Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Royal lapdog, spaniel to the core.
- Weight
- 13–18 lbs
- Height
- 12–13 in
- Lifespan
- 9–14 yrs
In short
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a Toy breed from England, recreated in the 1920s from the toy spaniels of the Stuart court; adults weigh about 13–18 lbs and live 9–14 years. It is one of the most adaptable companion dogs, but mitral valve disease is common, so heart screening matters.
Is it right for you?
A great match if you…
- want an affectionate dog that adapts to any home
- are home most of the day or have another dog
- are new to dogs and want an easy trainer
Think twice if you…
- can't budget for heart checks and vet care
- are away for long workdays
- want a watchdog
The daily plan
- Exercise
- 45–60 min a day
- Training
- 2–3 × 5–10 min sessions × length
- Treat limit
- 45–55 kcal all treats, 10% rule
At a glance
TrainabilityWilling learner7.0/10
EnergyModerate5.0/10
Calm at homeCalm indoors10.0/10
SheddingSheds seasonally6.0/10
What sets it apart
-
01
Long, feathered ears
Heavy, hairy ears trap moisture, so weekly ear checks prevent infections.
-
02
Large, round eyes
The soft expression is the breed’s signature; watch for tearing and eye irritation.
-
03
Sporting-spaniel nose
Still a spaniel, a Cavalier will chase birds and follow scents, so fenced areas are safer.
Size & coat
| Weight | 13–18 lbs | |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 12–13 in | |
| Lifespan | 9–14 yrs | |
| Coat | Medium-length, silky coat with feathering on ears, chest, legs and feet | |
Personality
Cavaliers are gentle, eager-to-please lap dogs who also enjoy a long walk. They follow you room to room and want company more than anything. Expect a dog that befriends everyone and guards nothing.
With kids
Excellent with respectful kids. Small enough to be hurt by rough play, so teach children to sit when holding them.
With other pets
Usually great with other dogs and cats. Birds and squirrels outdoors may get chased.
With strangers
Friendly to almost everyone, which makes them poor watchdogs.
Alone time
Prone to separation distress. They do best with someone home much of the day or another dog for company.
Training
Cavaliers are soft, eager and food-motivated, so they learn quickly with gentle, positive methods. Harsh corrections make them shut down.
-
How often
2–3 sessions a day of 5–10 minutes each, ending each one on a win.
-
Socialize early (8–16 weeks)
Between 8–16 weeks, focus on gradual alone-time practice and handling of ears, eyes and feet. Building comfort with short absences early helps prevent separation distress.
-
Self-control
A recall around birds and a calm settle when left alone matter most. Practice recalls on a long line and build alone time in tiny steps.
-
What it works for
Food is the top motivator, so keep pieces tiny and treats within 10% of daily calories; freeze-dried liver is one option. Praise and lap time work as bonus rewards.
Exercise
Cavaliers enjoy steady walks and gentle play, plus sniffing time. They match an active owner but are happy to rest afterward.
Exercise a day
45–60 min
CouchModerateAthlete
Good outlets
- Daily walks on varied routes
- Fetch with soft toys
- Beginner agility or rally
Brain work
- Sniff walks on a long line
- Food puzzles
- Trick training
Best home
Apartment-friendly with daily walks; does best with people home much of the day.
Watch for Watch for coughing, fast breathing or tiring easily on walks, which can signal heart disease, and keep weight in check.
Feeding
Adult maintenance for a typical Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (13–18 lbs) lands around 425–550 kcal a day. Feed to body condition, not the bag's chart alone, and keep treats inside the 10% rule.
Puppy (to 12 mo)
- Daily calories
- 525–675 kcal
- Protein
- 26–30%
- Fat
- 16–20%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 55–70 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- about 3 pieces a day
Adult Maintenance
- Daily calories
- 425–550 kcal
- Protein
- 24–28%
- Fat
- 14–18%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 45–55 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 2–3 pieces a day
Active / Working
- Daily calories
- 575–750 kcal
- Protein
- 26–30%
- Fat
- 18–22%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 60–75 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 3–4 pieces a day
Senior
- Daily calories
- 375–475 kcal
- Protein
- 24–28%
- Fat
- 12–16%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 40–50 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- about 2 pieces a day
Compare every life stage
| Life stage | Daily calories | Protein | Fat | Treat limit (all treats) | Saylor's liver, suggested / day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Puppy (to 12 mo) | 525–675 kcal | 26–30% | 16–20% | 55–70 kcal | about 3 pieces |
| Adult Maintenance | 425–550 kcal | 24–28% | 14–18% | 45–55 kcal | 2–3 pieces |
| Active / Working | 575–750 kcal | 26–30% | 18–22% | 60–75 kcal | 3–4 pieces |
| Senior | 375–475 kcal | 24–28% | 12–16% | 40–50 kcal | about 2 pieces |
The treat limit is the 10% rule for every treat combined. Saylor's liver is suggested at about 2% of daily calories, as a small topper: liver is very rich in vitamin A, so it should not become a staple. Check with your vet if your dog has a health condition or a special diet.
Health & grooming
Mitral valve disease, syringomyelia, eye disease and luxating patellas are the main concerns. Choose a breeder who follows heart-screening protocols and keep your Cavalier lean.
| Watch for | Ask the breeder or vet for | When |
|---|---|---|
| Mitral valve disease | Heart exam by a veterinary cardiologist (OFA) | Yearly, especially in breeding dogs |
| Syringomyelia / Chiari-like malformation | MRI screening (ask the breeder) | In breeding dogs, before breeding |
| Inherited eye disease | Eye exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist (CAER) | Yearly in breeding dogs |
| Luxating patella | OFA patella evaluation | Once, in breeding dogs |
| Hip dysplasia | OFA or PennHIP hip evaluation | Once. OFA final results from 24 months |
Official health tests for breeding dogs
The OFA's CHIC program asks Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breeders to test for these. Ask to see the results before you buy a puppy.
- Hip evaluation
- Eye exam (ophthalmologist)
- Kneecap (patella) check
- Heart exam
Grooming Moderate year-round, with seasonal increases
Brush 2–3 times a week, paying attention to ears and feathering, and trim hair between paw pads. Check and clean ears weekly, trim nails every 2–3 weeks and brush teeth daily if you can.
History
1600s
Royal toy spaniels
Toy spaniels were favorites at the English court, especially of King Charles II, who gave the breed its name.
1920s
The old type revived
American Roswell Eldridge offered prizes at Crufts for spaniels resembling the longer-nosed dogs in old paintings, sparking the Cavalier.
1945–1995
Recognition
The Kennel Club recognized the Cavalier in 1945, and the AKC in 1995.
Questions owners ask
Are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels easy to train?
Yes. Cavaliers are eager to please and food-motivated, so gentle positive training works quickly. Recall around birds takes extra practice.
Are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels good with kids and other pets?
Yes. They are gentle with kids and usually great with other dogs and cats. Supervise small children, since Cavaliers are easily injured.
How much exercise does a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel need?
About 45–60 minutes a day of walks and play. They adapt to their owner, but daily exercise keeps weight and mood in check.
Do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels shed?
Yes, moderately. Brush 2–3 times a week to prevent tangles in the feathering, and check ears weekly.
What health problems do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have, and how long do they live?
Mitral valve disease, syringomyelia, eye disease and luxating patellas are the main concerns. Cavaliers typically live 9–14 years, and annual heart checks are recommended.
Is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel good for apartments or first-time owners?
Yes to both. Cavaliers are among the best breeds for apartments and first-time owners, as long as they are not left alone for long periods.
Freeze Dried Beef Liver Dog Treats
Back in stock soon
We're restocking. When it's back, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel needs only 2–3 pieces a day, well inside the 45–55 kcal treat limit.
See the productWhere the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel ranks
Health tests follow the OFA's CHIC program. The treat limit is 10% of daily calories for all treats combined. Every dog is different, so use this as a starting point and ask your vet about yours.
Breeds like the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Closest in size, energy, trainability, calm at home and shedding.
