As elegant and graceful as its name suggests, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is an absolute treasure; loved by all who meet them thanks to their large, round eyes, long, floppy ears and distinctive coat. Cavaliers are friendly, easy going pups that fit effortlessly into your life and family - they play nicely with children and other dogs. They combine the affectionate nature of a lap dog with a thirst for doing whatever you’re doing, including long ambles in the park. Super adaptable, they’ll be as athletic (or as lazy) as you want.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Facts
A toy dog breed, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels grow to around 30 to 33cm tall and weigh up to 8kg. Although this makes them the ideal size for sofa snuggles, you’ll find your Cavalier to be really adaptable if you’re more active - they’ll fit in with whatever you’re doing! Their distinctive medium-length coat comes in four colours.
- Breed Group: Toy
- Height: Female: 30-33cm, Male: 30-33cm
- Weight: Female: 6-8kg, Male: 6-8kg
- Life Span: 12-15 years
- Coat: Medium
- Colour: 4 including black and tan, black and white, blenheim (chestnut and white) and ruby
What Does a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Look Like?
With their signature long, wavy floppy ears, you can spot a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel straightaway. Their expressive ears are normally at home high on the top of their head, but when they’re alert and engaged, they come forward to frame their face. Equally expressive is their wagging tail that’s always happily moving when they’re active. Their round, large and wide set eyes are a warm dark brown.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have shiny, silky, medium-length coats which can be straight or slightly wavy. Their coats come in four colours, including black and tan, black and white, blenheim (chestnut and white) and ruby.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Temperament: Constant Companion
If there’s one word that best sums up Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, it’s ‘adaptable’. This toy dog breed is sweet and gentle and is happiest when they’re doing whatever you’re doing. Easy going and laid back, they’ll fit into your lifestyle perfectly, whether you’re active and outdoorsy or inside and sofa-snuggly - they can (and will) do it all!
They’re also super playful and loving. So if you’re looking for a family pet to share adventures with, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a great choice. They’re also a great choice for anyone looking to get lavished with love by their furry pal - Cavaliers will shower you with love and affection and they make the best lap dogs. Looking for your ideal cuddle-on-the-sofa buddy? You’ve found it!
Always happy to see you, cheerful Cavaliers love people and other animals, including cats. Because of their small size, they can need a little time to warm up to larger dogs. Be patient and they’ll soon be comfortable hooning around with all dogs at the local park.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels thrive on attention, they’re very social dogs and every human (and dog) is just a friend they haven’t met yet. Their fun-loving, friendly nature will help you make friends wherever you go.
Keeping Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Healthy: 5 Issues to Watch Out For
As they get older, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are at risk of some health issues. It’s good to be aware of these so you can spot them before they become a problem.
Hip Dysplasia
Common in lots of dog breeds, hip dysplasia is caused by the femur (thigh bone) not fitting into the hip socket. As a toy dog, Cavaliers usually don’t show symptoms until they’re older. Signs to look for include limping or pain when moving. Hip dysplasia can be treated in lots of different ways, including diet, exercise and surgery.
Mitral Valve Disease
Mitral Valve Disease is a type of heart disease which can cause one of the heart’s valves to deteriorate. At its worst, it can lead to heart failure. At yearly vet check ups, they should check your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel’s heart to look for this issue. Although surgery isn’t usually offered, there are drugs and treatments that can help.
Syringomyelia
With their small heads, Cavaliers are at risk of syringomyelia. It happens when a dog’s brain is too big for their skull and it causes fluid-filled pockets (or syrinx) to grow on the spinal cord. Signs of syringomyelia include shoulder, neck and ear scratching, mainly on one side. Treatment usually involves pain management.
Eye Problems
As lovely as their large, round eyes look, Cavaliers are at risk of some eye diseases. These include cataracts where their lens become cloudy and can lead to blindness. Depending on your dog’s age and health, surgery can help with cataracts. They’re also at risk of progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) which causes blindness. Although there’s no treatment currently, dogs that lose their eyesight usually adapt well to their new lifestyle.
Cavaliers can also experience dry eye, an inherited condition that means they can’t produce tears to keep their eyes moist. Spotting it early helps protect their eyes - if their eyes have a thick discharge, look dull or dry or they squint or paw at their eyes, get them to the vet. Treatment is normally ointment that you’ll have to apply daily for the rest of their life.
Ear Infections
Thanks to their long, drooping ears, Cavaliers are prone to ear infections. Otitis externa is common in Cavaliers - it’s inflammation of the ear canal. This inflammation can be helped with medication and surgery is an option too.
Caring for Your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Dog
With their gorgeously glossy coats, Cavaliers need occasional brushing and bathing to keep them looking their best. This is the perfect excuse to enjoy some quality time together.
Grooming
Pop a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel in the bath about once a month to keep their coat in tip-top shape. To ward off any smells by getting rid of any dirt or bacteria, their coats need regular brushing in between their baths. Their medium-length coat will need to be groomed. You can either give them a natural cut (where the fur is kept long but trimmed at the bottom of their coat and between the toes) or a puppy cut (where the fur is kept between 2.5 and 5cm long).
Round-tip safety scissors will ensure you don’t cut your pup’s skin when trimming between their toes. After their monthly bath, give their nails a quick trim and maybe throw in a full-body massage while you’re at it. Cavaliers just love being pampered and it’s a great opportunity to check for bumps, scratches, ticks and more.
Check their long ears weekly to make sure they’re healthy, and give them a wipe clean. If they’re red or swollen, it can be a sign of infection and that it’s time for a vet visit. Finally, brush their teeth a few times a week to keep plaque and tartar at bay.
Nutrition
To keep your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel happy and healthy, feed them high-quality food that’s designed for their life stage (puppy, adult or senior) or choose a breed specific diet. With a tendency to develop digestive disorders, opting for food designed for sensitive tummies can be a good choice.
Keep an eye on how many treats you’re giving your Cavalier as those calories can add up.
Exercise
Although bred to be a lap dog, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are descended from sporting dogs (dogs that are born to hunt). This means that Cavaliers enjoy some exercise and being outside as much as they enjoy hunkering down on the sofa all day. If you’re looking for a dog that doesn’t need much exercise, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel could be your perfect pup.
They do well with about one hour of exercise each day, which can include one or two 20- to 30-minute walks and some play or training time. They’ll happily come on a long walk with their fam but it won’t be a particularly quick walk - they’re not known for their speed! If you’ve got toddlers, a gentle, joyful Cavalier makes an ideal walking buddy.
While they may not be that quick, they can still give chase when they catch an interesting smell or spy a critter. With their in-built scenting and hunting instincts, letting a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel off-lead is a no-no. A harness could help prevent them slipping out of their collar if they make a dash for it. It also helps protect their neck if they yank on their lead. Oh and it’s worth making sure your garden is fully fenced too.
Training
Born people-pleasers, smart Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are eager to impress their human parents - expect them to pick up new commands and tricks easily. Like most breeds, they respond well to your attention, especially when it comes with rewards, like delicious treats. Early socialisation and puppy classes will help your Cavalier learn their manners and to gain confidence around different people and dogs.
These laid back pups are famously friendly with everyone they meet. However, they might go through a ‘teenager’ phase as they hit puberty when they’re around 6 to 8 months old. You might notice them becoming distant or shy around people. Support them through this time, ensure you have treats on hand to make meeting new people an positive experience.