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Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
A fluffy, white and tan dog with floppy ears is standing on a large tree that has fallen to the ground in a grassy field.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Looking for a dog that will be completely devoted to you? Then a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel may be the answer. Whether you’re thinking of borrowing one or getting your own, we’ve pulled together some fun facts you should know about the breed.

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What is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel?

The breed earned its name from being a royal favourite during the 17th century and continued to be one of the preeminent lap dogs for British monarchies in the centuries following. Although they’re small for a spaniel, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are one of the largest toy breeds and can range in size from 10 to 18 pounds (4.5 to 8.2 kg). Their key traits are large, expressive eyes and a silky, smooth coat, which can be Blenheim (chestnut and white), Tricolor (black/white/tan), Black and Tan, or Ruby.

How much exercise does a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel need?

Cavaliers thrive off of human contact, so whether you’re on a country walk, strolling around your neighbourhood or relaxing at home, they’ll be eager to accompany you, but do need up to 1 hours of walks and exercise per day.

A small, young pup with white, black and tan markings on long sleek hair sniffs the air
Poppy loves exercise, play and relaxation .... in that order. She loves running around and chasing her tennis ball and sometimes even retrieves it. Indoors, she enjoys a gentle game of tug of war. She is very affectionate and cuddly.

- Caroline, owner of Poppy

What is the temperament of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel?

These cute puppies are a highly affectionate, playful and devoted dog who enjoys nothing more than to please its owner. In fact, they’re often referred to as

love sponges

and have an ever-wagging tale. They typically adapt easily to new environments and people, making them one of the best dogs for kids and socialising with other dogs.

A tan and white dogs head and long silky ears poke out from a cosy blanket
Mollie is a lovely little dog. She's very friendly towards all people and has a great temperament. She is happy on a stroll, but equally happy to just be in a home with human company.

- Sarah, Owner of Mollie

Are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels easy to train?

Because of their eagerness to please, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are an easy to train dog breed who love praise.

Dude can fetch a ball, play dead, sit, stay, roll over, and shake. He’s super friendly and a great indoor or outdoor companion. He Loves cuddles and he is seriously a love sponge.

- Meg, Owner of Dude

That being said, here are a few funny quirks that some of our members’ pooches have:

Lacey, Owner of Paris:

She takes her vocation of human-snuggling extremely seriously and assumes everyone in the room is there to receive a cuddle from her.

Sue, Owner of Lottie:

Lottie makes a mockery of our ‘no dogs on sofa’ policy.

Other key facts

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has a long coat and is prone to heavy shedding. Dog grooming will definitely be required for this high maintenance hair - this can be a relaxing pursuit but also can be costly, so worth bearing in mind if you’re looking for a small dog.

Most common Cavalier King Charles Spaniel names on BorrowMyDoggy:

  • Charlie
  • Poppy
  • Ruby
  • Oscar
  • Alfie
  • Archie
  • Daisy
  • Molly
  • Rosie
  • Max

BorrowMyDoggy members Rosanna and Mike joined with their adorable Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Darcy. Read their story to see why they say BorrowMyDoggy “is so much more than a business of dog walking and dog sitting. It's developing a doggy community. If we want to go away for the weekend, there’s people who can look after her and it’s such a better experience than kennels.”

High paws to our lovely community for letting us share these facts about their Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. Paws crossed you found them helpful :)

Looking for the pawfect Cavalier King Charles Spaniel to join you on a walk? Or would you like your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel to make a new friend? Why not sign up to BorrowMyDoggy today.

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