Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

• ExerciseLow

  Short strolls and play indoors keep them content.

• GroomingBrush a few times a week

  Brushing several times a week prevents mats.

• Living spaceApartment-friendly

  Happy in smaller homes with regular outings.

• Owner experienceSome experience helps

  A little know-how makes life smoother.

• Commitment9–14 years

  Plan for a long, loving relationship.

Health to watch: Mitral valve disease · Patellar luxation · Ear infections

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel was bred purely to be a companion, and it excels at nothing so much as loving you: gentle, affectionate and sociable with everyone including children, other dogs and cats. It is adaptable and only moderately active, happy with daily walks and play followed by hours on your lap, which makes it a wonderful family and apartment dog. Its one real emotional need is company — Cavaliers bond so closely that they should not be left alone for long and can suffer separation anxiety. The silky coat needs brushing several times a week, and the feathered drop ears need regular cleaning. Health is the crucial consideration with this breed. Cavaliers are strongly predisposed to mitral valve heart disease, which affects most dogs as they age and is the leading cause of death, and to a neurological condition called syringomyelia, so it is essential to buy from a breeder who health-tests hearts (and ideally does MRI screening) and breeds carefully. Also watch for patellar luxation, ear and eye problems. Keep it lean, keep up annual heart checks from early on, and a Cavalier will be the sweetest of companions for its nine to fourteen years.

• How much exercise does a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel need?

  Low. Short strolls and play indoors keep them content.

• How much grooming does a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel need?

  Brush a few times a week. Brushing several times a week prevents mats.

• Is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel suited to apartment living?

  Apartment-friendly. Happy in smaller homes with regular outings.

• Is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel a good fit for first-time owners?

  Some experience helps. A little know-how makes life smoother.

• How long do Cavalier King Charles Spaniel live?

  9–14 years. Plan for a long, loving relationship.

• What health issues affect the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel?

  Keep an eye out for Mitral valve disease, Patellar luxation, Ear infections. These are worth raising with your vet, along with any screening they recommend.

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