Breed profile
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Explore the care, lifestyle and household factors that matter before making a commitment.
SizeSmall
ExerciseModerate
GroomingHigh
ChildrenGood
BarkingLow
HealthHigh
What this means
Source-linked data has been researched to help you make an informed decision about life with this breed.
Read how evidence is handledAt a glance
Key facts
Size classSmall
Adult weight5.4 to 8.2 kg
Exercise needModerate
Energy levelHigh
BarkingLow
Grooming effortHigh
Health burdenHigh
Breed profile
Life with this breed
Home and lifestyle
- Flat suitability
- Good fit
- Alone tolerance
- Very low
- Energy level
- High
- First-time owner fit
- Excellent fit
Care and training
- Minimum daily exercise
- 60 minutes
- Mental stimulation
- Moderate
- Trainability
- Good
- Grooming effort
- High
- Professional grooming
- Professional grooming optional
- Shedding
- Moderate
Household fit
- Children
- Good
- Dogs
- Good
- Cats
- Moderate
- Prey drive
- Moderate
- Visitors
- Very good
Health and evidence
- Health burden
- High
- Heat tolerance
- Very poor
- Cold tolerance
- Moderate
Health-burden evidence confidence: High.
Recorded health considerations
- Mitral valve disease
- Syringomyelia
- Curly coat/dry eye and episodic falling
- Inherited eye problems including cataracts
- Luxating patella
- Ear problems
- Dental problems
These are breed-level considerations, not a diagnosis or a guarantee that an individual dog will be affected.
Flat-faced conformation can affect breathing and heat regulation.
Children and pets need supervision and careful introductions. Individual behaviour varies.