A Cavalier King Charles Spaniel running through the woods

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Insurance, Care and Health Advice

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel shares a common origin with the King Charles Spaniel. King Charles Spaniels date back to the 1500s and were favourite dogs of royalty. The Cavalier King Charles breed began much later, in the early 1900s, when breeders tried to recreate the original configuration of the King Charles breed which had changed due to breeding with flat-faced breeds. The Cavalier has grown in popularity in recent years, while that of the King Charles has declined.

The Cavalier was bred to be a companion dog. If you’re thinking of buying a Cavalier, this guide will help you decide if this breed is the perfect fit for you.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Facts

Dog breed type icon
Type
Toy
Dog breed lifespan icon
Lifespan
9 - 15 years
Dog breed size icon
Size
Small
Dog breed weight icon
Weight
5.9 - 8 kg
Dog breed height icon
Height
30 - 33 cm
Dog breed temperament icon
Temperament
Affectionate, playful, patient
Dog breed exercise icon
Exercise
40 - 60 mins per day
Dog breed grooming icon
Grooming
Low maintenance

Is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Right for Me?

The Cavalier is a small spaniel breed that can happily adapt to city or country living as long as they get lots of exercise. They love going for long walks followed by a cuddle on your lap. If you can offer them an active and affectionate lifestyle, this could be the ideal breed for you. But they can get a bit hyper if they don’t get plenty of exercise every day.

They’re affectionate and playful and make a great family dogs. They’re a great choice for first-time owners, single households, families with children and they’re also suitable for elderly owners as well. Because they’re small and friendly, they’re a popular breed.

A cute Cavalier King Charles Spaniel running in a field

What are Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Puppies Like?

Always buy your new Cavalier puppy from a reputable breeder and ask if the parents have had the recommended health tests. They’re little bundles of energy when they’re young so be prepared for lots of fun and games. Socialise your puppy by early by introducing them to other dogs, people and new experiences so they grow into confident adults that can cope with any new situation.

A cute smiling Cavalier King Charles Spaniel looking at the camera

Life with a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Cavaliers are sociable, playful and easy-going. They were bred to be companion dogs so enjoy the company of their family. This means they can be prone to developing separation anxiety if left alone for long periods so bear this in mind if you’re not at home much. They’re pretty low maintenance and always want to please their owner.

Caring for Your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppies need to be fed 3 or 4 times a day. When you take your new puppy home, it’s best to feed the same dog food as the breeder to prevent an upset tummy. You can change the food but do this gradually over a week or so by adding small amounts of the new food to the old food and reducing the amount of old food.

Adult dogs can be fed once or twice a day, but this breed can be fussy about their food, so you may have more success feeding them two or three times a day. Don’t give in and give them treats instead of their dog food. This can lead to weight gain and health problems later on down the line.

If your dog is a picky eater, make sure you keep to strict feeding times. Put the bowl down at the same time every day and only leave it down for a short time, perhaps 10 minutes. If your dog doesn’t eat the food in that time, don’t be tempted to leave it down for longer, or give them something else instead. They’ll quickly learn that they’re not going to get anything else to eat.

Make sure you follow the guidelines on the dog food packing and weigh out the correct amount. You may need to increase the amount for a short period if your dog has lost some weight through fussy eating. If you’re worried about your Cavalier’s weight, contact your vet. They’ll be able to give your dog a quick check over and advise you on the ideal diet for your dog. 

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have a double coat, a topcoat of long hair that is soft and a shorter thick undercoat. Their coats will need brushing every week to remove any hair that’s shedding and keep their coats smooth, silky and tangle-free.

They may need to have a bath every month to get rid of that ‘doggy’ smell and to keep their coat clean. Only wash them more often if your dog gets very dirty or rolls in something particularly smelly! Tear stains on their fur are common in this breed, so wipe their eyes regularly with a clean damp cloth to reduce any staining. And don’t forget to brush their teeth at least three times a week.

The most common Cavalier colour is the Blenheim (chestnut markings on a white background). Other colours are the Black and Tan, the Ruby (entirely Chestnut red) and the tricolour (a mix of white, black and tan).

The Cavalier King Charles is an easy breed to train. They’re patient, obedient and keen to please their owner. Training classes are available to offer training tips and support if you’re not sure what to do.

The breeder will probably have started puppy toilet training using indoor pads. When you take your puppy home, start house training straightaway. It will be harder to break the habit if they get used to toileting in the house when they’re young.

Give your puppy lots of chances to go to the toilet outside, letting them out before they show signs of needing to go. They’ll soon get the hang of the routine.

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has the same sporting nature as other Spaniel breeds. They’ll need around an hour of exercise each day. Walks are ideal but you can also add in some playtime with a ball or favourite toy. They can also get a more energetic workout if you let them off the lead, but make sure the area is safe and secure, and that you’ve got good recall so they return to you when called.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Insurance

If you’re thinking about taking ownership and becoming a proud pet parent of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, you should be thinking insurance too. That’s where we can help! Everypaw’s Lifetime Pet Insurance can help when it comes to illness or injury, but can also be there for you when you least expect it to be.

All Everypaw Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Insurance policies come with a range of additional benefits to help when you need it most. Complementary Treatment, Physio, Holiday Cancellation, Finding Your Pet and more – at Everypaw, it all comes as standard.

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Common Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Health Problems by Vetstream

There are a few common health problems linked to this breed. So we’ve got together with veterinary experts Vetstream to give you an idea of what to keep an eye out for in your Cavalier King Charles.

In addition to the health conditions below, your Cavalier may also suffer from Episodic Falling (EF) and Curly Coat/Dry Syndrome (CC/DE).

Cavaliers can be affected by Syringomyelia, which is an inherited condition. The most common cause is Chiari-like Malformation, an inherited disorder characterized by a mismatch between brain and skull volume. It typically affects toy breeds including the Cavalier.

Dogs under the age of 6 years can be affected. Cyst-like lesions develop in the dog’s spinal cord. Signs of the condition include twisting of the neck, scratching of the neck and shoulder, yelping for no apparent reason, and lameness of the front limbs. Currently, there’s no standard treatment for this condition.

Anti-inflammatory medication may be given but surgery may be needed.

The Chiari Malformation / Syringomyelia Scheme was developed to identify dogs with the condition. Dogs with CM/SM shouldn’t be used for breeding.
 

Degeneration of the mitral valves in the heart can be seen in older dogs of all breeds but it seems to have an earlier onset in Cavaliers. The mitral valves ensure the blood always flows in the correct direction through the heart. Degeneration of the valves can cause leakage of blood between the heart chambers, causing the heart to beat faster and harder, eventually leading to heart failure.

The initial sign of mitral valve disease may be reluctance to exercise or coughing. Some dogs develop heart murmurs. MVD is the most common cause of heart murmurs in dogs.

Depending on how severe it is, drugs and surgery can treat the problem.  Many dogs can still have a good quality of life with the condition and can go on to lead a long and happy life.

A breed health scheme has been set up to diagnose mitral valve disease in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.

This breed can be affected by eye problems such as cataracts and multi-focal retinal dysplasia.

Cataracts are a disease of the lens of the eyes. The normally clear lens becomes cloudy or white. Cataracts can be treated by removing the lens from the eye.

The lens is surgically removed, often by a procedure called phacoemulsification. This is where ultrasound waves are used to break up the cataract.

Retina dysplasia is inherited in many breeds and can lead to blindness in severe forms. Eye screening is recommended to prevent it from being passed on. Before buying a puppy, ask the breeder if the puppies’ parents have been screened for this condition.

Dogs affected by a Luxating Patella will hop on one of their back legs, holding the other leg up. They do this because the kneecap or ‘patella’ is unstable and jumps out of the groove that it’s supposed to sit in. Sometimes the kneecap can pop back in place without any treatment, but it may need to be manipulated into the correct position. If the luxation is severe, surgery may be needed to resolve the condition so the kneecap stays in place permanently.

Quick Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Q&A

Yes, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have a double coat that sheds a lot. You’ll have to brush your dog every week to remove any loose hairs and keep their coat tangle and mat-free. Grooming is even more important in the spring and autumn when they shed even more.

No need to worry about your Cavalier getting along with cats. If the cat is dog-friendly and they’re introduced slowly, they’ll soon be the best of friends.

Cavapoos are considered to be hypoallergenic, meaning that dog allergy sufferers are less likely to react to Cavapoos. But you should spend time with a Cavapoo before committing to homing one.

Smaller breeds always tend to live a bit longer, and the Cavalier is no exception. The average age of how long Cavalier King Charles Spaniels live is around 10 years, but they have been known to live to 15 years if health is on their side.

That’s All You Need to Know About Cavalier King Charles Spaniels

This lovable breed is the perfect companion for any household. They’re well suited to country and city living if they get regular exercise. Cavaliers are generally obedient and easy to train, although some do have a stubborn streak. They can be fussy eaters and can easily become overweight, so keep an eye on their waistline. There are a few health conditions that are common in this breed, but most can be treated or managed with medication.

Content provided from Vetstream's Vetlexicon Canis

Vetlexicon is the world’s largest peer-reviewed online clinical reference source. All our content is written and peer-reviewed by over 1,000 of the world’s leading veterinarians, ensuring relevance, accuracy and quality.

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