Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are a gentle and affectionate dog breed.
With large expressive eyes and a playful yet calm personality, it is not hard to see why so many people choose this loyal companion to join their family.
The origins of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels as early as the 16th century. King Charles II of England loved the small spaniels hence why this breed was named after him. Many paintings of this time include spaniels as loving companions of the aristocracy. King Charles Spaniels and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels split into 2 separate breeds in the early 1920’s.
The breed was officially recognized by The Kennel Club in the United Kingdom in 1945 and has since become popular around the world as a charming and affectionate family dog.
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel continues to be a great pet and is known as a highly sociable and friendly dog.
Choosing a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy is a long-term commitment so choosing the best one to join your family is important.
Below are a few tips on what to consider when choosing a puppy.
The more questions you ask the more understanding you will have of the breed and the type of puppy you are going to get. This is an exciting time for all involved so make sure you make the right choices for your family.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel are classed as a healthy breed but there are a number known health conditions they are more prone to.
These are usually inherited so knowing the genetics of their parents is key here.
Some issues they could face include:
A healthy diet and regular exercise is key for keeping your dog healthy into its later years. Getting your dog checked yearly by a professional vet will help ensure your dog is in full health and any issues that start to arise can be dealt with swiftly.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have a medium-length coat that is silky and slightly wavy. It is soft and smooth to the touch and shows feathering on the ears, chest, legs, and tail.
As it is not overly thick it is fairly easy to maintain with regular brushing. This can help with shedding hair and help to make sure no matts appear behind their ears or around the joint areas.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels come in four common colours:
Due to having a longer coat this spaniel breed will need to be brushed 2-3 times a week to help stop matts appearing and help remove any loose hair.
As they have big floppy ears it is key to keep them clean so they do not get an infection or wax buildup. A vet or dog care professional can give you advice on how to do this properly.
Cavaliers are also prone to tear staining so wiping around the eyes regularly with a damp cloth will help remove any tear stains and prevent skin irritation.
Bathing with a mild doggy shampoo is recommended every 4-6 weeks to keep your dog’s coat clean and healthy.
Dog grooming for a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel at Bruce’s doggy day care starts from just £40. As well as hair cutting and bathing they also offer nail trimming as well as ear cleaning and teeth cleaning.
It’s important to provide a balanced diet to meet your dog’s nutritional needs. This will vary depending on your dog’s age, size, activity level, and overall health. For an average-sized adult spaniel, they will need between 375 and 560 calories per day.
Dividing your dog’s daily portion of food into two or more meals can help prevent them from overeating and reduce the risk of any digestive issues occurring. Food that is high in protein, low in carbohydrates and grain-free is an ideal choice for Cavaliers.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are known for their friendly and affectionate personalities. Their gentle temperament and adaptable personalities make an ideal addition to family life.
These playful lapdogs form strong bonds with their owners and love socialising so are great with other animals, children and visiting friends and family.
Cavaliers are intelligent dogs and love to please their humans. This makes them fairly easy to train so taking your new pup to puppy training classes will be enjoyable for not only you but them too.
As they love company they can become anxious when left alone so leaving them with plenty of interactive toys to play with will help keep them entertained. It may be also worthwhile considering doggy day care if you will need to leave them alone regularly as this will keep them busy whilst you get on with your day to day activities.
Due to their friendly and social nature Cavalier King Charles Spaniels thrive in a doggy day care environment. At Bruce’s doggy day care we have the pleasure of currently looking after over 50 of this breed across all of our centres, so we can talk from experience. If you have or are looking to get yourself a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel come and take a look at one of our local centres and see for yourself how much fun your dog could have by enrolling with us. Here are some pictures to give you a sneak peak.
We held a special meet‐up just for spaniels and their owners.
The Spaniel Social Day at Bruce’s Doggy Daycare in Cobham was a joyful, tail-wagging celebration. Held on a sunny Saturday morning, the event featured splash zones, playful activities, and a lively atmosphere perfect for socialising. Spaniels of all shapes and sizes enjoyed energetic playtime, while their owners mingled and relaxed with refreshments. A professional pet photographer was also on hand, offering free mini-photoshoots. With smiles, splashes, and plenty of spaniel silliness, the event brought together a warm community of dog lovers for a memorable and engaging experience.
Yes, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels do shed, but this is quite minimal compared to other breeds. Their shedding tends to increase as the seasons change, when they shed their winter or summer coats. Regular brushing can help manage the loose hair and keep their coat healthy.
On average Cavalier King Charles Spaniels live between 9 to 14 years. Their age will depend on things such as their overall health, if they have a balanced diet, been given plenty of regular exercise, and healthy living conditions. Making sure you get your dog checked regularly at the vets and given any preventive healthcare that may be needed will help you dog live a long and healthy life.
If a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel doesn’t seem to be the dog for you why not check out some other dog breeds:
Find my local Bruce's
My Pawtal
You must be logged in to post a comment.