Cavalier King Charles Spaniel - Dog Breeds - Facts Every Owner Should Know

We begin this article with the basic facts about the breed, then follow up with an in-depth look at their personality.

Group: Toy

Weight: 10-18 lbs

Height: 11-13 inches

Overview

The first Cavalier King Charles Spaniels were originally recorded in paintings from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries as small dogs that were regularly found in the houses of royalty and in court. The largest supporter of these dogs used to be King Charles II, and he was usually seen with several of these dogs. During that time these dogs were used to attract fleas, and were also used as a way to cure stress ailments.

Temperament

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have wonderful personalities, and is ideal dogs for families, couples and even single people. These dogs are inquisitive and playful by nature, but also like to just lie on their owner's lap. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel likes to spend time with humans, and requires a lot of attention on a daily basis. These dogs does not like to be left alone for extended periods of time, and might become destructive or even nervous when this happens. Seeing that this is a dog that loves to chase, they may require proper socialisation to not chase other animals in the home. This is not an aggressive dog, and will get along well with other dogs. These dogs love to please their owners, and are very easy to train.

Care

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel should be brushed often with a firm hair brush. Bathing should only be done if it is deemed necessary. The feathered hair on the ears of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has a tendency to tangle, and should by groomed often to prevent this from happening. It is also important to trim the hair between the pads on the feet of these dogs, and check their ears for obstructions. It is important that these dogs are warm and dried properly after bath. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is an average shedding dog.

Training

This is an extremely intelligent dog, and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is very eager to learn. These dogs will do very well in hunting and agility if they receive the correct training. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel does well in competitive obedience training, and they also make wonderful therapy dogs. These dogs will respond positively to training that involves praise and fair training methods.

Health problems

Although the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a toy breed, they are amazingly healthy. But there are some serious health problems that these dogs struggle with at times. Many of these can be eliminated if these dogs are bought from a trustworthy breeder. Some of the health conditions these dogs struggle with include syringomyelia , mitral valve heart disease, patellar luxation, Cataracts, otitis externa and an early commencement of hearing loss.