Raising
Exceptional Cavaliers
in the Heart of Idaho
About Us
Gem State Precious Cavaliers
We are Tina and Dean Smith, along with our daughter Angelina, from Caldwell, Idaho. Tina, originally from Britain, married Dean and moved here to Idaho, bringing her lifelong love of Cavaliers with her. As a family, we breed these wonderful dogs right from our home—not as a job but purely out of passion for the breed. We follow strict breeding protocols, provide medical attention and screening, and offer heartfelt care to give each puppy the safest, most nurturing start, celebrating each milestone along the way. Nothing brings us greater joy than placing our Cavaliers with loving families across the country and staying connected through updates, holiday cards, and a continuous stream of adorable Cavalier pictures and videos.
Our main goal is to raise puppies that reach “Grand Champion” level and are fully capable of excelling in the show ring. Our daughter Angelina has William’s Syndrome and cannot have children of her own. Through raising these wonderful dogs, Angelina feels like she is leaving her own legacy in the world.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Breed History
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel descends from small toy spaniels that were treasured companions of British nobility as early as the 16th and 17th centuries. These affectionate lapdogs were especially adored by King Charles II of England, who was rarely seen without several at his side, forever linking the breed to royal history. Early Cavaliers were often depicted in classic paintings, shown with longer muzzles and a graceful, athletic look. Over time, selective breeding shifted the spaniel’s appearance, leading to a shorter-nosed type that became known as the King Charles Spaniel.
In the early 20th century, devoted breeders sought to restore the original look seen in historic portraits, carefully recreating the longer-muzzled, more balanced dog we now know as the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. This renewed breed was officially named in 1928 and gained recognition in England in 1945. The American Kennel Club welcomed the Cavalier in 1995, marking its growing popularity in the United States. Today, the Cavalier is cherished around the world not only for its regal beauty, but for its gentle spirit, loving temperament, and unwavering devotion as a companion.
Litters
Upcoming 2026 Litter Schedule & Available Puppies
Most of our 2025 babies have all gone home, and we’re so excited to see them settling into their forever families! We are expecting two carefully planned litters in 2026. If you’re interested in welcoming one of our future Cavaliers into your home, we’d love to hear from you.
Please reach out to us at tina@gemstatepreciouscavaliers.com to learn more about our upcoming litters, our adoption process, and what to expect. We’re happy to answer any questions and help you determine if one of our puppies is the right fit for your family. Contacting us early is the best way to secure a place on our waiting list for our 2026 litters.
Our Dogs
Meet Our Dams & Sires
Our small family of Cavaliers lives with us in our Caldwell, Idaho home, where every dog is first a beloved companion and second a carefully selected parent. Each adult is fully health-tested (OFA hearts, eyes, patellas, and DNA panels), temperament-evaluated, and cherished for life. Scroll through above to see each one of our wonderful dogs.
Health
Animal Health: Our Top Priority
At the heart of everything we do is an uncompromising commitment to health. Every breeding Cavalier undergoes comprehensive OFA certification for heart, eyes, and patellas, plus full DNA screening to eliminate hereditary risks. We breed infrequently, only when we can improve the breed, and every puppy leaves with age-appropriate vaccines, deworming, a veterinary wellness exam, and a lifetime of support for their health and happiness.
Testimonials
Hear From Our Owners
Nothing makes us happier at Gem State Precious Cavaliers than seeing our wonderful pups thriving in their forever homes, surrounded by love and care. Each puppy we raise becomes a cherished member of a family, and watching them grow into happy, confident companions is the most rewarding part of what we do. Below are heartfelt stories and photos from just a few of the wonderful families who’ve welcomed one of our puppies into their lives. We’re incredibly grateful to stay connected with our puppy families and share in their journeys. Their joy truly says it all! 🐾
"We have had our little guy (KC) from Gem State Precious Cavaliers for a month now and he is an absolute delight! He came to us crate-trained and already sleeps through the night! He is the best boy. ♥ "
Joyce Loomis
Caldwell, Idaho
“I love Gem State Precious Cavaliers! Tina is ethical and transparent, with clear communication and documented health testing throughout the process. Our baby is healthy and well socialized and I know that’s all down to her deliberate and responsible breeding practices!”
Holly Miller
Caldwell, Idaho
"I can’t say enough about Gem State Precious Cavaliers! Tina runs a thoughtful, open program, keeps everything clearly communicated, and provides thorough health records at every step. Our pup is wonderfully socialized, and it’s clear that comes from her careful, responsible approach to breeding."
Torrey Loomis
Caldwell, Idaho
Reference Section
Documents
Application and
New Puppy Resources [PDF]
Gem State
Precious Cavaliers
Puppy Application
Gem State
Precious Cavaliers
Go Home Packet
American Kennel Club
Research Pedigrees
Gem State
Precious Cavaliers
Krystal
Gem State
Precious Cavaliers
Rocky
Gem State
Precious Cavaliers
Annie
Gem State
Precious Cavaliers
Jax
FAQ
Common Questions
What health tests do you run on the parents, and can I see the official results or certificates?
Every breeding Cavalier undergoes comprehensive OFA certification for heart, eyes, and patellas, along with full DNA screening to eliminate hereditary risks. Each puppy leaves with age-appropriate vaccines, deworming, a veterinary wellness exam, and a lifetime of support for their health and happiness. Scroll up to the “Documents” section above for pedigree information on each of our breeding dogs.
How old are the puppies when they go home, and what vaccinations / deworming will they have had?
Puppies are available starting at the 10th week. Before they leave, all puppies receive age-appropriate vaccines and deworming, along with instructions on the next set of vaccines they’ll need from your veterinarian.
Do you offer a written health guarantee and contract, and what specific items does it cover?
Each puppy is covered under an extensive 6-page contract governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Idaho. A copy of the contract can be provided for your review on request.
Can we meet the puppy’s parents (or the dam) and see the environment where the puppies are raised?
Absolutely. After the 6th week, the puppies can be seen in person. However, we like to know what kind of puppy you’d like before they are seen so we can determine if we have a good match in the litter.
How do you socialize the puppies, and what kind of environment or daily routine do they experience?
Our puppies receive extensive family socialization in our in-home breeding environment. They are socialized with their current littermates, additional litters that might be in a different age group, and adult dogs (other King Charles Cavaliers and the family poodle). Each pup is also thoroughly exposed to family members of all ages, including young children, adults, and seniors. They all receive daily play time, feedings, time with their adult parents, and plenty of naps. They also get a head start on crate training.
What is your screening process for new owners? Do you use an application or a waiting list?
We’d love for you to apply for a puppy! Getting started is simple: just complete our PDF application to reserve your place on our waiting list. Once that’s submitted, we’ll schedule a phone call to go over your preferences, answer any questions, and make sure we pair you with the puppy that best fits your home and lifestyle. You can download a copy of the application in the “Documents” section above.