Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Temperament

The FCI standard describes the Cavalier as sporting, affectionate and absolutely fearless, happy, friendly and free of aggression. At home it's a classic shadow: it follows its owner around, loves lying in laps and asks for attention. The AKC gives it top marks for affection, for how it gets along with children and for how it gets along with other dogs. It's curious about the world and happy to go on a long walk in the woods, but just as happy to spend a rainy day on the couch. As a spaniel, it has some hunting instinct and may take off after a bird or squirrel. It makes a poor watchdog, since it usually greets strangers with delight. It doesn't handle long stretches alone well and may howl or whine. It's also sensitive to a harsh tone and responds better to calm encouragement than to yelling.

Energy

calmvery energetic

Affection

independentvelcro pet

With children

not idealgreat

With other pets

difficultgreat

Trainability

stubborneager to learn

For first-time owners

for experienced ownersyes

With strangers

waryoutgoing

Playfulness

dignifiedeternal puppy

Shedding

minimalheavy

Grooming

easydemanding

Being left alone

strugglescopes well

Apartment living

needs a house and yardgreat in a flat

Barking

quietvocal

With other dogs

difficultgreat

Protectiveness

lowhigh

Drooling

hardly anya lot

Cold tolerance

feels the coldexcellent

Heat tolerance

strugglescopes well

Scores of 1–5 compare the breed with other breeds of the same species, based on the sources at the bottom of the page. Every animal is different. How we score traits

Who is the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel for?

The Cavalier is a good choice for first-time owners, families with children, seniors and apartment dwellers who spend a lot of time at home and want a dog for cuddling and easy walks. Before buying, check the parents' heart test results and be prepared for cardiologist bills. It won't suit people who are out of the house all day or anyone who wants a guard dog.

Size and looks

Care and exercise

Up to an hour of exercise a day is enough for a Cavalier, according to the Royal Kennel Club, but a healthy, fit dog will happily do more. Mix up walks with sniffing and short games of fetch. Brush the coat several times a week, especially behind the ears, on the feet and on the "trousers," where it tends to mat. Check the ears every week, since they're long and poorly ventilated. The breed gains weight easily, and obesity puts extra strain on the heart, so watch portions and treats. Training goes smoothly with praise and rewards. In summer, watch out for heat and plan walks for the cooler parts of the day. Regular heart checks at the vet, ideally with a stethoscope exam every year, are especially important in this breed.

Health and breed-related conditions

The Cavalier has two serious health problems that need to be discussed openly. The first is mitral valve disease: the AKC and VCA list it as the breed's main disease, and the Royal Kennel Club requires heart testing under the breed club's scheme before breeding. The second is syringomyelia linked to Chiari-like malformation, a skull defect that causes fluid-filled cavities to form in the spinal cord; in some dogs it causes chronic pain. On top of that come eye diseases, patellar luxation, ear infections, and the inherited CC/DE and episodic falling, which DNA tests can detect. The AKC gives a life expectancy of 12–15 years.

• mitral valve disease (MVD)Very common in the breed and often starts earlier than in other dogs; the Royal Kennel Club requires heart testing before breeding.
• syringomyelia and Chiari-like malformationA defect of the skull and spinal cord that can cause chronic pain and scratching around the neck.
• curly coat and dry eye syndrome (CC/DE)A severe inherited disease of puppies; ruled out with a DNA test.
• episodic falling (EF)Episodes of muscle stiffening after exercise or excitement; a DNA test is available.
• patellar luxationThe AKC recommends a patella evaluation for breeding dogs.
• eye diseases and middle ear infectionsThe AKC lists cataracts, retinal disease and ear infections.

This is general breed information, not a diagnosis. If something worries you, talk to your veterinarian.

Breed history

Small spaniels have kept company with European aristocrats since at least the Renaissance. English kings Charles I and his son Charles II were especially fond of them, and the breed's name comes from the latter. The Marlborough family bred chestnut and white spaniels at Blenheim. In the 19th century the dogs were crossed with Asian breeds, which produced the shorter muzzle and domed skull of today's King Charles Spaniel. In the 1920s an American, Roswell Eldridge, offered a prize to British breeders for dogs of the old type seen in portraits. The revived type was named the Cavalier, after the faction that supported the Stuarts.

Fun facts

• The Blenheim color is named after Blenheim Palace, the seat of the Marlborough family.
• The chestnut spot on the forehead prized in Blenheims is called the "Blenheim spot."
• The FCI standard sets the Cavalier's weight at 5.4–8 kg and gives no height at all.
• The name "Cavalier" refers to the Royalists who supported Charles I in the English Civil War.

Frequently asked questions

This breed also appears in

• Small dog breeds
• Best dogs for kids
• Best dogs for apartments
• Dogs that don’t shed (much)
• Dogs for first-time owners

Sources

1. 1FCI standard nr 136 – Cavalier King Charles Spanielfci.be
2. 2AKC – Cavalier King Charles Spanielakc.org
3. 3Royal Kennel Club – Cavalier King Charles Spanielroyalkennelclub.com
4. 4VCA – Cavalier King Charles Spanielvcahospitals.com

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.