Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Cavalier
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: does it suit you?
11 quick questions, the same ones this page answers. After each answer you see what the breed needs, and at the end whether it fits your life.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: a good fit for you
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: could work, with compromises
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: probably not the right dog for you
Your answers match what the breed needs.
Most of your answers fit. Check the points below before you decide.
Some of your answers don't fit what the breed needs. The points below show where.
What to think about
What fits
A better match for your answers:
None of the 42 breeds on this site fits your answers better.
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, a companion and toy dog from Great Britain, owes its name to King Charles II, after whom the toy spaniel was named; ‘Cavalier’ is a nod to the royalist party that supported the Stuarts in the Civil War.[1][2] Breeders began reviving it in the 1920s as the older, longer-muzzled type of toy spaniel.[3][2] The standard describes it as sporting, affectionate, friendly and absolutely fearless.[1]
- Size
- Small
- Weight
- 5.4–8 kg
- Life expectancy
- 9–14 years
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: origin and history
Toy spaniels can be traced back to at least the 16th century and were probably bred down from sporting breeds; they became well established at the courts of Charles I and Charles II.[3] The first Duke of Marlborough developed the red-and-white Blenheim spaniel, named after Blenheim Palace, his residence; the word still names the chestnut-and-white colour.[3]
From the late 19th century, fashion favoured shorter muzzles and domed skulls.[3] The American Roswell Eldridge offered prize money for the old type, and at Crufts in 1926–1930 special prizes were given for ‘Blenheim spaniels of the old type’; ‘Cavalier’ was chosen to tell them apart from the flatter-faced King Charles.[2][3] A breed club followed in 1928, but The Kennel Club recognised the Cavalier as a separate breed only in 1945; full AKC recognition came in 1995.[3][2] Its FCI classification is Group 9 (Companion and Toy Dogs), Section 7 (English Toy Spaniels).[1]
Fact sheet
Character and needs
Rated on a scale from very low to very high.
- Exercise needsmoderate
- Trainabilityhigh
- Grooming needsmoderate
- Sheddingmoderate
- Barkinglow
- Good with kidsvery high
- Good with other dogsvery high
- Good with catsvery high
- Apartment-friendlyhigh
- Copes with being alonelow
- Watchdog instinctvery low
- Good for first-time ownersvery high
- Affectionvery high
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: questions and answers
Is it a good dog for first-time owners?
Yes. It rates 5 out of 5 for first-time owners. These dogs learn quickly and like working with you (4 out of 5 for trainability).
How long can it be left alone?
2 to 3 hours, once the dog is an adult and has learned to be alone step by step. These dogs are very attached to their people and often struggle on their own (2 out of 5 for coping alone). More than 6 hours at a stretch isn't fair on any dog; plan for a dog sitter or daycare. Puppies need company: start with a few minutes and build up.
How much exercise does it need?
1 to 2 hours a day, spread over several walks. A mix of walks and play keeps the dog balanced.
How long does it live?
9–14 years is the typical life expectancy. That is shorter than the average of the 42 breeds on this site (12.6 years). Breed-typical health risks: heart disease, syringomyelia, eye disease, luxating patella, dental problems.
How big does it get?
30–33 cm at the withers and 5.4–8 kg. Size class: small.
Is it a good family dog?
Yes. It rates 5 out of 5 with children. With other dogs it rates 5 out of 5, with cats 5 out of 5. Never leave young children alone with any dog.
Does it shed a lot?
Moderately: 3 out of 5 for shedding. Brush two or three times a week.
Male or female?
Males are usually larger: they sit at the top of the range (up to 33 cm and 8 kg), females at the bottom (from 30 cm and 5.4 kg). Character differences between the sexes are smaller than between individual dogs; upbringing matters more. Unspayed females come into heat about twice a year, and unneutered males can be restless around them.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or Havanese?
Biggest difference: shedding (moderate vs. very low).
| Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | Havanese | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Small | Toy–small |
| Weight | 5.4–8 kg | 3–6 kg |
| Life expectancy | 9–14 years | 13–15 years |
| Coat | Long | Long |
| Shedding | Moderate | Very low |
| Grooming needs | Moderate | High |
| Barking | Low | Moderate |
| Apartment-friendly | High | Very high |
Who it suits
A good fit if you…
- live in an apartment
- are getting your first dog
- have children
- have a cat
- want a quiet dog
- want a cuddly companion
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: the downsides
Every breed has a flip side. Before you decide, check that you can live with these:
- Struggles when left alone
- 2 to 3 hours at most. If you work away from home, plan for a dog sitter or daycare from the start.
- Breed-typical health risks
- Heart disease, syringomyelia, eye disease, luxating patella, dental problems. Choose a breeder who screens the parents, and consider health insurance.
- A long commitment
- 9–14 years of daily walks, vet visits and holidays planned around a dog.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: puppy price and monthly costs
£800 – £2,500 for a puppy from a breeder in the UK (Waggel). From £69 a month in running costs in the UK (PDSA, 2024). Covers food, vet visits, insurance, other costs.
| Country | Puppy from a breeder | Running costs per month |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | £800 – £2,500 [5] | from £69 [6] |
| United States | $1,000 – $2,500 [7] | $116 [8] |
| Canada | no data | CA$367 [9] |
| Australia | A$3,700–5,000 [10] | A$210 [11] |
| New Zealand | no data | NZ$100 [12] |
- Set-up costs at the start: £415 – £560 for basic equipment, first vaccinations, wormers and neutering (PDSA, 2024).
- Dog licence in Northern Ireland: £12.50 a year; England, Scotland and Wales have none (nidirect, 2026).
- Dog licence in the US: $5 – $20 a year, set by the city or county (American Kennel Club, 2021).
- Dog licence in Canada: CA$25–60 a year in Toronto, less for a neutered dog (City of Toronto, 2026).
- Dog registration with the council in Australia: A$20–200 a year, depending on the council and whether the dog is desexed (Mozo, 2026).
- Dog registration with the council in New Zealand: NZ$78–182 a year in Auckland, depending on the dog (PetMall NZ, citing Auckland Council, 2026).
- Puppies far below these prices often come without health checks or papers.
Health
Breed-typical health risks
- Heart disease [18]
- Breed-typical heart conditions. Regular heart checks are sensible.
- Syringomyelia [3]
- An inherited spinal cord condition that can cause pain.
- Eye disease [3]
- Inherited conditions such as PRA or cataracts. Good breeders have the eyes tested.
- Luxating patella [19]
- The kneecap slips out of place, common in small breeds.
- Dental problems [20]
- Small jaws build up tartar quickly. Regular brushing helps.
Health tests for the parent dogs
7 health tests appear in the breeding rules for the breed.
- No health test is required for breeding in the UK (The Royal Kennel Club); the table shows what is recommended.
- Needed for a CHIC number in the US (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals): hip X-ray (HD), kneecap check, eye exam, and heart exam.
- No health test is required for breeding in Canada (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club of Canada); the table shows what is recommended.
- No health test is required for breeding in Australia (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club); the table shows what is recommended.
- Required for breeding in New Zealand (Dogs New Zealand): DNA tests (CC/DE, EF).
| Test | United Kingdom [3] | United States [21] | Canada [22] | Australia [23] | New Zealand [24] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hip X-ray (HD)Hip dysplasia | not in the rules | Required | not in the rules | not in the rules | not in the rules |
| Kneecap checkPatella luxation | not in the rules | Required | not in the rules | not in the rules | Recommended [25] |
| Eye examInherited eye disease, by a certified vet ophthalmologist | Recommended | Required | Recommended [26] | Recommended | Recommended [25] |
| Heart examInherited heart disease, by a cardiologist | Recommended | Required | Recommended | Recommended | Recommended [25] |
| MRI scanChiari-like malformation and syringomyelia | Recommended | not in the rules | Recommended [27] | not in the rules | not in the rules |
| DNA test: CC/DECurly coat and dry eye syndrome | Recommended | not in the rules | not in the rules | Recommended | Required |
| DNA test: EFEpisodic falling | Recommended | not in the rules | not in the rules | Recommended | Required |
● Required. ○ Recommended: advised, not required. – Not in the rules. The clubs and their rules are in the source list.
United Kingdom: the Royal Kennel Club’s Health Standard requires no test, so every test is ○ recommended.
United States: ● means the test is needed for a CHIC number from the OFA; taking part in CHIC is voluntary.
Canada and Australia: ● means the breed club’s code of ethics requires the test of member breeders; the kennel club registers litters without it.
New Zealand: ● means a litter is only registered if the parents have the test.
What to ask the breeder
- Certificates for both parents: hip X-ray (HD), kneecap check, eye exam, and heart exam. A claim that the parents are “health tested” is not enough.
- DNA results of both parents for CC/DE and EF, or proof that both are clear by descent.
- To see the puppies with their mother, at the breeder’s home.
- The pedigree papers (United Kingdom: Royal Kennel Club registration certificate; Canada: CKC certificate of registration; Australia: Dogs Australia pedigree, issued by the state body; New Zealand: Dogs NZ certificate of registration). [28] [29] [30] [24]
- 8 weeks: the youngest age at which a puppy may leave its mother in the UK, in Canada (Quebec), and in Australia (New South Wales). [31] [32] [33]
- Advice on buying a puppy: The Royal Kennel Club, The Canadian Kennel Club, Dogs Australia, and Dogs New Zealand. [34] [35] [36] [37]
Similar breeds
Sources
- FCI (Fédération Cynologique Internationale): Breed standard No. 136: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (2026)
- American Kennel Club: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Dog Breed Information
- The Royal Kennel Club: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- American Kennel Club (AKC): Official breed standard: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (2023)
- Waggel (UK pet insurer): Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Dog Breed Guide: Temperament, Training and Health.
- PDSA (People's Dispensary for Sick Animals, UK veterinary charity): The cost of owning a dog (2024). Covers food, vet visits, insurance, other costs.
- PetMD: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Dog Breed Health and Care (2026)
- ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals): Cutting Pet Care Costs (2021). Covers food, vet visits, preventive medicine, insurance, toys and treats, boarding, dog licence, grooming supplies.
- Pets Plus Us (Canadian pet insurer; figures from OVMA 2024 Cost of Care research): HOW MUCH IS THAT DOGGY? (EN-DOG_PPU_Cost-of-Care_Aug2024_v3.pdf) (2024). Covers food, vet visits, insurance, dog tax, accessories.
- Knose (pet insurer): Knose Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breed page (2026)
- Animal Medicines Australia (survey by Sweeney Research/SNR): Pets in Australia: A national survey of pets and people (Pet Ownership Study 2025) (2025). Covers food, vet visits, insurance, parasite treatment, vet medicines, supplements, grooming, training, accessories, dog walking, boarding, transport, memberships, alternative healthcare.
- Companion Animals New Zealand (NZ Companion Animal Council): Companion Animals in New Zealand 2016 (section 6.3 Dogs, Fig 50) (2016). Covers food, vet visits, dog tax, boarding, equipment, grooming, healthcare products, insurance, training, other costs.
- nidirect (official government website for Northern Ireland): Dog licensing and microchipping (2026)
- American Kennel Club: Are You Financially Prepared for a Puppy? Explore Costs of Owning a Dog (2021)
- City of Toronto: Pet Licensing Fees (2026)
- Mozo: How much does it cost to own a dog or cat in Australia? 2026 (2026)
- PetMall NZ, citing Auckland Council: Auckland Dog Registration 2026–27: Late Fees Now Apply — Full Fee Table (2026)
- Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Mattin M.J. et al., VetCompass): Prevalence of and risk factors for degenerative mitral valve disease in dogs attending primary-care veterinary practices in England (2015)
- Canine Genetics and Epidemiology (O'Neill D.G. et al., VetCompass): The epidemiology of patellar luxation in dogs attending primary-care veterinary practices in England (2016)
- Journal of Small Animal Practice (O'Neill D.G. et al., VetCompass): Epidemiology of periodontal disease in dogs in the UK primary-care veterinary setting (2021)
- Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA): CHIC Program Requirements: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club of Canada: Code Of Ethics (incl. Cavalier Breeders' Guidelines)
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club (Qld): Health
- Dogs New Zealand (New Zealand Kennel Club Inc.): Registration Regulations (Section 4, Reg. 24: Litter Registration Limitations (2026)
- Dogs New Zealand: Accredited Breeder Health Tests for the CAVALIER KING CHARLES SPANIEL (former Accredited Breeders Scheme test list)
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club of Canada: Eyes
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club of Canada: Syringomyelia
- The Royal Kennel Club: What should the breeder give me?
- The Canadian Kennel Club: By-Laws (incl. Code of Ethics (2025)
- Dogs Australia: Getting a Dog: Importance of Pedigree Papers
- UK Government (legislation.gov.uk): The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/486), Schedule 6 (breeding dogs) and Schedule 3 (selling animals as pets) (2018)
- Ministère de l'Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l'Alimentation du Québec (MAPAQ): Guide d'application du Règlement sur le bien-être et la sécurité des animaux domestiques de compagnie et des équidés (reproduces CQLR c. B-3.1, r. 0.1, art. 36) (2023)
- NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), State of New South Wales (fact sheet hosted by Dogs NSW): New laws for dog breeders in NSW (fact sheet on the 2024-25 amendments to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979 and Companion Animals Act 1998) (2025)
- The Royal Kennel Club: Questions for the breeder
- The Canadian Kennel Club: Finding an Accountable Breeder
- Dogs Australia: Getting a Dog: Choosing a Breeder
- Dogs New Zealand: How do you go about purchasing a pedigree pure bred dog?
Breeding rules, health sources and breed standards checked October 8, 2026.
Prices as published by the sources; collected October 8, 2026.
Breed traits describe typical tendencies. Every dog is an individual, shaped by genes, upbringing and training.