Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
騎士查理斯王獵犬
Updated 2026-09-09
At a glance
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a small, silky-coated toy spaniel with large, gentle eyes and one of the sweetest temperaments in dogdom. Cavaliers are affectionate lap dogs that still enjoy walks and play, get on with children, strangers and other animals, and are easy to train; the breed's major health concern is early-onset mitral valve heart disease, so annual heart checks matter.
Facts
| Size | Small |
|---|---|
| Height | 30–33cm |
| Weight | 5.5–8.2kg |
| Life expectancy | 12–15years |
| Breed group | AKC: toy FCI: 9 |
| Role | Toy |
| Coat | Medium coat |
| Shedding | 2/ 5 |
| Exercise | 30–90min/day |
| Can be left alone | up to 4 hours |
| Companionship need | 4/ 5 |
| Trainability | 4/ 5 |
| Barking | 3/ 5 |
| Good with children | 5/ 5 |
| Good with other dogs | 5/ 5 |
| Heat tolerance | 1/ 5 |
| Cold tolerance | 3/ 5 |
Health
This page is general information compiled from published sources. It is not veterinary, legal or purchase advice. Dogs vary within a breed — talk to a vet or a reputable breeder about the dog in front of you.
Health notes are not veterinary advice. Conditions listed are those reported for the breed, not a diagnosis of any dog. Always consult a veterinarian.
Hip dysplasia
Commonly reported in the breed; breeders screen hips by X-ray. Ask your vet about hip screening and about keeping your dog lean and fit.
Cataracts
Hereditary cataracts are reported in the breed. Ask your vet about eye examinations if you notice cloudiness in the eyes.
Mitral valve disease
Mitral valve disease is commonly reported in the breed, often with age. Ask your vet to listen for a heart murmur at routine visits.
Patellar luxation
Patellar luxation (slipping kneecaps) is commonly reported in small breeds; breeders screen for it. Ask your vet if your dog skips or holds up a hind leg.
Brachycephalic airway syndrome
As a flat-faced breed, breathing difficulties and heat intolerance are commonly reported. Ask your vet to assess breathing, keep exercise gentle in hot, humid weather and use a harness rather than a collar.
Ear infections
Recurring ear infections are commonly reported, particularly in drop-eared dogs. Ask your vet how to check and clean the ears.
Cancer
Certain cancers are reported at higher rates in the breed. Ask your vet about regular check-ups and about any new lumps.
Syringomyelia / Chiari-like malformation
Syringomyelia is reported in the breed; MRI screening schemes exist for breeding stock. Ask your vet if your dog scratches at the neck or shows neck pain.
Behaviour
Born lap dog, sporting roots
The CKC calls the Cavalier a born lapdog whose exercise needs are easily satisfied — relatively quiet and calm-natured; the AKC notes it descends from sporting dogs and enjoys moderate exercise and walks, but is just as glad to stay on the sofa.
Friendly with everyone, easy to train
The AKC says Cavaliers are eager to please, friendly with strangers and other animals, do very well with children and train easily; the CKC describes a happy, sporting and fearless nature.
Energy and exercise
Energy level is rated 3/5 (moderate) on the AKC breed-trait chart. The Royal Kennel Club puts its exercise need at "up to 1 hour per day".
Training and barking
AKC trait chart: trainability 4/5, barking level 3/5. Individual dogs vary; early socialisation and reward-based training are recommended for every breed.
Official guidance
Summaries of official documents are ours; the source is linked. Breed standards, laws and licensing rules change — check the issuing body for the current version.
American Kennel Club — Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Breed overview, breed-trait chart, history, official standard summary and health notes from the AKC and the national parent club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
Canadian Kennel Club — Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (Toy Dogs)
Origin, temperament, activity level, height/weight, coat and grooming as described by the Canadian Kennel Club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
The Royal Kennel Club — Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Breed characteristics (size small, exercise up to 1 hour per day, lifespan over 12 years).
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
FCI nomenclature — Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (standard no. 136, group 9)
FCI breed nomenclature entry with the official breed standard PDF in English, French, German and Spanish.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
What owners say
Owner advice is quoted from public community posts and reflects those owners' opinions, not PocketPaw's position. It is unverified and not a substitute for professional advice. Each item links to where it was said.
“The parent club's heart page tells owners that mitral valve disease is the breed's number-one health concern, that the first sign is usually a heart murmur picked up at the annual vet visit, that many dogs with a murmur still live a full life, and that a veterinary cardiologist should guide treatment when it is needed.”
— American Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club — Hearts via breed clubWorldwide2026-09-09
Sources
- [1]Cavalier King Charles Spaniel — Dog Breed Information — American Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [2]Cavalier King Charles Spaniel — Choosing a Breed — Canadian Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [3]Cavalier King Charles Spaniel — Breeds A to Z — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [4]Cavalier King Charles Spaniel — FCI standard no. 136 — Fédération Cynologique Internationale (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [5]How do I help my dog adjust to spending time alone? — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [6]Incidence and risk factors for heat-related illness (heatstroke) in UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016 (Hall, Carter & O'Neill, Scientific Reports 10:9128) — Nature / Scientific Reports (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [7]Hearts — American Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club — American Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club — Hearts (Accessed 2026-09-09)
Still have questions?
Ask owners on the PawMunity forum — every breed has its own board.
Breed data compiled by PocketPaw from the sources credited on each entry. Text and layout © 2026 NextPath Solutions Limited. Please link to a page rather than copying it.