The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a sweet-natured and even-tempered dog that enjoys bringing affection and spirited fun to a household.

General Appearance and Description

These spirited dogs are not called ÒKingÓ for nothing. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is friendly, eager to please and always a crowd pleaser, thanks to its sweet and elegant looks.

The Cavalier Spaniel usually has dark and expressive eyes that are large. They donÕt dominate the face, but always get attention. They have a wavy silky coat thatÕs usually black and tan.

Basic Temperament

The King Charles Cavalier is outgoing and affectionate. He will always want to please you and is intelligent enough to know what you need from him.

The Cavalier King Charles is descended from hunting dogs, so he loves to run around in the great outdoors. ItÕs important, then, that the Cavalier Spaniel is kept on a leash and in a fenced background. Their desire to hunt and explore can often cause harm.

Like all small dogs, this dog needs to know who the boss is. Make sure you establish yourself as the pack leader so he doesnÕt think he needs to take that role for himself.

Care Required

This dog has a good amount of fur to manage, so brush him often and bathe or shampoo him as needed. The hair on the ears, which is long, can tangle and mat, so the ears should be brushed often. Even the hair between the pads on the feet should be looked after.

Not an ideal dog for those with allergies, as this dog sheds at an average rate.

Exercise Requirements

Give your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel a regular walk, and give him plenty of playtime. The Cavalier Spaniel dogs do well in apartments and home environments that donÕt give them much of an outdoor area as long as they get that regular walk.

Take care in extreme conditions, as Cavalier King Charles Spaniels can be sensitive to heat and cold.

Training

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are relatively easy to train, thanks to their intelligence and desire to please. They are intuitive, so they will understand what you want and will be able to perform as you wish through the use of this intuitive nature.

These dogs are quite capable of learning complicated obedience tricks and do well in competitive obedience competitions.

Height and Weight

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel will be about 12 to 13 inches tall in adulthood and should weigh somewhere between 10 and 18 pounds.

Health and Longevity

Cavalier Spaniel dogs are prone to a number of health issues. Some of these problems include kneecaps that dislocate, ear infections, hearing trouble, and back problems. They also often suffer from hereditary eye diseases.

Unfortunately, many dogs will also carry a hereditary tendency toward heart problems, which can be fatal. For this reason, many canine experts suggest choosing a dog whose medical history can be checked going back several generations.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels also gain weight easily so their diet should be carefully watched.

Most Cavalier King Charles Spaniels will live from 9 to 14 years.

Suitability

These dogs are excellent hunting dogs and are often brought into homes with this intention. King Charles Cavalier dogs donÕt necessarily enjoy being in a home with children. Most experts suggest that this dog be placed in a home with only older children.

The Cavalier Spaniel does get along well with other dogs and other non-canine pets, however.

Further Information

More information about the Cavalier King Charles Spaniels can be found here.