Get

In Your Inbox

Dogster is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

How Smart Is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel? Canine Intelligence Explained

brown and white cavalier king charles spaniel

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is known for being affectionate, cheerful, loving, courageous, gentle, and loyal. However, as pretty as the dog is, it is also known as being quite intelligent.

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is the 44th most intelligent dog regarding working intelligence and obedience. This breed tends to learn new commands after the command is repeated 25 to 40 times. While that might not seem that great, you have to think about all the dog breeds in the world and how long it takes to learn all the new commands.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are intelligent, so what do we know about the breed? Join us as we talk about the intelligence of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, how obedient they are, and if they make good pets.

How Smart Is the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel?

We have already ascertained that the breed is intelligent. The fact that it only takes repeating a command 25 to 40 times for your little Spaniel to get it means that you can teach your furry friend new things in just a couple of hours.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel doing a handshake trick
Image By: Page Light Studios, Shutterstock

Are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Obedient?

As you probably already know, just because a dog is intelligent does not mean it’s obedient. A study conducted by the behaviorist Stanley Coren showed that the most intelligent dogs would respond 95% of the time on the first time asked, while 25% was on the lowest end of the scale.

The Spaniels will obey the first time at least 50% of the time. This is about average, according to the study, but can be more or less, as the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel can be a bit stubborn at times. Luckily, the level of intelligence your little Spaniel possesses means that it should be easy to train to potty outside, and it should be pretty easy to teach the dog some tricks.

While they might not be the most intelligent dog on the scale, they are by far not the least competent either.

Are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Intelligent Enough to Work?

Yes, this breed is intelligent enough to work. However, they aren’t suited for every job. They have been known to be service dogs before and can easily be trained as emotional support dogs. Make sure if you decide to get a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel as an emotional support dog that you register it first so you can take it to places you usually wouldn’t be able to take an animal.

two cavalier king charles spaniels showing tricks
Image By: Best dog photo, Shutterstock

Do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Make Good Pets?

These are intelligent dogs that make excellent pets. They are perfect for families who are home often. They become attached to their pet parents, so someone must be home with the dog most of the time.

Dogs that form attachments can become depressed, bored, and destructive if left alone too often. If you can’t spend much time with this Spaniel, you may want to find another pet more suited to your lifestyle.

Final Thoughts

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are intelligent dogs. They placed 44th out of the 138 dog breeds for intelligence. They tend to be a stubborn breed, and you’ll want to train and socialize your little Spaniel as soon as you bring it home as a puppy.

They make great pets for families with plenty of time to spend with them, as they can suffer from separation anxiety if they are left alone too often or for too long. If you’re looking for a loyal, loving, intelligent pet to give a forever home, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel might be just the dog breed for you.


Featured Image Credit: KnipsKaline, Pixabay

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate (you can leave written feedback after clicking submit)

Help us improve Dogster for pet parents!

Your feedback really matters.

What did you like about this post? Also how can we improve it?

Join the conversation

Leave a Reply

You’re very welcome to leave a comment or question. Please know that all comments must meet our community guidelines, and your email address will NOT be published. Let’s have a positive and constructive conversation.

Talk With A Vet Online

Peace of mind,
anywhere, anytime

Affordable vet advice

Golden Border Retriever Dog Breed: Info, Pictures, Care & More

If you’re on the hunt for a beautiful medium to a large-sized dog that’s intelligent and fun to own, a Golden Border Retriever...

Red and Brown Poodles: Info, Pictures, Origin & History

Poodles have grown in popularity over time from starring in movies or just being known as the fanciest breed of dog around! You...

My Dog Ate Paint, What Should I Do? Vet-Verified Facts & Risks

If your dog has eaten paint, or if you suspect that they have eaten paint, it is important to take them to a...

Can I Leave My Beagle Alone in the House? Breed Temperament & Tips

As much as you’d love to do so, you can’t always take your Beagle along when you leave home. Figuring out what to...

More related

179 Awesome Labradoodle Names for Your Curly Friend

Labradoodles are one of the most designer breeds in America. Combining the loyalty and gentleness of the Labrador Retriever with the intelligence, independence,...

Irish Wolfhound Dog Breed: Info, Pictures, History & More

Do you love large dogs? Do you think the larger the dog, the better? Then, you might end up adoring the Irish Wolfhound!...

9 Adorable Maltipoo Haircuts (With Pictures)

Whether you consider it a perk or a financial expense, one fact of life when owning a Maltipoo is that they need haircuts....

Adopt a Dog Month 2025: When Is It & How to Celebrate

Millions of dogs end up in shelters each year in the United States. These dogs can be lost, strays, or seized from terrible...

Keep reading

10 Best Dry Dog Foods for Senior Dogs in 2025: Reviews & Top Picks

Owning a senior dog can be a bittersweet time in your life. While you have all these wonderful memories together and a close bond, you also have to watch their health and mobility decline. Keeping our dogs around for as...

german shepherd dog lying near food bowl

Can Dogs Eat Oatmeal? Vet-Approved Facts & FAQ

Many dog owners often wonder, “Can dogs eat oatmeal?” And the answer is yes! Most dogs can absolutely eat oatmeal in moderation. However, like any other human food, certain rules apply. So, let’s go on an informative journey to understand...

Can Dogs Eat Oatmeal

12 Best Moist Dog Foods in 2025 – Reviews & Top Picks

Becoming a dog parent comes with a lot of responsibility, and one of the top priorities is your dog’s diet. Naturally, we want the best for our furry friends and provide them with a well-balanced, nutritious and delicious meal to...

West Highland White Terrier dog at home eating

What Is Turkey Meal in Dog Food? Vet-Verified Facts & Safety Info

You might be concerned about how safe turkey meal is and why pet food companies don’t just use more real turkey meat. Turkey meal and other meat meals are common ingredients found in dog food. Most dog food companies put...

labrador retriever dog eating its food from a bowl

Can Dogs Eat Apricots? Vet-Verified Nutrition Facts & Precautions

Dogs are facultative carnivores, meaning that like omnivores, they can eat some plant matter as well as meat. Many like eating sweet foods and can be found eating windfall fruit. If your dog has a sweet tooth, consider feeding them...

fresh apricots

Which Dog Foods Have Never Been Recalled? 10 Popular Brands

The last thing that you want to do is feed tainted dog food to your dog. One of the best ways to determine if a dog food company might have a recall in the future is to check if they’ve...

close up beagle eating

Carna4 vs Orijen Dog Food 2025 Comparison, Pros & Cons

Dog food can be quite an investment, so it’s important to know you’re choosing the right food for your beloved canine companion. The stakes for premium dog foods are even higher because the price tag can hurt your wallet. Orijen...

Dogster_Dog Food Carna4 VS Orijen

11 Best Lamb Dog Foods in 2025 – Reviews & Top Picks

These days, most dog owners are aware that many food allergies that affect our dogs come from common protein sources. In response, more dog food is being made with novel proteins, including lamb. Or maybe you’re looking at lamb for...

brown dog sniffing a dog food