Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is one of Britain's most cherished companion breeds, named after King Charles II, who was famously devoted to small toy spaniels during the Stuart period.
This elegant little dog stands 30–33 centimetres tall and weighs 6–8 kilograms, with a silky, medium-length coat available in four recognised colours: Blenheim, tricolour, ruby, and black and tan.
6-8kg
Weight
Small
Size
12-14yrs
Lifespan
About the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Large, round, dark eyes and a soft expression perfectly mirror the breed's gentle nature. Cavaliers are renowned for their warm, affectionate temperament and remarkable adaptability, thriving in everything from city flats to country homes. Intelligent and eager to please, they respond well to patient, positive training and quickly learn household routines. Their sociable nature makes them excellent with children, other dogs, and cats, whilst their calm disposition has made them popular therapy dogs. These devoted companions genuinely crave human contact and are happiest when close to their families, often shadowing owners from room to room. With exercise needs of up to one hour daily, they require regular activity to stay content. Prospective owners should understand that Cavaliers are not suited to prolonged periods alone and that the breed does shed moderately throughout the year.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel at a Glance
- Group
- Toy
- Size
- Small
- Weight
- 6–8 kg
- Height
- 30–33 cm
- Lifespan
- 12–14 years
- Coat
- Medium
- Sheds
- Yes
- Exercise
- Up to 1 hour per day
- Origin
- Great Britain
- Colours
- Black and Beige, Tricolour, Blenheim
- Typical price
- £1100–£2000
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Temperament
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a friendly, affectionate and adaptable breed that combines a gentle nature with a surprisingly confident personality. Sociable and outgoing, it enjoys the company of people of all ages and generally gets on well with other dogs and pets. Cavaliers are devoted to their families and thrive on affection and close human contact. They are intelligent and quick to understand household routines, responding well to positive, patient training. Their gentle, even temperament makes them suitable for a wide range of households, from active families to older owners. They are not well suited to spending long periods alone, as they genuinely crave companionship.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Lifestyle
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel suits apartment living well and is content with a small or medium garden. They adapt well to both town and country living.
Dog Food for Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Top-rated foods for Small breeds, ranked by FurScore. How we score →
Nutrition & Diet
Cavaliers are not too picky when it comes to food, some would even say they have a great appetite. Dogs of this breed can easily adapt to new living conditions, so a diet change should not be to big of an issue. Both wet and dry food can work great for a dog of this breed. Always remember to pick the right formula for your dog’s age and size. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is classified as a small dog breed – Adult .
Recommended Food for Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Food Costs
Estimated based on a typical Cavalier King Charles Spaniel weighing around 7 kg, using the food prices shown above.
Per day
£1.78 - £1.89
Per month
£53 - £57
Per year
£648 - £691
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Characteristics
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is moderately active and enjoys a good walk but doesn't need hours outdoors and is a quick learner and a pleasure to train. They thrive in a busy family environment and aren't particularly needy and handle solitude reasonably well. The coat needs occasional grooming to stay tidy and is a moderate shedder. They are sharp and quick-witted, which is a joy, but means they need keeping mentally occupied.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Pros & Cons
Pros
- Gentle and patient with children of all ages, making them a wonderful family dog
- Eager to please and highly trainable, doing well in agility and other canine sports
- Adapts well to flat or country living, with moderate exercise needs
- Low prey drive and naturally sociable with other dogs and pets
Cons
- Coat needs professional grooming every three to four months to stay in good shape
- Prone to separation anxiety when left alone for long stretches
- Susceptible to Mitral Valve Disease, so regular health checks are important
- Long ears can be prone to recurring infections and need regular cleaning
