Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Group

Toy

Weight

5.5-8 kg

Height

30-33 cm

Lifespan

9-14 years

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About the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Reviewed by:

Dr. Shamsul Alam Roky

Veterinarian

Choosing a dog breed to become your family pet is a difficult and important choice. Not only do you need to find a breed to suit your lifestyle, but you also need to ensure you are up to caring for the dog you choose.

We want to help you make the right decision with so many different breeds to choose from. This article will let give you all the information you need about Cavalier King Charles Spaniels to make an informed decision as to whether they are right for your home.

What is the history & origin of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel?

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is descended from toy spaniels that were popular among the nobility. King Charles II was a big fan of the dog during his reign from 1660 to 1685.

In the early 18th century, they returned to popularity and were used for hunting. The first Cavalier club wasn’t created until 1928, and in 1995 it was recognised by AKC.

What is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Breed?

The CKCS breed is generally an affectionate, small, non-aggressive breed that is traditionally black and tan, ruby, Blenheim, or tricolour.

They tend to have medium-length silky and occasionally wavy coats. The breed is classed in the toy group by the American Kennel Club and The Kennel Club.

Learn more about: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Colours

Who is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Best For?

This toy spaniel is a small, affectionate dog, which is ideal for families or older people looking for a canine companion.

As a breed, they tend to form strong attachments, so they are better suited to people that are able to spend a lot of time with them. They can suffer from separation anxiety, so people working from home or those that are retired would be great candidates for this dog.

They only need around 40 minutes of exercise a day, so if you are looking for an active dog to join you on hikes and big walks, this might not be the best choice of breed for you.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Grooming & Shedding

Regular bathing and grooming are necessary to keep your Cavalier Kinng Charles Spaniel looking at its best. It would be best to bathe your dog as often as once a week and no less than once every six weeks. Grooming your dog should be a daily task.

To keep your dog’s coat looking great and tangle-free and help stimulate and spread the dog’s natural oils, brushing the dog daily with a medium bristle brush is advised.

Brushing your dog for around ten minutes a day, especially if your dog has a medium to long coat, should help prevent knots on its underbelly, tail, ears, chest, or legs.

Misting the coat with a light water spray before brushing will help you to remove dead hair and achieve a soft, silky appearance. This breed will shed all year round, and daily brushing will help to manage the hair that is cast and stop your home from getting covered.

Learn more about: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Grooming Tips & Styles

Do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels bark a lot?

Because the CKCS has a docile, laid-back nature, they are not known for barking frequently. This is great for people living in apartments as you won’t need to worry about them disturbing neighbours.

What is the average weight & height of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dog?

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dog breed would usually measure from around 30 to 33 cm in height to the shoulder and weigh between 5.5 kilos and 8 kilos.

Learn more about: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Size & Weight Chart

Are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels easy to train?

When training Cavaliers, positive reinforcement through treats is a great way to get results. They tend to be intelligent, obedient dogs that train well.

House training can be a bit more complicated, but maintaining a consistent schedule and rewarding them for going to the toilet when you are out should help them to get in the swing of it.

Learn more about: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Training Guide – Crate, Toilet & More Tips!

How do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels behave? A look at their temperament and personality

One of the best things about the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breed is the temperament. They are generally friendly and are good with kids and strangers. Personalities will change between individual dogs, with some being more laid back and sedate with others being more playful.

Learn more about: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Temperament & Personality Traits

Does the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel have any common health issues?

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are regarded as being a generally healthy breed. However, each breed will be more prone to certain conditions than others, which is no different here.

Here are the most common conditions the CKCS is likely to suffer from;

Mitral Valve Disease – Mitral Valve Disease or MVD is a condition that affects the valves of the heart, causing them to deteriorate. The main symptom of this will be a heart murmur that gradually worsens. This is a genetically inherited condition, so reputable breeders will regularly check their dogs for it.
Episodic Falling – Episodic Falling can be confused with epilepsy, but the main difference is the dog remains conscious. The cause of the falls or seizure-like episodes is the dog’s inability to relax its muscles.
Syringomyelia (SM) -Syringomyelia is a condition caused by a malformed skull, which reduces the space for the brain and can result in pain and paralysis. It is characterized by the development of fluid-filled cavities within the spinal cord, leading to abnormal sensations in affected dogs. Symptoms of this condition include sensitivity in the head and neck, as well as the dog attempting to scratch the area. If you have concerns about this condition, consult your veterinarian for guidance.
Patellar Luxation – Patellar Luxation is a painful condition that causes the dog’s kneecaps to slide out of place. Mild cases can be managed with pain medication, and more severe cases may require corrective surgery.
Hip Dysplasia – If the bones around the hip and the hip socket grow at different rates, there can be an issue with how they fit together. This condition can cause pain and lameness but can be resolved with surgery.
Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (Dry Eye) – This condition causes the tear glands to produce fewer tears and can lead to blindness. Administering eye drops daily can help combat this issue.

Learn more about: Common Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Health Issues

What is the lifespan of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel?

The average life span of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is between 9 and 14 years. The dog’s bloodline, diet, and lifestyle will have a significant impact on how long you can expect your dog to live.

How much does a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel need to be fed?

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels should eat between half a cup and a full cup of quality dry food. This should be divided into two meals, and you should ensure the dog food contains all the nutrients necessary for the dog’s development.

Learn more about: What to Feed a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel? Diet & Feeding Chart

How much can you expect to pay for a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel in Australia?

You can expect to pay anywhere from $1,500 to over $7,000 for Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppies in Australia. This will depend on the breeder and the dog’s bloodline.

Finding a responsible breeder is essential if you want to minimise the risk of buying a Cavalier with health problems. Asking to see the paperwork and the puppy’s parents is a great way to ensure the breeding dogs are healthy.

Contacting the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel National Breed Club for advice on breeders is another way to ensure you are buying purebred dogs from a reputable breeder.

Learn more about: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Prices In Australia

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel FAQs

Is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel ideal for a first-time dog owner?

The great nature, small size, and ease of training Cavalier King Charles Spaniels make them the ideal candidate for first-time dog owners.

Do Cavalier King Charles Spaniel suffer from separation anxiety?

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a very loving dog and can build strong ties to its human companion. This is great for dog lovers but does mean that they can suffer from separation anxiety if they spend too much time away from their owners.

The dog is better suited to an owner that can dedicate a lot of time to spend with their dog. Elderly dog owners are good candidates as they don’t require as much exercise as other animals and are better in homes where the owners do not have to leave to work.

Are Cavalier King Charles Spaniel hypoallergenic dogs?

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are not hypoallergenic. That being said, they can be bred with hypoallergenic breeds, and spaniels are one of the better dogs for allergy sufferers.

Will a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel need professional grooming?

Like many other dog breeds, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels do need regular bathing and brushing, but their hair does not need to be trimmed. The hair on their paws does continue to grow and needs to be trimmed.

The owner can carry out grooming, or you can visit a professional groomer occasionally to tidy your dog up and ensure it is looking its best.

Brushing your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel every day and bathing it as often as once a week, but no less than once every 6 weeks is advised.