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A tricolor Cavalier King Charles Spaniel walks down a gravel path with ducklings following in a line behind her. 22 / 33

The Cavalier Looked Back to Check Her Little Parade Was Still There

AI imagecavalier king charles spanielducklingsgravel path

The gravel crunches softly as a tricolor Cavalier King Charles Spaniel walks down the path with her ears swinging and her head turned back over her shoulder. Behind her, a line of ducklings is hurrying to keep up, the nearest one so close it is practically touching her paw and the last one still a long way back. The wall of a quiet house runs along the edge of the yard. The path is quiet and the afternoon is long, so there is no reason at all for anyone to rush.

Ducklings have a built-in instinct called imprinting. In the first hours of life, they tend to follow the first moving creature they see, which is normally their mother, and they stay close to it for safety. That behavior is why ducklings so reliably trail along in a line behind whatever they trust. It is also why a calm leader makes all the difference.

Cavaliers are happy walkers with a gentle stride and a friendly outlook. They are not high-intensity athletes, but they love a daily stroll and are generally cheerful about meeting new friends. A walk on a path also gives dogs a chance to use their noses, which is great mental exercise.

The spaniel glances back to make sure the line is still complete. It is a small, sweet parade with a very polite leader. Following the right leader makes every walk better.

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