drive or fly to pick up your puppy from Holly.

Breeder's location

Meet in South Haven, MI

Other pick-up locations

Meet at Kalamazoo/Battle Creek Airport

Meet in Chicago, IL

More about Holly

  • Holly has been a member of Good Dog for 2 months

    Holly was screened for responsible practices and has been a member since 2026.

  • Holly’s links

Holly is a trusted Good Dog breeder

Cavaliers of the 9 scared woods meets or exceeds our community standards in these areas:

  • Responsible breeding practices
  • Health of breeding dogs and puppies
  • Puppy environment and enrichment
  • Buyer education and policies

Litter and program updates

Parent dogs

Parent health testing

Breeder-Reported Testing

Excellent level

Cavaliers of the 9 scared woods reports to performing the health tests below on their breeding dogs. Ask your breeder about the tests performed on the parents of your litter. Learn more about health testing for Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.

  • Hip Dysplasia

    Hip testing reduces the chance of passing down hip dysplasia, which is primarily found in large breed dogs and can cause hip pain and the eventual loss of the function of the hip joint.

  • Eye Certification (CAER, registered with OFA)

    Eye testing reduces the chance of passing down a wide range of hereditary eye illnesses including retinal dysplasia, lens luxation, and glaucoma, which can cause impared vision or blindness.

  • Cardiac Evaluation (registered with OFA)

    Heart testing reduces the chance of passing down congenital heart disease, which can cause a range of symptoms ranging from trouble exercising to heart failure.

  • Patellar Luxation

    Knee testing reduces the chance of passing down Patellar Luxation, which results in the kneecap becoming displaced or dislocated and can cause mild to severe joint pain.

  • Vet Wellness Exam

    A breeder may perform additional tests on their dogs that do not fall into these general categories. These tests may be more uncommon or very specific to a particular breed.

  • DNA Disease Panel

    Genetic testing reduces the chance of passing down a wide variety of hereditary diseases of differing prevalence and severity such as Progressive Retinal Atrophy (an eye disease) and Von Willebrand's Disease (a blood disease).

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Health testing is one key piece of responsible breeding and is performed on breeding dogs to prevent the presence of heritable conditions in their puppies.

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