Cavalier King Charles Spaniel frequently asked questions

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are one of the UK’s best loved native breeds and have remained popular companions and family pets for decades having been cherished by Royals for centuries. If you are thinking about sharing your home with a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, these frequently asked questions might help you decide whether one of these charming dogs is the right choice for you.

How much do Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy cost?

Because Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are among one of the most popular breeds in the UK, well-bred Kennel Club registered puppies command a lot of money. Even non-registered Cav puppies are expensive because so few are available every year. A KC registered Cavalier costs anything up to £855 and a non-registered puppy can cost up to £745. It’s really important to contact responsible breeders when thinking about getting a puppy and to make sure parent dogs have been health tested.

Do Cavaliers like being left on their own?

Cavaliers crave human company and are very unhappy if left on their own even if it’s only for a few hours which can see them becoming depressed and suffering from separation anxiety. These charming dogs are better suited to people who work from home or in households where one person stays at home when everyone else is out so a Cav is never left to their own devices for long periods.

Do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have a lot of health issues?

Sadly, Cavaliers are known to suffer from heart disorders, but dogs can be screened and any that do suffer a heart problem should not be used for breeding purposes. The conditions that affect the breed the most include the following:

• Mitral Valve Disease(MVD)
• Syringomyelia(SM)
• Hereditary Cataracts(HC)
• Multifocal Retinal Dysplasia(MRD)
• Obesity

Are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels intelligent?

Cavaliers are clever dogs and they learn new things quickly. With this said, they take their time which many people confuse with them being dumb or even stubborn. With this said, they do have a bit of a stubborn streak in them, but in the right hands and environment, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are highly trainable and they love to please more especially if there is a tasty treat in store.

How long is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel’s lifespan?

Being a smaller breed, Cavaliers enjoy a long lifespan which can be anything from 10 to 16 years when they are well cared for and fed an appropriate diet to suit their age. It’s very important to keep an eye on a Cavaliers weight because they do have a tendency to plough on the pounds all too easily. Obesity can seriously affect a dog’s lifespan because carrying too much weight puts a lot of pressure on their heart, joints and other internal organs.

What should a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel weigh?

A mature Cavalier King Charles Spaniel whether female or male, should weigh anything from 4.5 kg to 8.2 kg. As previously mentioned, Cavaliers love their food and have a tendency to be “couch potatoes” if allowed. Dogs should never carry too much weight because of all the health issues associated with obesity.

What is the difference between a Cavalier King Charles and a King Charles Spaniel?

A Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has a longer muzzle than their King Charles counterparts. The King Charles Spaniel has a much flatter muzzle and they have distinctly domed heads whereas Cavaliers have much flatter heads. Cavaliers have a strong scissor bite whereas a King Charles Spaniel’s jaw is slightly undershot. On top of this, Cavaliers tend to be slight larger than their King counterparts. Their temperaments are different too with Cavaliers being more outgoing whereas Kings are a little more reserved.

How many puppies are in a litter of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels?

On average, Cavaliers have around 5 puppies in a litter although it does depend on the dogs. Some may only have 2 puppies in a litter whereas other could have as many as six puppies. When thinking about getting a Cavalier puppy, it is really important to contact responsible breeders and to make sure parent dogs have been health tested for any known hereditary and congenital disorders. It is also essential to ask breeders about a puppy’s lineage because a badly bred “so called” Cavalier King Charles Spaniel could actually be a King Charles Spaniel instead.

Are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels barkers?

Cavaliers are very social by nature and not known to bark excessively for no reason. With this said, they are always aware of what’s going on around and will always let an owner know when someone is at the door.

Are Cavaliers good watchdogs?

Because they are so friendly by nature, Cavaliers are not very good watchdogs. They just love to greet everyone and are excited when they do even if they have never met the person before.