Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a small companion dog from Great Britain that is held in very high esteem by the royal family. He was bred purely as a companion dog and has a breed standard. In the FCI, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel can be found in the FCI Group 9 Companion and Companion Dogs, Section 7 English Society Spaniels. Without working test with the standard number 136.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Dog Breed

Size: 30-33cm
Weight: 5.5-8kg
FCI Group: 9: Companion and Companion Dogs
Section: 7: English company spaniels
Country of origin: Great Britain
Colors: Black-Brown, Tri-color, Blenheim, Ruby
Life expectancy: 9-14 years
Suitable as: Companion and family dog
Sports: –
Personality: Playful, Affectionate, Sociable, Patient, Fearless, Adaptable
Exercise requirements: rather high
Low drool potential
The thickness of hair medium
Maintenance effort: rather low
Coat texture: long, silky, without curls
Child friendly: yes
Family dog: yes
Social: yes

Origin and Breed History

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is the descendant of the well-known society spaniels from the Middle Ages. These little lapdogs have been a favorite of artists to be portrayed in oil paintings alongside their mostly aristocratic owners. One of the first oil paintings depicting one of these spaniels dates from 1635 and was painted by Anthonis van Dyck. The dogs were then named after the reigning King Charles. At court, a was purely for the entertainment of the ladies and children and served as a bed warmer and a status symbol for the nobility. Unfortunately, the breeding of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel was already being pushed in a very unhealthy direction at that time. The little Cavalier King Charles Spaniel was supposed to look more and more like a toddler, which is why the dog’s snout was bred shorter and the eyes were supposed to look bigger. In general, the dog’s head became rounder and rounder.

Due to overbreeding and inbreeding, which has been practiced for generations, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is, unfortunately, a very overbred and often diseased breed of dog. As a companion dog and loyal companion of the nobility, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel was able to win over several kings and queens. For example, Elisabeth I and Maria Start had small spaniels as pets. King Edward VII personally prevented the planned name change from the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel to the Toy Spaniel in 1900. Due to the great change in breeding, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel quickly deviated from the image of the old small spaniels in the paintings, and attempts were made to make the breed look more original again. In the 1920s, a sum was promised for back-breeding.

The first club for the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel was founded in England in 1928, the club called itself the “Club for the Promotion of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel”. Through the work of the club, the breed was officially recognized as a separate breed in 1945. Since then, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has celebrated its success all over the world, it is considered a particularly beautiful and lovable dog.

Nature & Temperament of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

As a pure company and companion dog, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has a particularly affectionate and friendly character. He is very people-related and always seeks the closeness of his owner and his family. He is the ideal dog for novice dogs and older people and is very well suited to being kept in the city. The dog breed is very good at recognizing the current mood of its owner and can be a good soul comforter. In terms of keeping, he is quite undemanding, but he does not like being separated from his owner for a long time. He has no aggression and is not afraid.

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a calm and outgoing dog that likes to play but does not need constant activity. In addition, he needs a lot of attention from his owner and must be brought up with a loving hand. The fur nose is not only friendly to people, but also to dogs and other animals. With good treatment, the bond between the dog and the human is very strong and the small Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is very obedient. Due to its playful nature, it is a good partner for children, but it can only be used for a few dog sports.

How Long Can a Cavalier King Charles Stay Alone?

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is very people-oriented and always wants to be close to its people. He doesn’t like to be left alone and being alone should be trained very early on. If the exercise is built up properly, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel can be left alone for a few hours. However, it should not be every day that the dog stays alone for several hours every day.

The Appearance of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel’s appearance is distinctive among companion dogs. The little dog has a particularly beautiful and shiny coat and a round head reminiscent of a child’s scheme. The particularly large and dark eyes should have a bright look. His ancestors, the spaniels, are still recognizable.

The silky coat should be of medium length and slightly wavy. The fur is a little longer on the long floppy ears, as is the round paws. The snout of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is quite short and rather round, but it can still breathe freely. When it comes to colors, the breed standard for the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has clear ideas. There are four colors in the breed standard, black with tan markings on the paws and head area, red, red spots on a white background, and tricolor. The individual colors usually have English names in the technical description, but describe the same color pattern.

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a small dog that stands 30 to 33 cm high at the withers and should weigh between 5 and 8 kg. Due to the silky coat, the dog sometimes looks a bit fatter.

Does a Cavalier King Charles Have an Undercoat?

Yes, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has a dense and soft undercoat. This protects the dog from the bad weather that often prevails in its home country.

Upbringing and Keeping of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel – This is Important to Note

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a calm and gentle companion that is easy to train. He can be trained with positive reinforcement and a gentle hand. With patience and a lot of sensitivity, the little spaniel quickly learns the basic commands and becomes a safe dog for everyday life. Since he has no aggression, he gets along well with other dogs and other animals. Despite this, he should be socialized early on so that he always stays safe and calm in hectic or spontaneous situations. When training, it is important to practice staying alone, because the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel does not like being without his family and needs a lot of attention.

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a very good dog for beginners. He can get used to various family situations and is very undemanding in keeping. Nevertheless, he needs his regular walks and sufficient attention from his owners. In addition to basic training, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is happy about games and experiences together, but the small dog is only suitable to a limited extent for dog sports. Since many of these dogs suffer from hereditary diseases, a health check should be carried out at the veterinarian in advance. When the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is fit, trickdogging and Hopers are great dog sports for the small friendly dog.

When is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Fully Grown?

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is physically fully grown at around seven months. However, he is still a young dog at this point and needs a lot of training and attention.

Diet of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Due to common health issues, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel may be allergic to some foods or may need supplements to their regular diet. Good advice from the attending veterinarian is very important for choosing the right food.

If there is no intolerance, you should pay very close attention to the amount of food so that the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel does not suffer from obesity. In addition, the owner should adapt the food to the age of the dog so that its diet always covers the animal’s complete nutritional requirements. The little dog needs puppy food up to the age of ten months and senior food from the age of seven.

Healthy – Life Expectancy & Common Diseases

The life expectancy of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is closely related to the health of the animal. A puppy from a breeder who takes health issues seriously and pays close attention to the health of their animals can live anywhere from ten to twelve years of age. Unfortunately, however, many dogs only live to be eight years old or die even earlier.

Due to years of overbreeding and the small gene pool, there are many diseases from which the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel sometimes suffers. Among these, the fatal hereditary disease MVD (Mitral Valve Disease) is often to be mentioned. This is a malfunction of the heart valves that causes significant damage to the heart and can lead to chronic problems and even death in the worst cases.

In addition to this heart problem, there are various nerve disorders that are more common in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, including Episodic Fall Syndrome, Syringomyelia (SM), and Chiari-like malformation (CM). The small dog also suffers from eye diseases, the disease Curly Coat Dry Eye is particularly common.
There are also various allergies and joint problems.

It is very difficult to find a breeder who has really healthy animals. Mixed breeds or older animals from animal welfare are a good alternative to dogs with breeding diseases.

How Big Do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Get?

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is one of the smallest spaniels. He is a small and compact dog that is a loyal companion at his owner’s side. With a size of about 30 to 33 cm, it can be kept in a small apartment without any problems.

Grooming the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

In itself, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a very easy-care dog that should only be brushed daily in the area of fur care and whose floppy ears should be checked every day by the owner.

If the animal suffers from one of the many hereditary diseases, the maintenance effort is often greater as the dog requires medication and special care. The little spaniel’s beautiful coat does not need to be clipped or clipped. During the change of fur, the small dog loses just as much fur as its peers of the same size.

What Brush Does a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Need?

Since the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has a very soft, medium-length coat, it should be brushed at least once a day to prevent the coat from becoming matted. Any brush designed for medium-length fur is suitable for grooming.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Activities and Training

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a very calm and gentle dog that still enjoys social activities with its people. Regular and long walks, in particular, are very well suited to keep the little spaniel busy. He enjoys contact with other dogs and is still very playful even as a senior.

When the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is fit and healthy, it can also make a good jog companion. Otherwise, he loves to learn tricks and is good at dog dancing. Since the small dogs quickly master basic obedience, they can usually be taken to town or even to work without any problems. They are also good playmates for children and like to keep lonely people company. It is good to observe how the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel seeks closeness to people at every opportunity and enjoys every stroke.

In addition to dog dancing and trick dogging, a healthy Cavalier King Charles Spaniel can show off his talents at Hoper’s dog sport. This is like classic agility, except instead of jumping over hurdles, the dog is sent through arches. This is easier on the joints than all the jumping and is also a lot of fun for small dogs.

Good to Know: Special Features of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has always been the darling of royalty. Hardly any other breed of dog has been depicted so often in oil paintings with its owners. The dog’s name also shows its close connection to the royal family. In London, for example, it is allowed to take a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel to all shops, even if dogs are not actually allowed there. This shows the special status of the animals in their home country.

Alongside the Welsh Corgi, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is one of the most famous and popular dogs in Great Britain and is particularly popular in the cities.

How Much Does a Cavalier King Charles Cost?

A healthy Cavalier King Charles Spaniel from a reputable breeder can cost quite a bit of money. The puppies are usually found in a price range of $1600 to $2000.

Cons of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a very friendly and well-balanced dog, has no guarding instinct, and is free from any form of aggression. He was bred as a pure companion dog and therefore has no drive to hunt. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel usually gets along very well with children and other dogs and is alert and playful. He is a perfect family dog, however, the breed suffers from several hereditary diseases.

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is one of the most stressed dog breeds in the world, it is very difficult to find a breeder who can guarantee the health of their animals. As an interested owner, one should be aware of the problems within the breed.

Is the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Right for Me?

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a very good-natured and undemanding dog. He can live in a small town apartment if he can go for regular walks and is easy to train. Therefore, he is a good beginner dog and is very suitable for families and even for seniors.

He is a loyal companion and a good lap dog. Nevertheless, the purchase of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel should be well considered, because due to the health problems of the animals, the dogs are very often expensive to look after. High veterinary costs for the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel are not uncommon and should always be considered.