The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel could be the perfect companion for you. This Cavalier breed adapts easily to any lifestyle and makes a great lap dog for individuals and families. In this guide, we’ll take a look at how much they cost to purchase and maintain.
Let’s dive into what it will cost for one to be yours.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are one of the most popular dogs in Australia, so you can probably understand why they’re also a little more costly than other dogs. The average price of Spaniel puppies ranges anywhere between $2000- $8000. You can buy your puppy from a small breeder or breeding organisation.
You could also adopt Cavalier puppies for free from one of the many pet homes in Australia, although there may be adoption costs to cover.
The amount you’ll pay for a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel will ultimately depend on where you purchase them from. For example, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy from a registered breeder will cost an average of $4,000 to $7,000 or more, depending on the dog’s lineage or coat colour. However, when you adopt a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel through a rescue shelter, the fees are usually much lower, sitting in the $400 – $800 range.
There are also unregistered breeders selling Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, but this is never a recommended route to take, no matter how inexpensive they are. This is basically because these puppies may have come from an unethical breeding practice (like a puppy farm) or had proper health screenings for issues like heart disease or syringomyelia, both of which Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are prone to. You should only ever buy a dog from a registered breeder or through a shelter.
If you’ve chosen to buy a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel through a registered breeder, you should expect to pay anywhere between $4,500 and $7,500. This price range might seem quite wide, but there are certain factors that determine it. For example, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel with a lineage of show-winners and is bred to compete is more likely to sit at the higher end of the price range than a puppy who has been bred simply as a family pet.
As is the case with all other dog breeds, adopting a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is much more wallet-friendly and adoption fees range from $400 – $800 and this cost will usually include desexing, microchipping, and vaccinations. However, one important thing to note is that because Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are so popular, they rarely stay in shelters for long, so if you’re set on adopting one, it’s worth checking in with specific rescue organisations like Cavalier Rescue or Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Rescue QLD rather than your local animal shelter.
There are many things that influence what end of the price scale a Cavalier King Charles Spaniels sits at, including:
A registered breeder who follows best breeding practices, conducts genetic health testing, and provides early socialisation will naturally charge more for their Cavalier King Charles Spaniels puppies. Likewise, if the breeder specialises in show-quality Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, you’ll pay more towards the $7,000 mark, especially if the puppies come from a lineage of champion show dogs.
Since Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are prone to certain hereditary conditions like mitral valve disease and syringomyelia, a responsible breeder will invest in health testing for their breeding dogs to reduce the risk of these conditions being passed on. However, the cost of these tests will be reflected in the puppy’s price, and the more testing that has been done, the higher the price tag will be.
The recognised Cavalier King Charles Spaniel colours by the ANKC are blenheim (white and chestnut), tricolour, black and tan, and ruby. However, some of these are much rarer, and these influence the price tag. Ruby, in particular, is the rarest colour and very in-demand, meaning puppies with these colouring can command a higher price compared to blenheim coats, which are both common and widely available.
Aside from the initial purchase price, you’ll need to invest in some essentials before you bring your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel so they can have a comfortable, happy life. Here’s what you’ll need and what you can expect to pay:
Dog crate: $100 – $300 for a medium-sized crate with room for your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel to stand up, turn around, and rest again.
Dog bed: $80 – $200 for a comfortable, plush, cushioned bed that can support long-term joint health.
Dog harness/lead: $30 – $80 for a lightweight but strong lead and a harness (instead of a collar) to protect their delicate necks while walking.
Feeding bowl: $20 – $40 for a non-slip bowl made from ceramic or stainless steel to prevent bacteria building up.
Dog toothbrush: $10 – $30 for a soft-bristled toothbrush and canine toothpaste to prevent periodontal disease, which is common in small breeds.
Dog car harness: $50 – $80 for a small, crash-tested harness to keep your Cavalier safe throughout car rides.
Puppy treats: $10 – $40 per month for natural, grain-free treats that can be used for rewards and enrichment activities.
Puppy training pads: $20 – $40 per pack to help with early house training.
Dog shampoo & conditioner: $15 – $40 for a hypoallergenic shampoo suitable for long-haired breeds but gentle on the skin.
Dog nail clippers, brushes & combs: $20 – $80 for a slicker brush, pin brush, and metal comb for brushing and a set of nail clippers.
As they’re small dogs, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels eat less than larger breeds and at an adult weight of around 5.5kg – 8kg, they need about 150g of food each day. Across the course of month, depending on the diet, this could cost $75 – $240. Here’s a daily breakdown of this based on different diets.
These costs will vary, depending on the diet, brand, ingredients, and portion size needed in line with your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel’s age and size. We highly recommend speaking to your vet for the best diet plan.
Veterinary care is one of the biggest ongoing costs of owning a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Here’s what you can expect to pay for routine treatments:
Annual vet checkups: $80 – $150 per visit to check for any breed-prone health issues, a weight check, and general wellness advice.
Vaccinations: $100 – $200 per year for core vaccinations, including C3 and C5, and optional boosters.
Worming and parasite protection: $15 – $50 per month for protection against fleas, ticks, heartworm, and intestinal parasites.
Dental cleaning (every 1-2 years): $250 – $600 for professional teeth cleaning and any necessary extractions under anaesthesia.
Pet insurance: $30 – $80 per month, depending on coverage, with plans covering hereditary conditions at the higher end.
Grooming is an important part of owning a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, as their long, silky coats need a lot of work to stop matting and keep them looking their best. Here’s what you can expect to pay for different grooming services:
Hydrobath prices: $20 – $50 per session for a quick wash and blow dry at a doggy grooming salon.
Full groom prices: $70 – $150 for a wash, blow dry, trim, nail clipping, and ear cleaning.
Face, feet & tail groom prices: $30 – $60 for a quick tidy-up of these dirt-prone areas.
While Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are naturally affectionate and eager to please, they can develop stubborn tendencies or separation anxiety if not properly trained. So, you’ll need to factor training classes into your overall costs, too, which can include:
Basic obedience training prices: $200 – $400 for a 6-week course focused on basic commands, leash walking, and good manners.
Puppy training class prices: $150 – $250 for a 6-week puppy school course designed for socialisation, commands like sit and stay, and toilet training.
Specialised training prices (i.e. anxiety, aggression): $100 – $250 per session for behaviour modification classes dealing with separation anxiety, excessive barking, and other issues.
Between the initial purchase price, vet bills, food, grooming, and training, the cost of owning a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel can add up pretty quickly. But if you’re ready to commit financially to this lovely little breed and feel confident you can offer everything they need across the course of their 12 – 15 year lifespan, the love and companionship they offer in return is well worth the investement.
The colour, bloodline, and breeder availability are some factors that affect how much your puppy could cost.
This breed has a variety of beautiful colour combinations. Blenheim Cavaliers are the most bred of these pets because of their popularity, making them the most common and most affordable of the Cavaliers. The Black and Tan Cavalier King is the rarest and, thus, most expensive.
Your puppy’s bloodline is also a significant factor. Cavalier King Charles mixed breeds, like Cavoodles, are more expensive than purebred Cavaliers, they’re usually sold for $4000 up.
Responsible breeders will screen adult dogs to avoid passing on hereditary illnesses like Heart Mitral valve disease and eye defects. Unfortunately, not everyone is a responsible breeder.
Organisations like Dogs NSW exist to promote ethical breeding. You can find a registered breeder by looking at their websites. The breeders are given a registration number, so you can easily contact them if needed.
You should always meet your breeder in person to look at the breeding environment and ask all your questions. Remember to check that the breeder has all the necessary Pedigree Documents. Your Cavalier puppies should be microchipped, vet-checked, and DNA-tested.
Cavalier King Charles’ are relatively simple dogs to care for, with an easy-going temperament. However, they do still need the appropriate care for their grooming and health needs.
Cavalier Kings are no strangers to being overweight, so you should maintain a proper diet to keep them healthy. Don’t overfeed your Cavalier King, and avoid feeding them starch-heavy food.
High-quality foods are best for providing all the nutrients necessary to enhance their health and promote a good immune system.
This will also minimise possible health issues such as food allergies and intolerances. Generic dog food at the supermarket is often full of starch and low-quality ingredients. You can get food explicitly made for Cavaliers at just under $40 a bag.
There are some health problems that the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is prone to. They’re not all life-threatening, but many of them are common throughout the breed.
Some of the most common health issues are:
Problems such as ear infections and allergies are more manageable and easily controlled with medication. It is worth getting pet insurance to assist in paying for vet bills should your Cavalier need surgery for more severe diseases.
You can get pet insurance for around $53 a month, but the price will vary depending on your coverage.
Luckily, you won’t need a budget to send your Cavalier King Charles to the groomer. You do still need a regular grooming routine, with weekly brushing and baths.
You should invest in good grooming tools, like the bristle brush, which will remove knots from your Cavalier King’s coat and spread natural oils.
The basic starter costs for a new Cavalier King Charles are around $3060 in the first year. This is a very basic rundown and doesn’t include expenses such as puppy training classes.
These dogs are very affectionate and have a kind and loving temperament. They have an average lifespan of 9-14 years.
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a costly breed. However, they would be a great addition to a loving family. Unlike other pets, they’re adaptable to different lifestyles. You should definitely consider getting one if it’s within your budget.
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