Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
A sweet-natured, sociable toy spaniel that loves people and adapts easily to most homes.
At a glance
- Size
- Small
- Height at the withers
- 30–33 cm
- Weight
- 5.4–8 kg
- Life expectancy
- 10–14 years
- Exercise
- 30–60 min a day
- Grooming
- A few times a week
- Coat
- Silky, long
- Colours
- Bicolour, Tricolour, Red, Black and tan
- Bred for
- Companionship
- Country of origin
- United Kingdom
- FCI
- Group 9, no. 136 · Companion & toy dogs
Breeders on Kuldo
- Kennel Rosenlund (Roskilde, Sjælland)
Living with the breed
| Affectionate with family | 5/5 – Very high |
|---|---|
| Good with children | 5/5 – Very high |
| Good with other dogs | 5/5 – Very high |
| Good with cats | 4/5 – High |
| Open to strangers | 5/5 – Very high |
| Energy | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Playfulness | 4/5 – High |
| Needs mental stimulation | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Easy to train | 4/5 – High |
| Prey drive | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Watchful and protective | 1/5 – Very low |
| Barking | 2/5 – Low |
| Shedding | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Grooming effort | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Drooling | 2/5 – Low |
| Good for first-time owners | 5/5 – Very high |
| Suits apartment living | 4/5 – High |
| Adaptability | 4/5 – High |
| Copes with being alone | 2/5 – Low |
| Copes with heat | 2/5 – Low |
| Copes with cold | 3/5 – Moderate |
Kuldo's own guidance from the breed's typical traits. Every dog is an individual, so talk to the breeder.
Is it the right breed for you?
Great if you …
- want a friendly dog for a family with children
- are a first-time owner
- want a dog that enjoys both walks and lap time
Think twice if you …
- are not ready for possible heart treatment costs
- are away for long hours
- want a guard dog
Care
Temperament
Affectionate, gentle and outgoing, the Cavalier rarely shows aggression and usually gets on with children, dogs and cats. It dislikes being alone.
Exercise
About an hour a day of walks and play suits most; many enjoy gentle hikes, rally obedience and scent work.
Grooming
Brush a few times a week to keep ears and feathering free of tangles; shedding is moderate.
Training
Eager to please and food-motivated, Cavaliers learn easily with positive methods.
Health
Mitral valve disease is very common and often begins in middle age, and Chiari-like malformation with syringomyelia is a known concern; eye, hip and knee issues also occur. Ask the breeder for heart, MRI, eye, hip and DNA results for the parents.
Health tests breeders usually do
- Heart
- Eye examination
- Hips (HD)
- Kneecaps (patella)
- Spine
DNA tests
- Episodic falling
- Curly coat/dry eye (CCDE)
Ask the breeder to show you the parents' results.
About the breed
The Cavalier was recreated in the 1920s when an American, Roswell Eldridge, offered prize money at Crufts for spaniels resembling those in old paintings of Charles II, with a longer nose than the King Charles Spaniel of the day. Breeders took up the challenge and the breed was recognised in Britain in 1945.
Cavaliers are known for their friendliness to almost everyone, people and animals alike. They enjoy both a country walk and an evening on the sofa, which makes them easy to live with. The main caution is health: choose a breeder who screens carefully, and plan for regular vet checks as the dog ages.
Did you know?
The breed was revived after Roswell Eldridge offered a Crufts prize in 1926 for old-type spaniels with longer noses.