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Cavalier King Charles Spaniel temperament & health

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel insurance

Is the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel the right dog for you?

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Our guide to living with a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a small, lovable dog that is kindness personified. They adore all people, young and old, and love to be with their family. Here’s everything you need to know about the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel napping in bed

Quick facts about the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

  • Country of origin: Great Britain
  • Lifespan: 12-14 years
  • Height: 31-33 cm
  • Weight: 5.4-8 kg
  • Colour: The Cavalier can come in several colour combinations: Black with brown markings (tan markings), solid red, white with brown-red markings or tricolor (black, white and brown)

What does the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel like?

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is primarily a companion dog, but one that loves all kinds of activity. The breed is usually easy to train, eager to learn and responsive. Many who have a Cavalier train and enjoy obedience dressage, agility, nosework, freestyle, game tracking and so on. They’re also sometimes used as service dogs.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels thrive outdoors and love long walks in the woods or the city.

Are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels family friendly?

Absolutely. Provided they’re properly socialised, Cavaliers love being with their family. They’re great with children and people of all ages alike. Because they love being around people, they’re best suited to households where there’s usually somebody around.

As with all dogs, it’s best not to leave them unsupervised with very young children, purely as a precaution. They can find rough play overwhelming, so it’s important that your Cavalier has a place they can go to relax and have a bit of time out.

Where does the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel come from?

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel's ancestors can be traced back to the 17th century, where they often served as court companions. The breed was actually named after King Charles II, so it has been closely associated with the royal family. Initially, the dogs primarily resembled a smaller version of the spaniels used for hunting, but in the 18th century, they began to be mixed with East Asian dog breeds, which meant that they became shorter-nosed compared to the original spaniel expression.

What is the temperament of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel?

Affectionate

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is loving with a soft heart. They’re playful and enjoy being active. But most of all they love their family and being together. It’s important that the family loves to cuddle. This breed needs a lot of love and closeness - and it gives at least as much back.

Friendly

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are known for being incredibly friendly and welcoming – even towards strangers and people. They love attention and social contact.

Social

Although Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are incredibly social, they can have clear preferences when it comes to other dog breeds. They do not become aggressive, but can be dismissive.

Dependent

As with most dogs, you need to train Cavaliers to be alone to prevent separation anxiety. Often they don't like to be left alone for too long. They find it boring and long for their family. It can sometimes be stressful for them too.

Versatile

Their versatility and adaptability have made Cockapoos a very popular choice. They suit most people and environments, provided they’ve had a secure upbringing with a focus on socialisation and exposure to different environments.

Are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels good for first time dog owners?

The breed is a typical choice for first-time dog owners or families with children. Both can be a great match. However, it is important that the Cavalier is treated respectfully in a family with children so that the dog's boundaries are not exceeded.

Appearance and size of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are relatively small dogs, standing between 31-33 cm tall and weighing around 5.4-8 kg. They are particularly known for their large, round eyes and very gentle expression. They have a lot of fur, but are not as furry as some of the other companion breeds such as the Coton de Tulear (cotton dog) or the Shih Tzu.

Thinking of getting a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy?

What to expect week-by-week from your first year

We've laid out what to expect from your first year with your new puppy with a series of videos and helpful guides, so you can stay on top of your training, keep your pup healthy, and help them settle in to their new life.

Puppy milestonesPuppy guides & advice

Grooming a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Depending on your lifestyle, Cavaliers should be bathed once every one or two months in a shampoo intended for their coat type. Always finish with conditioner, trying to keep their coat tangle-free and easy to manage. You can also blow dry their fur while brushing for a beautiful shiny coat.

The Cavalier has drooping ears. You'll need to smell, look and clean them to prevent bacteria from forming.

Their eyes are easily wiped with a moistened cotton ball if necessary. Like most small dogs, Cavaliers easily get tartar on their teeth. Teach them how to have their teeth brushed from day 1 and make it part of your daily routine. This can help keep their mouths healthy, and avoid tooth loss and suffering, as well as expensive vet bills.

Expect to spend at least one hour per week grooming your Cavalier. Make it a cuddle time - most cavaliers love to be pampered.

Young cute Cavalier King Charles spaniel standing on green grass at summer

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You can trust us with your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Agria is a Which? Best Buy for our Lifetime, Lifetime Plus and Lifetime Premium dog insurance products. **

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** Agria is a Which? Best Buy for our Lifetime, Lifetime Plus and Lifetime Premium dog insurance products*. Which? policy score ratings are based on an analysis of policy cover levels conducted in November 2024. Best Buy providers have a high policy score and a good track record for paying claims. Read the Which? article.

Training a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

  1. 1

    Be friendly and clear

    Cavaliers are gentle and sensitive dogs, so it is extra important that you train them to speak in a friendly and clear voice. 

  2. 2

    Be consistent

    They are generally a cooperative breed that will do their best to accommodate your wishes – they can just be a little tempted if something exciting pops up.

  3. 3

    Use physical and mental stimulation

    Although a companion dog, they enjoy being active, and although not at the level of a hunting dog, theybstill appreciates being activated both physically and mentally.

  4. 4

    Use variety

    Cavaliers are good at obedience disciplines and agility, but also like to use their nose.

Common Health Problems for Cavalier King Charles Spaniels

There’s a good chance your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel will live a long and healthy life. Health issues are a part of every breed though, and here are some common ones for this breed. 

  • Tick icon

    Mitral valve disease

    A common problem is mitral valve disease, which is caused by damage to a heart valve. As a result blood can be pushed back into another chamber instead of leaving the heart. It’s essential that you see a vet if you suspect this might be an issue, as it can lead to heart failure. 

  • Tick icon

    Episodic falling

    Episodic falling is a genetic neurological problem. The likely cause is stress or exercise, which can cause muscle stiffness in the thoracic and pelvic limbs. The disorder is frequently mistaken as epilepsy as it’s not very well studied. Getting the correct diagnosis from your vet is crucial, as treatments are available to help with this specific condition.

  • Tick icon

    Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS)

    This is a condition that affects brachycephalic (short-nosed) breeds. Due to having a short nose (classified as ‘flat faced’), respiratory issues are quite common. This can lead to breathing difficulty, snoring and excessive panting - especially if the dog is hot or stressed. This can be managed by keeping your dog’s weight down, avoiding heat and stress - but regular check-ups at the vet may be necessary.

  • Tick icon

    Heart problems (MMVS, also called endocardiosis)

  • Tick icon

    Neurological diseases (syringomyelia)

  • Tick icon

    Dental problems

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy on the bed

Health Tips for your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel exercise

A Cavalier King Charles Spaniel requires at least an hour of daily exercise, which can include walking or playing. It’s a great idea to keep your dog social from a young age. This helps them to remain happy and mix well with others. As they have a short nose, beware of breathing difficulties in warmer weather. You’ll easily detect when they become overheated as they begin to pant heavily through the mouth and nose. 

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel feeding

The diet for your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel should consist of natural foods to give them all the vital nutrients they need to maintain their good looks. Two meals is recommended so they have a well-balanced amount of energy throughout the day. Also, don’t forget to provide them with plenty of cool water when the weather is warm, as they’re at high risk of overheating. 

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel grooming and check-ups

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have great-looking ears, but they need to be cleaned at least once a week to keep them free from infections. You’ll also have to frequently brush their teeth, as they’re prone to bad breath and gum disease. To help ensure the health of your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, take them to the vet for de-fleaing and deworming.  

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are beautiful, loveable dogs but not without health issues. We quite often see heart conditions, which once diagnosed will need to be treated for life. Only a lifetime insurance policy will help with the costs for as long as necessary.

Robin Hargreaves

Agria Vet Panel Lead, Veterinary Surgeon for 30 years and former British Veterinary Association President.

Robin Hargreaves, veterinarian - Agria Pet Insurance

What we love most about a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Their temperament

A Cavalier is a well-balanced mix of being friendly, approachable, and trainable, while also having a whole lot of personality under their coat. An obvious dog breed for a moderately active family.

They love people

They love to spend time with you, cuddle, play and just be together. Here you really get a friend for life, and it's not just you who will be well received. Your circle of friends will also fall in love with your four-legged friend.

Moderate grooming only

If you're in love with one of the dog breeds that has a lot of fur but can't quite find the time to brush it daily, the Cavalier is a great middle ground. It has a nice long coat, but not so much that it requires daily work.

Things to consider before getting a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

  1. 1

    They can have health problems

    Unfortunately, the breed is prone to heart problems, syringomyelia and other health problems. This means that you need to be extra vigilant when buying a pup. You need to make sure that your Cavalier puppy comes from a litter where the parents have been tested for heart problems and syringomyelia. 

  2. 2

    They need early socialisation

    Since the Cavalier is often less clear in his body language, a lot of focus is needed on socialisation from puppyhood and the first year. It requires a little extra work and commitment on your part, but in return, everything you do will be returned tenfold for the rest of the dog's life.

  3. 3

    They love company

    Since Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are very social by nature, they don't particularly like being alone. They can learn to accept it, but they will never love it. This is therefore a breed where you need to focus extra on house training alone and limit the time your dog is alone.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel insurance with Agria

With Agria, it's lifetime, every time

At Agria, we believe pet insurance should last your pet’s lifetime. Our policies provide lifelong vet’s fees cover for illnesses and injuries. This means that, provided your policy is renewed each year, your maximum benefit will be refreshed, providing cover for ongoing conditions.

So, whatever happens throughout your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel's life, we’ll always be there for you and your dog!

Up to £20,000 towards vet bills every year

So your dog can get the care they need.

We pay 98% of claims*

And we can pay your vet directly, so you can focus on your dog.

No increase in your premiums when you claim

So you don’t have to worry about the cost of insurance when you go to the vet.

Free vet video calls, 24/7

Which means help is always on hand if you’re worried.

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Dotty about dogs? Get a 5% multi-pet discount when you insure more than one pet with us.

*Based on all Agria Pet Insurance claims received between November 2023 and May 2024.

 

Want to know about our insurance policies? From multi-pet coverage to pre-existing conditions, we have lifetime insurance options for cats, rabbits, horses, and dogs, including older dogs.

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