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The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a placid and mild-mannered dog with royal roots. They don’t have particularly high exercise needs and they’re not prone to anxiety or clingy behaviour. Suitable for a family with children, as well as for older owners, this breed has a large fanbase.
One significant issue with the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is their health. Sadly, these dogs are prone to a range of medical issues and most of them will have heart failure during their senior years. Still, breeding programmes are moving towards breeding healthier individuals, so hopefully this is something that can be changed in the future.
This guide takes a deep dive in the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, exploring their history, appearance, care, and health, among a range of other topics. If you’re eager to know more about these adorable dogs, you’ve come to the right place.
Lifespan
12 - 15 years
Size
Small/Toy-Sized
Weight
13-18 pounds
Height
12-13 inches
Colors
Black and Tan, Black, Ruby, Blenheim, Tricolor
Size of Home
They are a small dog breed, making them suitable for both large homes and smaller apartments.
Exercise
Cavaliers need moderate exercise, which can be met with daily walks or playtime in a yard.
Grooming
They have a medium-length coat that requires regular grooming, but they are relatively low-maintenance compared to some other breeds.
It was King Charles The Second who was this breed’s biggest fan and it is even said that they accompanied him into parliament. Their ancestors are likely to include well-known and much-loved breeds such as the Pug and Japanese Chin.
Toy Spaniels were always popular among the aristocrats and high society, and it was during Victorian times when two distinct breeds began to emerge: The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the King Charles. It was in 1945 that these two King Charles breeds were recognised separately, but in recent years it is the Cavalier that is far more popular.
In 2022, King Charles was pronounced the King of England. Though one may have assumed he will have swapped the Queen’s Corgis for Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, he actually shares his home with two Jack Russell Terriers.
This breed is easily recognised thanks to their unique body shape, flowing ears and bulbous eyes.
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a Toy breed that will weigh between 5 kg and 9 kg and measures up to about 30-33 cm at the withers.
They’ve got pendulous ears, protruding, dark eyes, a rounded skull and a shortened snout. Their back is quite long relative to their legs and their tail should be proportional to their body size.
Their coat is long and silky with plenty of feathering of the ears, tails and legs. They come in a range of colours including white and chestnut (blenheim), black and tan, tricolour, and ruby (solid red).
These dogs will usually live to about the age of 9-14. For most, it is their heart that is the limiting factor.
A loving and affectionate dog, the Cavalier King Charles has many desirable traits. They are known for their devotion to their owners and they form sweet and long-lasting relationships with the children in the family. As they are gentle and calm, they are usually the perfect choice for families with young children or even children with special educational needs.
They get along well with other dogs and cats, as long as they have been socialised with them in a positive manner from an early age.
Most breed members are friendly and, for this reason, do not make great watch or guard dogs. If anything, they’d be much more likely to welcome an intruder into the home, with a barrage of licks!
Although this is a Spaniel, this dog needs less exercise than you might anticipate. A couple of thirty minute walks is usually all they need, and this can be in the local area. They certainly enjoy a quick swim or game with the ball, but they equally like to relax in the sun or on the sofa.
While not the most intelligent of breeds out there, they do appreciate some mental enrichment.
This can be combined with their exercise in the form of mini obstacle courses, ‘find it’ games and scenting activities.
As a side note, it is best to use a harness rather than neck collar when walking the Cavalier King Charles, to take pressure off their skull and neck.
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is eager to please its owner, making for a biddable training partner. While they can take a little longer to understand and learn a new command compared to other dog breeds, they will try their hardest.
These dogs respond best to positive reinforcement training and the use of plenty of training treats and praise.
They shy away from more aversive or punishment based training methods, which are not recommended for them.
Most can learn the basic commands (such as ‘sit’ and ‘paw’) with ease, and owners can start to introduce these commands from as early as eight weeks of age. When it comes to more complex training, such as off-lead recall, the Cavalier King Charles may take a little longer than other breeds to master it.
When it comes to the care of the Cavalier King Charles they’re a little high maintenance, it must be said. They certainly need regular brushing and trims, and many owners will choose to keep their coats clipped short in the hotter months.
From a young age, introduce your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy to being handled, checked over and groomed. This should include cleaning their ears and eyes, as well as gently opening their mouth, brushing their fur all over and clipping their claws.
These dogs have a lot of feathering so should be brushed once daily to avoid tangles and mats from forming. Focus on the areas that can be more prone to matting such as the ears, armpits, belly, and tail.
As their ears flop down, they’re predisposed to ear infections. Those who have a lot of waxy buildup will need to have their ears cleaned out with a doggy ear cleaner every few weeks. Their bulging eyes are prone to crusting and tear staining, and owners can help to reduce this by bathing the eyes each morning with cotton wool and warm water. The skin and fur should be dried well after.
As with all dogs, they should have their teeth brushed at least a few times a week. This is especially important for these guys, as they’re predisposed to dental over-crowding and periodontal disease. Though dogs won’t always love having their teeth cleaned, you can make the process nicer by using a meat flavoured doggy toothpaste. For the small mouth of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, they may prefer a finger brush over a more typical doggy toothbrush.
It is best not to overbathe the Cavalier King Charles. Too many baths can dry their fur out and may lead to dry skin and itching. Reserve baths for when they’ve gotten very muddy or have rolled in something foul-smelling. Aiming for about six baths a year should be plenty.
This is a breed of dog that is prone to obesity. Not only can obesity shorten their lifespan, it can also negatively impact their quality of life, worsening symptoms for those affected with chronic health issues such as arthritis or heart disease.
Stick to a whole foods based diet that is high in protein and highly digestible. This would ideally be a dog food with meat or fish as the first ingredient. Keep in mind that treats should make up no more than 10% of their daily calorie intake.
For older Cavalier King Charles dogs, you may consider supplementing them with fish oils to improve their coat quality, as well as supplements containing Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulphate, for joint health.
Those who have congestive heart disease will need a prescription diet low in sodium.
Unfortunately, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel cannot be called a healthy dog breed. There are several health conditions that they are predisposed to, many of which have serious implications.
Sadly, about half of five year old Cavaliers have some degree of mitral valve disease, and this number rises to almost 100% by the time they are ten. As the heart valve fails to function, the dog inevitably goes on to develop congestive heart failure.
Diagnosis can include imaging studies such as an X-ray and ultrasound of the heart, as well as blood tests to measure cardiac biomarkers.
Symptoms of this disease include a chronic cough, a swollen abdomen, lethargy, exercise intolerance and weight loss.
Most patients are managed with daily medication including ACE inhibitors and diuretics, and can live for many years on medication. More recently, some surgical treatment options have been developed.
As the ears of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel flop down, the ear canals tend to become moist and humid. These are the ideal conditions for bacteria and yeast to multiply. Signs of an ear infection include head shaking, ear scratching, red canals, wax build up and a foul smell.
The sooner ear infections are addressed, the quicker they will clear up. Your vet can swab the ear canal, to determine which microorganisms are present, so they know the best drops to prescribe.
You can help prevent ear infections by thoroughly drying the ear canals any time they get wet (swims, baths, etc.).
It is worth mentioning that dogs who get repeated ear infections are often dealing with some form of allergic skin disease.
As the eyes of the Cavalier King Charles protrude out of their skull, they are prone to drying. There is also an autoimmune component to this disease. Those with dry eyes will develop a thick, crusty discharge from the eyes as well as signs such as squinting and eye rubbing.
If the tear production is too low, these dogs often go on to develop secondary eye infections and corneal ulcers. Patients will be managed with topical eye drops including lubricants, which are usually lifelong.
Those with ulcers are in discomfort so you may notice them squinting or rubbing at their eyes, and there will usually be a lot more tear production. It can help to use a buster collar, to protect their eyes as they try to rub them.
To assist with cleaning and drop application, it can help to keep the fur around the eyes trimmed short. If left untreated, this condition can lead to scarring of the eyes and vision loss.
When affected with syringomyelia, the back of the brain does not have enough space to fit inside the dog’s skull, which leads to problems with the flow of the CSF (cerebrospinal fluid).
When fluid-filled cavities develop within the spinal cord, dogs can experience severe neuropathic pain and symptoms such as neck scratching, vocalisation, and aversion to touch. It can be really heart-breaking to see these dogs, as they’re often in a lot of distress.
This disease is diagnosed with an MRI scan. Some patients are managed medically, with pain relief and strong anti inflammatories. For others, surgery is advised. The earlier the surgery can be performed, the better the prognosis. However, it is a specialised surgery which is expensive.
The kneecap of this breed is prone to popping out of place. There are 4 grades of patellar luxation, with grades 3 and 4 being the most severe. For these higher grades, it is usually advised that the patient undergoes corrective surgery.
Dogs can skip or hop for a few steps, before going back to walking normally. When the kneecap is out of place, the dog may yelp and be in distress.
An experienced veterinary professional should be able to identify the issue. X-rays can diagnose the condition, and determine the grade of severity.
Those with a more mild form of the condition may be managed with weight reduction (if needed), exercise plans, and medication.
Many breed members will experience gingivitis and calculus buildup, especially if they’re fed a soft or wet food and if their teeth are not regularly brushed. Signs of disease can include bad breath, visibly red gums, and a preference for softer foods.
Once established, dental disease is treated under anaesthetic.
The teeth will be scaled and polished, and any rotten teeth are removed. It is not unusual for this breed to need several dental cleanings during their lifetime.
Owners can try to maintain good dental health by toothbrushing, offering dry kibble, and using plaque reducing powders in the food or water.
Providing dental chews and hard treats such as carrot and raw apple can also be beneficial. Do just keep in mind that some dog chews and dental sticks are high in calories, so need to be factored in when portioning their meals.
As mentioned earlier, this dog breed can put on weight easily. This is even more noticeable in those individuals who have been neutered, as their metabolism can slow down. While exercise will play some role in preventing obesity, diet is thought to be the deciding factor.
For those who are overweight, it is sensible to offer them a prescribed satiety diet and to weigh their portions, and to weigh their portions, so you can be certain they’re getting the correct amount of daily calories.
Obesity puts express pressure on their heart and joints, and can have a real negative impact on their day to day life.
The Cavalier King Charles is a friendly and good-tempered dog that is a good match for those people with a more sedentary lifestyle, and is a nice choice for the first-time dog owner.
These dogs do great with children, and can usually be brought into a home with other pets.
They do love human company, so aren’t suited to a home where they may be left alone for long periods.
Those searching for a dog who will guard their property, need to look elsewhere! The Cavalier King Charles is too accepting of new people on their property and makes a useless guard dog.
Here are some top tips for choosing your puppy wisely:
It is best to go for a breeder who is part of a Kennel Club and who health tests both parents. This should help ensure your puppy is not going to go on to develop a disease such as Syringomyelia.
When you are visiting the litter, keep in mind that the trip is for business and not pleasure! Cuteness does not guarantee a clean bill of health. As tempting as it is to spend your time cuddling the puppies, it is important you use the visit to ensure you’ve chosen a good breeder and that one of these puppies is a good fit for you.
Opt for a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy that is responsive and happy to come to you. Check that they’re not obviously smaller than their littermates and that they have no visible issues, such as a limp or sore eye.
These pups can cost anything from $800 to $4,000. Keep in mind, those that are cheaper will often be from parents that have not been health-tested. With a breed prone to so many hereditary medical issues– many of which can significantly impact their quality of life and lifespan– it makes sense to pay a bit more for a healthy puppy.
Though it can be tempting to purchase a cheaper pup from a ‘backyard’ breeder, be aware that many of these dogs actually come from puppy mills (puppy farms), where the mothers are kept in awful conditions. Though some people are tempted to buy these puppies anyway and ‘save’ them, the truth is that purchasing them is funding the puppy mill industry. Rather than buying the pup, report the seller to the local authorities.
Some say that these dogs were bred to warm laps when outside in a horse-drawn carriage.
They are one of the most popular dog breeds; both in the USA and UK.
Due to their sweet personality traits, they are sometimes used as therapy dogs.
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