Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
About the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Temperament
Physical Characteristics
| Size Category | Small (10-25 lbs) |
|---|---|
| Height | 12-13" |
| Weight | 13-18 lbs |
| Coat Type | Long |
| Coat Length | Medium |
| Colors | |
| Hypoallergenic | No |
Care Requirements
Exercise Needs
Moderate (30-60 min/day)
30 minutes per day recommended
Grooming
Regular - 2-3x/week
Mental Stimulation
★★★★★Moderate mental stimulation needed
Drooling
★★★★★Living Conditions
Cost of Ownership
| Purchase Price | $1,500-$3,500 |
|---|---|
| Annual Cost | $1,200/year |
Costs vary based on location, breeder, and individual needs. Annual costs include food, veterinary care, grooming, and supplies.
Health Considerations
Like all breeds, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels may be prone to certain health conditions:
Regular veterinary check-ups and proper care can help prevent or manage many health issues.
Best For
- Families with Children
- Apartment Living
- First-Time Owners
May Not Be Ideal For
- Long Work Hours Away
Guides for your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
The story behind the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Toy spaniels warmed the laps of British aristocrats from at least the sixteenth century, appearing frequently in court portraiture, and were famously associated with King Charles II. Over the following centuries fashion shifted toward a flatter-faced toy spaniel, and the older, longer-muzzled type nearly disappeared. In the 1920s an American enthusiast offered a prize at Crufts for dogs matching the spaniels seen in old paintings, prompting British breeders to reconstruct the earlier style. The result was named the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel to distinguish it from the flat-faced King Charles Spaniel. Recognized in Britain in the mid-twentieth century and later by the American Kennel Club, it became one of the most popular toy companions in the English-speaking world.
Originally bred for: Companion, Lapdog, Small-game flushing. You can trace how working roles shaped today’s breeds across our dog guides.
Feeding a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
This small spaniel gains weight easily, so measure meals rather than leaving food down, and count treats within the daily total. A nutrient-dense small-breed diet plus regular gentle walking keeps body condition trim through adulthood.
Watch for: Some lines show sensitive stomachs or itchy skin and ears, and rich fatty extras frequently trigger digestive upset. Because staying lean matters greatly for this breed, discuss any switch of food with your vet first.
Not sure what to put in the bowl? See our picks for the best dog food for small breeds.
Mealtime extras: training treats worth keeping in your pocket. Everything else lives in our dog nutrition and feeding hub.
Living with a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Day to day, the basics matter most: how much exercise your dog needs, how often to get out for a walk, and how much sleep is normal.
For play and enrichment, browse our favorite dog toys and interactive toys for rainy days.
Gear that fits the breed makes life easier: a well-sized dog bed, a comfortable no-pull harness.
Raising a puppy? Work through crate training and the teething timeline — or see how old your dog is in human years with our dog age calculator.