Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

AKC & CKC Toy Group

Is This the Right Breed for You?

✔ Excellent Match For

✔ People seeking an affectionate, gentle companion dog
✔ First-time dog owners wanting an easygoing, trainable breed
✔ Families with children (they're famously patient and sweet)
✔ Apartment dwellers needing a quiet, adaptable pet

• Excellent family dogs: Gentle, patient, and great with children of all ages.

• Low exercise needs: Content with short walks and indoor playtime.

• Highly social: Love people and generally get along well with other pets.

✖ Consider Carefully If

✖ You want a low-maintenance dog (require regular grooming)
✖ You're away from home frequently (prone to separation anxiety)
✖ You have a limited budget for veterinary care (prone to health issues)
✖ You prefer an independent dog (they're velcro dogs who want constant company)

• Serious health concerns: High rates of heart disease (MVD), syringomyelia, and eye issues.

• Separation anxiety: Can become distressed when left alone for long periods.

• Regular grooming needed: Long coat requires weekly brushing and regular ear cleaning.

Owner Suitability

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are among the most affectionate and people-oriented breeds you can own. They thrive on human companionship and want to be involved in every aspect of family life. Their gentle nature makes them excellent with children, seniors, and other pets. However, their health issues are significant—specifically mitral valve disease, which affects a majority of the breed. Prospective owners must be prepared for potentially expensive veterinary care and regular cardiac screenings. They're not dogs to be left alone all day; they need to be with their people. When properly cared for, they're utterly charming companions who will shower you with unconditional love.

Stats:

Height: 12-13 inches
Weight: 13-18 pounds
Coat: Silky, medium-length with feathering
Colors: Blenheim (chestnut/white), tricolor, black/tan, ruby
Lifespan: 12-15 years

Origin & History

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel's regal heritage dates back to Renaissance Europe, where small toy spaniels graced the laps of nobility and appear in countless royal portraits. The breed reached its zenith of popularity during the reign of King Charles II in 17th century England, whose devotion to his spaniels was so complete that royal decrees allegedly granted the dogs entry to all public buildings, including Parliament.

These elegant companions served as living hot water bottles in drafty castles, comforting companions during carriage rides, and constant attendants to their aristocratic owners. Their gentle nature and expressive eyes made them favorites of royal courts across Europe, with Mary Queen of Scots said to have taken her faithful spaniel to her execution.

Contemporary Cavaliers continue their legacy as perfect companions, now excelling as therapy dogs bringing comfort in hospitals, adaptable family pets equally content in apartments or country homes, and elegant show dogs that still turn heads with their aristocratic bearing and famously wagging tails.

Traits:	2	3	4	5
Energy: Moderate; enjoys short walks and play sessions.		✓
Ease Of Training: Eager to please but can be sensitive.			✓
Grooming: Weekly brushing needed to prevent mats in feathering.		✓
Family Dog: Excellent with children and other pets.				✓
Watchdog: Will alert bark but too friendly to guard.	✓
Beginner Friendly: Excellent choice for first-time owners.				✓
Prey Drive: Mild; may chase but easily recalled.	✓
Barking: Occasional but not excessive.	✓
Good with other dogs: Excellent; known for their friendly, affectionate, and sociable nature.				✓

Health Considerations

Mitral Valve Disease (MVD): Heart condition affecting 50% by age 5 and nearly all by age 10
Syringomyelia (SM): Serious neurological condition causing head/neck pain
Hip Dysplasia: Occurs despite small size
Eye Conditions: Including dry eye, cataracts, and retinal issues
Ear Infections: Due to long, floppy ears
Patellar Luxation: Slipping kneecaps
Episodic Falling Syndrome: Muscle stiffness disorder

Please check the Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) and parent breed clubs for health information.

Glossary of general canine health conditions.