Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dog breed information and advice
Regal in name and cute as a button, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel could be the perfect little lap dog to introduce to your family. They do have a reputation for having zoomies every now and again, but their affectionate nature makes them a perfect fit for any home.
This dog breed guide gives the information you need on how to care for a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. From diet and grooming tips, to exercise and common health issues.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel facts

Lifespan | 9 - 15 years |
How much | £1500 - £3000 |
Size | 30 - 33 cm |
Weight | 5.4 - 8 kg |
Colours | black & tan, ruby, Blenheim, tricolour black and white broken up with tan markings |
Grooming | once a week |
Temperament | affectionate, playful, patient |
Exercise | 40 - 60 minutes |
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel insurance
No one wants a poorly pet, but unfortunately, illnesses and injuries can happen to any dog. Dog insurance for your Cavalier King Charles can provide peace of mind that your pooch is taken care of. Regular health checks with your vet will help to spot problems from an early stage. And pet insurance can help take away the concern of paying for treatment.
Sainsbury’s Bank Pet Insurance
With Sainsbury's Bank Pet Insurance we can insure your Cavalier King Charles from as young as 8 weeks of age. Once your dog is insured, we can cover it up to any age – as long as you keep renewing the policy without a break. We also cover older dogs, if you take the policy out before their 8th birthday.
How to care for a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Knowing how to give your Cavalier King Charles the right care will help them lead a full and happy life. It’s not always an easy or self-explanatory task, but hopefully our tips on looking after your pup will give you a good starting point.
Feeding and nutrition
A puppy needs to be fed 3-4 times a day and when you bring them home, you’ll need to feed them the same dog food as the breeder gave them. Otherwise, they could get an upset tummy and cause a mess. You can change the food with time, by slowly adding small amounts of your preferred new food to the old food and reducing the amount of old food.
As they get older a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel should be fed 2-3 times a day. To get your dog to eat, make sure you set strict feeding times. Put the bowl down at the same time every day and only leave it down for a short time, say10 minutes. If your dog doesn’t eat the food in that time, don’t be tempted to leave it down for longer, or to feed it something else instead. Your dog will quickly learn that they’re not going to get anything else and will eventually get hungry enough to eat their food.
As a breed, Cavaliers can be picky eaters and would much prefer to eat treats than their dog food. If you follow the tips above, mealtimes will get easier to manage. Stick to dog food only; don’t try to tempt them with treats to get them to eat. Too many treats can lead to weight gain and health problems.
Grooming
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have a double coat; a topcoat of long hair that’s soft, and a thick undercoat. Brushing your dog every week will help to get rid of any fur that’s shedding and keep their coat smooth and silky. This’ll also help stop their fur from getting tangled or matted.
You’ll need to bath your dog once a month to get rid of the doggy smell and to keep their coat clean. Only wash them more often than that if your dog gets dirty or rolls in something smelly. Tear stains are common in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, but if you’re worried speak to your vet. Regularly wipe your dog’s eyes with a clean damp cloth to reduce the staining and help prevent any eye related problems.
Exercise
They may be small in size, but the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has the same sporting nature as other Spaniel breeds. You’ll need to exercise your dog for 40-60 minutes daily and walking your dog is the best form of exercise. In secure areas, give your dog the chance to run around off lead for a more energetic workout.
Training
The Cavalier King Charles is an easy breed to train; they’re patient, obedient and keen to please their owner. But if you’re having difficulty, training classes can offer practical guidance, tips and support.
When you take your puppy home, start house training as soon as possible. It will be harder to break the habit if they get used to toileting in the house. Give your dog lots of chances to go to the toilet outside, letting them out before they show signs of needing to go. They’ll soon get into the routine of only going to the toilet when you let them out.
Temperament and behaviour
This breed’s temperament ranges from sweet and placid to determined and stubborn. They need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation, but at the end of the day, they love to curl up on your lap. They’re affectionate with a playful personality that will keep you entertained for hours, making them the perfect addition to any family.
Common health problems
There are common health problems linked to this breed, which if left untreated could shorten their lifespan. Pet insurance can help cover the cost of vet bills, so you don’t have to worry about paying too much for treatment. Changes in behaviour could be a sign that something’s wrong, so take them to your vet if you’re concerned.
Mitral valve disease
This is the most common cause of heart murmurs in dogs. Mitral valves ensure the blood always flows in the right direction through the heart. If the valves fail to develop properly, or they’re affected by infections, blood can leak between the heart chambers, making the heart beat faster and harder. This will eventually lead to heart failure. Drugs and surgery can treat the problem, depending on how severe it is.
Luxating patella
Dogs affected by this condition will hop on one of their back legs, with the other held up. They do this because the kneecap or ‘patella’ is unstable and jumps out of the groove it’s supposed to sit in. Most sufferers of a luxating patella will need surgery to realign the kneecap and cut the groove deeper.
Epilepsy
If your dog has more than one fit, they could have epilepsy. It’s caused by abnormal brain activity and will most likely happen when your dog is relaxed. During the fit, your dog may fall on its side, cry out, or lose control of their bowels or bladder. The condition can’t be cured but it can be managed with tablets, allowing your dog to live a long fulfilling life.
Syringomyelia (Chiari-like malformation)
This genetically inherited condition affects dogs under the age of 6 years. Cyst-like lesions develop in the dog’s spinal cord, causing pain and abnormal movements. The cysts can expand over time, destroying the spinal cord. Signs of the condition include twisting of the neck, scratching of the neck and shoulder, yelping for no apparent reason, and lameness of the front limbs. Currently, there’s no standard treatment for this condition. Surgery has shown the best results, but the outcome depends on the severity and age of the dog. The Chiari Malformation / Syringomyelia Scheme was developed to help breeders screen their dogs before breeding them.
So, is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel right for you?
This outgoing dog breed is adaptable to city or country living. Just make sure they get the exercise they need, or mad five-minute zoomies will be a common event. Give them the long walks and playtime they love and they’ll reward you with plenty of affection and cuddles.
If you can offer a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel the active and fun-filled lifestyle that they crave, then this might be the right breed of dog for you.
Are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels hyper?
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels can be hyper and have dog zoomies if they don’t get the exercise they need. If you walk them for 40-60 minutes daily, they’ll happily cuddle up with you for the rest of the day and won’t demand too much attention.
Do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels shed?
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have a double coat that sheds a lot. You’ll need to brush your dog weekly to keep their coat tangle-free and to remove any loose fur.
How to get a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel to eat
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are fussy eaters. Their weight should be between 5.4-8 kg, but this can be difficult to maintain if your dog isn’t eating all their food. If your dog is being fussy at mealtimes, you’ll need to limit the number of treats in their diet and set strict feeding times.

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References
Content provided from Vetstream's Vetlexicon Canis - www.vetstream.com/treat/canis
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Brownlie S, Rishniw M, Willis R, Oyama M & Oliveira P (online) Heart: mitral valve degenerative disease. In: Vetlexicon Canis. Vetstream Ltd, UK. Website: https://www.vetstream.com/clinical-reference/canis/diseases/heart-mitral-valve-degenerative-disease.
Vetstream Ltd (online) Mitral valve disease in dogs Owner Factsheet. In: Vetlexicon Canis. Vetstream Ltd, UK. Website: https://www.vetstream.com/treat/canis/diseases/heart-mitral-valve-degenerative-disease.
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Vetstream Ltd (online) Luxating patella Owner Factsheet. In: Vetlexicon Canis. Vetstream Ltd, UK. Website: https://www.vetstream.com/clinical-reference/canis/owner-factsheets/luxating-patella.
Bagley R, Garosi L & Lowrie M (online) Epilepsy: idiopathic. In: Vetlexicon Canis. Vetstream Ltd, UK. Website: https://www.vetstream.com/clinical-reference/canis/diseases/epilepsy-idiopathic.
Vetstream Ltd (online) Epilepsy (seizures) Owner Factsheet. In: Vetlexicon Canis. Vetstream Ltd, UK. Website: https://www.vetstream.com/treat/canis/owner-factsheets/epilepsy-(seizures).
Braund K, Rusbridge, C & Plessas J (online) Chiari-like malformation syringomyelia (CM/SM). In: Vetlexicon Canis. Vetstream Ltd, UK. Website: https://www.vetstream.com/treat/canis/diseases/neurology-chiari-like-malformation-syringomyelia-(cm-sm).
Plessas J & Dennis R (online) BVA/KC Chiari Malformation Syringomyelia Scheme. In: Vetlexicon Canis. Vetstream Ltd, UK. Website: https://www.vetstream.com/treat/canis/freeform/bva-kc-chiari-malformation-syringomyelia-scheme.
Vetstream Ltd (online) Syringomyelia in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (CKCS) Owner Factsheet. In: Vetlexicon Canis. Vetstream Ltd, UK. Website: https://www.vetstream.com/clinical-reference/canis/owner-factsheets/syringohydromyelia-in-cavalier-king-charles-spaniels-(ckcs).
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Important information
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