What to Think About Before Getting a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Toy breeds often get a bad rep but they actually do come in multiple different types and even sizes. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, for example, are one of the largest toy breeds and are very similar to their larger Spaniel hunting breed counterparts.
So, while you will get a toy breed with a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel you’ll also get a joyful smart, kind, and social pet that’s as much a dog as any other Spaniel, Labrador Retriever, Pointer, or any of the other classic hunting gun dog breeds out there.
Does this mean that Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are the right pet for you, however? To determine that, let’s go over the most common 24 questions to consider before getting a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
1. Are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels good pets?
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are, hands down, one of the best family pet breeds you can get. They are a toy breed, yes, but they are large at heart and very affectionate and playful.
2. How smart are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels?
Quite smart. They may not be quite on the level of Australian Shepherds but Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are still exceptionally clever dogs. This makes life with them incredibly interesting as you can play all kinds of games and interact on various levels.
3. Are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels social and affectionate?
This is the breed’s signature trait. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels love everyone and everyone. These dogs will literally follow you anywhere you go – they just need to be with their people at all times. Cuddling, playtime, or merely walking about - Cavalier King Charles Spaniels want to do all that with a company.
4. Can Cavalier King Charles Spaniels stay home alone?
One of the best qualities of this breed is also one of their greatest drawbacks – their affectionate nature. Because of it, Separation anxiety is a major issue with these dogs. Leaving a Cavalier dog home alone for too long can easily lead to anxiety, stress, depression, disobedience, and chewed-up furniture.
To avoid all that, make sure that your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel always has company, be it you, a family member, a dog walker/sitter, a playdate with a fellow dog owner, or anything like that. If you have to leave your Cavalier alone for a while, at least make sure to exhaust your dog with playtime and attention ahead of time.
5. Do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels like to be held?
Very much so, especially after a long play session. If your Cavalier is particularly anxious to go out and/or play, he may refuse a cuddle for a bit. Once he’s had his fill of running around, however, he will gladly snuggle up in your arms.
6. Are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels easy to train?
In most aspects – yes. This breed’s instinct to please makes obedience training fairly easy. On the other hand, potty training may be a bit of an issue as is often the case with toy dog breeds.
7. Is the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breed good with kids?
Not just good – it’s excellent with kids. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are both loving and gentle enough to be the perfect companion for any kid. And, they are small enough to not hurt a child accidentally.
8. Are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels ok with other dogs?
Very much so. This breed has very little inherent aggression toward other dogs and is very sociable instead. Of course, adequate socialization is still a must. Without it, your Cavalier will either become fearful of other dogs or – more likely – will get aggressive toward them. Still, this dog is so good-natured that even a bit of socialization should be enough.
9. Do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels get along with cats?
They do. Even though they are descendent from a hunting breed, Spaniels are mostly bird hunters so cats don’t trigger their prey drive as much. Of course, you still want to socialize and introduce the two animals well. But, as long as that’s the case – and if the cat is well-mannered as well – everything should be fine.
10. Do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels bark at strangers?
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels may occasionally bark at strangers but that tends o be out of excitement than anything else. Simply put, these pups really aren’t good guard dogs. If your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is barking too much, chances are that the dog is just bored and needs some attention.
11. How big is a standard Cavalier King Charles Spaniel?
The average dimensions of this breed are 12 to 13 inches in height at the shoulder (30 to 33 cm) and 13 to 18 pounds of weight (6 to 8 kg). This puts them at the high end of the toy breed range – almost big enough to be a small dog breed.
12. How much exercise does a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel need?
For their size? Surprisingly a lot. Compared to larger hunting breeds, however? Obviously not as much. All in all, a Cavalier needs a couple of thorough walks of about 30-40 minutes a day. When the pup is young and is still potty training you’d do well to offer more frequen and shorter walks.
Additionally, remember to always leash your Cavalier as these dogs love chasing pigeons and other birds. This may sound fun to some but it can easily lead to accidents and lost dogs.
Aside from these quick walks, a Cavalier will also need plenty of playtime at home and in a yard. Deprive your Cavalier of that and you’ll get a restless, sad, unhealthy, and disobedient dog.
13. Do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels need a yard?
Not necessarily but it would be a huge benefit. These dogs love to run around, play, and chase things. With a spacious enough apartment, this can be done indoors too, of course. However, a yard would be great – just make sure it’s well-fenced.
- Are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels escape artists?
This breed’s small size makes jumping over fences difficult, plus Cavaliers aren’t the most active diggers. However, they do have a near-insatiable desire to run out and roam free, looking for birds. **This huge wanderlust potential means that your Cavallier will look for any opportunity to run out and play **so you should be careful, especially when letting your dog play in the yard.
15. How long do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels live?
The average for this breed is somewhere between 9 and 15 years. However, a healthy Cavalier can easily surpass even 15 years with the right care.
16. Are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels a healthy breed?
Overall, this breed is quite healthy. However, if you get your dog from a puppy mill and without a health certificate you should be on the lookout for any of the following issues:
17. What type of coat do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have?
Cavaliers have silky, wavy, and medium-length coats. Despite popular belief, Cavaliers are a double-coated breed – just like other Spaniel breeds.
18. What colors do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels come in?
Purebred Cavaliers come in four possible color combinations:
- A reddish-brown ruby
- A chestnut/white combination called Blenheim
- Black, white, and tan tri-color
- Black and tan bi-color
19. Do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels shed a lot?
These dogs are medium shedders with a slight seasonal uptick, usually during spring and fall. Regular brushing and combing a few times a week should take care of most of the excess dog hair pretty easily.
20. Is it difficult to groom a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel?
Not really. Some brushing is required but that’s about it. As a mostly indoor breed, your Cavalier shouldn’t be getting too dirty anyway. Add an occasional bath, some dental care, eye and ear cleaning, and that’s about it.
21. Are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels hypoallergenic?
Not at all. Do not confuse these dos with the mostly hypoallergenic Poodles.
22. Do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels like to swim?
Yes, very much so. Of course, as a small dog, you’d want to keep an eye on your Cavalier as it swims but they are generally enthusiastic and expert swimmers.
23. How much do King Charles Cavaliers cost?
The average price for a purebred Cavalier King Charles Spaniel pup is usually around $1.500. It can get as low as $1,000 at reputable breeders or as high as $2.500. Anything under $1.000, however, is likely a puppy mill and won’t be able to guarantee the health of its stock.
You can also find Cavaliers in shelters and rescues too – sometimes for as little as $100 to $400, sometimes for free.
24. Is it better to get a male or female King Charles Cavalier?
Female Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are generally calmer than males. This makes them a better choice for families with small children (or with cats for that matter). Males, on the other hand, are much more energetic or playful – this is also great as long as you understand what you’re getting yourself into.
With all that in mind, you should get a pretty good idea of whether the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is the right breed for you. Small but with a big heart, energetic but cuddly, smart but easy to train, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is suitable for many people and families. The main question here isn’t so much whether you can look after this breed but whether you want a toy breed over a larger dog?
