Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
A sweet, affectionate toy spaniel. Known as "everyone's best friend". Long ears and large, expressive eyes. Sadly, it has a high incidence of heart problems and syringomyelia (irresponsible breeding).
Foto: Wikipedia Commons · CC BY-SA
Mizuu editorial teamupdated on October 14, 2026Not yet reviewed by a vet. Are you a vet? Review itReport an error
Ideal for
- Families and older people
- Flats
- Anyone wanting an affectionate dog
Reconsider if
- ×Anyone looking for a sporty dog
- ×Anyone unable to cover high veterinary costs
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Is the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel a good match for you?
Indicative rating from 1 (low) to 5 (high).
Estimated cost of ownership
50-95 €/month
Food: 18-30 € · Preventive vet care: 20-40 € · Grooming and accessories: 8-15 € · Insurance and extras: 5-20 €
History and origin
Ancient toy spaniels were favourites of Charles II of England (17th century). Recreated in the early 20th century from the flatter-faced King Charles Spaniel.
Recognised by the FCI within Group 9 (companion dogs). Its small size makes flat living easy, but "small" does not mean "needs no training": small dog syndrome (excessive barking, fearfulness, reactivity) is common when the dog is not given the same routine as a large one.
Temperament and character
Affectionate, gentle and sociable. No guarding instinct. Devoted to its owner (suffers when left alone). Gets along with anyone. Needs daily mental stimulation — scent games, food-stuffed Kongs and short trick sessions channel its energy better than physical exercise alone. Responds best to positive reinforcement: physical punishment creates fear, anxiety and reactivity — coercive methods are NOT recommended by veterinary behaviourists. Sensitive to its family's mood: it picks up on tension and takes it on.
Living together
Children: excellent. Other dogs: very sociable. Cats: good.
Life stages of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Each stage has its own care priorities. Life expectancy: 9-14 años.
Puppy
0-9 months
Socialisation and training; first cardiac auscultation; cleaning of the long ears and coat care.
Junior
9 months-1.5 years
Early cardiac monitoring (predisposition to murmur/mitral valve) and patella checks; moderate exercise.
Adult
1.5-7 years
Annual cardiac echo/auscultation for mitral valve degeneration (the breed's main problem); weight control.
Senior
7+ years
Close monitoring of mitral valve insufficiency, management of cardiac cough and neurological/joint review.
Care
Exercise 30-60 min/day. Brushing 3 times/week. Weekly ear cleaning. Annual cardiology from age 5.
Feeding: quality food suited to life stage (puppy/adult/senior) and size. Weight control: obesity is the leading preventable cause of joint problems.
Vet: annual check-up with preventive blood work from age 5; twice a year from 8.
Care in detail
Nutrition
Quality small-breed food in 2 meals, watching the weight so as not to overload a heart already predisposed to failure.
Grooming
Brushing 3 times a week to prevent knots in the silky coat and ears; weekly ear cleaning because of the long, pendulous ears.
Training
Very biddable and eager to please, easy to train with positive methods. Its greatest challenge is being alone: work on gradual independence to prevent separation anxiety.
Exercise
30-60 minutes daily of gentle walking and mental play. Enjoys the sofa but needs its daily activity.
Breed-specific health
Degenerative mitral valve disease (very high risk, most affected over age 5). Syringomyelia (brain too large for the skull). Thrombocytopenia. Life expectancy 9-14 years. If you go to a breeder, ask for the parents' health tests relevant to the breed. When adopting, ask the shelter for a vet report on the current condition.
Health predispositions for this breed
Conditions this breed is more predisposed to. Knowing about them helps with prevention and early detection. A predisposition does not mean the animal will develop them.
Common diseases in dogs
Learn the symptoms, prevention and when to see the vet. Reviewed indicative information that does not replace a veterinary consultation.
Screening and prevention for the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Recommended tests and screenings
- Echocardiography (mitral valve disease)
- MRI scan where syringomyelia is suspected
- Ophthalmological examination
- Platelet count (thrombocytopenia)
Prevention
Cardiology from a young age (mitral valve disease affects most dogs with age), weight control and attention to neurological signs of syringomyelia.
Check-up schedule
Annual check-up with cardiac auscultation/echocardiography; closer monitoring from age 5.
Warning signs
- !Persistent cough or fatigue on exertion (heart)
- !Air-scratching towards neck/shoulder (syringomyelia)
- !Fainting
- !Bruising or bleeding (platelets)
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel gallery
Frequently asked questions about the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
How long does a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel live?
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How much does a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel weigh?
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Where does the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breed come from?
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How much exercise does a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel need?
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Is the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel good with children?
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Who is the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel NOT recommended for?
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What health problems does the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel have?
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Can it be left alone at home?
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What is syringomyelia and why does it affect this breed?
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Is it a good breed for families with children?
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Why is there so much emphasis on cardiac monitoring?
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Does it need a lot of exercise?
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Related and similar breeds
Learn more about dogs
Practical veterinary guides to support your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
Sources and references
Content compiled from official breed standards and leading veterinary sources.
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