The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a small dog breed known for its sweet and affectionate temperament. This breed was the prized lapdog of the English nobles centuries ago—not that it isn’t a popular lapdog today.
After World War II, there were only six Cavaliers left and the breed was almost extinct. All of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniels alive today are descendants of these six dogs. Find out more about the Cavalier in this post and see if this is the breed you’re looking for.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Dog
What is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel ?
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is named after (no surprise here) King Charles II, the English monarch who was very fond of the breed. This regal and charming breed was not only a lapdog. It was also used to attract fleas from its masters, protecting them from diseases transmitted by the parasite.
Where does the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel come from?
The Cavalier Kings Charles Spaniel comes from the United Kingdom. It is deeply associated with the toy spaniels that thrived in the area centuries ago. But the breed itself or the current version of this toy spaniel was primarily developed in the 20th century.
Toy spaniels was a favorite among the royals and nobles in England during the 16th and 17th centuries. The red and white type was often depicted in paintings during these periods. King Charles II favored the breed so much that he was rarely seen without his toy spaniels.
The popularity of these toy spaniels waned after the monarch’s death. They were eventually bred with Pugs to make their noses shorter as this was the trend at that time. The type of toy spaniels that King Charles loved was nearly extinct.
It was around 1920 when attempts to recreate the ‘original’ toy spaniel began. The appearance of the modern-day Cavalier began to shift and eventually had a longer nose, a flatter head, and a larger body. But this emerging line almost became extinct as well during World War II. Much of the line were destroyed and after the war, there were only six dogs from this line that survived. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniels today are related to these six dogs.
What does a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel look like?
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a bright and elegant little breed with wavy, mid-length hair. It typically weighs between 13 to 18 pounds and stands at the withers at 12 to 13 inches.
This breed has four color varieties; these are:
- Prince Charles – tricolor or a combination of black, tan, and white
- King Charles – black and tan
- Ruby – solid color in shades of chestnut or mahogany
- Blenheim – chestnut and white. This is the most common variety.
Breed standards indicate that this breed has:
- large, dark brown eyes with dark rims
- slightly tapered muzzle
- feathered ears, tail, feet, and chest
- wavy, medium-length, double coat
- black nose
What is the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel like?
Cavaliers are sweet-tempered, gentle, and friendly dogs. They are the ideal lapdogs as they like cuddling on the laps of their owners. But they do have an athletic side and they like to play or engage in more ‘sporty’ activities.
These dogs get on well with children and other dogs of different sizes. They are friendly towards cats as well. They may be slightly independent but their eager-to-please attitude makes them relatively easy to train.
Friendly and easily trained, the Cavalier is an ideal companion for families with young children and other pets. (The American Kennel Club)
When is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel full grown?
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels become full grown physically between 18 months to 2 years. There are many factors behind growth rate—some Cavaliers grow faster than others, some slower.
The average lifespan of this breed is 9 to 14 years. Cavaliers are prone to suffering some genetic heart issues that often lead to heart failure. They are also prone to having hip dysplasia, syringomyelia, episodic falling, among other health problems associated with this breed.
Are Cavalier King Charles Spaniel good apartment dogs?
Cavaliers are pretty adaptable to different home settings. They do well in apartments, condos, and fenced houses. They don’t need much exercise and indoor activities can keep them content. But they still need to go on short walks outdoors frequently. Keeping them on the leash is very important as they have the tendency to suddenly chase after anything that moves.
Is the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel hypoallergenic?
No. Cavalier are not considered hypoallergenic. They shed moderately and can shed even more than usual at certain times in a year due to weather changes (and other factors).
There is no breed that is completely non-allergenic. But there are dog breeds that are considered hypoallergenic because they do not shed as much. This means that they don’t produce much dander, which is a common allergen.
How much do Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppies cost?
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppies can have a starting price of around USD $1,000. But according to the Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Club, puppies of this breed usually cost around $1,800 to $3,500. Adoption fees meanwhile cost between $150 to $650.
How to groom Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
The Cavalier’s medium-length, wavy coat needs to be brushed a few times per week to remove knots and tangles. The coat is longer around the ears, legs, and tail. These areas should be checked and brushed often to keep it from matting.
This breed is a wash and wear dog but regular baths are also needed to keep its coat clean and shiny. But bathing this dog too frequently or more than necessary can also dry out the natural oil on its coat.
Other grooming needs aside from brushing and bathing include trimming of nails, cleaning of ears, and brushing of teeth. Nail care should be done once or twice a month, ear care at least once a week, and brushing of teeth at least thrice a week.
