Discover Everything About Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Learn about the breed characteristics, health, history, and find trusted breeders
At a glance
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel overview
The essentials — key facts, traits, and health priorities — before you dive deeper.
Health grade
Relative to other breeds
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is affected by serious health issues that can drastically impact its quality of life. Syringomyelia, an extremely painful skull malformation, and early-onset heart conditions are deeply rooted in the breed. Together with Curly Coat Dry Eye syndrome, this requires extreme caution from buyers and a strict focus on comprehensive health records for both parents.
Lifespan
9–14 yrs
Height
31–33 cm
Weight
5–8 kg
Practical
- Puppy price: 1,500 – 2,500 €
- Coat: Long, silky, slightly wavy, with an undercoat
- Origin: Great Britain
Typical coat colors
- Ruby
- Blenheim
- Black & Tan
- Tricolor
Temperament
Daily life
What matters most
Especially with a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, choosing the right breeder is the single most important decision you'll make. Serious breeders consistently test the parents for inherited conditions, prioritize healthy early socialization, and stay accountable long after handover. A cheap puppy without health screening tends to become the most expensive dog later on.
See HonestDog breeder standards →Is the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel right for you?
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a gentle, extremely people-oriented companion dog—bred to warm the feet of English nobility and simply provide pure company. He loves everyone and everything, yet still carries a touch of his old Spaniel heritage in his heart.
Perfect for you if:
- You are looking for a dog that greets every person and other animal in a friendly way and has zero guarding instinct.
- You can take him almost everywhere as a true companion dog—he was bred for constant closeness and will wither without it.
- You enjoy moderate walks where he can use his keen Spaniel nose without demanding peak athletic performance.
- You appreciate a soft, easy-to-train character that absolutely cannot handle harsh criticism or loud words.
Less ideal if:
- You work away from home for eight hours a day and would have to leave him alone—isolation is extremely stressful for this operating system programmed for constant closeness.
- You want a dog that protects your home and property or is even slightly skeptical of strangers.
- You are looking for a robust outdoor partner for hours of jogging in pouring rain or intense summer heat.
The real vibes check
A Cavalier is like a walking, soft shadow that prefers to stick invisibly to your leg the moment you sit down. He doesn't demand constant action or complex tasks, but he does require the most demanding thing of all: your undivided presence. If you love sharing your life and are looking for a dog whose only real job is your company, you won't find a more loyal companion.
Breed Profile
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a small, elegant breed that belongs to FCI Group 9, which includes companion and companion dogs. These lovable dogs have large, expressive eyes and long, silky ears. Their coat is lush and can be slightly wavy or straight. The body structure is balanced and harmonious, which gives them a graceful appearance. A distinctive feature of this breed is the friendly and gentle face, often described as "puppy-like", even in adulthood.
| Height | 31 - 33 cm (Female), 31 - 33 cm (Male) |
| Weight | 5 - 8 kg (Female), 5 - 8 kg (Male) |
| Life Expectancy | 9 - 14 years |
| Character | Loving, playful, affectionate |
| Coat | Long, silky, slightly wavy, with an undercoat |
| Coat Color | Ruby, Blenheim, Black & Tan, Tricolor |
| Price | 1500 - 2500 € |
History
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has a long history dating back to the 16th century. He comes from Great Britain and was particularly popular with the aristocracy and royalty. The name "King Charles" goes back to King Charles II of England, who was known for his fondness for this breed of dog. The breed was originally intended as a lap dog and companion for the ladies of the court. Over the years, the breed's appearance changed until, in the 1920s, an American dog lover named Roswell Eldridge launched a campaign to restore the breed to its original appearance. This led to the development of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, which is longer in the face and more graceful overall than the King Charles Spaniel (without the "Cavalier" prefix). The breed was recognized by the Kennel Club in Great Britain in 1945 and has since gained popularity worldwide.
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel was bred as a companion dog for nobility and is known for its friendly nature and silky coat.
Great Britain
1600
Character & Temperament
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a real treasure. His nature is loving, friendly and he is known for building a particularly close bond with his people. This makes him the perfect companion who always prefers to be near you. His playful temperament and ability to integrate well into a family make him an ideal pet. Despite his aristocratic origins, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is anything but snooty. He is cheerful, outgoing and gets along well with both children and other pets. Its adaptability makes it a great companion, whether you live in the city or in the country. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are not particularly alert and are therefore not suitable as guard dogs. They are more likely to greet strangers with a wagging tail and a happy face. Still, they can be a little wary of strangers until they know there is no danger. An interesting aspect of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel's personality is his empathy. These dogs are often very sensitive and can sense how their owners are feeling. If you're having a bad day, your Cavalier will often try to comfort you. When it comes to hunting behavior, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have a relatively weak prey drive, and although they like to play and frolic, they are usually easy to handle. These little four-legged friends don't particularly like loneliness. It is important that they are not left alone for too long as they may suffer from separation anxiety. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel's silky coat requires regular grooming to prevent mats and knots. A soft-bristled brush is ideal for keeping the coat nice and shiny. This breed is ideal for first-time owners as they are easy to train and very docile. Her desire to please combined with her intelligence makes training a joy. It's important to start training early and be consistent but loving. Overall, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a loving, affectionate and playful dog that makes an excellent companion for all ages. With his loving nature and beautiful, silky coat, he will undoubtedly win the heart of any dog lover.
| Trainability Bred to work closely alongside humans. | Highly trainable |
| Watchfulness Occasionally alerts but is fundamentally open. | Low |
| Openness to Strangers Warms up quickly and is generally welcoming. | Friendly |
| Hunting or Herding Drive Mild interest in movement and small animals — easily managed. | Low |
Fun Fact!
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel was named after King Charles II of England, who was rarely seen without his beloved spaniels by his side.
What Awaits You
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have a high percentage of Chiari malformations. This and other painful breeding characteristics that also cause a lot of suffering have led to this breed no longer being allowed to be bred in Norway.
Housing & Care
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel makes an excellent city dog as long as it gets regular walks and playtime. He is very family oriented and generally gets along well with children. However, younger children should be supervised to ensure they do not accidentally injure the dog. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is also often friendly with cats and other pets, especially if socialized with them from an early age.
| Family Friendly Lives for its family — the born family companion. | Ideal family dog |
| Child Friendly Extraordinarily patient and loving — a true family dog. | Excellent with children |
| Dog Friendly Actively enjoys the company of other dogs. | Dog-friendly |
| City Friendly Small space, noise, lots of people — no problem at all. | Ideal city dog |
Owning a dog is not only a privilege, but also a responsibility. If you want to bring a dog into your life, you must be aware of the commitment that dog ownership entails!!
Training & Education
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is an intelligent and trainable dog, but it is important to work with gentle methods. They respond best to positive reinforcement. They can benefit from agility, obedience and even therapy work as they often have a very calming nature. It is important to ensure that the dog does not become overly busy and has sufficient rest periods. The Cavalier can develop a weakness for retrieving, so it is advisable to keep play in moderation. Training in impulse control and frustration tolerance can help to have a balanced and well-behaved dog.
Nutrition & Care
A balanced diet is very important for the health of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. High-quality food tailored to the breed's needs can help keep him healthy. Excessive weight should be avoided as this puts additional strain on the heart and joints. Regarding care: The Cavalier has long, silky fur with a light undercoat. He copes well with the German climate, but should wear a coat in cold weather. The coat should be brushed regularly to prevent matting and minimize shedding.
| Care Level Regular brushing and occasional professional grooming. | Moderate |
| Exercise Needs Needs 1–2 hours of real exercise daily. | Active |
| Shedding Regular shedding — dog hair on clothes is now normal. | Moderate |
| Trainability Bred to work closely alongside humans. | Highly trainable |
This information is currently being reviewed by experts. If you discover an error, please send an email to info@honestdog.de!!
Health
High risks
Health grade
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is affected by serious health issues that can drastically impact its quality of life. Syringomyelia, an extremely painful skull malformation, and early-onset heart conditions are deeply rooted in the breed. Together with Curly Coat Dry Eye syndrome, this requires extreme caution from buyers and a strict focus on comprehensive health records for both parents.
Grade is relative to other breeds — AI-generated by our veterinary-genetics model.
In daily life this can mean
You should expect more frequent vet visits, keep an eye out for behavioral changes like increased scratching, and budget for close-monitored heart care from the very beginning.
The breeder's role
Responsible breeders have the heart examined via ultrasound and the head via MRI to rule out serious hereditary diseases—however, the fundamental risks of the small gene pool remain.
No Health Tests Available
No specific health tests are currently available for this breed.
Experiences with the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Sabine M., Halterin aus Hessen (Rüde, seit 2025)
Unser Oskar ist jetzt fast ein Jahr alt und charakterlich wirklich ein absoluter Traum. Er ist unglaublich anhänglich, sensibel und merkt sofort, wenn es mir mal nicht so gut geht – dann weicht er mir nicht von der Seite. Er ist extrem schlau, lernt schnell und ist im Alltag eigentlich sehr unkompliziert.
Was wir allerdings völlig unterschätzt haben, ist sein Jagdtrieb. Von wegen 'kaum Jagdtrieb' – wenn Oskar draußen Vögel oder Schmetterlinge sieht, vergisst er alles um sich herum. Er zieht dann extrem an der Leine, jault vor Aufregung und hat die Nase nur noch auf dem Boden oder in der Luft. Wir arbeiten jetzt intensiv mit Dummy-Training und in der Hundeschule daran, seine Aufmerksamkeit wieder zu bekommen, aber entspannte Spaziergänge ohne Leine sind im Wald aktuell leider noch nicht denkbar.
Silke T., ehemalige Halterin aus Nordrhein-Westfalen (Hündin, verstorben)
Ich liebe diese Rasse über alles, aber man darf die Augen vor den gesundheitlichen Problemen nicht verschließen. Unsere geliebte Hündin ist leider viel zu früh an einer schweren Herzerkrankung (Mitralendokardiose) gestorben. Der Weg dorthin war für uns alle ein absolutes Trauerspiel: Es fing mit Herzgeräuschen an und endete trotz unzähliger Tierarztbesuche, ständiger Medikamenteneinstellungen und hoher Kosten in schwerer Atemnot und Wasser in der Lunge.
Wer sich für einen Cavalier entscheidet, muss sich im Klaren darüber sein, dass Herzerkrankungen in dieser Rasse genetisch extrem weit verbreitet sind. Ich kann jedem zukünftigen Halter nur dringend ans Herz legen, sich vor dem Kauf ganz genau mit den Zuchtlinien und den Untersuchungen der Elterntiere zu beschäftigen. Man sollte finanziell und emotional darauf vorbereitet sein, dass diese Hunde leider oft sehr pflege- und behandlungsintensiv werden können.
Michael S., Halter aus Bayern (Rüde, seit 2024)
Unser kleiner Rüde ist ein typischer Cavalier: unglaublich süß, sensibel und manchmal auch ein kleiner Frechdachs. Er ist extrem empathisch und spürt sofort, wenn jemand in der Familie traurig ist. Gleichzeitig ist er aber auch ein kleiner Angsthase – wenn in der Küche mal eine Pfanne scheppert, flüchtet er sofort ins Badezimmer und versteckt sich.
Er ist wahnsinnig intelligent und lernt Tricks im Handumdrehen, kann aber auch richtig zickig sein, wenn ihm etwas nicht passt. Man muss bei dieser Rasse außerdem bedenken, dass sie absolute Spätentwickler sind und eine sehr liebevolle, aber konsequente Führung brauchen, um ihre Unsicherheiten im Alltag abzulegen.
sinngemäß aus echten Halterberichten
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Frequently asked questions about the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Is a Cavalier King Charles the right dog for me?
The Cavalier King Charles is an adaptable dog that adjusts well to various lifestyles. Research the temperament, grooming needs, and space requirements before deciding.
How long does a Cavalier King Charles live?
The average life expectancy of a Cavalier King Charles is 9-14 years. With proper care and regular vet visits, your dog can live a long, healthy life.
How much grooming does a Cavalier King Charles need?
Cavalier King Charles grooming requirements include regular brushing, nail trimming, and dental care. HonestDog provides detailed grooming tips for every breed.
Is a Cavalier King Charles good for families with children?
The Cavalier King Charles can be a great family dog. Proper training and socialization are key. HonestDog provides family suitability information for every breed.
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