Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Dog Breed Facts & Information

By Heather Logue

With an abundance of charm, grace, and pluck, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel really should be considered royalty in the dog world. Though diminutive in size, these pups have made their mark with a personality that consistently sparkles, and sweet, soft eyes that could melt even the coldest heart. It shouldn’t come as any surprise that these dogs continue to become more beloved by individuals and families throughout the world.

Is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel the right kind of dog for you? There are a lot of things to consider when adding a dog to your life, so we’ve covered just about everything you’ll need to know in this in-depth breed profile.

Breed Characteristics

Key

Low
Medium
High

Origin: United Kingdom
Size:
Weight: 13-18 pounds
Lifespan: 9 to 15 years
Breed group: Toy
Activity level:
Barking/howling level:
Good with dogs: yes
Good with kids: yes
Good with cats:
Shedding:
Easy to groom:
Easy to train:
Protective:

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Appearance

This pup’s gorgeous coif is most definitely deserving of a royal title. Silky and medium length, it’s generally soft, wavy, and feathered on the ears, chest, legs, and feet. Cavaliers can come in a variety of colors, with the most common being Blenheim, which is a rich chestnut on a pearly white background, tricolor (black markings on a white coat with tan over the eyes, on the cheeks, and on the underside of the tail), black and tan, and ruby, which is a solid rich reddish-brown hue.

Those sweet faces are also impossible to ignore, with soft round eyes that are bound to melt your heart, and a cute little snout that is just begging to be patted. Though their unique and elegant looks are only part of the reason why this breed is so popular, they are hard not to mention since they’re so much a part of this breed’s distinctive profile.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Personality

Though Cavaliers can come with an array of temperaments, it’s generally a safe bet to say that most of these pups have gregarious, sparkling personalities. They tend to love almost everyone they encounter (which makes them not the best watch dogs).

They are the largest of the toy breeds, and though they’re diminutive and cuddly, they’re also very athletic, thanks to their genes, and excel at dog sports like agility and fly ball. Their friendly nature also makes them excellent therapy dogs, and they’re also known to be wonderful with children – though you’ll want to make sure that kids know to be careful with them. And boy are these dogs happy. That tail never stops wagging (really, we’re serious), and they want nothing more in life than to please their loved ones.

Since they do love people so much, they aren’t the type of pup that you’re going to be able to leave home alone for long stretches of time. They crave attention and affection, and can only truly thrive in places where they’re given plenty of both.

Ideal Environment for a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

These dogs are very adaptable, which means they can be perfectly happy everywhere from a cozy apartment in the city, to a large house in the suburbs with a yard. They don’t bark much, which makes them ideal for living situations where you’re in close proximity to your neighbors, and they’re happy with daily walks outdoors. However if you do have a yard they’ll adore running around – just make sure it’s securely fenced so they don’t take off after a bird when their spaniel instincts kick in.

Cavaliers are also well-suited for a household where someone is home most of the time, since they’re happiest when they’re padding along behind their human, or snuggling next to them on the couch.

Ideal Human for an Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

The ideal human for the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is…pretty much everyone. This dog is great for new and experienced dog owners alike, since they’re friendly, intelligent, and eager to please.

They do need someone who has the time and energy to invest in them though, since they require a lot of attention and love. They also aren’t the type of breed to just sleep all day, so they’ll be very unhappy if they’re alone and left to their own devices all day. They need a household that is dedicated to training them, and playing with them.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Dog Training

Cavaliers are a smart breed and take to training well, especially when they’re given lots of yummy rewards and positive reinforcement. This breed has a “soft” personality, so yelling at them to do something will actually make them cooperate less (and probably hide from you). They want to make you happy, so rewarding them when they do something right will do much more good than scolding them.

They’re also an athletic bunch, so they’re more than happy to participate in training for dog sports and agility – which is wonderful for challenging their minds, and getting some of their energy out.

Above all this breed really just wants to please their loved ones, and their smarts and charm mean that any effort you put into training them will be well worth it.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Grooming

Cavaliers aren’t difficult to keep tidy, but since they have that feathered hair you’re going to need to brush them a few times a week to keep them tangle-free and glamorous. No other trimming or clipping is really necessary, except if you want to trim up the hair between their toes. And as far as shedding goes, they don’t actually shed an excessive amount, but will lose a healthy amount of fur in the spring and fall.

Make sure to keep their teeth brushed, their nails trimmed up, and to check their long, adorable ears regularly for any sign of infection.

They won’t need to bathed all the time, but you may want to get them in the tub after they’ve been spending a lot of times outdoors – it’ll make cuddling up for that movie a whole lot nicer.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Health

Though this is a generally healthy breed, there are a few health issues these pups sometimes encounter including MVD (mitral valve disease), Syringomyelia, hip dysplasia, dry eye (and other eyes issues), and ear infections.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels usually live from 9 to 15 years, and with the proper exercise, food, and regular trips to the vet, your pup will have a good chance at a long and happy life.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Breed History

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breed is less than a century old, but due to their charming personalities (and good looks), they have quickly grown in popularity. This breed is decended from toy spaniels, and were the favorites of royals and noble families in England.

Cavaliers were recognized by the British Kennel Club in 1945, with the first ones arriving arriving from England to the United states in the 1940s, and then gaining popularity in the 1950s. They were recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1996.

Getting a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breeders

It’s always a good idea to meet the parents of your puppy, and to see how the litter interacts with each other. A good, trustworthy breeder should have records of the parents’ lineage, too and should be able to tell you more about the specific litter.

The American Kennel Club website is a great place to start your search for a reputable breeder. Make sure you wise up on puppy mills and internet scams—following some simple steps can help avoid further funding of this terrible practice, and help you end up with a pet whose breeding and early-life experience will more reliably result in a well-adjusted dog.

Adopting a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

As with many highly popular breeds, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels often find their way to rescue centers for a variety of reasons, including dogs being rescued from puppy mills, but often it’s the simple fact that their previous owners simply felt unable to care for them any longer.

A surrendered dog will often already be well trained and simply in need of a new, loving home. You can find rescue centers local to you with a quick internet search. A Cavalier King Charles Spaniel can make for a wonderful friend and they’re sure to be a source of joy, with plenty of laughs and perhaps a little bit of mischief along the way. So whether you’re planning on adopting or finding a breeder to find a puppy, prepare yourself, your home and your heart to welcome a dog with plenty of personality and energy