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Breed profile

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Sweet, gentle and adaptable, with serious inherited heart and neurological risks.

Blenheim Cavalier King Charles Spaniel lying with its chin on the grass in front of a hedge
The Cavalier: gentle eyes and silky Blenheim ears.Photo: Filip B / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Weight
5.5–8 kg12–18 lb
Height
30–33 cm12–13 in
Lifespan
9–14 yrs
Group
Toy
Origin
England
Popularity
#12 US#10 UK · 2025

Known for: Family dogsFirst-time ownersFlat-friendlyLap dogsGood with other dogs

Energy
Shedding
Trainability
Barking
Good with kids
Flat-friendly

Temperament

Affectionate, Gentle, Adaptable, Sociable.

Health problems to know about

  • Mitral valve disease (very common, often early)
  • Syringomyelia / Chiari-like malformation
  • Eye conditions (cataract, retinal dysplasia, dry eye)
  • Glue ear (primary secretory otitis media)

Ask breeders for the parents' health test results, and check what your national breed club recommends screening for.

Daily care

Moderate walks, regular brushing. Choose a breeder who heart-scans (and ideally MRI-screens) or adopt; budget for cardiology checks.

A good fit for

Families, first-time owners, apartments, older owners.

Probably not ideal for

Anyone unprepared for possible heart treatment costs.

Sources

  1. Royal Kennel Club: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
  2. Wikipedia: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Popularity: AKC 2025 registration rankings (US); Royal Kennel Club 2025 registrations (UK, ranked by us). Breed traits are tendencies, not guarantees. Individual dogs vary, and mixed breeds and rescues can be wonderful fits too.

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