Cavalier King Charles Spaniel owner's guide

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are small, elegant dogs with a regal appearance - hence the name! They have compact bodies and a distinctive, expressive face featuring large dark eyes and long floppy ears. They have a silky, medium-length coat. And their feathery tail is often carried in a lively manner, reflecting their cheerful disposition.

The Cavalier is a small dog with a height at the withers of around 30 - 35 cm. They weigh about 5½-8 kg, but there are larger and smaller individuals. Males are usually a little bigger and rougher than the females.

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel comes in four different colours:

• Blenheim - warm maroon flecks evenly spaced on a pearly white ground
• Tricolour - black spots evenly distributed on a white background with reddish-brown markings over the eyes, on the cheeks, inside the ears, on the chest, legs and under the tail
• Black and tan - raven black with reddish brown markings above the eyes, on the cheeks, inside the ears, on the chest, legs and under the tail
• Ruby - solid deep red

Cavaliers are generally easy-going, and usually don’t bark a lot. It tends to be limited to when people come to the door, or if they’re excited. But all dogs are individuals, so some may bark more frequently than others - and they can make a surprising amount of noise for such a small thing!

If you think that your Cavalier is barking excessively, it’s a good idea to take them to an accredited behaviourist.

Cavaliers are companion dogs, and love company. As such, they can’t be left for too long by themselves, and are prone to separation anxiety. With training, you should be able to leave them for longer and longer stretches - but you should never leave them for more than four hours.

If you need to leave your Cavalier alone for any length of time, make sure that they have:

• Access to fresh drinking water
• Toys which are mentally stimulating
• Comforts, such as their favourite blanket or toy
• Somewhere nice and comfortable to sleep

Yes, absolutely. Cavaliers are very adaptable, and are equally happy running around in the open or lazing on the sofa with their favourite human(s). Plus they’re eager to please, which makes them easy to train. Having a small dog is also ideal for first-time owners, as larger dogs come with their own challenges.

If you’re welcoming a new Cavalier puppy to the home, check out our comprehensive checklist of what you need for a new puppy.

Like all Spaniels, Cavaliers are capable of becoming very good swimmers. They’re surprisingly nimble and athletic… But whether your Cavalier will like the water is another matter. Many do, but because they’re bred to be lap or toy dogs rather than sporting dogs, they may need a little coaxing.

Cavaliers have a life expectancy of between 9 and up to 14 years.

Cavaliers shed a moderate amount. The coat of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is long, silky and abundant. At least a couple of times a week, it’s best that their coat is combed right down to the skin. Tangles form easily behind the ears and in the armpits, so pay particular attention to these. Try to avoid too much matting behind the ears, as these can be difficult to get out.

The breed originates from England and has a history that goes back several centuries. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel of our time is a direct descendant of the small dwarf spaniel, which can be seen in paintings as early as the 13th century. It was not until 1945 that the Cavalier was recognised as a separate breed by the English Kennel Club.

The breed is now spread all over the world and is a highly valued companion and show dog.