Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
affectionate / gentle / graceful
A gentle companion equally happy on a relaxed walk or nestled close to their people.
Photo: Andrew Branch denae_andrew · CC0. Resized and cropped. Photo details
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Distinct from the English Toy Spaniel (King Charles Spaniel). Blenheim describes coat color, not a separate breed. Also documented as: Cavie.
The breed at a glance
- Official name
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Origin / registry attribution
- Great Britain
- AKC origin attribution
- England
- Group
- Toy Group
- Original purpose
- Companionship
- Height
- 12-13 inches
- Weight
- 13-18 pounds
- Typical lifespan
- 12-15 years
- Coat type
- Silky, Wavy
- Coat length
- Medium
- Shedding
- Low
- Drooling
- Low
- Barking
- Moderate
- Grooming
- Low
- Exercise needs
- Moderate
- Mental stimulation
- Moderate
- Trainability
- High
- Children
- Very high
- Other dogs
- Very high
- Cats / small pets
- Individual assessment required; breed suitability unknown
- Apartment adaptability (editorial)
- Very high
- First-owner suitability (editorial)
- Very high
- Climate
- Unknown; individual veterinary advice recommended
Measurements, coat facts, and trait ratings: AKC Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breed guide. Origin classifications can differ between registries; both attributions are retained where available. Apartment and first-owner ratings are editorial planning estimates.
Temperament & lifestyle fit
affectionate / gentle / graceful. These are general breed tendencies; upbringing, age, health and the individual dog matter.
- Energy and exercise
- Moderate
- Grooming needs
- Low
- Trainability
- High
- Family compatibility: children
- Very high
- Apartment adaptability (editorial)
- Very high
Use these ratings to plan your routine, rather than to predict an individual dog’s behavior. Children need supervision and introductions to other pets need individual assessment.
Find breeds that fit your home, activity and care preferences · Understand our source ratings and editorial estimates
A history that shapes daily life
British toy spaniels inspired the Cavalier, developed to restore the longer-muzzled spaniel appearance seen in earlier paintings. It is distinct from the English Toy Spaniel, also called the King Charles Spaniel.
History and breed background: AKC Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breed guide.
Coat care & everyday routines
Discuss inherited heart and other health conditions with a veterinarian and responsible breeder.
Reported coat colors: Blenheim, Black & Tan, Black & White, Ruby. Color listings reflect the source registry and do not establish health, temperament, or show eligibility.
Plan daily activity and age-appropriate enrichment, a comfortable resting area, gradual alone-time training, and regular preventive care. Choose a routine you can maintain throughout the year.
Coat and care source: AKC Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breed guide.
Health conversations worth having
Reported concerns include mitral valve disease, syringomyelia, eye disorders, patellar luxation, and hip dysplasia. Discuss cardiac and neurological health carefully before choosing a dog.
Screening listed by the source breed club
- Patella Evaluation
- Hip Evaluation
- Cardiac Exam
- Ophthalmologist Evaluation
Health screening does not guarantee an individual dog will be free of disease. These lists are not a diagnosis or an exhaustive account of possible conditions.
Health source: AKC Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breed guide · Parent breed-club health statement.
A realistic monthly care budget
$130–$275 USD per month · adult-dog planning estimate.
- Food
- $25–$50
- Routine veterinary reserve
- $60–$125
- Parasite prevention
- $15–$35
- Grooming & coat supplies
- $10–$25
- Treats, toys & replacement supplies
- $20–$40
Editorial U.S. adult-dog planning ranges, reviewed October 1, 2026. Routine veterinary care is averaged across the year. Local prices and individual health needs vary. Excludes purchase or adoption, initial supplies, insurance, emergency and specialist care, boarding, daycare, training classes, and pet rent. Sources inform care categories; these breed estimates are not supplier quotes.
AKC: lifetime dog-care costsASPCA: planning for pet-care costs
Sources & research status
- FCI breed nomenclature: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel · checked 2026-10-01
- AKC Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breed guide · checked 2026-10-01
- FCI official breed standard
- Data coverage, editorial estimates, and matching methodology
General breed tendencies do not guarantee individual behavior. Children need supervision; existing pets need careful introductions. Meet the dog and discuss individual health and care needs.