Simply Southern Pups > Dog Breeds > Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
A dandy dog in all aspects, the Cavalier King Charles spaniel will impress you with its striking appearance and kind personality. Named after a king, these regal puppies hold true to their history. They thrive in a setting where doting on and praising are a daily routine, and they are great fans of belly rubs and cuddles. Because their nature drives them to follow in the footsteps of their humans, these precious Cavaliers are more than happy to adapt to a life of adventures as well as to one of zen and relaxation.
BREED TYPE / MIX
Purebred
ENERGY
Moderate
SHEDDING
Regularly
TRAINING
Responsive
TEMPERAMENT
Affectionate, Cheerful, Courageous, Gentle, Social
ADULT WEIGHT
12-18 lbs
ADULT HEIGHT
12-13 in
LIFE SPAN
9-14 yrs
Characteristics
- The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breed was named after King Charles I of the Royal House of England
- Considered one of the most popular pure-breed puppies in the United States, Cavaliers merit their fame to their darling nature and kindly behavior
- Cavalier King Charles spaniel puppies are among the easiest pups to train. They have an impressive set of learning skill as well as a strong drive to please
- Although they are moderate shedders, Cavalier spaniels don’t have high grooming requirements
- Cavalier King Charles spaniels are extremely friendly and social dogs
- Birds, hamsters, and squirrels might not be their best friends, as Cavaliers may still hold on to some hunting/retrieving instincts
- The Cavalier King Charles spaniel is a very adaptable breed. Being a couch potato or a jogging partner is just the same to these dogs as their only wish is to be with their humans as much as possible
- Thanks in equal part to their high trainability and affectionate nature, Cavalier spaniel puppies can make excellent therapy dogs
- Cavalier King Charles spaniels make wonderful nanny dogs for children as well as adorable companion pets for single folks, retirees, and new pet owners
- The American Kennel Club recognizes the Cavalier King Charles spaniel as a member of their Toy Group
Appearance
Small, elegant, and with soulful eyes that could melt a heart of steel, the Cavalier King Charles spaniel merits its nickname as the “canine beauty”. Cavalier King Charles spaniels are toy-sized dogs that are recognized by their beautiful long ears, wide round eyes, and cheerful expression.
As per their breed standard, these small dogs should not exceed 12 to 13 inches in height. Not taking into account individual diets and exercise routines, a full-grown Cavalier King Charles spaniel should average in weight from 12 to 18 pounds. These canine beauties have an athletic-built body, a flat back, dark round eyes, a conical muzzle, long hanging ears, and a long fluffy tail.
Their coats are of a medium length, silky, soft to the touch, and of a straight to slightly wavy texture. Cavalier King Charles spaniel colors can include combinations of black, gray, white, red, cream, or tan. The most common Cavalier spaniel colors are Blenheim, tricolor, black and tan, and ruby. The Blenheim Cavalier King Charles spaniel has spots of brown or red on a white background. The tricolor Cavalier King Charles spaniel has spots of black or brown on a white background. The Ruby Cavalier King Charles spaniel has a solid-colored coat of a ruby red shade.
Temperament
A breed that knows no limits when it comes to talents, the Cavalier King Charles spaniel checks all the boxes when it comes to personality. Because they come from a long line of palace-raised dogs, King Charles Cavaliers still retain their royal manner and attitude to this day. They are completely fond of spoiling their humans with affection and they relish any opportunity to be the center of attention.
Because they have an even temperament and a kind disposition, Cavalier King Charles spaniels are an excellent fit for toddlers and children. They don’t possess any aggressive instincts and they are quite happy to have a friend they can play with every day. These adorable dogs also have no problem with strangers, visitors, burglars, or any of that, so try not to count on them to protect or guard anything.
As dogs that love nothing more than to be with their humans, Cavalier King Charles spaniels won’t be thrilled to find themselves alone. Cavaliers are affectionate dogs that crave to be a part of every daily routine in their family. They want to go on morning jogs and hiking trips, they want to be part of every family game and adventure there is, and they want to glue themselves to their humans as best as they can.
Care
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Grooming
Although undemanding to manage, the Cavalier King Charles spaniel’s luxurious coat merits a little more attention to be kept in its shiny and silky appearance. A brushing or combing every other day and a monthly bath are recommended. To keep their nails from over-growing, it is best to trim them after every bath. Their ears should be checked on a regular basis, preferably weekly, and their teeth should be brushed every couple of days, if not daily. A trip to the groomer for a professional dental cleaning is also recommended every few months.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Exercise Needs
Cavalier King Charles spaniels have moderate exercise needs. Although they are energetic and driven towards a life of adventures at times, they don’t require an intense daily exercise routine. One or two walks every day and some active play sessions indoors that can stimulate both their minds and bodies are recommended. Trips to the dog park as well as hikes and long walks should also be part of their weekly routines.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Health
The Cavalier King Charles spaniel is not prone to as many health concerns as most small dog breeds. Among the ailments that are common in Cavalier spaniels are cataracts, patellar luxation, allergies, weight gain, hip dysplasia, and a heart condition known as Mitral valve disease.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Life Span
Cavalier spaniels have an average lifespan of 9 to 14 years, although there have been reports of Cavaliers exceeding well past the 14 years mark. The oldest living Cavalier King Charles spaniel is currently 19 years old. To increase the Cavalier spaniel's life expectancy, it is recommended to keep to a strict diet of age-appropriate high-quality dog food and meet their daily exercise needs.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Training
Cavalier King Charles spaniel puppies are smart little Einstein dogs with a passion for learning. They adore their training sessions thanks in equal part to the undivided attention they receive and the delicious treats they get to indulge in. These intelligent puppies can be trained for agility, rally, and obedience dog sports.
Because they are a friendly dog breed, Cavalier spaniel puppies rarely need socialization training. Even though they get along well with other dogs and even cats, it is always best to introduce them to smaller animals as they may still possess an instinct to chase what they see as prey. It is also best to master recall training before letting the Cavalier off-leash for the first time.
As family-attached dogs, Cavalier King Charles spaniel puppies should begin independence training as soon as they come home. It is best to start this lesson when they are very young to avoid the possibility of them suffering from separation anxiety later on or developing any of the destructive behaviors that come with it.
History
The Cavalier King Charles spaniel, a beautiful dog breed that hails from 17th century England, is one of the world’s canine aristocrats. Spaniels of the toy variety have always been popular among the rich and powerful, especially during the Renaissance period. Sculptors, writers, and artists, had taken a great liking to the toy spaniels, depicting them in various artworks since the beginning of the 14th century.
King Charles I of the Royal House of England, was one of the biggest fans of the toy spaniels. Both he and his son were said to have never been seen without their beloved toy spaniels.
After the fall of King Charles I, his majesty’s son and heir King Charles II took to furthering the breed to the variety we’ve come to know and love today.
When the House of Stuart fell, the Cavalier King Charles spaniel breed almost fell into extinction with it, as new rulers refused to keep around a breed associated with a rival house. Thankfully, not everybody fell in line with this new ruling. A few noble houses stayed true to their king and kept the toy spaniels as an honoring of his majesty’s memory, thus saving them from extinction. It is believed that Queen Victoria also had a hand in perpetuating the breed.
As modern times came into play, the Cavalier King Charles spaniels took to sailors and their ships and spread across the world. The breed arrived in the United States at the beginning of the 19th century and was given official recognition by the American Kennel Club in 1995. The Cavalier King Charles spaniel is classified as the biggest member of the club’s Toy Group. The breed was named after King Charles I, monarch of England.