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The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dog breed has true aristocratic ancestry. Bred to accompany noble ladies and royals, even the modern Cavalier has regal grace and a dignified appearance. Cavalier King Charles Dog Breed Guide: Facts, Health & CareRanked as 18th out of 197 dog breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is the ideal lap dog for “empty nesters.” This complete guide will review the breed’s history, personality, lifestyle requirements, and more. Breed Basics
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel HistoryThe Cavalier King Charles Spaniel’s ancestor can be traced back to 16th century England. Initially, this dog had two purposes. Its first purpose was to warm the royal women’s laps during gatherings in droughty castles and carriage rides. The second purpose was attracting the fleas that would otherwise end up bothering the mistress or even infect her with bubonic plague. During Tudor times, Cavaliers were highly praised, but the Stuarts wrote the breed’s name in history. The breed was renamed after King Charles I and his son – King Charles II. King Charles II was always accompanied by his Cavaliers and even issued a royal decree that allowed dogs to enter all public places, including the Parliament. When the house of Stuart fell, their dogs’ popularity followed. The decrease in popularity pushed the breed to the brink of extinction. Later on, in 1926, an American named Roswell Eldrige offered a fabulous prize
of 25£ for the person who would re-establish the breed. The result was the modern Cavalier we now know and love. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel AppearanceThe King Charles Cavalier dog breed has a unique and rather contradictory appearance – it is both sophisticated and cute at the same time. It has a regal, graceful, and dignified overall appearance. The sweet and gentle facial expression is the breed’s hallmark. Some Cavaliers are more squarely built, while others are slightly longer than tall. SizeCavalier King Charles Spaniel males are 12 inches tall (33 centimeters) and weigh about 13-18 pounds (5.9 to 8.2 kilograms). Females are about 13 inches tall (30 centimeters) and weigh about 10-18 pounds (4.5-8.2 kilograms). Household males often weigh more but show dogs must fit the standard limits. Coat and ColorCavaliers have long, soft and silky coats with pronounced feathering. There are four color patterns – the most common is called Blenheim, and it includes a pearly white background with rich chestnut patches. The other color patterns are white with black markings, black with tan markings (which is also the rarest combination), and ruby. Each color pattern is associated with a different British noble family. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Grooming & MaintenanceCavaliers are not very profuse shedders but maintaining their long silky fur clean, shiny, lustrous, and tangles-free requires regular brushing – no less than 2-3 times per week and monthly bathing. While bathing, it is advisable to treat a Cavalier with a much-enjoyed body massage. The grooming session is not complete without ear inspection and cleaning. As in all smaller breeds, teeth issues can arise, and the best way of preventing them is by regular brushing – no less than three times per week,
preferably daily. The nails should be trimmed once a month since overgrown nails can become infected and cause unnecessary pain. Make sure to put your dog at ease when grooming them. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Temperament & PersonalityCavalier King Charles Spaniels are playful, carefree, attentive, and surprisingly intelligent dogs. Enchantingly affectionate and always happy to cuddle, they are popularly called – “ love sponges”. These small bundles of love are always wagging their tails and offering free kisses. Members of this breed will happily descend from their royal high horses in exchange for playing in the backyard’s mud or chasing squirrels in the park. Cavaliers are naturally amiable, friendly, and eager to make friends with everyone who crosses their path. As well-behaved dogs, they get along really well with other dogs, cats, and even smaller rodent pets. Cavaliers are patient and do not mind being “tortured” with affection, making them perfect for families with little kids. Training your Cavalier King Charles SpanielCavaliers are smart and love pleasing their owners. However, their lack of focus and short attention spans can make the training a bit challenging. To make the training smooth and straightforward, it is advisable to keep the training sessions short and entertaining. It is also a good idea to organize the sessions in a distraction-free area. Cavaliers are incredibly food-motivated dogs, and their fondness for treats should be used during training. Harsh treatments and scolding have adverse effects. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels benefit significantly from early socialization and puppy training classes. These classes will help them learn good manners and develop into well-behaved Cavaliers. With proper training, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels can compete and win awards in many canine sports like agility, obedience, and rally. Lately, their popularity as therapy dogs is on the rise. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Exercise Requirements & Energy LevelDo not be fooled by their diminutive size and sophisticated physical appearance – Cavaliers are energetic, active, and sportive dogs. They equally enjoy romping outside as relaxing in your lap. Generally, members of this breed benefit from daily walks in the park, playing exercises, and playdates. It should be well-noted that Cavaliers are true to their hunting and scenting heritage. If they happen to spot an exciting creature or trail, they are likely to pursue and disregard your calling. Therefore, Cavaliers should always be kept on a leash. Common Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Health IssuesGenerally speaking, the top 3 health issues in this breed include heart murmurs, slipping kneecaps, or luxating patella and cataracts. Heart murmurs develop due to congenital deformities or mitral valve disease. Cavaliers have the highest incidence of mitral valve disease in the canine world. Luxating patella usually occurs due to malformation of the knee cap or the adjacent ligaments. The condition affects the quality of life but can be surgically corrected. A cataract is one of the several eye diseases common in this breed. The frequent incidence of this condition may be age-related. Finally, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels often develop a dermatological issue named in their honor as persistent scratching in Cavaliers.
Read the Official Breed Club Health Statement here. Diet & Nutrition Needs: Feeding your Cavalier King Charles SpanielCavalier King Charles Spaniels should eat high-quality dog foods such as Alpha Paw’s dog food. Once again, do not be fooled by their size – Cavaliers are zealous eaters. Consequently, they are prone to becoming overweight and even obese.
Bearing in mind their delicate frame and fragile bones, being overweight can be detrimental to their overall health. Therefore, their food intake must be carefully monitored. Tips for Adopting & Raising a Cavalier King Charles SpanielPurebred Cavalier King Charles Spaniels usually cost between $800 and $2500, but the average purchase cost is around $1500. The expenses of parenting a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel for the first year are roughly $3000. After the first year, the annual costs will be around $1100 or $90 per month. In total, the average cost of owning a Cavalier is estimated to be $17300. Deciding to get a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a considerable commitment in responsibility, time, and money. However, their immense affection and unparalleled loyalty are worthy of the challenge. Since Cavaliers are prone to heart problems, it is of paramount importance to arrange regular check-ups at the vet’s office – preferably twice a year. Early diagnosis will make future management more straightforward and more efficient. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel FAQsQ: How much do King Charles Cavaliers cost? Q: Do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels bark a lot? Q: Are Cavaliers hard to potty train? Q: Can
Cavalier King Charles be left alone? Q: What is the rarest color for Cavalier King Charles Spaniels? Official Resources: Breed Clubs, Rescues & Helpful LinksOfficial Breed Club: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club of America Recommended Products for Cavalier King Charles SpanielsMagic Mouthwash for Dogs Similar Dog BreedsJapanese Chin Are there different sizes of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels?There are several major differences between the two breeds, with the primary difference being size. While the Cavalier weighs on average between 13 to 18 pounds (5.9 to 8.2 kg), the King Charles is smaller at 9 to 15 pounds (4.1 to 6.8 kg).
How much should a male King Charles Cavalier weight?Size of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
When fully grown, a cavalier King Charles spaniel will be about 13 to 18 pounds for weight and 12 to 13 inches tall for height.
Are there two types of King Charles spaniel?The U.S.'s Cavalier King Charles spaniel and England's King Charles spaniel are often mistaken as the same breed. They are actually two different breeds, although they did share the same history until they diverged many years ago.
How big is the biggest Cavalier King Charles Spaniel?How big is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel? As the largest breed in the Toy category, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels typically stand from 12 to 13 inches at the shoulder and weigh 13 to 20 pounds as an adult dog. At 12 weeks old, Bentley weighed 4 pounds and stood with all fours on my outstretched palm!
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Average size of a male Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
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