Are you considering getting a friendly dog but don’t know which dog breed you should go for? Don’t worry because you will know the answer to this question by the end of this blog!
One of the best toy dog breeds suitable for households is the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Dog breed. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Dogs have a sporty and athletic nature as they love hiking, running, catching the ball, etc.
This blog provides all the information you need to know about the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Dog breed.
Let’s dive in!
History
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are the descendants of the small toy Spaniel illustrated in Northern Europe paintings of the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries. This small breed has the privilege of being in the toy group of Kennel Club and the American Kennel Club.
These dogs are also known as lap-warming dogs as they were used in drafty mansions or chilly carriage rides. Since 2000, they have gained immense popularity among the people of the United States.
Appearance
You must be thinking, what do Cavalier dogs look like?
Well, they are clothed with silky medium-length fur, which may be slightly wavy. As they grow, feathering covers their ears, feet, chest, tail, and legs.
Cavaliers come in variable colors such as Tricolor, Ruby, Blenheim, and Black and Tan.
They require weekly brushing, but trimming is not needed. However, some people prefer to trim their hair due to dirt accumulation.
Vital Stats
| Height | Weight | LifeSpan |
| 12-13 inches at the shoulder | 13-18 pounds | 9-15 years |
Feeding
Keep in mind to feed your pup twice a day so that he doesn’t become overweight. The quantity of food supplies advised for a Cavalier is ½ or 1 cup of dry dog meal.
Moreover, the quantity of food depends on your dog’s size, age, metabolism, and activity level. If your Cavalier is old and has a height of 13 inches, then your fluffy friend might need more food than a younger Cavalier dog.
Grooming Tips
Cavaliers are easy to maintain and groom. Some of the grooming tips that you should know are as follows:
- Brush your Cavalier’s teeth at least three-four times a week to avoid bad breath and related diseases.
- Trim your dog’s nails once or twice a month.
- Clean your Cavalier’s ears daily.
- Give them food in a narrow opening bowl to avoid the ears from contaminating the food.
- Lastly, make sure to check for any sores, rashes, redness, or inflammation to spot any health issues.
More About This Breed
The Cavalier is titled the “top tail-wagger” as their tail keeps wagging constantly when they move.
If you don’t get fond of this breed due to the wagging tail (which is very unlikely to happen), don’t worry. Your heart will melt seeing their large, round eyes surrounded by a dark outline.
Moreover, this breed can become fat and bulky if you keep offering unlimited foods. So, make sure that you also take them for a walk or playtime to cut off the excess weight.
As they are domestic dogs, one should make sure to keep them company as they dislike being ignored or confined in a backyard. Also, Cavaliers should not be kept outdoors as they are indoor dogs and love to be surrounded by folks.
As far as the training is concerned, Cavaliers are pretty easy to train if you reward them for their efforts.
Positive reinforcements and food rewards during the training will make up your good image in the eyes of Cavalier as they tend to hide if they are being yelled at to do something correctly.
For example, you can reward them when they don’t bark in response to your neighbor’s dog’s barking. Similarly, give them a treat for doing potty outside the house, catching the ball, chewing toys instead of your important stuff, etc.
However, it isn’t easy to house train them, but following a strict schedule according to the time at which Cavaliers are more active and energetic will surely help you.
Health Concerns
Cavalier dogs are most suitable for families as they love to be around people. However, this dog breed has some serious health concerns which might make you confused about whether to get a Cavalier or not.
The three most common health issues based on the Nationwide pet insurance claims are as follows:
- Mitral valve degeneration – increased intense heart murmurs until the dog experiences heart failure.
- Episodic falling – the dog consciously falls or experiences long seizures.
- Syringomyelia – the skull is not developed completely, and the dog will experience sensitivity on the neck, head, or shoulders.
- Hip Dysplasia – the hip joint is impaired.
- Patellar Luxation – the knee joint keeps on changing its normal position, which causes a sensation of pain.
- Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (Dry Eye) – the tear glands of the dog face an autoimmune reaction causing a reduction in tears.
Nevertheless, not all Cavaliers suffer from these diseases, but you should be aware of them if you consider buying or adopting them.
Conclusion
Most of you might not have heard about this breed, but Cavaliers are a pure breed that ranks 19th in the United States.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Dogs are the best fit for family-oriented households as they are friendly and affectionate towards everyone ranging from kids to aged people.
So, if you are thinking of adopting or buying a dog, consider Cavalier dogs as you will surely adore them.
In addition to this, remember to adopt or purchase them from responsible breeders or pet stores, which make sure that their parents are free of any genetic diseases and are healthy.
