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

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.

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.

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.

• See Also: Fascinating Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Facts

Featured Image Credit: KnipsKaline, Pixabay