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Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Affectionate. Gentle. Graceful.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are sweet, gentle companions known for their loving nature and elegant appearance. They thrive on human connection and are wonderful with children, seniors, and other pets alike. A true lap dog with a big heart.

Loving & Affectionate
🙂Great with Families
👪Excellent Companion
🛡Apartment Friendly
🏠Sensitive & Gentle

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Breed Score

91/100
★★★★★★★★★★
Family Life
95
Trainability
85
Intelligence
85
Apartment Living
95
Grooming Ease
70

How We Score ⓘ

🌍Origin
United Kingdom
🐾Breed Group
Toy Group
📏Size
Small
Height
12–13 in
Weight
13–18 lbs
Life Expectancy
12–15 years

Breed Ratings

Meet the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

These sweet-natured dogs are playful yet calm, and love nothing more than being by your side. Cavaliers are adaptable, easygoing, and happiest when they're with their people, whether on an adventure or curled up on the couch.

Where It All Began

The breed is named after King Charles II of England, who was often seen with these affectionate little spaniels. Bred to be companion dogs, they were cherished in royal courts and remain beloved family pets to this day.

Personality

Affectionate Gentle Playful Good with Families

🏃 An Active Lifestyle

This breed does well with regular, moderate exercise such as daily walks and playtime.

  • ✓ 30–45 minutes of exercise daily
  • ✓ Daily walks plus some playtime
  • ✓ Benefits from occasional training sessions

✂ Grooming Needs

Weekly brushing and periodic baths keep this breed looking and feeling its best.

  • ✓ Brushing 2-3x per week
  • ✓ Bathe every 4-6 weeks
  • ✓ Routine nail and ear checks

❤ Keeping Healthy

Like all breeds, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel benefits from routine vet checkups and preventive care; the conditions below are the ones responsible breeders and owners watch most closely.

  • • Dental Issues
  • • Patellar Luxation
  • • Ear Infections

$ Cost of Ownership

Estimated costs vary by breeder, location and individual dog; use these as a general planning guide.

Purchase Price: $800 – $2,500

Monthly Cost: $50 – $80

First Year Cost: $1,700 – $4,160

Lifetime Cost: $8,000 – $16,900

👍 Pros

  • Adapts well to apartment or condo living
  • Patient, gentle temperament around children
  • Generally quiet, not prone to excessive barking

👎 Cons

  • May not be the ideal first dog for a brand-new owner
  • Can be prone to separation anxiety if left alone too long
  • Ongoing vet visits and preventive care add to the cost of ownership

💡 Did You Know?

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel originally comes from United Kingdom and belongs to the Toy Group — a fitting background for a breed so often described as good with Families.

Compare Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

See how the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel stacks up against other breeds to find your perfect match.