Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Also known as Cavalier
- Height at the withers
- 30 to 33 cm
- Weight
- 6 to 8 kg
- Life expectancy
- 9 to 14 years
- Daily activity
- 45 minutes
- Origin
- United Kingdom
- FCI group
- 9 · Companion and toy dogs
Who is it for?
Ideal for
- a family with young children
- apartment living, with regular outings
- a first dog
- living with a cat
Less suited to
- long absences: it struggles when left alone
- intense heat: be careful in summer
Overview
An elegant little toy spaniel with a silky coat, large expressive eyes and a noble bearing, known for its gentle expression and affectionate temperament, equally happy as a lapdog or as an active companion.
History and origins
Named after King Charles II, who was fond of the breed, it descends from the toy spaniels painted at the British court from the 16th to the 18th century. The modern breed was revived in the 1920s by enthusiasts seeking to bring back the old type with a longer muzzle.
Health
Life expectancy is 9 to 14 years, and the breed is fragile. The most common health problems in the breed:
- Degenerative mitral valve disease
- Syringomyelia (Chiari-like malformation)
- Patellar luxation
- Ear infections
- Inherited macrothrombocytopenia
Choose a breeder who has the parents health-screened for this breed, and ask to see the results.
Coat and care
Long, silky coat. Moderate shedding, average coat care.
All ratings
Rated from 1 to 5, comparable across breeds. Green marks a strength for most households, orange something to plan for.
Lifestyle
- Energy
- Moderate, 3 out of 5
- Apartment
- Perfect, 5 out of 5
- Home alone
- Poorly, 2 out of 5
Family and sociability
- With children
- Excellent, 5 out of 5
- With other dogs
- Excellent, 5 out of 5
- With cats
- Excellent, 5 out of 5
- With strangers
- Very open, 5 out of 5
Training and temperament
- Ease of training
- Easy, 4 out of 5
- For a first-time owner
- Ideal, 5 out of 5
- Guarding instinct
- None, 1 out of 5
- Prey drive
- Moderate, 3 out of 5
- Tendency to roam
- Low, 2 out of 5
Care and neighbors
- Coat care
- Average, 3 out of 5
- Shedding
- Moderate, 3 out of 5
- Drooling
- Never, 1 out of 5
- Barking
- Quiet, 2 out of 5
Climate and health
- Heat tolerance
- Low, 2 out of 5
- Cold tolerance
- Low, 2 out of 5
- Hardiness
- Fragile, 1 out of 5
In our lists
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel FAQ
How big does the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel get?
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel stands 30 to 33 cm at the withers and weighs 6 to 8 kg. It is a small dog.
Does the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel shed a lot?
It sheds moderately and its coat needs average care.
Can the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel live in an apartment?
Yes, very well: calm indoors, it adapts perfectly to an apartment.
How much exercise does the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel need each day?
Allow about 45 minutes of activity a day: its energy is moderate.
Is the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel good with children?
Yes: patient and gentle, it is an excellent family dog, even with young children. Never leave a young child alone with a dog, whatever the breed.
How long does the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel live?
Life expectancy is 9 to 14 years, and the breed is fragile. The main health problems to watch for are degenerative mitral valve disease and syringomyelia.
