Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (often shortened to CKCS) is a British breed of toy dog of spaniel type. It is small for a spaniel, with fully grown adults comparable in size to adolescents of larger spaniel breeds. Adults weigh on average between 5.9 and 8.2 kg.

The coat is smooth, silky and of moderate length, free from curl although a slight wave is allowed. Feathering can grow on the ears, feet, legs and tail in adulthood, and the tail is usually not docked.

Four colours are recognised: Blenheim (chestnut and white), tricolour (black, white and tan), black and tan, and ruby (entirely chestnut). Historically the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel was a lap dog, and today it is kept as a companion.

The toy spaniels that came before the Cavalier changed dramatically in the nineteenth century, when they were inter-bred with flat-nosed breeds. Breeders later tried to recreate a dog resembling the spaniel of Charles II's time. Supporters of the king in the English Civil War were known as Cavaliers.

In the early 18th century, John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough, kept red and white King Charles type spaniels for hunting. His estate was named Blenheim, which is why the red and white colouring is called Blenheim.

In 1926 the American Roswell Eldridge offered prizes for Blenheim spaniels of the old type, with a longer face and flat skull. The first Cavalier club was formed in 1928. The Kennel Club first recognised the breed in its own right on 5th December 1944.

The Second World War badly reduced breeding stock, and today's dogs descend from a small number of founders. The first recorded Cavalier in the United States arrived from the UK in 1956.

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is considered playful, patient and eager to please. Most are good with children and other dogs, including larger ones, and they can suit both city and country life.

They are active and sporting, yet can also be calm companions. They do well in obedience and agility, and are frequently used as therapy dogs because of their calm disposition. In Stanley Coren's ranking they come 44th, which is average intelligence for working or obedience.

They have an instinct to chase most things that move, including vehicles, and tend to regard strangers as friends, so they usually do not make good guard dogs. Spaniels have a strong hunting instinct, though some owners report their dogs living happily with small animals.

The coat needs weekly brushing but no trimming, although some owners trim the long feathers, which can get very dirty.

Lifespan is usually given as eight to twelve years. A 2022 UK study found a life expectancy of 10.45 years, and a 2024 UK study found 11.8 years.

Mitral valve disease, which leads to heart failure, is the most common cause of death in the breed. Nearly all Cavaliers eventually have it, and it may be present in more than half by age 5. It can appear as early as one or two years old.

Syringomyelia is a condition of the brain and spine, with signs ranging from mild discomfort to severe pain. Over 90% of Cavaliers in research samples have the skull malformation linked to it, though most dogs with fluid pockets show no symptoms.

Other conditions include episodic falling, hip dysplasia, luxating patella, dry eye and other eye problems, glue ear, and some forms of deafness. Many may have a harmless blood platelet difference. Because today's dogs descend from few founders, inherited diseases can pass to many dogs.

This is general awareness only, not veterinary advice. Always consult a vet about your pet's health.

How long do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels live?

The usual lifespan is between eight and twelve years. UK studies have found average life expectancies of about 10.5 to 11.8 years.

Are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels good with children?

Most are. They are playful, patient and eager to please, and they usually get on well with children and other dogs.

Do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels make good guard dogs?

Usually not. They tend to regard all strangers as friends.

What is the difference between a Cavalier and a King Charles Spaniel?

The two are often confused and share a history until about 100 years ago. The Cavalier is larger, with a flat skull, higher-set ears and a longer muzzle, while the King Charles has a domed skull.

Can Cavalier King Charles Spaniels go anywhere in the UK by royal decree?

No. This is an urban legend. The UK Parliament says no Act of Parliament allows King Charles Spaniels anywhere in the Palace of Westminster, and the Kennel Club's research has not tracked down any such decree.

The chestnut spot on the forehead of some Blenheims is called the Blenheim spot, or Duchess Thumb Print. Legend says the Duchess of Marlborough pressed her thumb on an expecting dam's head while awaiting news from the Battle of Blenheim.

In 2007 the Cavalier was the 6th most popular dog in the UK, with 11,422 registrations.

Queen Victoria and Princess Margaret both kept Cavaliers, as did US President Ronald Reagan, whose Blenheim was named Rex.