Queen Victoria had a tricolor Cavalier whom she called Dash. She wrote the following message that was inscribed on her beloved pet’s tombstone when he died: “Here lies Dash, the favorite spaniel of Her Majesty Queen Victoria, by whose command this memorial was erected. He died on the 20th of December 1840 in his ninth year. His attachment was without selfishness, his playfulness without malice, and his fidelity without deceit. Reader, if you would live beloved and die regretted, profit by the example of Dash.”
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Meet the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel- the spaniel of kings and the king of lapdogs! You’ll fall in love with their sweet, heart-melting expression radiating from their big round eyes- the breed’s hallmark.
Country of Origin
United Kingdom
Breed Group
Toy dogs
Height
Male 12-13 In
Female 12-13 In
Weight
Male 13-18 Ib
Female 13-18 Ib
Life Span
9-14 years
Get our FREE guide to dog health
and happiness
In a Nutshell
Despite their aristocratic descent, Cavs are playful, gentle, affectionate, quiet, and willing to please. They don’t bark excessively, even at strangers. Their Spaniel legacy kicks in when they are outdoors, where they love to frolic, sniff, explore, and chase (poor squirrels, beware)!
Life With a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Low (1)
High (5)
Energy level
Trainability Level
Amount of Shedding
Tendency of Barking
Exercise Needs
Kid Friendly
Pet Friendly
Looks & Personality
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are toy breed spaniels known for their richly colored, smooth, and silky coat that comes in four colors: Blenheim (white and chestnut), tricolor (white/black/tan), ruby, and black and tan. The breed is also known for the lovely feathering of the hair on their feet, ears, legs, and tail.
Cavaliers get on excellently with kids and other pets. They are super adaptable to your lifestyle – whether as a couch potato or an athlete – although the latter is obviously better for your health. They are known for being affectionate, graceful, and gentle but also for their athleticism and stamina of a sporting spaniel. Keep this in mind – they need moderate exercise, enjoy walks, and do well at several doggie sports.
They have a keen hunting instinct, so if they aren’t on a leash and onto an exciting scent, you can call to your heart’s content with no response. Also, fence in your yard! Do note that Cavs are known to suffer separation anxiety. Their unconditional loyalty and love makes it hard for them to be left home alone.
Common Health Problems
Cavaliers are prone to ear disease, ear infections, bone and joint problems, skin issues, neurological problems to name a few.
A tip from a vet
Easily distracted and famously lacking in street smarts, it’s a good idea to keep your Cavalier on the lead when you’re walking through populated areas. They’re also sensitive to hot weather so aim to walk thm during the cooler times of the day.
A tip from a trainer
The Cavalier is very eager to please its owners. They are friendly, intelligent, train quickly, and excel in several canine sports, including rally, agility, and obedience. Their sweet-tempered nature also makes them excellent therapy dogs.
Did You Know
A Cavalier King Charles Spaniel featured on the hit TV series “Sex and the City” as Charlotte York’s dog, whom she called Elizabeth Taylor Goldenblatt.
Urban legend says that king Charles 1 of Britain was so attached to his Cavs that he issued a decree that dogs be allowed in all public spaces, including Parliament or Westminster Palace, overriding the “no dog except guide dogs” rule.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are genetically prone to mitral valve disease (MVD), which causes heart failure – the most common cause of death in the breed.
In The News
The History Behind the Breed
Toy spaniels were the territory of European aristocracy dating back to the Renaissance. For example, 17th-century British monarchs, King Charles I and his son Charles II were devoted to tan and black toy spaniels, eventually called King Charles Spaniel in his honor. Toy spaniels continued to be a favorite of British nobility into the early 19th century. During the Victorian age, the breed was mixed with the Asian toy, possibly the Japanese Chin and Pugs. It became what is now called the English Toy Spaniel in the US and King Charles Spaniel in the UK.
This new-style spaniel had a rounded skull and flatter face than Charles’s, which soon became the dominant trait. The traditional toy spaniel of the Restoration age was made nearly extinct but not forgotten. They were preserved in portraits of ancestors hanging in stately manors in England. In the 1920s, enthusiasts wondered if the ancient toy spaniel still existed. Hence, a wealthy American, Roswell Eldridge, offered a cash reward to British breeders who could produce Old World Bleinheim Spaniels. Breeders created the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel – Cavalier as a nod to the royalist party that supported the Stuarts in the civil war and cost King Charles 1 his head.
Famous Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Owners
Lauren Bacol, Margaret Thatcher, Diane sawyer, Courtney Cox, Jennifer love Hewitt, Liv Tyler, Jaclyn Smith, Tom Selleck
Get a free quote on pet insurance for
your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
today!
Why Get Pet Insurance For Your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel?
Your Cavalier has a 1 in 3 chance of requiring emergency treatment in any given year. In fact, every pet will statistically suffer 6 significant health episodes in their lifetime. Each incident costs an average of $1,100+. Animalia pet insurance reimburses up to 90% of your vet bills as the unexpected is…well, expected.
When it comes to owning a dog, you always want the best for your furry buddy. But our pets’ lives are often exciting and filled with misadventure — and when the unexpected strikes, our loveable animals can become sick or be involved in an accident at the drop of a hat.
To protect yourself, and your Cavalier, from the rising cost of vet bills, it’s important to get pet insurance. This can give you peace of mind knowing you’ll be financially assisted in the event of an expensive trip to the vet.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Pet Insurance
How long do Cavalier King Charles live?
The average lifespan of a Cavalier King Charles is between 12-15 years.
What are Cavalier King Charles’ most common health problems and are they covered by pet insurance?
There are several health issues that Cavaliers are prone to. These include certain eye conditions (including retinal problems and cataracts), patella luxation, hip dysplasia, middle ear infections, mitral valve heart disease, and a neurological condition called syringomyelia.
Animalia offers freedom from cost-based decisions – a friendly insurance plan eliminates financial decisions, whether an MRI scan, complex surgery, or an expensive treatment for an unexpected illness.
Can I visit any vet after enrolling my Cavalier King Charles in pet insurance?
Yes. Animalia trusts the vet you trust. That means we’ll support any licensed Vet you choose, including specialists and hospitals. Coast to Coast.