Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

13-18 lbs
12-13"
England

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a toy spaniel that’s known for its friendly and affectionate nature. A small breed, they make the perfect choice of dog for a pet parent who wants the warm and fun-loving character so typical of a spaniel, but with reduced intensity when it comes to exercise.

While a King Charles still needs frequent walks and enjoys play, it won’t demand as much physical activity compared to other members of the spaniel family — such as the English Springer Spaniel or Cocker Spaniel.

If you’re just discovering the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, our breed profile will provide an excellent to this loveable dog — including its history, temperament and characteristics. Read on to learn:

  • The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has a rich royal heritage

  • Though sometimes confused, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and King Charles Spaniel (or English Toy Spaniel in the US) are separate breeds

  • Mitral Valve Disease is the leading cause of death for Cavaliers

  • The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel temperament is affectionate and playful


Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breed overview

Spaniels are among the best-known and most popular breeds, often typified by their roles as sporting dogs or gundogs. Many are deployed in service roles due to their superb scent detection abilities. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a little different.

It’s a spaniel, yes, but not a type typically used in the field; you won’t see this breed retrieving fallen game or checking passengers at an airport. Though it does retain some sporting instincts and will happily chase birds given the chance, this small spaniel is more likely to spend a lot of its time relaxing at home with its human family.

As such, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is categorized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) as a member of the toy group of dog breeds. It’s consistently been one of the most popular breeds in the US in recent years, according to the AKC’s registration statistics.

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel might sometimes be confused with another spaniel — the English Toy Spaniel. Indeed, the two are very closely related. In the UK, the Kennel Club officially calls these two breeds the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the King Charles Spaniel.

Despite the almost identical names, they are separate breeds with differences between an English Toy Spaniel or King Charles Spaniel vs a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. We’ll look at those in our appearances and characteristics section.

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purpose Purpose
Lapdog
history Date of Origin
1600s
ancestry Ancestry
Blenheim, Red and white King Charles, Toy Trawler Spaniels

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Health

Sketch of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Average Size
Male Cavalier King Charles Spaniel size stats
Height: 12-13 inches Weight: 13-18 lbs
Female Cavalier King Charles Spaniel size stats
Height: 12-13 inches Weight: 13-18 lbs

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Breed History


The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, as we know it today, originated from the toy spaniel that is believed to date back to the 16th century. Dogs bearing very similar physical features were featured in paintings by famous artists including Thomas Gainsborough and Anthony Van Dyck.

These toy spaniels were closely associated with royalty. Legend has it that Mary, Queen of Scots (a huge dog lover) owned a small spaniel, while the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel was a favorite of kings Charles I and Charles II, leading to the association of the name. 

It’s said that King Charles II was so enchanted by the Spaniels that he allowed them to appear in any public place — and that even included parliament.

For a time, these spaniels were bred with pugs, leading to the development of dogs with flatter faces. These were the dogs later distinguished as the English Toy Spaniel, or King Charles Spaniel.

Intervention by breeders in the 1920s led to a revival of the spaniels with longer muzzles and flatter skulls, and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel was recognized as a distinct breed in its own right in 1945 (by the UK’s Kennel Club).

The first Cavalier King Charles Spaniels were imported from the UK to the US in the 1940s, and the breed was formally recognised by the American Kennel Club in 1995.


Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Breed Appearance

One of the endearing features of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is the sweet expression on his or her face, highlighted by the round, dark eyes that can appear slightly bulging. As is typical of a spaniel, the Cavalier has fairly long ears; the head is small and domed.

This is a toy breed, so it’s a small dog — a full grown Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is only around 12 or 13 inches high. Breed standards dictate that there should be some feathering on the dog’s legs, feet, tail and chest, and the classic Cavalier coat is medium to long in length, wavy and silky. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a pretty, graceful dog.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel colors vary. Coat colors can include:

Ruby — all chestnut red.

Blenheim — chestnut markings on a white ground.

Prince Charles or tricolor — black markings on white with a white blaze between the eyes and tan markings over the eyes, on the cheeks, inside the ears, and on the underside of the tail. 

King Charles — black with tan markings over the eyes, on the cheeks, inside the ears, and on the chest, legs, and underside of tail.

Some Cavaliers have a chestnut red spot right in the middle of the forehead, which is known as the Blenheim Spot, or the Duchess Thumb Print.


Similar breeds to the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 


A Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a wonderful little dog with lots of great qualities. Other similar breeds include:




Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Breed Maintenance


Good news — Cavaliers are reasonably low-maintenance dogs when it comes to grooming, though they will need a good brush a couple of times a week to prevent mats and tanglers, and to keep that glossy coat looking at its best. They’re average shedders.

As with all breeds, checking ears regularly to look for any signs of dirt or debris, which can turn into an ear infection. Those long, furry ears can trap moisture, potentially putting them at risk of a bacterial infection or at least becoming smelly.

On that subject, like many other dogs, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel might smell a bit from time to time. Why? Well, in addition to ears getting a bit stinky, bad breath can often be a problem — and of course, this isn’t breed specific. Small dogs like Cavaliers are prone to tartar and plaque buildup, and failure to brush their teeth regularly could cause gum disease.

And, though a Cavalier is a small spaniel, it’s still a spaniel at heart - so don’t be surprised to see yours getting dirty when outside. Dogs don’t generally need a lot of bathing but when they get muddy, you’ll need to wash them off.

A visit to a professional dog groomer a few times a year is always recommended, to ensure your pup is trimmed, cleaned and left smelling fresh and fragrant (at least for a few days).


Cavalier King Charles Spaniel health

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel — like all breeds of dog — can encounter health issues. Though they can generally lead long and happy lives, it’s always worth being aware of the kind of medical problems that can occur. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel health issues may include:


Mitral Valve Disease

This is the most serious, and sadly, the most prominent of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel health issues. Mitral Valve Disease (MVD) is a form of heart disease; a degenerative condition that often starts with a heart murmur but can eventually lead to heart failure as the mitral valve leaks.

It’s a common condition with this breed, and can affect more than half of all Cavaliers before the age of five. It’s vital that your Cavalier is checked as early as possible — Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppies should be tested — as medication will be required if MVD is diagnosed.

Hip Dysplasia

Hip dysplasia affects many different breeds of dog, and although it’s more likely to be diagnosed in larger breeds such as the Golden Retriever or German Shepherd, it can still occur in smaller breeds. It’s listed as a health concern by the American Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club (ACKCSC). Hip dysplasia causes malformation of the ball and socket in either one, or both, of the hip joints, which limits movement and can be painful.


Syringomyelia

Syringomyelia (SM) is more common in a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel than many other breeds, though it also primarily affects the Brussels Griffon, too, and other toy breeds. SM affects the brain and spinal cord; symptoms include ‘phantom’ scratching near the head, whining, and sensitivity around the head, neck and shoulders. Syringomyelia is a serious condition that can lead to paralysis. Treatment can involve surgery.


Patellar Luxation

Patellar Luxation is common in toy breeds, as well as larger dogs, too. Here, the kneecap becomes dislocated or displaced — it can be an inherited condition diagnosed in Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppies, develop later in a dog’s life, or appear as a result of trauma. There are four different grades of patellar luxation, with 1 mild and 4 severe; surgery and medication is needed for most serious cases.


Episodic Falling Syndrome

This condition is considered one of the more common Cavalier King Charles Spaniel health issues — so much so, in fact, that it’s sometimes referred to as Cavalier Episodic Falling Syndrome or Collapsing Cavaliers Syndrome. Episodic Falling Syndrome (EFS) triggers seizures that can be confused with epilepsy, but in these instances, your dog is still conscious. Muscles go into spasm and limbs go rigid; EFS can be brought on after exercise or by stress. 

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What to feed a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 


With a huge range of dog food available — including dry, wet, fresh and raw — it can be difficult to know what to feed a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

More than flavors, what’s important to consider is that you’re feeding your dog a recipe that is both age and breed size appropriate. Don’t feed Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppies any adult food, or the other way around. Practice sensible portion control; a small breed won’t need as much food as a large breed, or it runs the risk of becoming overweight.

Read our recommendations for the best dog food for Cavalier King Charles Spaniels here.

Visit our online friends and partners, Dog Food Advisor, for more in-depth reviews of leading dog food brands.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Temperament


A gentle, curious, and playful breed, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is an affectionate dog that loves to explore and roam. Because the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel temperament is generally calm and placid, this breed makes a great family dog, well-suited to living with children — though the golden rule is never to leave really young children alone and unsupervised with any dog. 

Cavaliers can also get along happily with other dogs, providing they have been socialized enough. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppies should interact with other puppies as early as possible to help with this.

Cavaliers make excellent companion dogs and love cuddles, a trait that makes them good candidates for therapy work. Even though they seem to be best-suited to relaxing beside their pet parents, these can also be active, sporting dogs who like to chase things so some off-leash exercise in parks and other safe areas will be met enthusiastically.

They can live equally well in the city or the country, but the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel needs human companionship to be happy, and shouldn't be left alone for long periods of time. They love to be around people.

This breed is moderately intelligent, and responds well to gentle training. They're super friendly, so socialization training should be a walk in the park.


Top Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Breeders

Check out who made our list for the most reputable Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breeders of 2024.
Top Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breeder Coosa Creek Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
Coosa Creek Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
Lake Worth, Florida
Top Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breeder Mid Lake Cavaliers
Mid Lake Cavaliers
New York, New York
Top Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breeder King Charles Cavaliers Spaniels by Val
King Charles Cavaliers Spaniels by Val
Cape Coral, Florida
Top Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breeder Cavaliers Of Castlemar
Cavaliers Of Castlemar
Durant, Oklahoma
Top Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breeder Countrymanor Cavaliers
Countrymanor Cavaliers
North Sioux City, South Dakota
Top Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breeder Deb-Mar's Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
Deb-Mar's Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
Deer Park, New York
Top Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breeder Chadwick Cavaliers
Chadwick Cavaliers
Hawleyville, Connecticut
Top Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breeder Lizmere Cavaliers
Lizmere Cavaliers
Casar, North Carolina

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Owner Experiences

Merlin
2 Years
3 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Goibg for walk in local park
Walking
Playing
Merlin has brought great joy into my life. I lost my little papillion 2 years ago due to a rare kidney disease. I cried for months non stop until one day going into our local pet store to by some fish for our aquarium. Merlin was brought in by a gentlemen whom owned Merlins father. He was untrainable for show. I knew right away he was for me, I fell in love with him. His price tag was scary. He came AKC registered and his father was a show dog. I have always rescued animals never purchased. I prayed to bring Merlin into my life. 3 weeks went by and no one purchased him. Very unusual because this pet place can usally sell in a few days. I reccidved a check in the mail unexpected in the amount of 400 dollars, not alot of money but Alot to me. I went down to the pet store and pleated my case with the cash. Well they agreed and Merlin came home with me and filled me with new life. He is lovable, kind, gentle, funny, caring, smart, loyal and mine. I will always be grateful for my king Charles Cavalier. I recommend getting one of these beatiful Cavaliers for yourself. You will thank yourself for doing so.
7 years ago
3 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Walking
petting
sitting
Sniffing
The King Charles Cavalier's that I have walked have always been extremely affectionate and loving. They have always been very excited when I arrive and have loved getting pet. They have a very slow pace to their walks and seem to enjoy it rather than walking at a fast pace. They are always very friendly with other dogs and people when on walks, and love getting attention from other people as well when I am walking them.
6 years, 9 months ago
2 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Eating Snacks
Tug-of-war
Nap
Cavaliers are the best!!! I've never met a Cavalier that isn't a total sweetheart. They love everyone! Big sniffers when they're out for walks! Very obedient. They're always ready for cuddles and are so gentle!
6 years, 9 months ago
5 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
I have walked a few different Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and they have all been very friendly and good tempered.
6 years, 9 months ago
3 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Cuddling
Playing
Cavs are very friendly and love affection. I've noticed older Cavs don't want to walk for very long.
6 years, 9 months ago
3 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
petting
Playing with toys
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are very sweet and easy dogs - I love walking them! They might seem scared at first, but easily warm up to people and love attention / affection. They walk at a leisurely pace and but love to stop and sniff around. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels like to occasionally say hi to other dogs and do not tend to act aggressively. They love to play with their toys, especially squeaky toys. They are easy to train and often sit on command without treats.
6 years, 9 months ago
3 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Chasing birds
being pet
Run
Fetch
Very affectionate, playful, and excited. Eager to please, always wagging and happy, but sometimes TOO excited to be a good listener. They just want to be with you and have your attention! One of my favorite breeds to walk because they are so affectionate, friendly, and playful.
6 years, 9 months ago
4 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
grooming self
This particular spaniel was friendly, but a little hesitant to let me touch her at first. She was a little anxious and had a skin problem due to continuous licking. When outside though, she liked a nice casual walk.
6 years, 9 months ago
2 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
treats
Walking
pets
They love attention and are very mellow. I have seen puppies that are much more energetic but even though the one I walked was on the younger side, she was very mellow. Very sweet hardly ever aggressive. Overall great companion animal
6 years, 9 months ago
2 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Walk
Eating Snacks
Play
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are just so lovely. They are extremely sweet and gentle, and I've noticed they're great with kids. They are curious too and love peeking into store windows and sniffing everything! Their coat does require some upkeep and they do shed. They are also very easy to train!
6 years, 9 months ago
2 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Sniffing
meeting people
CVCS's are so so sweet. They're are so extremely excited to meet people, very sociable. I feel like they're little kids, so curious and excited by the littlest things. They can be a little opinionated on what they want to do, i.e. a little stubborn, but nothing unmanageable or super annoying.
6 years, 9 months ago
4 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Walk
They are super affectionate little dogs with plenty of energy! They greet you at the door with their tails wagging as if they've never met a stranger. They have plenty of energy for sniffing and long walks.
6 years, 9 months ago
10 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
They were very smart and friendly, it was a pair of them. They were attentive and sweet.
6 years, 9 months ago
Eight Months
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
When a saying is used over and over you sorta take it for granted. Use it so many times that it is almost not special. Well, with Charlie the puppy 1. It felt like love at first sight and 2. I didn't want the day (walk) to ever end. I was lucky that his owner requested an hour walk. We were able to walk, have a mini photo session, run, and the most special thing just to sit on a bench nest to a puppy who's eyes only cried love. I'll never forget the walk but also that connection and serenity I felt while Charlie sat next to me with googly eyes. I understood then that that is why this type of breed is an ideal companion to any, but for those who are a little bit lonely, like the elderly. I really hope that this puppy grows up and doesn't forget how sweet he is and that look of "I'm here, I love you". I'm sure it will mean the world to those who have and are yet to meet him!
6 years, 9 months ago
5 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Cuddling
Walk
They are the sweetest. I have walked a six month puppy and an older 5 year old and both were very affectionate. They have a lower energy so they are a very easy walk. The 5 year old showed interest in a larger dog and didn't seem to realize he was much smaller. The youngest wasn't used to a long walk to had to be picked up periodically, but got used to it quickly.
6 years, 9 months ago
9 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Play
Eating Snacks
Tug-of-war
Laying in the sun
Brushing
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are great family pets. My Cavalier, Faline, is super affectionate and loves to sit on my lap. She is very gentle towards children and somewhat timid around other dogs. She hardly ever barks and walks at a relatively slow pace when I take her outside. Her fur is relatively long, so we have to groom her quite frequently. Cavaliers genetically tend to be more susceptible to heart problems, so we make sure to let her get moderate amounts of exercise at least once a day and have regular check-ups with the vet. Although I would describe these dogs as high-maintenance in terms of health and grooming, they are so gentle, loving, and adorable that the expenses to the vet are worth it! They would definitely be my first recommendation for a family with smaller children
6 years, 9 months ago
10 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
treats
slow walking
Cavaliers tend to be very slow-moving and a bit stubborn. They are more choosy in who they like and dislike, in terms of both humans and other dogs. They're not afraid to growl or bark if they become disgruntled with something. They like to go their own pace and take their time in the process.
6 years, 9 months ago
8 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Walking
petting
Exploring
Throughout my experience walking this dog breed, I was only allowed a twenty minute window to study it. However, during the time I was able to bond with him. He was very friendly, greeted me at the door as if I was his owner, and very excitably waited for his leash to be put on. He was very patient for me and ready for the walk. Because of his short stature, our walk was pretty slow. Not moving very fast paced, he also did not attempt to chase or run after anything. A very good sign for someone looking for a docile and obedient dog. He kept stopping and looking for pets, which was absolutely adorable. This breed seems to enjoy the affection of another. Wanting to explore and roam around, we spent the first half of the walk sniffing everything. However, towards the end of the walk he was persistent on going back home. Trying to control where the walk went, he seemed to either want to get home to his owner or back inside out of the cold. Or perhaps he had met his physical activity level for the day. I concluded that this dog does not like to be alone. He is a home body and wants constant companionship from his other animal and family members. Seemingly great tempered, I would think this would be a perfect family dog. Very cuddly, he would love up on anyone of his family members. Also requiring minimal exercise per day, this dog might be ideal for someone living in an apartment complex or town home. He looked to thrive in the town home he currently lived in, which led me to believe he would do well in any type of surrounding environment. The breed seemed to also be very gentle and ‘soft spoken’. I never heard the dog bark or change it’s attitude away from the very kind and sweet demeanor it first showed me. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel seemed to be well behaved, maybe because of the natural demeanor or because of the simplicity level required to train it. He seemed to be very well leash trained and listen adequately when encouraging him to finish his walk instead of head home. I think this breed is intelligent but naive. He seems to trust everyone and doesn’t understand most of the commands normally used. Wonderfully sweet and passionate breed to have as a pet though.
6 years, 9 months ago
8 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
I walked this older Cavalier King Charles Spaniel who has hip problems but is super sweet and friendly with humans. She cannot go up and down the stairs, so we keep to flat terrain or slopes to avoid causing her pain. She doesn’t need a lot of exercise at this age so we keep to a pretty short walk for her to take care of her business. She loves human interactions so often she will walk in front of humans and then sit there waiting for petting and cooing words, then it can be hard to convince her to move on once she is in her human attention mode. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are very gentle with other breeds, humans and children, and are one of the best family companions you can find in the dog world. They might need some coaxing and a firm hand when they are stuck in human attention mode.
6 years, 9 months ago
2 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
sniff
Run
The Cavalier King Charles I walked was decently friendly, but not affectionate. He was a little sick the day I had him. Very much had a mind of his own and would sometimes stop in the middle of crosswalks and tugged a lot the closer we got to his home. Unresponsive to any commands.
6 years, 9 months ago
3 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Belly rubs
Sniffing
Cavalier King Charles are a wonderful breed to walk with! They are so very regal and elegant in name and stature. They draw the eye of everyone they pass. They are a gentle breed and just want to be loved and admired! My walk with my Cavalier nugget was wonderful, she was very sweet and wanted to say hi to everyone we passed! She was very investigative and smelled all the smells on the side walks and up the trees. It was a little chilly and drizzly on our walk together, so I made sure to put on her sweater and rain coat. It’s always a pleasure walking with Cavalier King Charles, and I always hope to walk with one of the regal nuggets again soon!
6 years, 9 months ago
4 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Walk
Play
Run
Cuddles
Coco and his brother Charlie were some of the calmest, yet caring dogs I've had the pleasure to walk. Their owner was busy for a week or so and had set up a reoccurring schedule for me to walk them in the early afternoon Monday through Friday. Upon entering the apartment, they both greeted me at the door with much enthusiasm. They were clearly very excited to go on our 30 minute stroll. The owner, as mentioned before, was not home unfortunately but we communicated via texting and calling. She requested that I ensured they both went to the restroom and that they were well taken care of. We left the complex and proceeded to the nearby park. The park was located next to a large golf course so we had plenty of room to roam and play. They particularly enjoyed each others company but would occasionally come over to receive a gentle petting or a scratch on the head. All in all a great experience and hope to see the dynamic duo again in the future
6 years, 9 months ago
2 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Run
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are very sweet and have gorgeous coats. They have strong personalities and can be a little head strong, so sometimes they will want to go on walks and sometimes they won't. For example, there is a beautiful young Cavalier King Charles Spaniel who I have walked multiple times. He is very high energy and loves to run: two times we walked two miles in a half an hour! But then another time we only walked for ten minutes before he started whining and pulling back towards home. They are super sweet though. They generally love rolling over for belly rubs! They will also curl up next to you once they are ready to slow down. Keep an eye on their hips, as those can sometimes be a weak spot.
6 years, 9 months ago
7 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
I have walked one Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and he is the absolute sweetest! I don’t think his tail ever stopped wagging the entire time I was with him! He was probably one of the sweetest dog Is have ever met and he was just such a happy and easy going pup! He did like to try and find things to eat off the ground and so had to watch him pretty closely. He listened very well throughout the walk and seemed to always look at me for approval of what he was doing. He stayed close the entire walk, but still seemed happy and enjoyed his walk the entire time. When we were not walking, all he wanted to do was cuddle and absolutely loves all the attention! For someone looking for an amazingly sweet dog, this breed will not disappoint!
6 years, 9 months ago
3 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
cuddle
jump
Run
I have worked with two King Charles Cavaliers, and here I will detail my collective experience with both of them. The accompanying statistics were averaged to depict the breed in general based on these two encounters between a happy, innocent King Charles and a friendly but opinionated King Charles. These Cavaliers represent a popular breed today for many key reasons one would imagine when anticipating owning a dog: they respond well to direction; they are trusting and loyal in the sense that they continually touch base with their walkers while sniffing and inspecting quite independently, like a normal dog; they are high energy and docile; they do not mind being pet and their interactions lean toward the amicable and social; they love to run and vigorously engage with their environment, but given their size they pose no real issues when it comes to reigning them in. As with all breeds, an amalgam of characteristics form the foundation of the sweet, lovely “King Charles” disposition, however variations in taste are to be expected. The second of the two I have worked with was an ideal walking partner, except he loathed the application of his harness. I had to wear thick leather gloves to attach his harness without getting bitten. Dogs can read us humans quite well, and though he continued to nip and growl, his overall body language indicated that he knew both that I was unafraid and that I was doing what was necessary to ensure a great walk for him. This is not necessarily a mark against the breed, but rather an overall observation of dogs in general, some of which need to have a sense of familiarly before trusting a new face, while others exhibit the same understanding only immediately. The first King Charles I worked with fit the latter description. It seemed that she did not need to know me specifically in order to appreciate our time together in general. She was happy and doing spins up and down the stairs. She made no attempt to scrounge for garbage and kept her distance from other dogs. This type of disinterestedness is not antisocial, but something I feel to be characteristic of the breed overall: they are openly loving dogs, well-suited for city life, whose gentle nature allows for an easy, initial sense of companionship. Even the more aggressive King Charles trusted me immediately and had no problem being pet or shown affection once we were out and about walking.
6 years, 9 months ago
6 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
pullingh
This spaniel I walked was sooo beautiful with a gorgeous soft, silky coat. It had a ton of energy, which I'm always surprised to discover when the breeds are on the smaller side. It did like to pull a TON so it was difficult to walk. It had a crazy amount of strength for its size and sadly this meant it was choking against its collar everytime it pulled. It was really bad to the point where he would cough out phlegm and had to rest for a second before continuing to do the same. I was trying to get him to stop pulling so much, but he was extremely badly trained and very stubborn, much to his own detriment. I mentioned in the notes to the owner that he would do well to get a gentle leader or even a harness because of how bad this dog was pulling, but I guess he took it the wrong way because he gave me four stars on my review. Sucks for that little guy having a stubborn oaf of an owner! This spaniel loved to chase everything and anything, hence his pulling everywhere on the walk. He was also not at all friendly with other dogs, which is unusual for this breed. He can live equally well in the city or the country, and makes a good apartment dog because of his size though his barking must be controlled. They are a vocal breed. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel needs human companionship to be happy, and should not be left alone for long periods of time. He can develop separation anxiety and this particular one seemed destructive. While his owner was away, he had chewed on the bathroom rug and was making his way through the curtains when I arrived. The thing with Wag clients is sometimes they dont realize we are merely walkers, not trainers. We do not have enough time or compensation to be training the bad habits out of the dog, though many walkers including myself will do this, going beyond the scope of the job. It's a shame that this spaniel was not properly trained so his owner could not enjoy the full benefits of the breed. They are very, very affectionate and gentle with other people and thus can be used as therapy or even guide dogs! They are an amazing breed that needs the right training and the right human owner.
6 years, 9 months ago
4 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
pulling
Running
This spaniel I walked was sooo beautiful with a gorgeous soft, silky coat. It had a ton of energy, which I'm always surprised to discover when the breeds are on the smaller side. It did like to pull a TON so it was difficult to walk. It had a crazy amount of strength for its size and sadly this meant it was choking against its collar everytime it pulled. It was really bad to the point where he would cough out phlegm and had to rest for a second before continuing to do the same. I was trying to get him to stop pulling so much, but he was extremely badly trained and very stubborn, much to his own detriment. I mentioned in the notes to the owner that he would do well to get a gentle leader or even a harness because of how bad this dog was pulling, but I guess he took it the wrong way because he gave me four stars on my review. Sucks for that little guy having a stubborn oaf of an owner! This spaniel loved to chase everything and anything, hence his pulling everywhere on the walk. He was also not at all friendly with other dogs, which is unusual for this breed. He can live equally well in the city or the country, and makes a good apartment dog because of his size though his barking must be controlled. They are a vocal breed. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel needs human companionship to be happy, and should not be left alone for long periods of time. He can develop separation anxiety and this particular one seemed destructive. While his owner was away, he had chewed on the bathroom rug and was making his way through the curtains when I arrived. The thing with Wag clients is sometimes they dont realize we are merely walkers, not trainers. We do not have enough time or compensation to be training the bad habits out of the dog, though many walkers including myself will do this, going beyond the scope of the job. It's a shame that this spaniel was not properly trained so his owner could not enjoy the full benefits of the breed. They are very, very affectionate and gentle with other people and thus can be used as therapy or even guide dogs! They are an amazing breed that needs the right training and the right human owner.
6 years, 9 months ago
7 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Cavaliers are a gentle, pint-sized bundle of tail-wagging happiness. They are extremely friendly and the ones I have walked have been well trained. The Cavalier is a good walker, but I have found they are not fast paced, but prefer to go at a laid back pace and check everything out. They are so friendly, they will want to say hello to everyone on the street, young, old, male, or female, it does not matter, these dogs are highly social and just want to say hello and get a pat on the head. They do seem to get along with most other dogs as well, but are vocal so barking is very common. They are not to territorial, but males will be more aggressive. All in all not a bad walk.
6 years, 9 months ago
5 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Walk
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniels that I walked were brother and sister, and were some of the most shy dogs that I have met. They were not hostile or anything towards me, but were quite nervous when they first met me, and shook out of fear for quite a bit of time before warming up to me. They were not super active, and we only get about 0.7 or 0.8 miles on our walk together, but they were happy to be outside. They were a bit scared of larger dogs, but played very well with each other, and were very well behaved with me. They liked rolling around in the grass and sniffing flowers, but weren’t ones for running around or getting lots of exercise. They also did not seem to mind being put back in crates after the end of the walk.
6 years, 9 months ago
2 Months
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Playing
Fech
explore house
Fetch
snuggling
Explore the city
petting
I was actually watching a mix between a king Charles spaniel and a poodle (cavapoo) and it was the sweetest dog I have ever met. It was Christmas time and everyone that came over immediately started obsessing over her. She was only 2 months old and was not fully trained but she was so laid back and adaptable. She had so much personality and made everybody laugh. She hardly made any noise- no barking or crying. She barely even made noise when she walked or ran- she only weighed about a pound! She loved to run and was very good at bringing back whatever you threw for her. She loved to be with people and could fall asleep pretty much anywhere. She was the most affectionate and even tempered dog I have ever watched! I am now in love with this breed and may even consider getting a cavapoo puppy of my own!
6 years, 9 months ago
Sunny
5 Months
3 People
Apartment
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
She's been nothing but AWESOME! She's so mellow, super sweet & lovable! She learned quickly not to pee in the house. She will hold it until she goes outside. She loves all 3 of us, my hubby, my 7 year old daughter & myself.
6 years, 9 months ago
Ruby
9 Years
6 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Catch treats
Chasing ball
lovely breed, kind natured
5 years, 11 months ago
Zebo, but we always call her Sissy
11 Days
2 People
Apartment
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Walking,
Tug-of-war
Go to Park
She has been a true joy. She is sooo laid back. She is getting up in years now. She is twelve and we have had her since she was 5..we got her after a family member developed serious health issues. We already have a Jack Russell Terrier and did not plan on a 2nd dog, but they are best friends and "sisters" in every sense of the word. She has been an addition to our family that was unexpected and more of a blessing than words can explain..She still gets to visit with our ill family member (who she adores) and they miss her terribly. She is loved by soooooo many. She loves soooo many. If you think you want a Cavalier, do it, they are Love Bugs!!
5 years, 2 months ago
Ruby
11 Months
1 People
Apartment
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Fetch
Walk
Ruby follows me around the house all day. She loves to watch what i'm doing or nap beside me. She's super smart and alert - she always knows when someone is at the door. She's also super energetic and goes crazy for treats.
4 years, 10 months ago
Candy Cane
11 Years
4 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Our Candy girl is extremely sweet and loving. She will absolutely melt when you pet her. She is gentle with children and is quick to cuddle with anyone who comes through our door! However, we’ve had our fair share of problems. A few years ago, our vet found a heart murmur. Before this Candy had lost a lot of her energy and was very obviously old/elderly. However, after some time on Vetmedin and some heart supplements she’s still as playful and energetic as when she was a puppy! We’ve had some behavioral problems as well. We call her our “chow hound”. She will get into any trash that doesn’t have a lid, tissues, our kitty litter box, you name it, she’s gotten into it! Years of training have been unsuccessful, she is very stubborn. She used to be food aggressive, but luckily we were able to train her out of that as well.
4 years, 4 months ago
Lucy Lynn
4 Months
2 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
They are a joy to have in any household. They can be a bit rambunctious, but then will settle down and take a 2 hour nap.
4 years, 2 months ago
Charlie
6 Months
2 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Walk
Born with a head tremor and umbilical hernia.Experienced vet’s resistance to operating . Very disappointed as Charlie would have a much fuller life with the operation.
2 years, 11 months ago
Book me a walkiee?
Pweeeze!
Sketch of smiling australian shepherd