Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are an adorable type of small spaniel that can make a nice addition to almost any home. These dogs are known for being friendly and making excellent companions. They’re small but not tiny, so they don’t take up too much space or create extra cleaning requirements. If you’re considering bringing home one of these little guys (or girls), here’s what you need to know about their potential adult size and weight.
As with any breed of dog, there are variations in size between individual dogs. On average, male Cavaliers grow to stand 20–23 inches from the floor to the top of the shoulders and weigh around 25 pounds. Females are slightly smaller at 18–20 inches tall and around 22 pounds.
Do These Dogs Make for Good Family Pets?
When we look for a dog to bring into our home, into our lives, and ultimately into our family, there are various factors that need to be considered. The type of lifestyle we lead, the size of space we have, and the kind of attention the dog will require—all of these things need to be taken into account when choosing the perfect dog for us.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are sweet, gentle, and loving dogs that are perfect for just about any family. Let’s take a look at why.
They’re Super Easy to Train
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are gentle dogs, which makes them fairly easy to train. This can be attributed to their history as “lap dogs” and their willingness to please their owner. They crave human attention, which makes them incredibly eager to learn and easy to train—even for those owners with no previous dog training experience.
They’re also intelligent dogs that pick up on training concepts very quickly and are able to retain their training for years afterward—making them a great dog for any owner with a busy lifestyle.
They’re Small and Love to Snuggle
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are affectionate dogs that love nothing more than to snuggle. They crave human affection and attention and will happily take as much as you are willing to give. They’re not overly demanding dogs and their love of cuddling makes them great family dogs. This is especially true if you’re looking to add a dog to a household with children.
These dogs are exceptionally patient and loving with young children and make a great addition to small or large families and for single-person dwellers as well. They’re also great for families with children due to their affectionate nature.
They’re Not Overly Energetic
Many dog breeds are extremely active and require a large amount of exercise and physical activity every day to stay calm, healthy, and happy. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, however, are not one of those dogs. They have a relatively low daily exercise requirement that makes them an ideal dog for those with a busy lifestyle but little time to spend exercising and playing with their dog.
This is especially true for those living in urban or suburban areas where space to exercise a dog is limited compared to those living in rural areas. One or two 20–30-minute walks a day will give these small dogs all the activity that they need.
Their Coats Only Require Occasional Brushing
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are a long-haired breed with a thick and luxurious coat. Their double coat has a soft, thick undercoat and a straight and wavy topcoat. The undercoat of their coat is particularly thick and fluffy, making it ideal for keeping your dog warm and comfortable on winter days. Surprisingly, their coat also happens to be very low maintenance.
It’s a very dense and coarse coat that requires very little grooming. But you will need to brush the coat every couple of weeks to keep it free from tangles and mats. In short, these dogs are ideal for those who like to keep pet grooming to a minimum.
A Bit of History About the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Theories about the history of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breed vary widely. Some people believe the breed came from ancient Egyptian dogs. Others think the breed is descended from Chinese longhaired spaniels. This breed’s history is mixed with a lot of conjecture because there are very few records or artifacts that can conclusively prove or disprove any of the theories.
One theory that is generally accepted by a large number of historians and breed experts is that the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dog breed was developed in England in the 1600s. During the reign of Charles II, there was a trend among the aristocracy to own small, friendly dogs as pets and companions. The smaller the dog was, the higher it ranked in the popularity contest amongst royals.
These dogs are the descendants of a dog called the “Spaniel du Roy”, which translates to “Spaniel of the King”. The smaller version of the Spaniel du Roy was bred down to become the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dog breed. These smaller spaniels were bred and raised by the nobility in England.
They are a small spaniel breed that is well suited for indoor living. These small dogs were actually given as gifts between royals, and they were also kept as cherished companions by the rich. Cavaliers are a type of spaniel, and they are still bred as companions and “lapdogs” today.
The Cavalier King Spaniel in America
Cavaliers were popular in Europe and Asia long before they were brought to America (which was known as “The New World” at the time). In fact, they became so popular in Europe and they were bred so extensively that they nearly went extinct. Breeders in England tried to slow down the breeding of Cavaliers to preserve the species, but they didn’t have much success.
Thankfully, in the late 18th century, the English exported their dogs across the Atlantic. Unfortunately, their popularity didn’t last long in America. Cavaliers were imported to America as working dogs. They were used for hunting small game and birds, and they were also employed to catch rats believe it or not.
But, their popularity soon turned. People who were accustomed to using larger, meaner dogs for hunting didn’t like the idea of using these small, friendly dogs. Cavaliers were also imported to America as companions for people of high social standing.
The Decline and Rebirth of the Cavalier King Spaniel
Sadly, the popularity of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel pretty much waned in the 19th century. The breed actually nearly became extinct, but the decline of their popularity was reversed when they were recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1878. The reason the breed was nearly destroyed was that they were bred to be too small.
Breeders of these dogs were trying to maximize their profit by breeding small dogs that could be sold for higher prices. To do this, they bred Cavaliers together with each other and with miniature poodles. They also inbred the dogs, which caused genetic mutations and deformities that led to health problems within the breed.
Conclusion
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are a relatively small dog breed that will only reach about 20 inches in height and weigh about 20 to 25 pounds on average. They’re gentle and loving dogs that are perfect for just about any family.
They are exceptionally easy to train, great with children, and not overly energetic. They are also incredibly affectionate, making them ideal for those looking for a companion dog.
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Featured Image Credit: Sue Thatcher, Shutterstock
Do These Dogs Make for Good Family Pets?
