A true toy spaniel, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a dynamic small breed with a personality bigger than its size. For people who are renting and need a dog under a weight limit, this is a pretty breed that weighs 13-18 pounds and stands 12-13 inches tall. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel combines the heritage of a house dog and that of a spaniel, creating a loving, active, and easily cared-for companion that adapts well to various situations.
While individuals may vary, it’s important to remember that, as a spaniel, this breed has a strong working heritage. Officially, they come in four colors: red and white, tricolor, ruby, and black and tan. The ruby is a solid red, while the black and tan has a “Doberman paint job”—both of these have no white markings.
Dating back to the early 1600s, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel was bred as a house pet, but with the spaniel’s exuberance for chasing anything that moves. It’s believed they were bred down from hunting spaniels to create a toy dog, which was recorded during the reign of England’s Charles II. When the House of Stuart fell, the breed became rare, with the Tudors favoring the Pug. Political changes nearly led to the breed’s extinction, but Queen Victoria helped bring them back—although changed from their earlier form.
Due to this background, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is not a breed that thrives as an outdoor kennel dog. They are “people dogs” and want to be with their family, more so than many other breeds.
Temperament and Care
The spaniel heritage also brings a generally great temperament, ease of training, and a tendency to get along well with other dogs. They are smart little dogs, and like many intelligent breeds, this can lead to some creative entertainment if they don’t receive consistent guidance and training.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are happiest with regular exercise. Although they have a long coat, it’s silky, so regular brushing will keep it in good condition. From a training standpoint, the spaniel heritage also means they have a strong instinct to chase anything that moves. Never leave your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel loose—they do not recognize boundaries and can easily get into trouble chasing something fun.
Health Issues to Watch For
There are some health concerns to be aware of, one of the most significant being Mitral Valve Disease (MVD). This heart condition leads to congestive heart failure, and unfortunately, there is no cure. Testing the parents of potential puppies is essential. While many toy breeds are affected by MVD, it tends to strike early and progress quickly in Cavaliers.
Maintaining the health of a dog with MVD requires attention to detail, including regular heart checkups and careful dental care. Poor dental hygiene can lead to infections and other problems. Since the heart is already compromised, keeping infections at bay is crucial. Keeping your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel at a healthy weight and balancing exercise with avoiding over-stressing the heart is key. With proper care, dogs with MVD can live 8-10 years, but the disease certainly shortens their lifespan.
Another health concern is luxating patella, a condition in which the knee joint is unstable, causing lameness. Choosing dogs with strong bone structures and healthy parents reduces the chances of encountering this issue.
There are also several eye diseases that can affect Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, including cataracts, retinal dysplasia, and cherry eye. Testing for these conditions is recommended, especially if you’re breeding the dog.
An inherited condition called Syringomyelia (SM) is a progressive neurological disease that affects Cavaliers more than other breeds. It can occur in all colors and both sexes and usually presents between 6 months and 3 years of age, although it can appear as late as 10 years. SM develops when there isn’t enough room in the skull for the back part of the brain, which forces the fluid surrounding the brain through a smaller-than-normal opening to the spinal cord. One of the major signs is excessive scratching at the neck, especially when the dog is excited or on a leash. Unfortunately, this condition is often misdiagnosed as allergies, fleas, or skin irritations. Some dogs may also show symptoms like whining or yelping for no apparent reason, weakness, lack of coordination, lameness, or obsessive licking of the feet.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels typically live between 9-14 years. Regular walks help keep them from gaining excess weight and provide an outlet for their energy, reducing the likelihood of “bad behavior” caused by boredom.
Regular grooming is necessary but not time-consuming if done regularly. Use a comb or bristle brush to care for the feathered hair on the ears, legs, and body. Trim the hair between the pads of the feet. Like all breeds, clean the ears when needed and make sure to dry them thoroughly after bathing to prevent infections caused by moisture.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are not your typical toy dog. In fact, according to the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club USA, 14 dogs since 1977 have earned their AKC Tracking Dog titles! They also excel in obedience and agility competitions, offering an outlet for both the mind and body. This breed’s competitive spirit isn’t limited to conformation shows—it’s based on performance, not appearance. Additionally, those interested in water competitions can find an outlet in DockDog events.
For those looking to pursue a show career, there is a greater emphasis on appearance. However, the Cavalier’s happy, free-moving attitude is an essential part of their charm, and their natural appearance eliminates the need for “sculpting” a dog to win.
